Tyre Brand Recommendations - Best Value

Lemlin

Driving a 2008 Ford Mondeo. It needs new tyres but I'm just wondering if I could get any brand recommendations?

I'm looking to try and get the best value for money that I can. At present I am driving about 900km a week on my commute.

Had a look for other threads re this as I thought there'd be some but couldn't find any.

My tyre size is 215/55zr16.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

colm_mcm

Far as I know mondeos were fitted with either 205 or 215 depending on spec. 205 is a far cheaper tyre.

George Dalton

The best thing you could do is change from 215/55 16 to 205/55 16. Both sizes were fitted to Mondeos from the factory but the 205/55 16 size is cheaper.

If you change to 205/55 16 then you can get a premium brand tyre for around €85 each vs €130 for the equivalent tyre in 215/55 16.

kirving

At 900 km a week, something with an efficiency rating of A would work out best value long term I'd say.

Lemlin

colm_mcm wrote: »

Far as I know mondeos were fitted with either 205 or 215 depending on spec. 205 is a far cheaper tyre.

My vehicle is a Zetec so a good spec. Will my alloys effect being able to change though?

colm_mcm

No. I think it was for emissions that they changed them. 205 would be fine on a zetec.

Noccy_Mondy

I had bridgestone turanzas on my mondeo when I had the 16" wheels on them. Great tyre, good wearing and holding. I have michelin energy savers on another car and they are super too, paid 90 or thereabouts a corner I think. It's worth spending that bit extra for a good premium tyre, seeing as they won't break the bank at that fitment.

Atlantic Dawn

I've found Bridgestone Turanzas good on a similar sized tyre, good grip, lifespan and decent price. Your likely to get in or around a year or so out of whatever you get given your mileage. What life did you get from the last set and what brand were they?

Lemlin

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I've found Bridgestone Turanzas good on a similar sized tyre, good grip, lifespan and decent price. Your likely to get in or around a year or so out of whatever you get given your mileage. What life did you get from the last set and what brand were they?

I'll actually have to check when I got the last set. They are Maxxis. I see the Bridgestone Turanza on openeo.ie for €70. What would they be through a garage though?

visual

Lemlin wrote: »

My vehicle is a Zetec so a good spec. Will my alloys effect being able to change though?

Don't go for narrower tyres there was a reason your car came with wider tyres and it wasn't to look good

You only have 4 patches of rubber touching the road. The wider tyres give better grip in braking cornering and acceleration, especially under low traction conditions.

Tyre hight is a % of width so narrower tyres are also smaller in hight too.

colm_mcm

So ford was wrong to fit 205/55 on identical models?
That's like saying the OP should use the exact tyre brand model the car came with originally as only that will behave exactly the same. Or don't fit 17 inch wheels with a tyre size used by ford on that model as they're not 16 inch like the car came with originally.

Noccy_Mondy

The standard ones on the zetec are 215/55/16

The 205 ones are found on the econetec spec I think, because they're naff like that!

colm_mcm

AFAIK even later zetecs had 205

Atlantic Dawn

Lemlin wrote: »

I'll actually have to check when I got the last set. They are Maxxis. I see the Bridgestone Turanza on openeo.ie for €70. What would they be through a garage though?

I recall paying I think €80 a piece supplied and fitted about 3-4 years ago. I'd imagine with inflation and then the drop in the price of oil somewhere between €80-€90 fitted would be good, then maybe more if needed balancing/tracking.

vince

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I had bridgestone turanzas on my mondeo when I had the 16" wheels on them. Great tyre, good wearing and holding. I have michelin energy savers on another car and they are super too, paid 90 or thereabouts a corner I think. It's worth spending that bit extra for a good premium tyre, seeing as they won't break the bank at that fitment.

Replacing my energy savers soon been quoted 90 to 110 euro each. Im going to newry kwik fit where they are 56pound sterling each fitted.

George Dalton

vince wrote: »

Replacing my energy savers soon been quoted 90 to 110 euro each. Im going to newry kwik fit where they are 56pound sterling each fitted.

