Another tyre thread - best affordable alternative for a costly tyre?

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jonathan18

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#181097 2-Oct-2015 10:47

Apologies for yet another tyre thread, but I don't want to risk cr@pping on the other current one...

I'm trying to find an affordable yet acceptable (longevity, handling, noise...) alternative to the tyres currently on my car, which retail at $500 each tyre.

Size: 225/45 R19
Current tyres: Bridgestone Turanzas - best price I can get these for is $440 per tyre

Alternatives available:

GT HPY: $380 (have been warned that the HPY series doesn't last long; one firm doesn't stock it for this reason)

GT UHP: $250 (versus $330 at the shop selling the HPYs)

Nexen: $295

Nangkang: $250

Falcon: $350

Of these, the GT UHPs seem the best-value for a brand I've actually heard of; of course all the retailers claim the other brands will give an acceptable performance compared to the Bridgestones, but I've read enough here and elsewhere to be wary of some of these Chinese brands.

Any advice on which of these tyres should be avoided and which should be good enough replacements for the Bridgestones would be welcomed.

And should I be replacing all four at once, given I would be moving to a different brand, or would it be ok to retain two of the Bridgestones?

Thanks.

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#1398586 2-Oct-2015 11:24

What have you read about the chinese ones. I've had hanking and linglong before on a 96 maxima. Their longevity didn't seem to bad....but that car was not used too frequently.

I've followed your thread in the hopes someone has some Ideas as, at some point I'll be replacing my directional 255/35/19s - although I believe they're a non standard size for my car and can drop to a 245.

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DravidDavid

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#1398633 2-Oct-2015 11:48

I've never used their Turanzas, but I have the Bridgestone Potenza range on my car. Wouldn't turn back to a cheaper tyre.

The bottom line with tyres is always the same. Balance affordability against the cost of your life. It sounds a bit dramatic, but it's the rubber that keeps you on the road and the safety of everyone in your car is at stake. My Bridgestone RE-003s have certainly saved my life at least once already! You wouldn't catch me fitting a "Goodride" or "Maxgrip" or some other no-name tyre anymore.

dickytim

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#1398686 2-Oct-2015 12:48

jonathan18: Apologies for yet another tyre thread, but I don't want to risk cr@pping on the other current one...

I'm trying to find an affordable yet acceptable (longevity, handling, noise...) alternative to the tyres currently on my car, which retail at $500 each tyre.

Size: 225/45 R19
Current tyres: Bridgestone Turanzas - best price I can get these for is $440 per tyre

Alternatives available:

GT HPY: $380 (have been warned that the HPY series doesn't last long; one firm doesn't stock it for this reason)

GT UHP: $250 (versus $330 at the shop selling the HPYs)

Nexen: $295

Nangkang: $250

Falcon: $350

Of these, the GT UHPs seem the best-value for a brand I've actually heard of; of course all the retailers claim the other brands will give an acceptable performance compared to the Bridgestones, but I've read enough here and elsewhere to be wary of some of these Chinese brands.

Any advice on which of these tyres should be avoided and which should be good enough replacements for the Bridgestones would be welcomed.

And should I be replacing all four at once, given I would be moving to a different brand, or would it be ok to retain two of the Bridgestones?

Thanks.

Have you looked at Bridgestone RE-003?

clevedon

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#1398690 2-Oct-2015 12:55

I'd stick with the Bridgestones. $440 is a pretty good price, RRP is $499. They are a uncommon size and Bridgestone/Firestone only do that size in a Turanza. Just putting on a couple of 245/35R20 Bridgestone RE003's on my car today and they only retail at $429 - but I'm in the trade so they cost me a lot less than that.

Inphinity

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#1398696 2-Oct-2015 13:05

Bridgestone Potenza RE003s are, imo, the best balance of good tyre and value. I'd rather not cheap out on something that is so critical for safety.
What sort of car is it?

clevedon

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#1398700 2-Oct-2015 13:10

Unfortunately as I mentioned above, Bridgestone don't do the RE003's in 225/45R19, only a Turanza. That is the only choice in the Bridgestone range.

Inphinity

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#1398731 2-Oct-2015 13:20

clevedon: Unfortunately as I mentioned above, Bridgestone don't do the RE003's in 225/45R19, only a Turanza. That is the only choice in the Bridgestone range.

Oops, misread it as R18. I would look at Michelin Pilot Supersports or Pirelli PZero for a 225/45R19.

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jonathan18

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#1398766 2-Oct-2015 13:31

Inphinity: Bridgestone Potenza RE003s are, imo, the best balance of good tyre and value. I'd rather not cheap out on something that is so critical for safety.
What sort of car is it?

Thanks for all the replies.

It's a Mazda 6 2013 Limited - our local Bridgestone shop says this is the only car this tyre is used on, hence its rareness. Wish I'd known this before I bought the car (only thought the 19s looked great on the car, not what the tyres would cost to replace!).

That same shop will apparently better the best price I've found for the Turanzas, at $430 each, but that's still a lot of money. I hear what people say re the critical nature of good tyres; it's more whether there is some 'brand'fat' in these prices, whereby I could find something from a different company that was still a good performing tyre at a lower price.

The same Bridgestone dealer says he can also bring in an Achilles directional assymetric tyre for $320 - again I know nothing of this brand.

Given there are people in the industry here, can anyone comment on the alternatives, especially the GT UHPs?

jonathan18

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#1398768 2-Oct-2015 13:34

Inphinity:
clevedon: Unfortunately as I mentioned above, Bridgestone don't do the RE003's in 225/45R19, only a Turanza. That is the only choice in the Bridgestone range.

Oops, misread it as R18. I would look at Michelin Pilot Supersports or Pirelli PZero for a 225/45R19.

I've rung up eight different places today, and no-one's mentioned either of these brands having a 225/45R19 - while this may reflect the lack of dealers for these brands where I live, do you know if they do indeed make tyres in this size? Thanks!

nakedmolerat

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#1398794 2-Oct-2015 14:03

Are you in Auckland?

jonathan18

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#1398796 2-Oct-2015 14:04

nakedmolerat: Are you in Auckland?

Nope, Palmerston North.

lxsw20

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#1398800 2-Oct-2015 14:15

Hyper show a few different options for 225/45R19. I've had Archilles before, not the greatest tyre in the world but not horrible either. Probably one of the better value for money.

Lias

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#1398801 2-Oct-2015 14:16

Am I the only person who simply buys whatever the cheapest second hand tyre is at the nearest budget tyre place?

I try not to pay more than $30 a tyre.

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clevedon

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#1398802 2-Oct-2015 14:23

jonathan18: Given there are people in the industry here, can anyone comment on the alternatives, especially the GT UHPs?

Goodyear/Dunlop don't even do a tyre in that size so can't recommend them sorry. At $430 your getting a pretty good price for a great tyre, there is not a lot of "price fat" in an uncommon tyre size like that for them. I wouldn't personally go down the cheapy tyre route. See if they will chuck in the fitting, balancing and a wheel alignment as well - doesn't hurt to ask.

Jase2985

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#1398806 2-Oct-2015 14:26

Lias: Am I the only person who simply buys whatever the cheapest second hand tyre is at the nearest budget tyre place?

I try not to pay more than $30 a tyre.

where do you live/drive, and ill avoid that area

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