What tires should I buy?

[kekke2000]

I need new tires but there is a LOT to choose from.

BFGoodrich
Bridgestone
Continental
Dunlop
Durun
Falken
Fulda
Goodyear
Hankook
Infinity
Michelin
Nokian
Pirelli
Roadstone
Sagitar
Toyo

Prices differs from $73 to $180. What do I choose? I want tires that lasts and are quiet and a soft ride. How much do I need to pay to not get crap tires?

 

[Skuh]

Depends what you want from a tyre, Pirelli are extremely good tyres in the dry but not good in the wet. Michelin are good all round tyres. My fav from that list though is continental. They last well, offer very good grip and are very good in the wet too.
Just my experience and I have by no means tried them all.

 

[Slash]

Get Cooper tires if you can find them. Excellent all around tires. My family has used them for nearly 30 years. Bit pricey but they last forever.

 

[TB]

Depends what you want from a tyre

This needs to be answered before anyone can give you an intelligent answer.

 

[a6m5]

There are million tires out there, but they are all different. Manufacturer name might suggest longer lasting, better traction, etc., but they are really case-by-case by each individual models.

I get the cheapest tires for my car, spend something like $50 a pop(I get discount) on lesser brand(General, Dunlop, etc.). Decent speed rating("V" or "Z"), lasts pretty long time, but I am all over the place once you are in the rain. If you are capable driver, it is more than safe, but would freak out lesser drivers, and certainly not the type of tires you want nice ride & performance for the life of the tires.

In our area(North West, United States), Michelin is regarded very high, but so are the price. I also really like BF Goodrich.

 

[Small_Fryz]

I suggest round ones.

 

[Jiggins]

I suggest round ones.

Really? I was thinking more about square ones.

 

[a6m5]

I'm easy, as long as they taste sweet.

 

[aadil717]

What size are your wheels? What car are they for? What do you use this car for?

 

[RVDNuT374]

I suggest black, round, and non-Chinese tires.

 

[W3H5]

I suggest black, round, and non-Chinese tires.

He didn't state what the tyres are for. Maxxis, a Chinese company, are one of the leader in the bicycle tyre market.

I'd say go for the Michelin set. I have a set of Pro Race 3 slicks which are a bit pricey but worth it from the extra grip in the corners. Then again, it depends on how the weather is as to whether they put my in the curb or not and at full pressure of 130psi ( I know, right!) they aren't the most comfortable ride.



...we are talking about bicycle tyres, right?

 

[Pupik]

Size (that's in a format xxx/yyRzz on the sidewall), type of vehicle, what you want from the tire (better cornering, quieter/less road noise, comfort, long life, off-road, all-season), what are you willing to sacrifice for one trait over another (don't care about noise so as long as it handles well, don't care about handling if the price is super-cheap, don't care about mileage if performance is key, best in the rain, don't care about price if you want/can get a no-compromise tire), and price range.

This information is important to make any sort of decision. Otherwise, let Tire Rack handle it.

Sounds like you want a long-lasting "comfort" tire. So as long as you're willing to sacrifice performance and at-limit cornering, you shouldn't have to pay much. Another thing you have to consider is if you really think you'll get 70,000 miles; where are you going to find a place that will honor that warranty?

Some average tires are champs in the dry, but miserable in the wet, and some cheap ones feather, or become out-of-round over time. And some tires seem to be good for one car, and mysteriously inept for a similar make and model, for no apparent rhyme or reason.

This is where a little online research goes a long way.

 

[lldantell]

I think Bridgestone is the best tires because they do a lot of technology with their tires.pirellis is one of the best tires but they warm up easier in the dry

 

[Omnis]

Replaced the OEM Michelins on my dad's E class with some Hankook Optimos. Man, those Hankooks stuck to the ground like a sack of crap in a glue factory. The Michelins would spin for days when we put the 400lbs of torque down. The Hankooks were superior and much, much cheaper.

I've also had a good experience thus far with the Kumhos I put on my Accent. KH16s. They like to leak down the 30psi and have a bit of dry rot now, but nothing major. I probably wouldn't buy them again simply because kumho now makes a new, better tire. But for the money I paid, they've been fantastic.

Just do some research on tire rack and check out their surveys and reviews. Come back and ask our opinions when you've compiled a shortlist.

 

[kekke2000]

It's for a Ford Focus, standard 15" rims. Driving around 60 mph / 100 km/h mostly but also some city driving. A lot of wet driving since I live in Sweden. I've heard Continental is good for nordic conditions (except snow, Nokian Hakka is outstanding in snow).

The tires that are on now are Pirelli P6000 195/60 R15 88 V. They feel kind of crap but it might be because they're worn out or old or something. I just chenged to knobbly tires and that were a great improvement from the Pirellis.

BTW. Anyone know a site that tests tires? Would be nice with collected reviews and top list in different price ranges e.t.c....

edit: This tire has got good reviews and is quiet cheap Continental / ContiPremiumContact 2

 

[Azuremen]

I think Bridgestone is the best tires because they do a lot of technology with their tires.pirellis is one of the best tires but they warm up easier in the dry

This is the most over generalized and meaningless statement I've seen about tires in a while. The range of tires offered by each manufacturer is so broad that it just doesn't work. Would be like saying Subaru makes best cars because are easier to drive in the snow.

BTW. Anyone know a site that tests tires? Would be nice with collected reviews and top list in different price ranges e.t.c....

Tirerack.com, if I recall correctly, has video reviews on several tires and comparison info.

