Tyres: Barum bravaris 2 245 40 18 97 Y XL

[neilos100]

Just purchased a set off these through National Tyres ebay store. They came in at £426 including fitting. On National's own website they are £548 for the same tyres.
Herd lots of good things about Barum, they are the sister company of Continental and apparantly use the same tread pattern. Made in the Czech Republic so should keep the Mrs happy too( yes, she's Czech!!)
Will keep you updated of their performance ...they are fitted on friday morning.

If anyone is looking...here is the link..... Four (4x) Barum Bravuris 2 XL 245/40/18 R18 Y97 Set of Tyres XL 15401020000 | eBay
Seems a real bargain...I guess time will tell.

Neil

[JimC64]

Hey Neil, also heard good things about them myself and that they are a sister company of Continental going after the mid range market.

Please keep us informed, perhaps a review of them here as you live with them?

Thanks

[gianton]

Good deal, My local AD recommended me Barum. I'd like to know how they perform too thinking on putting them next time.

[apole]

Hi,

Got the same on mine earlier in the year to save my winter tyres for the cold weather. So far they've been good in terms of grip wet and dry, and wear.

For a mid range tyre they seem good, and came 3rd place recently in an auto express tyre test, they were behind continental and michelin from memory.

[JimC64]

Thanks Apole...........I've been offered these before and declined, but been interested after hearing of the tie up with Conti.

I don't think I'm so much a tyre snob as much as knowing the importance of having tyres that will definitely do the job, no ifs ands or buts. After a scary experience years ago, I've always stuck wit Pirelli / Continentals or Bridgestones and never ever had any issues, but jeeesh they are expensive.

I did have some Kuhmo Ecsta on a set of alloys I bought some time ago from new ( they came with the wheels ) and to be honest they weren't bad............I DID notice a difference against what I usually run but they were also about half the price, so its a trade off I guess.

I'm interested to see if any others chime in on the Barum's as they do seem to be getting more popular

[neilos100]

Well,

they're on the car now...not very much else I can tell you as yet. The only thing really is how quiet new tyres are compared to old worn rubber. It does make me laugh when people say their new tyres are so much quieter than their old ones......of course thay are! Any new tyre will be quieter than one worn down to the marker strips so not comparing like for like.
So, I,m not saying the Barums are quiet tyres, just that I had forgotten how quiet new tyres are in general. Time will tell how they do and I will endeavour to keep comments coming as and when I have used them a little more.
One thing I can say; the service I received from National Tyres was very good indeed. I arrived at about 9am and the tyres were ready and waiting to be fitted. As there were no other customers in, I had 4 of their staff fitting and balancing they tyres so it took maybe half-an-hour to in total. Whilst i was there I had them put a used Michi PS3 on a matching 5 spoke rim...I bought both off ebay a while back...tyre has 7mm and was £35 and the alloy(genuine) was £75.
Took the car home on the A40 so managed to stretch it little just to check the balance...absolutely no vibration upto 80mph so I reckon they did a good job!
So far very happy....Oh and the tyres have now dropped to £420 for 4 ...£6 less than I paid on wednesday!!! Four (4x) Barum Bravuris 2 XL 245/40/18 R18 Y97 Set of Tyres XL 15401020000 | eBay

Anyway, next report in a few weeks time after a weeks trip to Northumberland with the parents in law.....

Cheers,


Neil

[JimC64]

Thanks Neil...........keep the updates coming through the life of them and how you preceive them to be in the wet and dry.

I'll be popping in from time to time and keeping an eye on this with interest.
My 19's will be getting low soon and at £1200 or so for a set of premium rubber I may be shopping around again

Cheers

[Brycie]

Neil thanks for the report so far mate, what type of tyre is it that the Barums are replacing on your car?

[neilos100]

Hi Brycie.....
They were a mixed set when I purchased the car. Fronts were Pirelli something-or-others and the rears were Marangoni Mythos....Kwikfits mid range tyre.
They were far from new when I bought the car but managed to get just over 18000 miles from them. The road noise towards the end of their life was becoming quite noticeable but they served their purpose.

Sent from my HTC One X using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

[Brycie]

I was hoping you'd say something like that actually. I've always had Michelins, Contis or Pirellis before, never anything else at all (until these Dunlop winters). So given that you're going from Pirellis on the front where you want the grip, your opinion on the Barums should be particularly relevant tothose of us who usually have premium tyres.

Those that go from budget tyres to Barums may have a different opinion to thowe that go from premium brand to Barum, if you know what I mean.