Are you a bargain budget buyer? Top of the line? Rotate your tyres? Replace when bold? Check there inflated?
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Are you a bargain budget buyer? Top of the line? Rotate your tyres? Replace when bold? Check there inflated?
I always rotate my tyres, back to front and fronts to backs. I always try to buy 4 at a time. I hate tread patterns that differ per wheel. As for cost, i dont see the point in paying more than say £100 a corner, the cheaper the better in fact but not to the detriment of the tyre. I have begun to research my tryes recently on www.mytyres.co.uk so that i can make an informed choice when i'm next due. However i do like the tyres that are currently on the car - Bridgestone Turanzas, so i may stick with these.
Due to the type of rim i have, incidently, i know nothing about them only they ar 2 part alloys http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...6112006036.jpg
and
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...6112006048.jpg
currently i have 225 45 R17 on and wondered if i could fit 235's on?
p.s. I hate brake dust and as such have bought a bespoke cleaning brush.
235's should be fine ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by GOLFMK5GTTDI
When you say rotate, do you wait until your fronts are looking a bit worn then run down the rears till there the same, or do you do it properly?
Not sure what you mean by properly? if all 4 were brand new, the fronts wear down quicker than the backs so when i feel they are about 50% - 60% gone i swap them over. Front left to rear left, front right to rear right and vice versa.
exactly the way i do it. since getting my golf, ive had to get 3 replacement tyres for the same corner, so im loath to go out and buy a full set of 4 identical tyres, it would be sods law that id end up with a puncture.Quote:
Originally Posted by GOLFMK5GTTDI
my fronts werent looking too clever, so i have swapped rears to fronts and vice versa, exactly the same way as you have ben.
i swear by hancooks, good quality value tyre and for the speeds and journeys i do, they wear well and hold well. i dont do a massive amount of motorway work, so its important i have a good all round tyre, high speeds aren't generally an issue, although they have held well at a moderate speed on the m.way.
i too, hate brake dust, but choose the good old method of elbow grease and a toothbrush for mine, i need to get my wheels off at some time to clean the backs of them.... they dont look like they've been done since the year dot. :(
When it was time for me to change, i was skint, and i needed all 4 tyres replacing....so i went for budget tyres....found a guy who did me 4 x Wanli tyres for £300...225/40/18 with ZR rating!
I got these probably about 8 months ago (not sure) and they are wearing great, they hold the road well and i think they look good. the tread is similar to the Toyo Proxes.
fact is, i would def buy again!
:biglaugh:
The 1st time i cleaned the wheels i took them off, this was the weekend after a bought the car (vw said they cleaned the car, all i can assume is they cleaned the wrong one as it was filthy. I even found money in it!),since then i can just squeeze my hand thru the spokes but it sometimes gets stuck. As a result i purchased a brush and none acidic wheel cleaner off the auto smart van that comes round work. I may post a pic tonight of said brush. they make very light work with fantasitc results. (Elbow grease is a free product available to all eager humans)Quote:
Originally Posted by eshrules
Doing thats actually quite dangerous, if one of the worn tyres gives out at speed/in a corner the sudden loss of traction from the rear end will spin the car like a bottle topQuote:
Originally Posted by eshrules
The proper way to rotate your tyres is to do em every few thousand miles, I don't bother with front wheel drive cars though, just run down your fronts till they are 4mm and replace
Just to add to this....
I always buy 2 new ones for the front and leave the rears untill they get pretty low... and then replace the rears..
On my last set of rears I got 45k miles out of them... where as on the front i have changed then 3 times..
RicKT
I personally go for the best grip tyres I can get and try to change them well before they get to 3mm. I use Goodyear F1s at present and check the pressure every fortnight.
With tyres you cant scrimp if you intend on going at any great speed. A good set of rubber can make all the difference when it comes to being in the S**T on the road and needing to stop fast.
I recently changed my front tyres for mitchelin primacy 205/55 r 216, I'd joined Costco and went there, they told me that they had to fit the new tyres to the rear as it was the law, found this strange because I'd not heard of this but could see the reason behind it, so they rotated them, also if you have a costco near you its worth checking the prices they charge as it includes valves, balancing and fitting, it cost me £72 a tyre for the mitchelins which is about £50 saving on ats kwik fit prices for a good tyre.:biglaugh:
On my last car I was using Continental Sport Contact 2's and they wore well and gave a decent amount of grip.
I had P6000's before that and they wore out in under 10k.
I currently have Dunlop SP SportMaxx 225/45 ZR17's and they are wearing well considering there's 170bhp going through the front wheels.
I have always just worn the corners down until they need replacing, so most of the time it's just the front's, and occasionally all four will get done.
I do about 30k a year so go through tyre's every six months.
I used to go to different tyre places around the towns near me, but for the last couple of years I have used EasyTyres.co.uk, they come out to wherever you are and fit them. Because they have no premises their overheads are lower, and that makes their tyres really cheap.
www.easytyres.co.uk
Well, I thought i'd make sure they were still around as the last time i used them was about six months ago and they've gone !!
