Tyres

[Batch300]

Tyres are your contact to the road - buy wisely. Pick your criteria(s) for tires: cost, wet braking, road noise, winter handling, mileage, summer performance, etc. Several US tyre retailers will have reviews and rankings.

I also understand tyres have a useful life before they start to lose performance properties. Replacing tyres every 4-6 years is probably advisable. Important issue if you rotate summer and winter tyres.

 

[Vacumatic]

This topic is of interest, I need to be buying soon.

I am no expert but I understand that there are some brands that give a bit more protection to the rim, I think that this means that they don't curve away so much so that if you kerb the wheels there is a better chance of the tyre scraping the concrete rather than the alloy. Not that this has been an issue in the past but potentially expensive if it does happen.

I think these tyres are marked MFS or RFP

 

[Northam Saint]

This topic is of interest, I need to be buying soon.

I am no expert but I understand that there are some brands that give a bit more protection to the rim, I think that this means that they don't curve away so much so that if you kerb the wheels there is a better chance of the tyre scraping the concrete rather than the alloy. Not that this has been an issue in the past but potentially expensive if it does happen.

I think these tyres are marked MFS or RFP

I have rim protector tyres on my Pug, Mrs Saint has taken it to work today, for some strange reason she prefers my 11 year old convertible to a one year old Skoda Estate. Back to the rim protectors, yeah they have a bead of rubber that extends out , I’d take a picture but. Tyres are Avon 18” low profile, big wide buggers, didnt realise when I bought them to be honest that they were rim protectors. Sad also but the rims are quite badly curb bruise, think the previous owner wasn’t too bothered, but in general it’s in very good condition. I’d get them done but hopefully I won’t be keeping each too much longer.

 

[Vacumatic]

I have rim protector tyres on my Pug, Mrs Saint has taken it to work today, for some strange reason she prefers my 11 year old convertible to a one year old Skoda Estate. Back to the rim protectors, yeah they have a bead of rubber that extends out , I’d take a picture but.

I think they are a 'must have' surely on any car with low profile tyres and wideish alloys.

Speaking of Skoda, I went into a Skoda garage, for the first time, before lockdown thinking that it was a way to buy VW technology at a budget price, I had been to VW and their aattitude just stank, summarised by 'we don't care whether you buy a VW or not, we sell all we can get without any effor't. Skoda were much better but I soon had the idea of a cut price VW knocked out of me, very different brand strategy and certainly not a cut price car.

I ended up buying nowt. My missus prefers our convertible too, its a 2013 Golf, they dont make a Golf convertible any more, I don't think they even make a 2 door Golf any more come to that.

 

[Northam Saint]

I think they are a 'must have' surely on any car with low profile tyres and wideish alloys.

Speaking of Skoda, I went into a Skoda garage, for the first time, before lockdown thinking that it was a way to buy VW technology at a budget price, I had been to VW and their aattitude just stank, summarised by 'we don't care whether you buy a VW or not, we sell all we can get without any effor't. Skoda were much better but I soon had the idea of a cut price VW knocked out of me, very different brand strategy and certainly not a cut price car.

I ended up buying nowt. My missus prefers our convertible too, its a 2013 Golf, they dont make a Golf convertible any more, I don't think they even make a 2 door Golf any more come to that.

We had an Audi A3, 15 plate from new, then we had a Skoda Yeti. Yeah the Yeti looked, let’s say different, but it was a fantastic car, excellent build quality, loads of space and the rear seating and the ways it could be adjusted were infinite. Now we have an Octavia, again build quality is fantastic everything is the same as the Audi switches, feel, the lot. But, we won‘t have another, but too big, also it’s had to have a replacement turbo after 4,000 miles and it too three attempts to get that right ! A common fault on a batch of turbo units. Mrs Saint loves that Yeti and still misses it. Think it will be a Karoq when we replace that.

Not many convertibles out there and what there is are pretty expensive in my opinion. My Pug is a 308cc 2.0 GT hard top convertible, 11 years old, passed every MOT and with no advisories. Nice enough and the roof goes down on quite a few days. Harsh ride though 18” rims on a heavy lowered car are unforgiving.

 

[R181]

I have rim protector tyres on my Pug, Mrs Saint has taken it to work today, for some strange reason she prefers my 11 year old convertible to a one year old Skoda Estate. Back to the rim protectors, yeah they have a bead of rubber that extends out , I’d take a picture but.

The fat low profile summer tires on my 2011 KIA Forte have those rim protectors. They are an interesting idea and work to a certain extent but if you are a really bound and determined type like myself you can still scuff up the alloy rims.

Bob

 

[SammieM]

I just ordered some Nokian all weather tyres again. The price is less when you order online than the top brands, but it is a premium tyre.The grip is outstanding. They have good reviews and last. They are made in Finland I think and the noise is 69dB. The fuel economy is C, but oh well...

 

[Vacumatic]

I just ordered some Nokian all weather tyres again. The price is less when you order online than the top brands, but it is a premium tyre.The grip is outstanding. They have good reviews and last. They are made in Finland I think and the noise is 69dB. The fuel economy is C, but oh well...

I am guessing that there is a connection between Nokian and the cell phone company which I think came out of a rubber boot manufacturer.

 

[Northam Saint]

I usually order my tyres through Black Circles, usually get a good price, good range too.

 

[SammieM]

I am guessing that there is a connection between Nokian and the cell phone company which I think came out of a rubber boot manufacturer.

I am unsure of that. It is possible. Nokian brand is well known for their winter tyres. All weather ones are great too. A dear friend that has a tyre fitting garage recommended them a while back...
I ordered mine through Oponeo. Free shipping and fast delivery...

 

[Paper Plane]

I usually order my tyres through Black Circles, usually get a good price, good range too.

My local garage is a Black Circles dealer.

steve

 

[Chief Brody]

I'll throw a spanner in with Kuhmo. I've always defaulted to them for my Mx5. Formerly the KU39 and now their successor, the PS71. Good grip in wet and dry and lasted decently.

Recently, a tyre puncture saw me needing tyres quickly, therefore limited options. Ergo, I've ended up with 2x Nexen Nfera on the rears. Notably worse grip until they're up to temperature, where they actually perform decently.

TL,DR; I'd say Kuhmo are a solid shout if your tyre sizes allow it.

Are you still a fan of Kumho tyres @Benz3ne? Seen some good reviews of this brand. Not one I have used before.

 

[Benz3ne]

Are you still a fan of Kumho tyres @Benz3ne? Seen some good reviews of this brand. Not one I have used before.

Yeah absolutely. Had them on my Fabia after my Mx5 and when the time comes I’ll throw them on the Octavia.
great tyre for the price.

 

[Chief Brody]

Yeah absolutely. Had them on my Fabia after my Mx5 and when the time comes I’ll throw them on the Octavia.
great tyre for the price.

Likewise, I have an Octavia too. They are currently £68 fitted on Blackcircles. They look like a good buy. Many thanks.

 

[Northam Saint]

Likewise, I have an Octavia too. They are currently £68 fitted on Blackcircles. They look like a good buy. Many thanks.

We have an Octavia too, 19 plate Estate with a tiny little 1.0 ltr engine, bit of a boat. Mrs Saint drives that, I’m not keen on it, no where near as good as the Yeti it replaced.