Best place & price to get higher end car tyres? (Michelin/GoodYear etc)

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1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1941490 17-Jan-2018 12:58

Coil:

Anything is noisy on our crappy chip seal roads. A new Skoda has enough noise dampening in it to not make that much of a difference.

Heck, my old E36, you can hear a pin drop in the cabin at 100KPH on the motorway..

I like the RE003, Handles very well and has good wet performance as well.
Do need to get some heat in them to make them stick. The sidewalls are also quite rigid and holds a very nice line through corners.

The lack of soundproofing/damping and the in-cabin noise on the Octavia is one of the few things I really dislike about it. I know that some of it is down to the bigger wheels and the fact it is a wagon, but it is clear that it is an area where they do skimp Vs the VWs and Audis on the same platform. It falls well behind many other cars I have driven!

Like you say, a lot of it is due to the chip-seal; it is much better on smoother road and highway, but still disappointing compared to other brands.

Anything I can do on the tyres to improve it - even if a small improvement - is very much desirable!

Its a shame you can't "test drive" tyres really - I would love to try a few of the recommended brands before dropping the cash.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1941495 17-Jan-2018 13:06

clevedon:

Item:

Coil:

If you're driving a Skoda VRS, I'd go for the RE003!

I am!

Why so? They seem to be noted as "noisy" by a lot of folk?

The RE003 in a 225/35R19 is not a current tyre listed on Bridgestone price list which was released October 2017.

That's a very thin profile for a 225 tire.. Maybe the correct size is a 235/30R19 or 235/35R19.

@OP What wheels do you have and whats the current load rating of the tires on them? Any wear on the outer and inner edges? Do the sidewalls sit square on the ground?

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1941498 17-Jan-2018 13:08

Item:

Coil:

Anything is noisy on our crappy chip seal roads. A new Skoda has enough noise dampening in it to not make that much of a difference.

Heck, my old E36, you can hear a pin drop in the cabin at 100KPH on the motorway..

I like the RE003, Handles very well and has good wet performance as well.
Do need to get some heat in them to make them stick. The sidewalls are also quite rigid and holds a very nice line through corners.

The lack of soundproofing/damping and the in-cabin noise on the Octavia is one of the few things I really dislike about it. I know that some of it is down to the bigger wheels and the fact it is a wagon, but it is clear that it is an area where they do skimp Vs the VWs and Audis on the same platform. It falls well behind many other cars I have driven!

Like you say, a lot of it is due to the chip-seal; it is much better on smoother road and highway, but still disappointing compared to other brands.

Anything I can do on the tyres to improve it - even if a small improvement - is very much desirable!

Its a shame you can't "test drive" tyres really - I would love to try a few of the recommended brands before dropping the cash.

Yeah I get what you mean there, most of the new VAG cars are pretty skimpy compared to the mid 2000's models they had (When they made real cars).

Surely its not as noisy as a Mazda 3 or alike....
Wagons always have a lot more cabin noise. Still, my beema is dead quiet with cheap trashy tires. If i fold the rear seats down the noise almost doubles.

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1941505 17-Jan-2018 13:19

Coil:

That's a very thin profile for a 225 tire.. Maybe the correct size is a 235/30R19 or 235/35R19.

@OP What wheels do you have and whats the current load rating of the tires on them? Any wear on the outer and inner edges? Do the sidewalls sit square on the ground?

Wheels are the factory-fit Skoda 19" "Xtreme" (ugh) and the current tyres are the OEM...I think they are 88Y and the wheel is a 7.5 inch.

I understand from others on the forum that a 235/35/19 fits fine on those wheels but it is the max they will take and I assume it would have a small impact on the speedo/odometer?

When I got them rotated the other week, guy reckoned they were wearing slightly faster through the middle and to drop the pressure a bit. I had been running at the door-card 2.7bar/39.5psi but am now on 38psi at his recommendation

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1941521 17-Jan-2018 13:40

Item:

Coil:

That's a very thin profile for a 225 tire.. Maybe the correct size is a 235/30R19 or 235/35R19.

@OP What wheels do you have and whats the current load rating of the tires on them? Any wear on the outer and inner edges? Do the sidewalls sit square on the ground?

Wheels are the factory-fit Skoda 19" "Xtreme" (ugh) and the current tyres are the OEM...I think they are 88Y and the wheel is a 7.5 inch.

I understand from others on the forum that a 235/35/19 fits fine on those wheels but it is the max they will take and I assume it would have a small impact on the speedo/odometer?