I'll dig out an old invoice to see if i got their web address correctly and let you know.
Hope this helps
Tires are some thing we have several of.. My wagon has 2 sets.. One highway and one winter tracton with steel studs..
The New Jetta 2.5 has 3 sets, 17 inch factory w/ Conti. Contact that we run in the summer.. But you can not put chains on them so also have 16 inch factory w/conti. contact that we can chain up so run them in the spring and fall.. And 15 inch traction tires with Steel studs for winter driving.. I have my own air compressor and air tools with jacks ect so can change tires in about 20 min.. We often change to what ever tire works best for where ever we are going.. Really just part of getting ready to go.. Because we live in the high country it can be winter here but 50 miles away it can be much warmer and warm weather eats winter traction tires..
There TYRES stupid bleedin colonial typesQuote:
Originally Posted by Snowdance38
Naaaaaaaa.. If we keep trying we will get you guys to up grade to the real stuff.. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by hereketty
But then think about it when we say we are tired.. So what kind of tires are those????
I for one have always got a grin out of the difference in areas and meanings for words.. One of the first cars I had when in the service in Germany was a English Ford.. Got the book on it and really had to work at trying to figure out what the heck it said.. Would have been as easy if it had been in German.. :o I did not seem to understand one better than the other. This part of the world was settled by the Hudson Bay company but had lots of French and Brits plus Mex. and Russian.. so every thing spoken here was a mix..
I am with RickT on this one, i buy new tyres in pairs and put the new ones on the front.
If you swap your tyres round too often, they will wear far quicker.
I find that 235's on a normal 17" rim results in more tramlining and less responsive steering than 225's.
My current fave tyres are Toyo Proxes, and Eagle F1's, which both seem to have excellent grip and low noise.
The F1's seem to have a slightly larger runout, which is nice. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by ini
I like the Conti. Contact for the grip.. But they have a lot of road noise as does the factory Goodyears..
I run the Toyo tires because of the low noise.. I will often get rid of the factory tyres if I can find some one to buy them.. But few people like them because of the noise..
Woops.. Tires.. Now you guys got me spelling it wrong,, what would my old english teacher say???:D
Sorry peeps, it was just my brain being stupid again.
The tyre company i used to use and will still use is www.etyres.co.uk
They are in business and have a easy to use website, that you can search using tyre size or by make and model of car.
Phew.
I don't swap mine round. I replace the fronts as a pair when they are worn down and the same with the backs. Having found myself upside down in a field (and not in a Good Way) due to crappy back tyres, I'm not up for swapping worn ones to the back any more.
You heart agreeing with me ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Veedubber
Michelin Primacy every time for me. (currently got the new Primacy HP's on)
They DO cost more but...
Last far far longer than anything else and are quiet. They give me enough grip as well (I do test the grip a lot :firedevil by the way !) however they'll never be as good as sticky F1's.... but they'll last three times longer.
Also in the camp of only buying two at a time as well and see no point in rotating unless you have a 4motion in which case you should.
When i was out in Sweden this year for the WRC i found an intresting fact.. the locals always ensure the better trad depth is always on the rears when doing winter drivng in the snow...
While we was out there our hire car had studded Michelins ICE fitted..
The amount of grip was untrue.. it took a few miles to trust the amount of ggrip on the road with the studds..
if you want to have a look at a video we took while driving on what we would class a an "A" road at about 60 MPH on ICE/Snow with was about 3 inch deep have a watch... you will be surpised for sure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwjd5ng8m3o
Also... check out my profile for the other SWEDEN Driving on Snow videos... and also when i was in Norway!!
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Ricktay&p=r
RickT
Below are a few pics of the VW Golf we had while out in Sweden..
but over 1000 miles on her in 6 days all on snow!!!
You can see the studs on the front view...
These photos where taken on the second day.. by the final day you could not read the reconise the rear of the car due to the amount of dirt.. let alone read the rear plate due to the amount of dirt!!
The car was only the 1.6 model.. but it went ok... plus it had the winter pack which was heated seats, headlight washer jets, headed screen wash...
PLUS..... ALL VAG cars out there have the boot/shoe kicker stip along the stills to knock your boots on before you get in the car... its a big lump of rubber!!
Enjoy!
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/IMG_2556.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/IMG_2557.jpg
Always fit the best quality that you can afford, thats my advice.
At the moment my fav tyres are Mich Pilot Exalto 2 (I run these on my subaru wrx and they dont loose grip trust me!)
Second favs are conti sport contacts, excellent grip but wear a bit fast for me...
New tyres to the rear is NOT the law!!! It is generally accepted industry best practice as advised by Michelin, however the customer has the final decision on this not the fitter!
Glad to hear others have used Etyres! And have been happy!
I run the etyres franchise that covers Lanarkshire, and parts of Glasgow.
And as I'm such a friendly sort I will personally give any VWAUDI member a 5% discount on the web price if the mention it when ordering from my branch.
