[fluke]

Hey again guys.

So for the 2nd time in 6 months I have a flat on my front left tyre, yipeee I'm so thrilled .

I a 3.2 V6 SV and have the 18" 7 hole design alloys fitted, with 235/45/ZR18 Conti Sport 2. They have done about 10000 miles and, like every Brera, the inside edge (approx 1 inch) is pretty much worn down (no tread left) and so I'm thinking about replacing both front tyres.

The Conti's are OK, but they are pretty expensive and the road noise is pretty bad. Anyone else got other tyres fitted? Also, do I need to stick with 235/45 size? Can I fit say 235/35 on the same axle?

Cheers for your help guys.

 

[GTLeigh]

I am on my 3rd set of tyres @ 35k miles (contract hire - so it doesn't cost me a lump directly)

First two sets 2 sets of Bridgestone's managed 17k between them, the current set are Pirelli Pzero's have done 18k miles and are still in reasonable condition, i expect to change them in 2/3k miles.

I too have the 18" horseshoes.

 

[Guest]

I am on my 3rd set of tyres @ 35k miles (contract hire - so it doesn't cost me a lump directly)

First two sets 2 sets of Bridgestone's managed 17k between them, the current set are Pirelli Pzero's have done 18k miles and are still in reasonable condition, i expect to change them in 2/3k miles.

I too have the 18" horseshoes.

Hi GTLeigh.

I currently have the Bridgestone 18s which will need replacing soon. How do the Pirelli's compare? Are they quieter? Handle better? I've heard mixed reviews.

 

[GTLeigh]

Hi GTLeigh.

I currently have the Bridgestone 18s which will need replacing soon. How do the Pirelli's compare? Are they quieter? Handle better? I've heard mixed reviews.

Hi Mate

Quieter - no real difference

Handling - good but not as good as the bridgestones, everyday use it doesnt really show though

Mileage - twice as much as the bridgestones ! its a no brainer !

Just make sure you have your alignment checked and set as close to zero as you can.

Leigh

 

[FrankieNorway]

everybody seems to rave about Falken tyres.

You can go down to 225/45/18 ans save 50% off your tyre cost...

 

[wynne71]

I have looked at a few option this week,
Accelera seem to be a decent price for the 235/45/18 98Y/W, but you have to hunt around to find someone that supplies.
Kumho KU31 seem a decent bet as well, although again not stocked by many.

There is a big price differential between 235/225 and 40/45. The correct size for the Brera/159 18" wheels is of course the more expensive one! The same size as the front wheels of a Ford GT no less...

But it comes down to safety and insurance. As I love to push my car a bit, and I also carry my wife and 2 kids (never driving hard with them in of course..) I would not like to be in the situation that something lets go, either grip or otherwise, and the car ends up in a mess. Just imagine the insurance loss adjusters delight when he finds that the tyres are not of the given specification. Hmmm.... not a risk I am willing to take really.

Saying that, there is no way I am paying for the premium tyres, the price is just wallet meltingly stupid!

IMHO.

 

[Guest]

+1 on Pirelli just for longevity. (Cost)

 

[Zorba427]

If you look at the classifieds I have two 235/45 18" Bridgestone Potenza RE050A original (rear) Brera tyres for sale with 4-5mm of tread for a paltry £60. I just want to get shut of them as they have filled one corner of my garage since 2007. I don't have a business account so I can't use a carrier to send them for the usual £10.

If you have a mate who can arrange collection then you have a bargain at £60.....

 

[alfa zulu]

with tyres they are all different, in so many ways.
it depends on what you want out of your tyre, is it
1, longevity
2, cost
3, performance
4, road noise
5, a good mix of all 4?
then in the mix comes your driving style, are you aggressive? brake hard, corner sharply and so on.
no 2 tyres/people are the same.
the only thing i would say is the 4 tyres (approx 8" x 3") each tyre is in contact with the road at a time, to this you put all your trust/family/expensive car.......
buy the best/primium.....do NOT ever buy budget, your life depends on these bits of rubber, budget is budget because of a good reason...they are not as good as premium tyres, period.

for the record i always use toyo, never had a drama and they suit my driving style
you pay your money and take your chance.

 

[Oggy_GTA]

I would say stick to the recommended tyre specs - size and rating.

We've had the 18" Bridgestones on the 2007 spider and were great. Current 19" has P-zero neros and I like them too, though seem to have worn a bit more.

 

[wynne71]

I have to disagree with you alfa zulu.
Big tyre companies obviously make a quality component, they invest a lot of money in the development of the products they offer, but, we are all guilty of paying for the "badge".
A friend of mine works for Continental. Several of their range are made alongside non-main name tyres in Indonesia, but still retail at 50-75% more than the non-name tyres. He sells them to wholesalers at a price that would make us user end retailers cry with envy. The mark up between wholesale and retail is plain stupid. Someone is making a lot of money on our preconceptions that a name is better than not.