I'm strongly of the opinion that if you live in an area that has a snow season, you should have dedicated snow tires. All-seasons just an awkward set of compromises, that in my opinion, just aren't worth the "benefit" of not changing your tires/wheels for a season.

 

[Joel]

I'm strongly of the opinion that if you live in an area that has a snow season, you should have dedicated snow tires. All-seasons just an awkward set of compromises, that in my opinion, just aren't worth the "benefit" of not changing your tires/wheels for a season.

I'd have to agree. It's not even so much about the tread pattern, but the rubber and the temperature it loses grip. Every November/early December there's a snowfall and you see a lot of vehicles in the ditch with their all-seasons still on. It just doesn't make sense not to buy a set, 4 snow tires will last a long time when you're only using them for 4-5 months out of the year (and that's 4-5 months you aren't wearing down your all-seasons). The difference in grip between snow tires and all seasons once the temperature dips below 0C is staggering.

 

[Danoff]

Summer - Michelin Pilot Super Sports (unbelievable tire)
Winter/Snow - Bridgestone Blizzaks

That is all.

Replaced the OEM Michelins on my dad's E class with some Hankook Optimos. Man, those Hankooks stuck to the ground like a sack of crap in a glue factory. The Michelins would spin for days when we put the 400lbs of torque down. The Hankooks were superior and much, much cheaper.

Are we comparing apples to apples? Summer to Summer? What about tread life? Which Michelins are we talking about? I've had Michelins I didn't care for, but Michelin currently makes the best Summer tire on the market.

 

[Eric.]

Best summer tire for what purpose? And in what size?

 

[Omnis]

Summer - Michelin Pilot Super Sports (unbelievable tire)
Winter/Snow - Bridgestone Blizzaks

That is all.



Are we comparing apples to apples? Summer to Summer? What about tread life? Which Michelins are we talking about? I've had Michelins I didn't care for, but Michelin currently makes the best Summer tire on the market.

They were crappy OEM Michelin tires. Not sure which ones, but I think they had to be some kind of all season or grand touring tire. The Hankooks we got I think were not Optimos but their UHP all-season Ventus tire. But we got them dirt cheap and they were surprisingly good for the money.

How long do those Super Sports last? They look like track tires.

 

[Azuremen]

How long do those Super Sports last? They look like track tires.

Probably 15,000 to 20,000 miles with some self control. I've seen Direzza Star Specs last around 12,000 miles with some conservative driving habits and they are only treadwear 200.

 

[niky]

RE: Maxxis: I hate Maxxis Z1s. Been reading about their excellent grip from online reviews, but what those reviewers failed to mention was that grip was great as long as you didn't have to corner.

The extreme angle of the (unsupported) tread blocks mean they squirm like a pack of schoolgirls at a Bieber concert when you put any lateral load into them. If I ever have to run those tires again, I'd shave them down till they're nearly bald first.

-

For regular 15" tires, I actually like Contisport Contact 3s. Better than I did the older CSC2s. Quiet and decently grippy though not as sporty as some. Michelin also makes some excellent tires, but you have to pay way too much money for them. Kumho Ecsta SPTs are worth the money for summer tires. Cheap, grippy, not quiet, but they drive very nicely and have very gradual breakaway at the limit.

Okay, so maybe breakway grip isn't in the job description...

 

[Danoff]

How long do those Super Sports last? They look like track tires.

The tread on them is not bad. I've had them for about a year and a half (maybe 10,000 miles) and they're still in decent shape. I'll let you know when I finish my first set.

 

[toymdngn]

No matter which tire brand/model you go with, check the pricing on different sizes. You run a 195/60/15 factory size, but you can run a 205/55/15 or even 215/50/15 which puts more rubber on the road and depending on wheel width can actually make the car more stable. If the tire is considerably wider than the wheel I wouldn't recommend it, but if the widths are within 1/4" and the wider tire is cheaper, I'd run it.

I recently bought a set of all weather tires for my Mazda6. Factory tire size is 215/50/17 but the 225/45/17 was $20 cheaper per tire compared to the same brand/model in factory size. The difference in circumference is like 0.3% so my speedometer and gearing are very close to stock.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

How about BfGoodrich Sport Comp 2? We have a set on the front of the G35 and it really good. Great grip, low noise, the feel of it is amazing.

 

[axletramp]

Summer - Michelin Pilot Super Sports

I'll second that. I've had them on both a Civic Type-R and Integrale Evo and haven't found a better balance of price/grip/durability. And they look good too. I tried Bridgstone Potenzas for a while but although provide plenty of grip the Super Sports wipe the floor with them in damp or wet conditions.

They start at 205 width so if you need a narrower tyre the normal Michelin Pilot Sport is also a good choice.

 

[kekke2000]

Tirerack.com, if I recall correctly, has video reviews on several tires and comparison info.

I'm strongly of the opinion that if you live in an area that has a snow season, you should have dedicated snow tires. All-seasons just an awkward set of compromises, that in my opinion, just aren't worth the "benefit" of not changing your tires/wheels for a season.

Absolutely! Knobbly tires are attached now. This is for spring, but still its a lot of rainy days in the summer time so I need grip in the wet too. I got aquaplaning once on the highway, but got the grip back after a second or so. One of the scariest seconds in my life.

Anyway about the tires. I spoke with a guy who workes at a tow truck company at work today. He said he could give me a good deal on some tires. He didnt have Continental but he knows a lot about this. So I will probably visit them sometime to get hooked up with some tires. Finally a path to follow in this tire maze.