A quick question about tyre opinion...

[balders118]

My OH needs some new front tyres on her clio (1.2 billabong). The size is 185 55 15 V. This seems to an unusual size as they t1-r's for example are 15 quid more than for my puma (195 50 15 v), and there isn't a great deal of choice.

The best deal seems to be these: Kumho KU31. Never used the tyre, or even the kumho brand before so any feedback would be good.

She drives only very short, slow journeys most of the time but does occasionally do a long haul so I want her to have something decent on there.

TIA.

[FreeLitres]

I think tyre choice on high performance cars is very important.

For a low powered, light hatchback, I doubt it matters that much unless she always power-slides her way home. I would just avoid the absolute cheapest budget tyres.

[tertius]

They are very popular on Elises, so I think you'll be fine. Kumho seem to be a decent mid-price brand, I have a set of their winters on my 330 and they seem fine so far.

[peeves]

Always best to get the best you can afford. Makes me wince when I see a customer come in with 4 wanli's.
Budgets come with less tread too, often the case they are more expensive in the long run.
Michelin's, you won't regret it

[balders118]

FreeLitres said:

I think tyre choice on high performance cars is very important.

For a low powered, light hatchback, I doubt it matters that much unless she always power-slides her way home. I would just avoid the absolute cheapest budget tyres.

You're probably right. But it's always nice to know your getting good value for your money isn't it?

[balders118]

peeves said:

Always best to get the best you can afford. Makes me wince when I see a customer come in with 4 wanli's.
Budgets come with less tread too, often the case they are more expensive in the long run.
Michelin's, you won't regret it

TBH she probably couldn't tell the difference between a linglong, and a michelin. But for £56 a corner the tyres on the OP are the best tyre to get IMO.

[MR2_SC]

You could probably get away with fitting the 195 50 15's. There are online calculators which will tell you the difference in circumference but I doubt it would make a significant difference.
If that means you end up with a Goodyear or Michelin then it's probably the route I'd take.

[balders118]

MR2_SC said:

You could probably get away with fitting the 195 50 15's. There are online calculators which will tell you the difference in circumference but I doubt it would make a significant difference.
If that means you end up with a Goodyear or Michelin then it's probably the route I'd take.

I wouldn't fancy doing this with only changing the fronts. Or is that stupid?

[peeves]

balders118 said:

MR2_SC said:

You could probably get away with fitting the 195 50 15's. There are online calculators which will tell you the difference in circumference but I doubt it would make a significant difference.
If that means you end up with a Goodyear or Michelin then it's probably the route I'd take.

I wouldn't fancy doing this with only changing the fronts. Or is that stupid?

Good suggestion. I'd go with that. I done it on my Suzuki, was all 4 though. But, yes, it will be fine. Michelin should be under £100 each for these

[10AE]

The KU31 will be more than adequate.

I'm a bit of a tyre nerd, but for the daily runabout have resorted to part-worn tyres - a nearly new 8mm Continental for £15 fitted? Yes please.

The MX5 is a different kettle of fish though - handling is very tyre dependant so it'll always have four matching decent tyres with lots of tread.

[balders118]

10AE said:

The KU31 will be more than adequate.

I'm a bit of a tyre nerd, but for the daily runabout have resorted to part-worn tyres - a nearly new 8mm Continental for £15 fitted? Yes please.

The MX5 is a different kettle of fish though - handling is very tyre dependant so it'll always have four matching decent tyres with lots of tread.

I went with them in the end. Wasn't happy about having different sized tyres front and back. I've never used part worns, but always hear they're a bad idea because you don't know the history etc. Also the idea that they have been taken off a car for a reason. 99% of the time i'm sure they're fine though.

Edited by balders118 on Tuesday 11th January 20:29

[MR2_SC]

balders118 said:

MR2_SC said:

You could probably get away with fitting the 195 50 15's. There are online calculators which will tell you the difference in circumference but I doubt it would make a significant difference.
If that means you end up with a Goodyear or Michelin then it's probably the route I'd take.

I wouldn't fancy doing this with only changing the fronts. Or is that stupid?

When we got our car someone had fitted 'stunner' tyres to the rear and dunlop on the front. On the first wet roundabout my wife asked why I was driving 'funny' and I told her that it was because the back of the car was oversteering badly...at 20mph! The next day I drove straight to the tyre fitters and threw the brand new 'stunners' from the rear in the bin and bought the latest Goodyears.

Tyres often don't come up exactly the width stated, so in practice there will be 185's that are wider than some 195's and the overall difference in circumference between a 185/55 and 195/50 would make the speedo read 68.99MPH where before it read 70MPH. Therefore in practice the actual tyre size difference is negligible.

You would be better getting a good brand of tyre and if you're worried about the car becoming an oversteering monster, then put the new good quality tyres on the rear to ensure handling remains 'safe' - i.e. understeers. (I think this is the general advice anyway TBH).

Edited by MR2_SC on Tuesday 11th January 20:39

Edited by MR2_SC on Tuesday 11th January 20:40

[10AE]

balders11 said:

I've never used part worns, but always hear they're a bad idea because you don't know the history etc. Also the idea that they have been taken off a car for a reason. 99% of the time i'm sure they're fine though.

Edited by balders118 on Tuesday 11th January 20:29

True - wouldn't put them on a decent car but pootling about to the shops/work I'm more than happy with them, especially at that price! I'd much rather have part-worn premium tyres than new budget Linglongs.

Mine came from a car which failed it's MOT and was subsequently scrapped, having had the tyres put on only a few months before.

[MR2_SC]

balders118 said:

10AE said:

The KU31 will be more than adequate.

I'm a bit of a tyre nerd, but for the daily runabout have resorted to part-worn tyres - a nearly new 8mm Continental for £15 fitted? Yes please.

The MX5 is a different kettle of fish though - handling is very tyre dependant so it'll always have four matching decent tyres with lots of tread.

I went with them in the end. Wasn't happy about having different sized tyres front and back. I've never used part worns, but always hear they're a bad idea because you don't know the history etc. Also the idea that they have been taken off a car for a reason. 99% of the time i'm sure they're fine though.

Edited by balders118 on Tuesday 11th January 20:29

I've heard some good things about the KU31's - a good choice.

[otolith]

I got rid of a part worn Vredestein quatrac 3 today - the mrs had picked a flat up and not noticed it until she got home. Could have been driven on for some way, I didn't trust it, so replaced it. Wouldn't want to be on the motorway wondering how much the sidewall was damaged.

Wonder if someone will get a part worn bargain this week?

[Patrick Bateman]

I've got them on mine outside the winter months and they're excellent value for money.

Got mine for about £56 off camskills, 225/50 R16.

[lordlee]

Continental ecocontact 3's are an excellent tyre for that size. Read the reviews online. Well priced, good grip, fuel saving etc. As mentioned before these sorts of tyre are ideal for lightweight small cars than arent being driven at 10/10ths.

[10AE]

otolith said:

I got rid of a part worn Vredestein quatrac 3 today - the mrs had picked a flat up and not noticed it until she got home. Could have been driven on for some way, I didn't trust it, so replaced it. Wouldn't want to be on the motorway wondering how much the sidewall was damaged.

Wonder if someone will get a part worn bargain this week?

Most people don't change all four tyres when they buy a used car...

Fair point though, one has to weigh up the risk/reward in each case.

[peeves]

I replaced 4 tyres on my car today with Michelin. Road noise is improved massively. Just excellent.

[ShiggyBiggs]

I put 2 new Michelin somethings on the front of my caddy 8k-ish ago, put 4 new avon somethings on yesterday.

Dunno what happened there, or why they didnt last long.