At current exchange rates £56 isn't too far off €90 so I hope you aren't travelling too far to get to Newry.

visual

colm_mcm wrote: »

So ford was wrong to fit 205/55 on identical models?
That's like saying the OP should use the exact tyre brand model the car came with originally as only that will behave exactly the same. Or don't fit 17 inch wheels with a tyre size used by ford on that model as they're not 16 inch like the car came with originally.

Ford don't make all their cars in model range equal it's why the sell different spec with different setups at different cost. I'm not a big ford buff but there is a difference between between Base spec at 80 or 90 hp compared to higher spec models with 125 or 150 hp.
It's not unusual for a car manufacturer to sell same model with smaller steel wheels with hubcaps and others upgraded with bigger alloys and some extra features thrown in.

What I said was don't go narrower on tyre as it's also smaller in diameter.

There is advantages to go slightly bigger / wider in additional grip and better control. But the only advantage going smaller / narrower is tyre cheaper.

So yes ford was wrong selling same spec models with narrower tyres. It's a down grade probably to increase profit margin or fool emissions who knows but you can be sure if they handed out a car for review it would have all the upgrades fitted including bigger wider tyres.

I be a little annoyed buying higher spec car to discover its been down graded. If I ended up owning it I would strongly consider at next tyre change fitting bigger tyres

It probably explained why lots of newer ford's look like their wheels are one size too small for the car wheel arches.

shietpilot

visual wrote: »

Don't go for narrower tyres there was a reason your car came with wider tyres and it wasn't to look good

You only have 4 patches of rubber touching the road. The wider tyres give better grip in braking cornering and acceleration, especially under low traction conditions.

Tyre hight is a % of width so narrower tyres are also smaller in hight too.

There will be no noticeable difference in a tyre that's only 1 cm smaller in width.

Since tyre height is a percentage of the width:
215 x 0.55 = 118.25 mm = 11.825 cm
205 x 0.55 = 112.75 mm = 11.275 cm

The difference in height is absolutely minimal. I would just buy the 205s! They will look a bit better on the wheel because they'll look less like a balloon on a wheel and they'l be cheaper so you can stretch your budget to a better quality tyre!

visual wrote: »

The wider tyres give better grip in braking cornering and acceleration, especially under low traction conditions.

Depends on the context. In snowy conditions it's the opposite. A skinnier tyre will be able to penetrate through the snow enabling it to touch the road surface better instead of spinning on snow.

Obviously snow is uncommon in Ireland by my point still stands: buy the skinnier tyre because it's cheaper and then buy a higher quality brand

Bigus

Yes, you see rally cars on skinny tyres for snow and mud ,I agree go with the 205

visual

Bigus wrote: »

Yes, you see rally cars on skinny tyres for snow and mud ,I agree go with the 205

See wider tyres on performance cars and track cars.

Plus skinny tyres for snow and mud are also taller with studs

visual

shietpilot wrote: »

There will be no noticeable difference in a tyre that's only 1 cm smaller in width.

Since tyre height is a percentage of the width:
215 x 0.55 = 118.25 mm = 11.825 cm
205 x 0.55 = 112.75 mm = 11.275 cm

The difference in height is absolutely minimal. I would just buy the 205s! They will look a bit better on the wheel because they'll look less like a balloon on a wheel and they'l be cheaper so you can stretch your budget to a better quality tyre!



Depends on the context. In snowy conditions it's the opposite. A skinnier tyre will be able to penetrate through the snow enabling it to touch the road surface better instead of spinning on snow.

Obviously snow is uncommon in Ireland by my point still stands: buy the skinnier tyre because it's cheaper and then buy a higher quality brand

You really don't understand tyres at all. Land-rover was famous for its pizza cutters in years gone by but even land-rover have increased the width of their tyres as have nearly all manufacturers for very good reasons.

You example of snow is flawed in that in very snowy countries they actually use wider tyres / winter tyres / studded tyres none of these will be Sumner tyres that would be fitted to nearly every car on Irish roads.

Yes I've driven behind a old K30 or corolla with bicycle width tyres in the snow and they done well but they are lighter vehicles to their modern counterparts and won't stop half as quick on a wet motorway or handle well on twisty roads

CJhaughey

Given the same tyre pressure and weight of car the size of the contact patch of a tyre is the same no matter whether it is 175 or 235 .
The only difference is in the shape of the patch, a narrower tyre will have a longer patch and a wider tyre will have a wider patch.
The main reason that wider tyres feel more sporty is that they are generally fitted to bigger rims with a lower sidewall aspect ratio. These are stiffer and deform less under lateral loads so cornering feel is improved generally at the cost of ride comfort and pothole ability.

