New tyres

HeidiHeidi

I need to get two new tyres soon for my car. The guy in Thornton's (tyre dealers, very close to home) said there are loads of options available, starting from €65 and on upwards to €140 and above (he sort of tailed off at that point, I presume you can get even more expensive ones).

I have two questions:

1. What's the difference between the cheapie option and the more expensive ones? I asked, but he didn't really answer. He didn't appear to be trying to flog me the madly expensive ones, anyway, which was a relief. Do I actually need to be spending €100+ if there are cheaper tyres on offer?

The car is a Peugueot 307, and I do very low mileage, mostly city driving.

I don't have the tyre size, but I'm not sure that's relevant to the question. The current tyres are Pirelli.

I know, I know, that the tyre is the only point of contact with the road, and there's no point in skimping. I can afford the dearer ones if they're necessary, but obviously don't want to waste money on unnecessarily extravagant tyres either.

2. The nearly-worn-out tyres are on the back, it's a FWD car - would I be better getting the new ones put on the front when I get them?

Thanks in advance for any knowledge

Andrew33

Go for a brand name like Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear etc. A good budget make is Hancook, stay away from names like Sunny, Zeta etc. I Don't think Thorntons stock any of the rubbish brands so you should be safe enough. It's a bit out the road but Keanes in Saggart village on the N7 are usually cheaper than Thorntons and good guys too.

Chimaera

The big difference between cheap and expensive tyres is the rubber compound used to make the tyre. Cheap tyres tend to be made of cheaper, harder rubber. They last for ever, but grip is poor, particularly in wet and/or cool conditions.

To answer your second question: yes, put the new tyres on the front and rotate the part-worn ones to the rear. The front tyres do much more work than the rears between driving the car along, doing most of the stopping, and doing a lot of the steering work.

It's probably worth going with a tyre that's wet-weather biased too, given the sort of weather we usually get here.

HeidiHeidi

Thanks! Much appreciated.

exador

In fairness to Thorntons I always found them honest and would always have the customers safety as priority so they won't sell you rubbish...

HeidiHeidi

That's reassuring to hear! More or less the impression I had as well.

It was just the fella who looked at the tyres today didn't have a whole lot to say - he'll never win salemsan of the month, that's for sure!

exador

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

That's reassuring to hear! More or less the impression I had as well.

It was just the fella who looked at the tyres today didn't have a whole lot to say - he'll never win salemsan of the month, that's for sure!

I laughed at this bit..I think I know who you mean...he is the rainman of tyres though...

HeidiHeidi

Pity he won't share the knowledge!!!

colm_mcm

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s418p12314/VREDESTEIN_TYRES_CAR_VREDESTEIN_TTRAC_SI_VREDESTEIN_TTRAC_SI-_195_65R15_91T_TL_

2 delivered €116 delivered, €15 fitting, 130 the pair, €65 a corner

That's a quality brand tyre for the lower end of your budget

Kev.

Im on the same boat as OP.

I need 2 fronts on my Golf GTI mark V

225/40/18

Budget would be around 200-220 Euro

Any recommendations? I've no problem ordering from a site like Camskill.

Thanks in advance

Kev

fabsoul

Kev. wrote: »

Im on the same boat as OP.

I need 2 fronts on my Golf GTI mark V

225/40/18

Budget would be around 200-220 Euro

Any recommendations? I've no problem ordering from a site like Camskill.

Thanks in advance

Kev

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s134p12933/FALKEN_TYRES_CAR_FALKEN_ZE912_ZIEX_FALKEN_ZE_912_-_225_40R18_92W_XL_TL_

or better again

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s134p60798/UNIROYAL_TYRES_CAR_UNIROYAL_RAINSPORT_2_UNIROYAL_RAIN_SPORT_2-_225_40R18_92Y_XL_FR_TL_

joolsveer

Is it not recommended that the new tyres go on the rear axle?

Neilw

joolsveer wrote: »

Is it not recommended that the new tyres go on the rear axle?

Yes. Its to reduce the chances of oversteer due to loss of traction, the average motorist would have a better chance of controling understeer by letting off the throttle compared to oversteering beckwards into a ditch.

There's plenty of clips on YouTube which show the affect.

Andrew33

joolsveer wrote: »

Is it not recommended that the new tyres go on the rear axle?

Definitely not!! even back in the '70s when most cars were rear drive it was recommended that the best tyres always went on the front.

pheelay

Andrew33 wrote: »

Definitely not!! even back in the '70s when most cars were rear drive it was recommended that the best tyres always went on the front.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

challengemaster

Andrew33 wrote: »

Definitely not!! even back in the '70s when most cars were rear drive it was recommended that the best tyres always went on the front.

Lot of things have changed since then, I suggest you do some reading

Andrew33

challengemaster wrote: »

Lot of things have changed since then, I suggest you do some reading

The general consensus of safety experts and tyre fitters would advise putting the best tyres on the front so I suggest you go do some reading yourself.

pheelay wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

Being on Youtube does not give it any credence whatsoever.:rolleyes:

sundodger5

as an ex manager of a tyre centre. new ones to the rear is the rule of thumb unless the owners manual indicates otherwise. e.g vw's with esp.

pheelay

Andrew33 wrote: »

Being on Youtube does not give it any credence whatsoever.:rolleyes:

True, but I'd rate information from a tv broadcast above any advice randomally dished out on a public forum. Having said that, I don't know if that video was originally from a genuine broadcast. Whatever.


Back on topic, Michelin Tyre car tip #6.

FOR COMPLETE CONTROL, FIT YOUR NEW TYRES TO THE REAR AXLE
Rear wheels are not connected to your steering wheel, which makes it extremely difficult to judge their grip while driving. We recommend that new tyres or the least worn tyres are fitted to the rear wheels to ensure:

• Better control in emergency braking or tight corners when the roads are slippery.
• Less risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially on wet surfaces
• Better road holding, particularly in difficult situations, whether your car is front or rear wheel drive

HeidiHeidi

Very interesting! I'm reasonably convinced.

On balance (no pun intended) I think I'll be putting the new ones on the back after all.

Now I just have to decide WHICH new ones to get

Mc Love

In the process of getting new contis fitted