What Tyres to get

Erich · 18-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Guys

Have a S3 AU Sedan and need some new tyres. Dont really want to spend $200 each and it has std rims (happy with that).

Any recommendations on what sort to get, ride/comfort/noise and mileage etc expected?

Cheers

Mr Hardware · 18-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Well i've almost completed a great 2 year run with some Bridgestone Potenza G-III's (215/60R16, the usual) and i've been very very happy with them. Done 43,000klms in them so far and they've probably only got another two or three thousand before replacement. Cost me $139 a corner in dec 07. They are directional tyres so you can't swap sides when you're doing a tyre rotation, only front to back which should be sufficient unless you hit gutters weekly. They replaced a set of Dunlop SP Sport 200E's that everyone reckons are rubbish but i (and nearly every silver service driver in brisbane) quite like as they are solid and very hard wearing, just don't hope for any real water dispersement as they're a herringbone tyre. There's a tyres section in this forum that you might want to post in, ie bring your specials from local tyre shops and they'll tell you if they're terrible or not. I'm interested in this topic as i need new treads too but i'm gonna put cheaper tyres on the car this time because i'm not highway running every day anymore, now the cars duties are largely suburb-bound.

White_sr_taxi · 18-11-2009, 10:53 AM

i recently got a quote for some continental comforts, at around 165.00 a corner fitted, had continentals on my old madaz and found them really comfortable, maxxis are really good too for the same price. be interesed to see price diffences between tassie and the mainland.

Dave_Obsession · 18-11-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

There's a tyres section in this forum that you might want to post in, ie bring your specials from local tyre shops and they'll tell you if they're terrible or not.

+1.

Post this in the tyres section, and ask forum mod 'turbo_nick' for his input....he'll give you unbiased feedback on a number of different tyre choices...

Erich · 18-11-2009, 12:40 PM

ty guys - will do ;)

Dauphin · 18-11-2009, 03:19 PM

When I had 17s, I thought that the Hankook K104 (I think they were K104) I got were the best tyres I've ever had. Those and the Nexxens weren't bad. Now I have Nankangs and they are definitely a little more wiggly around long corners than what came before them.

svo supporter · 18-11-2009, 07:28 PM

I've got a chauffered cab driver customer and he swears by Goodyear excellence. He is on his second set in 3 years, with his BA Fairlane. Nice and quiet tyre from start to finish. Not sure on price though.

Directional tyres, ala Potenzas. Doesn't matter whther you hit gutters or not. When they start to feather from lack of rotation and/or alignments is when they start to become noisy. So that's a little misconception there

Final note. I'm assuming you are running 16" wheels? AU 111's came with 16 and 17" wheels, from the factory. So you may want to clarify that you are running 16" and not 17", so more suggestions can be forth coming

Erich · 18-11-2009, 07:51 PM

yes - correct im running 16''

JTFG · 19-11-2009, 08:11 AM

I think I use the Michelin Energy XM1 Tyres.

Very good tyre!

fernsantos · 19-11-2009, 08:29 AM

I have maxxis mav1 235/45 zr17 97w
I have done 57,000km with them, i need new tyres now got quoted $640 for 4 new tyres the same as the ones i have.I think i will get the same ones as i got good milage out of them unless someone recomends me something else.

Erich · 19-11-2009, 09:25 AM

hmmm - this is the first "good" car I have ever had. Being an ex mechanic - ive had crappy ars, retreads all the time.

Looks like I can expect between 50 - 70k of milage then - not to bad. I know it has to do with getting them regulary rotated etc - thats fine

fernsantos · 19-11-2009, 10:00 AM

Just saw these on ebay anyone tried them out before.

$299 for 4 tyres
HERE WE HAVE A SET OF 4 BRAND NEW 235/45/17 UNITRAC FOCUS 3000 TYRES. THEY ARE 97 EXTRA LOAD RATED AND CARRY A LIFETIME WARRANTY.
TREAD WEAR: 320
TRACTION: A
TEMP: A

Dave_Obsession · 19-11-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernsantos

Just saw these on ebay anyone tried them out before.

$299 for 4 tyres
HERE WE HAVE A SET OF 4 BRAND NEW 235/45/17 UNITRAC FOCUS 3000 TYRES. THEY ARE 97 EXTRA LOAD RATED AND CARRY A LIFETIME WARRANTY.
TREAD WEAR: 320
TRACTION: A
TEMP: A

The lifetime warranty sounds interesting, plus the treadwear is reasonably hard wearing, so you would think you'd get a decent lifespan from them, but I've never heard of Unitrac???

EDIT - just did a search....they're an 'import only' product, direct from China.....no wonder they're so cheap..
http://victortire.en.made-in-china.c...OCUS3000-.html

FWIW, I'd spend a little extra and get something I've heard of, such as Nexen or Maxxis...

EDIT 2 - Now that I think about it, coming from an eBay seller, if the tires did fail, you would have to pay freight costs back to the supplier to get a replacement under warranty!! Not worth the trouble...

ronwest · 19-11-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernsantos

I have maxxis mav1 235/45 zr17 97w

My "touring" rims have the same tyres. Done about 30K of heavily loaded highway speeds and probably have 15K's left in them.

I'd buy them again but if my info is correct the Aust importer is a group that I would not support under any circumstances.

Other than my objection above, the tyres themselves are a reasonably priced, reasonably performing option.

GK · 19-11-2009, 02:43 PM

I had two sets of MAV1s, they were good in the wet and dry, hard wearing, but really noisy.

I wouldn't get them again.

I'm onto Nexens now. Had two sets N7000s and N6000s and have been very, very happy with both.

The N7000s cost me $130 fitted (in Melbourne) the N6000s cost me $150-160 fitted (in Canberra) and I'd be more than happy to use either again.

I also hear the N5000s are good. My suspicion is though that the N7000 and N5000 range is being superceeded by the N6000s.

GK

blueoval · 20-11-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

I had two sets of MAV1s, they were good in the wet and dry, hard wearing, but really noisy.

I wouldn't get them again.

I'm onto Nexens now. Had two sets N7000s and N6000s and have been very, very happy with both.

The N7000s cost me $130 fitted (in Melbourne) the N6000s cost me $150-160 fitted (in Canberra) and I'd be more than happy to use either again.

I also hear the N5000s are good. My suspicion is though that the N7000 and N5000 range is being superceeded by the N6000s.

GK

Hey George,

I have Roadstones which are the equivalent of Nexens and I agree with you that they are pretty good for the money.

I paid $200 each fitted for 235/40/18's and have done 15,000km in them and they dont even look half worn. Plus they put down all of my 194rwkw well enough for my liking.

I will certainly look at these again next time Im in the market for new tires.