I have also been on at the head office to offer this discount on all web orders but no luck as of yet but I'm having a meeting in the morning and will bring this up. 5% may not seem like much but the web prices are up to 40% cheaper than leading tyre depots and remember we come to you at no extra cost:beerchug:
01555 820 003 is the number (for my branch) and you can ask for Richard or Cathie, we are family run so you will always get a friendly voice on the phone who can offer advice on anything tyre related.
Hope to hear from some of you in my area, and one for RickT if you are up our way (as you mention you often travel up the M74) and need tyres give us a shout!
Regards
Richard:D
Hopefully i wont need to use you... not too long ago i had to go to ATS in Carlisle after getting a blow out on the back right in the outside lane on the m6.... (not too far away from you!Quote:
Originally Posted by RichieVWV6
As i was over 200 miles from home, i thought i best go buy a new tyre before continuing the route home as it was a bit of a risk incase i had another blow out.. i know the chance is slim.. but could not risk it for the about of hassle.. and i would have had to purchase a new tyre anyway... yes.. ATS were a little over priced.. but thats what you pay when you have not option!!
RickT
I'll go along with that, you can't compromise safety for the sake of saving a few quid...it could be the last thing you do!Quote:
Originally Posted by RichieVWV6
Quote:
Originally Posted by ini
Quote:
Originally Posted by Veedubber
FWD cars - new tyres ALWAYS on the rear - unless you like tail happy cars ;)
Agreed, best grip always should sit on the rear wheels.... it's a constantly debated issue but on a front wheel drive car the rears have less grip so need good tyres to compensate..... I learned the hard way a long time ago.... by spinning a MK4 golf sideways up an urban dual carriageway, managed to avoid a severe accident by the skin of my teeth.
I disagreed with putting new on the rears - until I read this:
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/au...b_pqr_neuf.jsp
I saw that too prolfe.............better be safe and all that :)
I always buy good tyres... I've spent so much on an Audi, demanding performance, why put cheap rubbber on.
I've had a full set of Michelin Primacy on for 15k and still got 5mm left all round. I do swap tyres and wear them all evenly. I take a hit on the purchase of 4 tyres though! :(
Also, I ensure tyre pressure is checked at least fortnightly.. more often in winter when the temp drops. I find the right pressure keeps a tyre lasting as long as possible.
Next set will be the new Primacy HP.
Well an update on my Bridgestone Potenza's.
They're not holding up well at all.
There is lots of dry and wet grip but tyre wear is appalling.
I have worked out that I have done approximately 8500 miles and they will need replacing within the next 500 miles.
I'm now a bit unsure if I should go back to the SportMaxx's 13k, the SP9090's 12k or try Continental Sport Contacts 2 or 3's. all of which are £100 a corner from the excellent E-Tyres
I know they gripped better than the latter tyres I mentioned but I can't afford new tyres every 9k.
hmmm, any idea's people?
I still go by the michellin primacy HPs.... a nice drive, good grip and very long lasting indeed. Mine are wearing very well compared to the F1s I scrubbed out previously. I got mine for well under £100 from pro tyre in Bristol. I think they have a few branches but are mainly south west based, always keenest prices I have found.
When i bought my last A4 it had some cheap Khumo tyres on it, cant remember what type they were but they turned out to be pretty good now i have had a few different tyres to compare them with.
My last new pair of tyres did go on the rear axle, simply because i tow long distance.
+ something no-one has mentioned, if you have a 'Haldex' quattro or 4motion, the newest tyres must always be on the rear axle (or largest rolling diameter).
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfmk5gttdi
i see what you mean, i do the same with the front to back, but i like to buy rotational tyres more!! I currently run Yoko's 195/45 15's, need new tyres soon, any ideas? Maybe michys???
Cheers dan
i have never rotated my tyres either on front wheel / rear wheel drive cars mainly because i dont keep them long enough to wear down.
i now have the TT quattro which i plan to keep for 2 years & have just replaced all 4 corners so will they all wear down at the same time?
There are some budget tyres out there that are just as good as the expensive ones. Kleber aren't bad money and there made by michelin so good quality! Once i bought a tyre called "trial" when i had a clio, When i didnt go round the corner in the wet i went and got it changed strait away lol. PURE CRAP!
yeah, that is what i mean, tyres like that shouldnt be allowed to be fitted to cars!
dan.
how much do the f1s set you backQuote:
Originally Posted by skymaster
Goodyear Eagle F1's GSD3's from Blackcircles.com you can (or at least could) get for £235 per pair, fitted and balanced. I highly recommend these guys. At least half what the garages could offer them at.
They are the best tyres I've ever had, fantastic grip in both wet and dry. I've never had a tyre as good as this. With all the wet weather Oxford's been having I'm so glad I've had these. Whilst others are pottering along at 30-40 in torrential rain I can still keep 60 and feel the car still gripping as if there's no water. Brilliant.
I honestly can't stress how great these tyres are! I have them all round and the wear isn't bad either. I have done at least 4,000 miles since fitted and no where near halfway.