Don't get me wrong, I will never have Linglong or Wanli on my wheels! But the likes of Toyo and Kukho offer a pretty decent tyre for a lot less than the big 3/4 named brands do.

Performance wise I can't say that there is much difference either. Previous Saabs have munched their way through main brand and smaller makes in equal measures. In fact, one of the better tyres I have had in recent years are the Toyos that are on the front of my 159 at the moment.

The problem with specialist tyre sizes, as 235/45/18s are, is that choice is limited. Choice creates a market in which prices come down. As we can only find 2 or 3 alternatives to the Contis/Pirellis etc then we will still have to pay the ridiculous prices that are out there.

But it is upto the individual choice and budget. Remember the days of remoulds?? Now those I would NEVER have on any car I owned! Okay, maybe the Metro Rio I drove for 3 months...

 

[Oggy_GTA]

I've experienced the difference between tyres like the Michelin PS2 and Toyo proxes T1-R, and I know a lot of people rate the Proxes and they're as you say "decent enough", but I say you get what you pay for. The likes of the PS2 and the GY Asymmetrics are streets ahead of the Toyos for grip, especially in the wet. IMHO of course, but I'll pay the extra.

I remember remoulds from the days that's all I could afford - and the number I took back for exchange due to defects developing Must have been mad! :lol:

 

[Guest]

If you go on Pneus online they have a graphs showing
the characteristics. Which can be helpful.

Tyres Online at discount prices by PNEUS ONLINE: order new tyres online, car tyres, all brands available


Bridgestone Vs Pirelli:

(The ULTRAC SESSANTA look the best value/performance.
never could find any in France.)

 

[alfa zulu]

I have to disagree with you alfa zulu.
Big tyre companies obviously make a quality component, they invest a lot of money in the development of the products they offer, but, we are all guilty of paying for the "badge".
A friend of mine works for Continental. Several of their range are made alongside non-main name tyres in Indonesia, but still retail at 50-75% more than the non-name tyres. He sells them to wholesalers at a price that would make us user end retailers cry with envy. The mark up between wholesale and retail is plain stupid. Someone is making a lot of money on our preconceptions that a name is better than not.

Don't get me wrong, I will never have Linglong or Wanli on my wheels! But the likes of Toyo and Kukho offer a pretty decent tyre for a lot less than the big 3/4 named brands do.

Performance wise I can't say that there is much difference either. Previous Saabs have munched their way through main brand and smaller makes in equal measures. In fact, one of the better tyres I have had in recent years are the Toyos that are on the front of my 159 at the moment.

The problem with specialist tyre sizes, as 235/45/18s are, is that choice is limited. Choice creates a market in which prices come down. As we can only find 2 or 3 alternatives to the Contis/Pirellis etc then we will still have to pay the ridiculous prices that are out there.

But it is upto the individual choice and budget. Remember the days of remoulds?? Now those I would NEVER have on any car I owned! Okay, maybe the Metro Rio I drove for 3 months...

well that i dont beleive at all.
you might as well say the same about cars..some audi's are built alongside lamborgini, but are definatly not the same.
and most manufacturers share parts bins.
the difference between primium and budget id vast/huge, and it is most certanly not just down to a "name"
i track my subaru and budget tyres would see me off on the first apex.
and Toyo are not budget, they are a premium brand.
on motorcycles for example dunlop are laughable in all countries excepy USA, and avon are a premium brand, however in the car world Avon are a "budget" brand, michelin are regarded as superb but wear very quickly, but that is the price you pay for a good tyre.
a long wearing tyre will definatly not be a good performer (because the compound needs to be "soft")
the golden rule in motorsport is put on the best you can afford (this also applys to brakes)
everything else you can "budget" somewhat.
but you put on whatever tyres you want (as is your right), i will stick to "premium brands" no matter what.
and the only people who will argue this will have budget tyres on there car already.
ask yourself why alfa/porsche/lexus/merc et al choose these brands.........just for the name? i dont think so.

 

[fluke]

After a quick look round, I decided to get Falken ZE912's. I am getting them fitted at my house, next day for £260 for 2. Bit of a bargain I think seeing as the "Big Brands" were about £350 in total.

I'll give them a try and test them out against the Pirelli and Michellins and let you know.

 

[rogerhcd]

The other option is blackcircles.com - They list kumhos amongst others and ship them to a fitter in your area - they quote prices fully fitted. I got a pair of 225/50/17s last week fully fitted at £95 each

 

[wynne71]

well that i dont beleive at all.
you might as well say the same about cars..some audi's are built alongside lamborgini, but are definatly not the same.
and most manufacturers share parts bins.
the difference between primium and budget id vast/huge, and it is most certanly not just down to a "name"
i track my subaru and budget tyres would see me off on the first apex.
and Toyo are not budget, they are a premium brand.
on motorcycles for example dunlop are laughable in all countries excepy USA, and avon are a premium brand, however in the car world Avon are a "budget" brand, michelin are regarded as superb but wear very quickly, but that is the price you pay for a good tyre.
a long wearing tyre will definatly not be a good performer (because the compound needs to be "soft")
the golden rule in motorsport is put on the best you can afford (this also applys to brakes)
everything else you can "budget" somewhat.
but you put on whatever tyres you want (as is your right), i will stick to "premium brands" no matter what.
and the only people who will argue this will have budget tyres on there car already.
ask yourself why alfa/porsche/lexus/merc et al choose these brands.........just for the name? i dont think so.

