Best tyre for SE if you can't afford Michelin

[SteveB]

Simple question I can't afford 4 Michelin I know you all think they are the best but. So what else are you guys running on ? that won't brake the bank. At the moment the car has 4 good tyers tread wise but all different makers 1 old Michelin so can't match that, 1 firestone new I think, but a fuel saver !! on a sports car ,1 almosts gone Nantang, and 1 Falken. Any sugestions as to whitch way to go please.
SteveB

[tweetdriver63]

I'm assuming you've read the multiple other threads on this subject, but here goes my 2 cents worth.

I can't speak for treadwear on my tires, since they were installed by the previous owner, and I don't know at what mileage. My car is running on Sumitomo HTRZ II's. I see that Tirerack has them in 205-45-16 for $68 US each - not too bad. I have found them quite good. They give a descent ride, and I've never had a slip. I don't track, but I tend to be a "spirited" driver. They've held the road very well, wet or dry. Reviews at tirerack.com are pretty good, with them scoring at the 92% level for tires in their category. I think that puts them in the top 8% of similar tires, if I read it right. There's one Lotus owner's review. He's using them on a '98 Esprit, and is happy, except that he would trade some treadlife for a little better wet traction. I saw reviews that said they were at 1/2 tread remaining after over 20K miles, so treadwear is pretty respectable for an "Ultra High Performance Summer" tire.

My son's Golf is running on Yokohama's. I don't know the model. They ride and handle well too.

I have Goodyear Eagle GT-S tires on another car, and they also give a good ride, but that car is NOT driven in a "spirited" manner (Mercedes).

[dans]

I like the Yokohama A539s I have at the moment.

The car feels very stable on them, and oodles of grip.

Suspect they wear faster than some but I use the car on the weekends and for occasional track stuff, so not too concerned about that.

Think I paid about £45-£55 but that's just off the top of my head.

Dan

[addict]

anyone used avons ?

[Enright]

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... 5&start=37

[GeoffSmith]

Steve, if you're near Bristol, get a price from Cabot Tyre Services (0117 971 0396 or 0117 977 5793) - they supply many fitters in the SW and they've consistently been the cheapest for many years. Once you've got a price (which includes fit, balance and disposal) you can always use it at your nearest convenient price-match fitters.

[SteveB]

Thanks guys usfull stuff. Im just below Bath so Bristol is doable. I have read other threads but often they are talking about S2's or non standard sizes just wondered what you all use on the standard SE wheels.

[Sy V]

... Any sugestions as to whitch way to go please.
SteveB

With 4 different tyres on Steve, wherever you go make sure it's very carefully!

[SteveB]

It handles realy quite well considering !! I have not driven one yet on 4 good tyres , they must be good. On the plus side if I can handle it now I will be OK on 4 matching tyres.

[rob_J]

... Any sugestions as to whitch way to go please.
SteveB

With 4 different tyres on Steve, wherever you go make sure it's very carefully!

Echo that...mixing tyres on any sort of performance car is a recipe for disaster. You may also find that your insurers would not look kindly on you were the worst to happen. You will get erratic & unpredictable handling & grip. Whatever the cost would recommend you get 4 tyres on of the same sort ASAP.

[GeoffSmith]

[L.G.]

I use Kumho winter tires on my daily drive and I'm pleased with them, couple my friends are also pleased with their Kumhos. Maybe you could consider Kumho Escta KU31 as well, blackcircles list them for 58 pounds a pop fully fitted.

L.G.

[dermotbell]

anyone used avons ?

I used Avons on previous turbo coupe and they were awful, I waited a long time to get rid of them. They were hard wearing but the grip was awful and they were noisy below 50% tread.

[surfboardfiller]

Don't risk your car with 'cheap tyres' as they tend not to be cheap after all. I bought a decent set of tyres and the following week a woman pushed her push chair into the road without looking. I can say I would have hit the push chair with the old tyres.

I got Yokohama tyres from Cabot (BS3 4UD) in Oct 2006, very reasonable and handle well. Yokos are soft with loads of grip. 20,000 miles and still going!

Always used Cabot tyres since I learnt to drive and so did my Dad! (Not now I moved though).

Yokohama A539 VR15 x2 £54 each
Disposal of 2 old tyres £1.80 each
Wheel Balance £3.60 each
Removal and fitting £3 each
All + VAT (in 2006)
I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Phil

[SteveB]

Yes thanks for the info, Have been away for Half term hols. so now I back I will start looking into it again. Don't worry guys Elan is not really on the road at the moment don't want to use it on those tyres but it got it's MOT so that is one step.

[Rambo]

Don't scrimp on the tyres Steve - it may be cheaper now but false economy in the long term.

I used to love the old Goodyear F1's before they took them out of production. I've also tried the Yoko's and also thought they gave great grip, in the dry particularly

[firebobby]

Just had 4 falkens fitted. £160.00. The lad who fitted them has them on his Elise 111R so that's good enough for me. And to perfectly honest unless you drive everywhere at 9/10ths or track it once a week, you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference between most road tyres. IMHO of course.
Dave

[surfboardfiller]

It's the 1/10 that saves a life

Hope you don't start noticing it when it's too late.

[abmunro]

The simple fact is that tyres are the only part of your car that have any contact with the road...

I think you should go with the best you can afford.

[firebobby]

t's the 1/10 that saves a life Rolling Eyes

Hope you don't start noticing it when it's too late.

Yeah! it's just that the 1/10th you are on about, is the last tenth that no sensible road user will ever see? Or did you not understand my post?? Look why is there always some "know all" who has to say their piece on something they know nothing about? Unless that is you test tyres for a living?
Dave