What tyres to get??

[Slippery_Stu]

Evening all,

My front tyres (205/45/16.....Michelen Pilot Primergy) are running a little low on tread and are in need of replacing over the coming weeks and would like some feedback on which brand to go for.

Must Have's - Good rim protection and all round grip.
Would Like's - Reasonable wear / reduced road noise.

I am not sure if the road noise currently experienced is due to low tread level as I understand it can increase with the wear of the tyre, haven't had the car that long so am still on the first set of these tyres.

So, what do people recommend at a budget, mid-range and premium level with the must have's listed above?

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year

Regards
Stuart
'54 Ibiza FR Tdi (Standard )

 

[Danneh]

Always go for the best - premium tyres. I don't like ditches.

That Michelin Tyre should be a good tyre.

GoodYear Eagle F1, along with Toyo Proxys are the best bet if you want to try a different make.

Michelin Pilot Sport I'd go with, but they'd have to be wider, (215 iirc?) - They'll give good rim protection. Also, try 215 if you want the best rim protection (iirc).

Your aint going to get any better road noise really, all the new, top of the range tyres are low enough really.

 

[robreidmotors]

Vredestein Sportrac 3, are my choice, autoexpress rated them. Excellent in the wet and i cant fault them in the dry.

Reasonable price although you may have to order them and get them fitted, usually about a tenner a tyre (fitting).

 

[Danneh]

Heard many a good things about the Vredestein's.

Might have to see one day

 

[robreidmotors]

I think with Vredestein, Toyos and the Goodyears they are probably about the same overall. Everyone has their favourites, Vredesteins are good for me and I always go for them, similarly other people will always go for either of the other two. Pretty much either of the three will do the job well.

 

[Torquemonster]

Vredestein Sportrac 3, are my choice, autoexpress rated them. Excellent in the wet and i cant fault them in the dry.

Reasonable price although you may have to order them and get them fitted, usually about a tenner a tyre (fitting).

Was looking at their website for these award winners.However,i noticed they don't do 205/45 16W.Only do 205/45 16 up to 'V'rating.Is this right?.Love the tread pattern as well,but i don't want to void my insurance .

 

[robreidmotors]

I got mine off camskill, and I have the basic 15's on a V rating.

Im sure the V rating goes up to 129 mph or something near, bearing in mind the speed limit is 70mph cant see how the insurers could dissaprove?

edit; maybe they will, seems daft though lol

 

[Danneh]

It has to safely cope with the maximum speed of the vehicle for a prolonged period.

 

[Danneh]

If your car can go faster than 149.. you've got a problem..

V = 149MPH/240KPH.

I don't think that in any way will void your insurance. Not a chance. Never. Just no.

EDIT: PD 130 = 129. Don't sweat it. You aren't buying Z or W's are you?
That would be a waste of money if you braught the tyre specifially for the SPeed Rating.

 

[Danneh]

Was looking at their website for these award winners.However,i noticed they don't do 205/45 16W.Only do 205/45 16 up to 'V'rating.Is this right?.Love the tread pattern as well,but i don't want to void my insurance .

Does you car go 169MPH or more top speed?!!?!

 

[Torquemonster]

I got mine off camskill, and I have the basic 15's on a V rating.

Im sure the V rating goes up to 129 mph or something near, bearing in mind the speed limit is 70mph cant see how the insurers could dissaprove?

edit; maybe they will, seems daft though lol

I think i'll ask More Than what they think before i buy my 2 new rears.You know how insurance co's are as slippery as an eel in a bucket of oil.

 

[Danneh]

Mate, seriously!

Your fine with speed rating H with a non-modifed engine.

I'd sue them in they voided my insurance for a speed rating higher than the recorded top speed of a vehicle. I really doubt they would even notice in an accident. That only comes into play in a event of a very serious/fatal accident.

EDIT: I know what insurance co's can be like, but voiding in a case like that would be illegal.

Speed Rating MPH/KPH
N 87 140
P 93 150
Q 99 160
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
U 124 200
H 130 210
V 149 240
Z 150+ 240+
W 168 270
Y 186 300

 

[robreidmotors]

I agree with danneh.

Unlikely the tyres will fail as well known and trusted brand. Tyre fails equals big law suit so lots of money spent on the ratings.

Speed rating above cars speed limit, no problems. Also any unlikely failure will be well below the tyres speed rating anyway. Any failure would be the tyre company liable not you.

 

[Torquemonster]

If your car can go faster than 149.. you've got a problem..

V = 149MPH/240KPH.

I don't think that in any way will void your insurance. Not a chance. Never. Just no.

EDIT: PD 130 = 129. Don't sweat it. You aren't buying Z or W's are you?
That would be a waste of money if you braught the tyre specifially for the SPeed Rating.

The original tyres are Bridgestone Turanza 205/45 16 W rated.Even though(speed wise) that's way faster than my car could ever go.Since then i've been buying economy Barum Bravuris(made by Continental),still W rated though.
Says in the handbook,and various folk have told me to stick with W to stay legal.
Insurance co's have a vicious way of wriggling out of their contracts!.
Say i had a bad one.The insurance assessor walks up,looks at the V rating on the tyres.'Mmm,they're illegal on this car,not to manufacturers recommendation'.I can just see it now.

 

[robreidmotors]

Id recommend Vredesteins, really really good tyres, especially in the wet which is good in this country!

£66 on camskill for your car, about a tenner to fit.

 

[robreidmotors]

That wont happen, its straight forward.

 

[Danneh]

Look at my post above about the speed ratings. Show me where it says for a Seat Ibiza FR TDI PD130 we recormend speed rating 'W' minimum.

I highly doubt. I'm intriged.

EDIT: I don't mean to sound full on btw

 

[Torquemonster]

Mate, seriously!

Your fine with speed rating H with a non-modifed engine.

I'd sue them in they voided my insurance for a speed rating higher than the recorded top speed of a vehicle. I really doubt they would even notice in an accident. That only comes into play in a event of a very serious/fatal accident.

EDIT: I know what insurance co's can be like, but voiding in a case like that would be illegal.

Speed Rating MPH/KPH
N 87 140
P 93 150
Q 99 160
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
U 124 200
H 130 210
V 149 240
Z 150+ 240+
W 168 270
Y 186 300

I agree.It would be crazy if the speed rating came into play.But i'll double check with my insurers,just to be certain.

 

[lunalupi]

Someone mentioned at the start of this thread Goodyear Eagle F1s or Toyo Proxes - from the experience of friends, I'd go for the Eagle F1s on an Ibiza.

Toyos are soft and have lots of grip, great for a small Arosa like mine, but they wear fast on a heavier car like an Ibiza. I've heard good things about the Eagles from other Ibiza owners though, good grip and good wear rate too

As for the wear rating - so long as it covers the top speed of the car I'd not worry. Your insurers can't really complain about you not covering a top speed of 160mph rather than 140mph when the speed limit is 70mph can they?

 

[robreidmotors]

http://www.etyres.co.uk/vehicle-makes-models/tyres-seat.htm

quote;

Changing the tyres on a Seat should require 3 primary choices:

* The overall quality of the tyre (durability, wear, ratings, cost) desired for the Seat
* The speed rating that a tyre for that Seat should have depending upon the driver's average and occasional "fastest-driven" speed
* Deciding if local and/or regional weather patterns merit keeping two sets of tyres for dry vs. wet road conditions