That's the reason rally cars use narrow tyres, not to cut through snow but to elongate the shape of the contact patch to increase traction in slippery conditions, similar to the way a tracked vehicle operates with a long narrow contact patch.

Kenny Logins

Christ. We're talking about 10mm difference in width of a round thing made of rubber and filled with air. Nobody will notice that difference. :pac:

anthony4335

One thing I would advise is to not go based on price, I recently changed the tyres on my Prius for the second time, I was contemplating a change so I opted for a cheaper tyre ,one I had used before a Federal tyre. But since changing I have noticed the difference is massive, car pulls to the left quite a bit (I have it traced then and since and it is perfect) I also noticed a drop in fuel efficiency about 3-4 mpg. Originally I had Dunlop low rolling resistance tyres on, which lasted nearly 30k miles.

EndaHonesty

Lemlin wrote: »

Driving a 2008 Ford Mondeo. It needs new tyres but I'm just wondering if I could get any brand recommendations?

I'm looking to try and get the best value for money that I can. At present I am driving about 900km a week on my commute.

Had a look for other threads re this as I thought there'd be some but couldn't find any.

My tyre size is 215/55zr16.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Uniroyal RainSport3 Uniroyal Rain Sport 3 - 205/55 R16 91V TL

4 delivered from Camskill for around €260 and fitted locally for around €50, so €77.50 per tyre.
Good tyre for wet Ireland.

vince

George Dalton wrote: »

At current exchange rates £56 isn't too far off €90 so I hope you aren't travelling too far to get to Newry.

I will be near when I need them. Thing is I checked price again today and they have increased to £64 I rang them the lad said the online price changes. Ps whats the differance between a H or V marking

Anjobe

vince wrote: »

I will be near when I need them. Thing is I checked price again today and they have increased to £64 I rang them the lad said the online price changes. Ps whats the differance between a H or V marking

That's the speed rating, H = 210 Km/h, V = 240 Km/h

Alun

EndaHonesty wrote: »

Uniroyal RainSport3 Uniroyal Rain Sport 3 - 205/55 R16 91V TL

Good tyre for wet Ireland.

Have these on the MX-5 and they're fantastic with all the surface water around at the moment. On my other car I have good tyres too, but you still notice it a bit when you hit a patch of water, with the Rainsports, it's as if the water just wasn't there.

Lemlin

I'm going to price the Bridgestone Turanza and the Michelin energy savers tomorrow from some local garages.

Lemlin

I got quoted €95 for Bridgestone Turanzas fitted and balanced or €110 for the Michelin Energy Savers

colm_mcm

I paid €80 for my Michelin energy savers (205 size)

Noccy_Mondy

Michelins should be cheaper than that.

Lemlin

Bridgestone Turanzas for €75 in one garage.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Another Turanza fan here. Had them in 205/55/16 and found them very impressive in all weather conditions. They were also very quiet. I got approx 25k kms from mine on an AWD Legacy so it should be possible to get another few k kms from a FWD car.

P_Cash

Lemlin wrote: »

Bridgestone Turanzas for €75 in one garage.

Is that a 205 Tyre? Or the 215?

Where abouts in the country are you.
I'm replacing 4 on the same car myself.

215/55R16

Charles Babbage

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Another Turanza fan here. Had them in 205/55/16 and found them very impressive in all weather conditions. They were also very quiet.

Turanzas are fine in the rain, but not so much in snow. Bridgestone A001 is better for winter while similar in performance at other times.

P_Cash

Ps, i also had turanza in the past, no problems,

Some bad winters in 09/10 not a problem

power pants

zeetex by a country mile, excellent brand and tyre

pa990

power pants wrote: »

zeetex by a country mile, excellent brand and tyre

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Zeetex/HP102.htm

fancy pigeon

power pants wrote: »

zeetex by a country mile, excellent brand and tyre

I don't know why you would have those, triangles are cheaper, last longer and are a better brand.................