When I got them rotated the other week, guy reckoned they were wearing slightly faster through the middle and to drop the pressure a bit. I had been running at the door-card 2.7bar/39.5psi but am now on 38psi at his recommendation

Ooo, the big flashy ones. I'd be running the 235/35R19.

Speedo difference will be minimal.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/408302-235-35-r19-on-xtreme-wheels/

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1941524 17-Jan-2018 13:44

Coil:

Ooo, the big flashy ones. I'd be running the 235/35R19.

Speedo difference will be minimal.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/408302-235-35-r19-on-xtreme-wheels/

Lol - the second (and subsequent) posts in that linked thread is me! (same username)

I have had similar conversations there...nearly two years ago now.

I didn't choose the wheels (ex-demo) but I quite like them now. Alas, two of them have slight curbing on already despite my best care. I need to get that fixed at somepoint too...

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1941536 17-Jan-2018 14:24

Item:

So tyres seem to be yet another consumer good we get absolutely screwed on compared to UK, US and Oz pricing...

I will be in the market to replace all my tyres this year - probably 2 at a time given the cost - and I will be looking to get either GoodYear F1 or Michelin Pilot Sport in a 19/35/225 size.

So far it seems I will be paying at least $550 a tyre fitted...does anyone have any ideas if I can get this done properly for less and if so, where?

(I am in Auckland but would drive a bit for a decent saving!)

I have had great luck with TradeMe where people have upgraded their wheels on a new car and were flogging off the delivery mileage tyres (and sometimes rims).

The factory tyres on my Touareg are 255/55/18 typically Eagle F1 SUV or Bridgestone Dueller HP Sport or Hankook Dynapro HP etc and these typically go for around $350-$400 each if you shop around.

However last two times I've replaced the full set for $600 with almost new off TM. First time was the F1 and the second time was the Duellers the latter I got complete with the new factory alloys ... 600 bucks!

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

dryburn

430 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1941555 17-Jan-2018 15:01

I need to get new tyres for a WOF. Been looking at Bridgestone Turanza buy 1 get 1 free http://www.bridgestonetyrecentre.co.nz/promotions/current-offer/ and http://hyperdrive.co.za

Anywhere else to have a look?

pillmonsta

73 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1941577 17-Jan-2018 15:29

We can maybe agree the "best" tyre depends on what the driver is looking for, and driving environment...? Snow Tyres are the best in snow? :D

@OP Fwiw this is only my experience and unbiased opinion, though an opinion I do have.

Last 3 vehicles:

98 Ford Fairmont Ghia 4.0

225/??/16

2001 Subaru Legacy 3.0

215/40/ZR17

2003 BMW E39 530i Motorsport - Current.

225/45/ZR17

Owned all for at least 5 years as I generally drive my cars into the ground. (Though BMW will probably never die due to the constant maintenance it requires. Seems to get newer and newer every year).

Anyhow, OP not sure about you but I am aggressive (safe) driver, I generally keep to the speed limit but don't slow down on corners.

I live in Northland where I'm constantly called to onsite work which means 80% of my driving is on potholed country roads. The other ~20% on Auckland to Hamilton expressway about every 3 weeks.

I look for:

#1 most important attribute for myself is wet road handling and stopping distance, for safety. First thing I look for in reviews.

#2 is handling, by that I mean decent understeer and good feedback from the road etc... I don't like surprises. :)

#3 tread wear.

#4: every other attribute of a tyre in no particular order. :)

So some notable tyres owned on the above vehicles:

Nankang NS2 worst tyres ever in wet, on par with Supercats my mums old Honda Hybrid once had.

Dangerous stopping distance. Involved in accident, Fairmont rear ended another car in the rain after skidding for many metres- with ABS 0/50

Bridgestone Potenza Grid 3

Went thru 2 sets. Great all round tyres, good handling in the wet, a little eager to follow ruts and channels. 7/10

Goodyear Eagle NCT 3

Dangerous in wet. Also both rears wore out in the middle. 0/20

Goodyear Eagle F1 AS2

^^The 530i had these on when I bought it in Christchurch, with about 3.5mm tread left. Driving home to Auckland the car developed a vibration after crossing Arthur's Pass (went via Nelson).

It got so bad I got an indy to pull the driveshaft off in Hamilton.

The Guibo had a crack but after replacing it the vibration did not go away. It got worse. No balances or any of the normal causes fixed it.

Finally back in Auckland TyrePower replaced all 4 Goodyears with the Michelins. As it turned out, two of the Goodyear F1's had collapsed casings.

Even with warrantable tread left. We were all pretty surprised tbh. Some food for thought...

