Confused about tyres

brampty

Hi everyone!

It's time for me to change my tyres, and the sheer amount of options is confusing me. This is the sticker on my door, showing what I can use:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18vcQYrB43wnnfN8P09jlCIT7yORMJwF1/view?usp=sharing

I knew my car has 225/45/R17 tyres, but that's about it. Currently I have the 94V XL ones (not M+S though).
According to the sticker, there's three variants I can go for:
1.) 225/45 R17 91W
2.) 225/45 R17 94V XL M+S
3.) 205/50 R17 93H XL M+S.

I don't actually know what's supposed to be right choice for me? I just want the best value for money overall, I'm not interested in high speeds or anything. 70% of my driving is on the motorway, if that's relevant.
What kind of tyres should I get if I just want the overall result to be effective? Are the expensive tyres more long-lasting, making them justified in price, or is it just snake oil?

Thanks in advance everyone!

neilmcl

Option 1 is your standard, "summer" tyre, the other 2 will be for winter tyres, although the 205/50 size may be too narrow for your existing alloys.

AdrianC

225 and 205 are the tread width in mm
45 and 50 are the sidewall height, as a %age of the tread width. 45% of 225 = 101.25mm, 50% of 205 = 102.5mm. They're both effectively the same height.
17 is the rim diameter.

91/93/94 is the load rating - 615/650/670kg per tyre maximum. If 91 is fine, you don't need higher.
W/V/H is the speed rating - 168/149/130mph. If H is fine, you don't need higher.
XL is "Extra Load" - higher load rating than normal for that size. They may give a harsher ride.
M+S is "Mud + Snow" - not the same as winter tyres (which'll have a three-peak-mountain-snowflake logo on the sidewalls). M+S simply means there's a certain proportion of groove to tread block, and grooves clear across the tread. Cheap and nasty budget tyres are often M+S rated.

So, if it were me...
225/45 - I'd go for the £72 94W Avons, with £10 back from a pair, £20 back from four. Alternatively, there are £69 91Y Avons, but without that offer - but they may have a slightly softer ride. 205/50 gives a similar selection, but more expensive.
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/avon/zv7/225/45/R17/W/94/f?tyre=34751982
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/avon/zv7/225/45/R17/Y/91/f?tyre=34751997

https://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search?width=225&profile=45&rim=17
https://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search?width=205&profile=50&rim=17

hollie.weimeraner

Have a look at what's on at the moment (details on the sidewall) and then search for that size if you're happy. 

neilmcl

AdrianC said:

M+S is "Mud + Snow" - not the same as winter tyres (which'll have a three-peak-mountain-snowflake logo on the sidewalls). M+S simply means there's a certain proportion of groove to tread block, and grooves clear across the tread. Cheap and nasty budget tyres are often M+S rated.

I know M+S on it's own doesn't designate winter tyres but most manufacturers will put this on the tyre sticker to denote the optional sizes for winters.

molerat

Avon ZV7 225/45 94Y XL for £60.90 at TyreShopper. Maybe a discount depending on how much you spend https://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/special-offers/discount-codes or 4.25% TopCashback.  Put ZV7 94Y XLs on my last car, way quieter than the awful 91 H Contis factory fitted, a good mid range tyre.

brampty

Thanks everyone, it's all a lot clearer now!
I've noticed on hotukdeals that these are on offer currently:

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s16p167915/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Primacy_4_-_225_45_R17_94V_XL_%28S1%29_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_A_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB
and
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s16p189584/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Primacy_4_-_225_45_R17_91W_%28S2%29_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_69dB

Michelin Primacy 4 - 225/45 R17 94V XL (S1) TL (A fuel and A wet grip) and Michelin Primacy 4 - 225/45 R17 91W (S2) TL (B fuel and A wet grip).
After cashback they both cost less than £65 per tyre. This Primacy 4 is supposed to be a lot better than the Primacy 3 variant, so would this be a good choice for my car? Just don't know whether to take the XL version with both A ratings, or the normal version?

mgfvvc

If you are looking at Michelin, think about their CrossClimate tyres. They might be slightly less good in summer, but not enough that you'd notice in normal driving, however you will really notice the improved grip if we have a harsh winter and you have to drive in snowy or icy conditions.