Noccy_Mondy

fancy pigeon wrote:

I don't know why you would have those, triangles are cheaper, last longer and are a better brand.................

I'd prefer ling long or wing wang myself, serious value for money.

SpannerMonkey

power pants wrote: »

zeetex by a country mile, excellent brand and tyre

fancy pigeon wrote: »

I don't know why you would have those, triangles are cheaper, last longer and are a better brand.................

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I'd prefer ling long or wing wang myself, serious value for money.

SpannerMonkey

in that size the cheapest tyres i would touch would be the likes of

Kumho KU31 http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s292p128561/Kumho_Tyres_Car_Kumho_KU31_Ecsta_SPT_Kumho_KU_31_-_215_55_R16_97W_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_71dB



UniRoyal Rainsport 3
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s292p111636/Uniroyal_Tyres_Car_Uniroyal_RainSport3_Uniroyal_Rain_Sport_3_-_215_55_R16_97Y_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_72dB


Hankook K115
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s292p114845/Hankook_Tyres_Car_Hankook_K115_Ventus_Prime_2_Hankook_K_115_-_215_55_R16_93V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

these are all decent mid range tyres . you can prob get them cheaper at a local tyre fitters if you ring around

if you want to go all out and want the most efficient tyre with good wet performance these are top notch had them on my 5 series . lasted ages and great grip

Pirelli P7 Cinturato Blue
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s292p100805/Pirelli_Tyres_Car_Pirelli_P7_Cinturato_Blue_Pirelli_P_7_-_215_55_R16_97W_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_A_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_72dB

power pants

the classic buy into a brand for no other reason than the price is expensive

i buy the budget tyres as im not gullible. I have the cash to buy any brand of tyre if I wished. its not a financial decision but realising that tyres are tyres

colm_mcm

here we go.....

SpannerMonkey

power pants wrote: »

zeetex by a country mile, excellent brand and tyre

power pants wrote: »

the classic buy into a brand for no other reason than the price is expensive

i buy the budget tyres as im not gullible. I have the cash to buy any brand of tyre if I wished. its not a financial decision but realising that tyres are tyres

^^^ i know this is prob a trolling effort but still :pac: ^^^

i made my comments as someone who has an interest in cars and the way they drive and as someone who has tried numerous different tyres and had numerous different cars . there is a difference this is scientific fact and is irrefutable. if you cant tell the difference that's fine for you . but i can and i feel safer and enjoy motoring more when i have tyres i am confident in . end of story


PS: the first 3 tyres i linked are very marginally more expensive than most budget tyres and perform leagues ahead especially in wet conditions


ie from a brake test done in Germany in 2012 your zeetex placed 44th with a wet braking distance of 61.8 Metres compared to another budget brand of Nokian which stopped in 44 Metres thats nearly 60 feet in the difference. but ya they are just tyres they are all the same :rolleyes:



Link to test http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2012-Autobild-50-Tyre-Braking-Test.htm


and a rating of E is about as low as you will ever see

.

P_Cash

The problem i have is that most Tyre dealers think that the common folk all think a tyre is a tyre, and they would sell ya any think. Pushing the one they have the most markup on.

Noccy_Mondy

Do tyre centres get a better mark up off cheaper tyres over more expensive ones. It's just that every time I go in and try to see what different premium tyres they have to offer, they will always try to drag me back to a "middle of the road tyre" pardon the pun! They do their best to sell those kind of tyres, despite the fact that I do be there to buy a premium brand. The only reason that I can think of as to why they push the middle/lower end stuff is that they get a better cut out of it?

colm_mcm

A lot of places will charge premium price for budget stuff. so in that case they'll be making a nice few quid.
If they were to put the same markup on premium tyres, nobody would buy them.
In my limited experience of selling tyres, the garage i was in generally had the same markup per tyre size regardless of brand.

Noccy_Mondy

colm_mcm wrote: »

A lot of places will charge premium price for budget stuff. so in that case they'll be making a nice few quid.
If they were to put the same markup on premium tyres, nobody would buy them.
In my limited experience of selling tyres, the garage i was in generally had the same markup per tyre size regardless of brand.

I knew there was something in it like that! Found it strange that the most expensive tyre wasn't being pushed. Makes sense alright.