Half decent tyres

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wratterus

719 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 239777 3-Aug-2018 15:16

Will need a set of tyres for the wife's car (99 Mirage) next WOF. 175/70/13

Last time around I got the tyre shop to throw whatever was cheapest on (some Chinese junk apparently) and they've been pretty average, noisy (and I don't feel they were very good in the wet either). I think they were Sunfull or something.

I think we've done around 35,000 km on them, probably a little less if anything so they've not lasted that well either.

Want to get something better this time around, but doesn't need to be top of the line either, it's hardly a sports car...just something a bit quieter and longer lasting.

Was looking at something like a Hankook Kinergy Ex, on special (buy one get one half price) they can be had for around $280 fitted which seems like a pretty good deal.

Anyone got any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks.

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# 2067531 3-Aug-2018 15:38

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You purchased the cheapest possible Chinese tyres and you saying they were noisy and had poor wet weather performance

What were you honestly expecting?

John

wratterus

719 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2067549 3-Aug-2018 15:49

Not complaining about the cheap tyres, just stating how I've found them... never said I was surprised by them, although I maybe expected them to last a little longer.

I was just explaining for a reference point...it's not very easy when looking at tyres to see if I spend X amount more, are the tyres actually going to be X amount better.

Which is why I thought I'd ask here, as there are a lot of knowledgeable people, some of who are pretty likely to have a good or bad experience to share, which would be helpful...

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

# 2067587 3-Aug-2018 16:18

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I just put a pair of Goodride 195/60 15s on the front of my '05 Corolla wagon today. Cheapies at $98 each including fitting and balance. It's only my work commuter so didn't want to spend much.

I will let you know what I think of them after I have driven it.

kryptonjohn

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# 2067601 3-Aug-2018 16:41

My Touareg was imported from the UK with some Chinese 255/55/18's on the factory wheels. The noise driving on them was significant. Sounded like an series 1 landrover!

Switched to some Goodyear SUV tyres and it's instantly as quiet as a graveyard. Amazed at the difference tyres make to sound.

Anyone want a set of tyres.... free?

Fred99

8725 posts

Uber Geek

# 2067714 3-Aug-2018 19:40

kryptonjohn:

My Touareg was imported from the UK with some Chinese 255/55/18's on the factory wheels. The noise driving on them was significant. Sounded like an series 1 landrover!

Switched to some Goodyear SUV tyres and it's instantly as quiet as a graveyard. Amazed at the difference tyres make to sound.

Anyone want a set of tyres.... free?

A lot of that's probably due to tread profile etc. I put a set of Bridgestone Desert Dueller on my Nissan 4WD - horrifically noisy. Talk to folks who say "but they're quiet tyres". Not the ones I got weren't - "AT" is a continuum somewhere between a road tyre and a mud tyre - and there are lots of different types. I think the ("Dueller" without the "Desert") are ok for road and quiet - but the ones I got surely weren't.

Probably the best all round AT tyres I had on that (over 20 years / 200,000km) were actually Chinese - Kingstar ATs.

kryptonjohn

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# 2067716 3-Aug-2018 19:44

Yep, wife's Prado has Dueller HP Sport and they're reasonably quiet. I expect any blocky mud-grabbing AT tyre would be naturally louder. But the noisy Chinese ones I removed had a street style tread.

timmmay

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# 2067717 3-Aug-2018 19:46

$280 fitted for four tyres? That's cheap. Have you considered buying a brand with a name you recognise?

I'm buying four Michelin Premacy 3 ST tyres for my car tomorrow, it'll probably cost me $1000 plus wheel alignment. $280 is a steal.

Batman

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# 2067788 3-Aug-2018 20:45

I've had Federal and Neuton tyres, they are both half decent. Neuton is made by Yokohama.

But I've found Continental and Michelin to be the most comfortable.

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Scott3

600 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2067834 3-Aug-2018 23:35

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Linux:

You purchased the cheapest possible Chinese tyres and you saying they were noisy and had poor wet weather performance

What were you honestly expecting?

John

Pritty much all of the really cheap tires are slippery in the wet. Would recommend avoiding. Cheep Chinese tires can have other issues too, I had a set that was out of round, and was inducing steering shake...

My corolla (ex rental) came with 4 mismatching tires that were the cheapest offering from respective low end brands. Had to be very gentle not to spin the tires in the wet, and stoping distance was long. When those tires ran out of life, I changed to GT radial champero 228's (touring tire), and the grip was another world. When that set wore out a year ago, the quote to replace the 228's was near double what I paid in 2013, so I ended up going with bridge-stones serenity long life touring tire.

The Bridgestones grip was OK (but not as good as the GT radials), but handling was way looser (but not worryingly so.)

I would recommend OP get a quote for GT radial Champiro VP1's which are available in the required size. These are Chinese tires, but good ones.

I would also give bridge stone a call to see what they can offer in your size. Their tires have a good reputation.

kryptonjohn

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# 2067835 3-Aug-2018 23:38

One thing I'll say about Bridgestone: have had nothing but excellent pre and post sale service from them.

Senecio

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# 2067844 4-Aug-2018 03:52

Go with the Hankooks at that price. You won’t go wrong.

For mid price tyres any of the better known Korean brands are a safe bet. Hankook, kumho, nankang.

driller2000

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2067861 4-Aug-2018 08:28

Yeah like many tings - something in the middle is often a good balance of price vs performance - esp for a 99 Mirage as you say.

Have used Hankook back in the day and was happy enough with them.

Not sure if your proposed tyres are listed but here you go:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/

wratterus

719 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2084370 5-Sep-2018 14:37

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Thanks everyone for your input. Ended up having to replace a steering rack end for WOF so decided to get tyres/alignment all at the same time.

Went with the Hankook Kinergy Ex - a local tyre shop matched Hyper.co.nz's price of $280 fitted (alignment was obviously on top of that) which looks to be a very sharp price.

I've not driven it yet, but the wife says it's a lot quieter and just generally feels nicer.

Batman

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# 2084420 5-Sep-2018 16:14

all new tyres are quiet and comfy. wait till it is half used, then they are not!

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Dial111

677 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2084429 5-Sep-2018 16:25

I work with a guy with 06 Monaro who was absolutely deadset on throwing the cheapest tyres he could find on that thing. It boggles my mind how people with high powered cars want to gimp out on tyres, the only thing holding you to the road....

We work in the tyre industry.

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