Anyway, last but not least my best tyre ever ever ever.... hands downs the Michelin Pilot Sport 3's. Best damned tyre I personally ever drove on in the wet, fantastic handling, maybe a little firm, quiet on motorway. I have never seen a 10 so score for the PS3's is a rock solid 9/10. I put 30,000 km's on the first set. They do wear faster on rough roads though. Moving up north I got 20,000 from the second set but all 4 have worn evenly.

Also - I read a lot of the reviews on Tyre review.uk before committing to the PS3. The PS3 is consistently among the highest rated tyre in professional tests, and feedback from the owners is generally excellent.

There are ~254 Michelin reviews on http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/ and around 350 for the Goodyears F1's. I'd recommend anyone to check out this site first..before purchasing tyres. Really informative.

Hope it helps sorry for wall of text. :)

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1941588 17-Jan-2018 15:51

pillmonsta:

We can maybe agree the "best" tyre depends on what the driver is looking for, and driving environment...? Snow Tyres are the best in snow? :D

2003 BMW E39 530i Motorsport - Current.

225/45/ZR17

Owned all for at least 5 years as I generally drive my cars into the ground. (Though BMW will probably never die due to the constant maintenance it requires. Seems to get newer and newer every year).

Anyhow, OP not sure about you but I am aggressive (safe) driver, I generally keep to the speed limit but don't slow down on corners.

I live in Northland where I'm constantly called to onsite work which means 80% of my driving is on potholed country roads. The other ~20% on Auckland to Hamilton expressway about every 3 weeks.

Goodyear Eagle F1 AS2

^^The 530i had these on when I bought it in Christchurch, with about 3.5mm tread left. Driving home to Auckland the car developed a vibration after crossing Arthur's Pass (went via Nelson).

It got so bad I got an indy to pull the driveshaft off in Hamilton.

The Guibo had a crack but after replacing it the vibration did not go away. It got worse. No balances or any of the normal causes fixed it.

I had the same tires on my E39 540I Msport and the rears were missing treadblocks and not even. Never had any good experiences with goodyear tires.

I had some Proxies on that 540I too and they were great!

Agree with your comments overall however, Michelin is the way to go but not if the wallet is deciding...
When it comes to brakes,tires,suspension buy with the brain not the wallet.

alliao

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1941592 17-Jan-2018 16:02

I got mine from Autotreads Onehunga, but definitely call EVERYONE. 235/60/18 Latitude HP (Porsche variant even though I don't drive a Porsche)

Prices ranged from $700 to $315 per tyre.

I do what I always do at the end of my call round, I let the most expensive vendor knew they were the most expensive.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#1941605 17-Jan-2018 16:11

pillmonsta: Also - I read a lot of the reviews on Tyre review.uk before committing to the PS3. The PS3 is consistently among the highest rated tyre in professional tests, and feedback from the owners is generally excellent.

There are ~254 Michelin reviews on http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/ and around 350 for the Goodyears F1's. I'd recommend anyone to check out this site first..before purchasing tyres. Really informative.

Hope it helps sorry for wall of text. :)

Tyre reviews are all good from those sites, but you also have to compare apples with apples.

Europe has asphalt and concrete roads and are generally in excellent condition, where we tend to have the majority of our roads in rough chip seal which is a completely different surface (and generally poor and short lasting, going by how much they seem to do road works on the same piece of road)

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1941621 17-Jan-2018 16:41

alliao:

I got mine from Autotreads Onehunga, but definitely call EVERYONE. 235/60/18 Latitude HP (Porsche variant even though I don't drive a Porsche)

Prices ranged from $700 to $315 per tyre.

I do what I always do at the end of my call round, I let the most expensive vendor knew they were the most expensive.

Avoid all tires with the N2 or N4 rating as thats the Porsche Factory rating and adds a big premium.. As you found out!

alliao

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1941622 17-Jan-2018 16:47

I hear ya I had Michelin ps3 and they are awesome tyres, until I got out of Auckland. Once you wave goodbye to the BP service station in Papakura then it’s just noisy and it becomes obvious that these tyres aren’t made for chip seals....

Oh and TyreZone in Glenfield gave me great quotes on tyres too

alliao

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1941625 17-Jan-2018 16:50

Funnily enough it was the Porsche variant that was the cheapest I suspect they’re probably more grippy thus weary. But tirerack gave AUDI and Porsche and normal variants similar wear index so not sure... there’re sipping which I’ve not seen on other Latitude Tour HP tyres so maybe that’s why? Anyway good tyres for a big car <1500 for new set I was pretty stoked.

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