Re: performance marques fitting certain tyres as standard spec. That would have nothing to do with which company comes up with the best incentive to supply them with tyres/parts would it?? Again, Matt, who works for Conti, states quite clearly that motor manufacturers buy tyres from big dealers at a LOSS so that they are seen on their car, then giving the end purchaser the impression that these are the only ones that will do.
Again, I am not in any way slating your opinion, obviously you have built up your preferences from experience in actually driving and tracking, but..... other people seem to follow perceptions of quality rather than actual quality. Take Alfa Romeo for example, the majority of modern Alfas are as well built as most Audi/BMW etc.. But Joe Public is of the opinion that they all fall to pieces and will end up in a cloud of steam at the side of the road. Why? Because that is how the quality of the product is percieved due to press and advertising.
Hence the crowd following the Germanic route.

I have just ordered a set of Accelera tyres for the 18" wheels, £89 a corner as apposed to cheapest £129 a corner for a Mid range brand, Avon or Toyo. Will I feel a difference in the everyday driving that I do? Strongly doubt it. The research I have done says that they will be just fine thank you. Built to an industry standard, otherwise they wouldn't be allowed to sell them.
However, if I were to take up track days or a track car, would I fit these? Of course not. A totally different purpose and specification required.
Again its not about skimping on these things. Totally agree with you about brakes etc.. Would I fit Linlong brake discs/pads?? Course not.

But then thats the beauty and fall down of a free market! We all get a choice on where our hard earned goes.
If I was minted and didn't have to think about money, I would have a set of GY Eagle GSD3s on there in a shot. Best tyre I have ever had on a car. But I can't afford them, that doesn't mean the cheaper tyre is going to put my family or myself at any greater or less danger than the more expensive. Certainly not for everyday driving.

If, and it is a big if, I end up in a ditch with my no claims in tatters, I promise I will grovel and publish a full and frank apology to you! :thumbs:

Any chance of a photo of the Scooby? Bet that thing is fantastic with decent rubber on.....

 

[Oggy_GTA]

If you go on Pneus online they have a graphs showing
the characteristics. Which can be helpful.

Tyres Online at discount prices by PNEUS ONLINE: order new tyres online, car tyres, all brands available


Bridgestone Vs Pirelli:

(The ULTRAC SESSANTA look the best value/performance.
never could find any in France.)

Nev, looking at some of the reviews on that site, all I can say is the French have a very different opinion of tyres! The Michelin Sport PS2 gets 3 stars - can't be right.

 

[alfa zulu]

i agree with a lot of what you have said.
except i do think Matt is punching above his weight. i know for a fact that when a manufacturer (car) produces a new model, that they extensivly test most primium tyres against the characteristics of the car, as some make a huge difference to the handling.
if for example a tyre manufacturer offered a huge (cash) incentive to have there tyres on and recomended by a car manufacturer BUT....it did not make the car handle as good as it could....the car maker would deffinatly turn them down flat. as its all about getting your product out there as good as it can get (within reason)

i would definatly apply your reasoning and logic to things like the radio and accessorys, but tyres are the only thing keeping you on the road........those 4 bits of rubber are all thats between you and an accident.
i also think that its far more important to have good tyres on the public roads than on the track, because my family and yours use the public roads, as do animals/bikes, and there are lots of housing estates etc.
so you need great tyres to ward off a potental accident, wheres on the track its just a bit of metal/protected drivers.
but the beauty of forums is we all have our own views, and i respect yours.

i will post some photos of my scooby if you like, i have a few toys in the garrage.

 

[andypj]

After a quick look round, I decided to get Falken ZE912's. I am getting them fitted at my house, next day for £260 for 2. Bit of a bargain I think seeing as the "Big Brands" were about £350 in total.

I'll give them a try and test them out against the Pirelli and Michellins and let you know.

I reshod the whole car with Michelin Premacy HP 235/45/18 98W at £130 a wheel, fitted and balanced. They were the same price as the Kumhos. Now I know it was a good deal, but I would say shop around and buy the best you can afford.

I bought 4 Kumhos for my 147 and they were really good, never had a problem with them.

When my daughter had her first car I put Kumhos on that too so I suppose if I am prepared to let her as an inexperienced driver go out on them that should say something about them. VAG use them as OE fit as well.

I agree about the contact patch/safety aspect too - the only addition to that is that I would say if you look at your V5 the maximum vehicle weight of a 159/Brera/Spider is over three tonnes. Now think of that hand sized contact patch and the stress the tyre is under during a high speed corner. Nuff said I think