Tyre recommendations please

CaptainUnlikely

CaptainUnlikely

CaptainUnlikely

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It'll be time to replace my tyres within the next 2 months or so, had a look around but not sure what to go for this time.
Size is 205/50/16, car is an MG ZS 120.
I've been looking at Dunlop BluResponse (apparently meant to be quite decent and not just an eco tyre from what I've read), Vredstein Sportrac 5 and Ultrac Cento, Bridgestone RE050, and Michelin Pilot Sport 3. All range from about £80-95 each from Camskill, excluding delivery & fitting.

Any suggestions are welcome, cheers :)
 
I have a which subscription and for the 205/55/16 size (closest they have reviewed to your actual size) they rate the continental premium contact range, both the Premium Contact 2 and 5 so they might be worth looking at they seem to be around £105 from black circles, you can probably find them cheaper elsewhere.
 
CPC 5 aren't available in my size, 205/55/16 is what I have on at the minute but they rub slightly on full lock - bought the wheels with the tyres on already so it wasn't my decision.
I could go with CPC 2 but they're kind of old now, unsure if it's worth paying more for them over something newer.
 
Doesn't seem to be much if anything higher-end than those available in that size, unless I'm missing them? I'm open to other suggestions, those were just what I saw as decent options.

Edit: I could go to 195/55/16 and then get the additional options of RE050A and ContiPremiumContact 5, plus the tyres mentioned above if available in this size are cheaper. That size will fit with no problem. So, either of those worth it instead of the PS3's? Thought I'd read good things about the Bridgestones though that may have just been on the Type R thread, maybe they're not well suited to other cars or something.
 
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The Bridgestones RE050A's aren't great in the wet. Give great feedback though and are alright in the dry. I'd steer away from them if i'm totally honest. They're an old tyre now, replaced by the S001.

The Conti Premium Contact 5 - again, if it's anything like the Sport Contact 5 it'll be a decent enough tyre, but more aimed at the mid range.

I think i'd still have the Michelin Pilot Sport 3's. Even though we all know they aren't the successor to the Michelin PS2's, they're still a decent tyre and better than anything you've listed. In most tyre tests it normally comes an admirable 4th, when comparing it to the high performance tyres such as the Goodyear Eagle F1, Sport Contact 3/5 and Pirelli PZero.
 
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CaptainUnlikely said:
I've been looking at Dunlop BluResponse (apparently meant to be quite decent and not just an eco tyre from what I've read),
Click to expand...

I have some, the only thing i can't comment on so far is the wear rate. The grip is more than adequate enough for a 156 Alfa JTS and the tyre noise level is exceptionally low, possibly the best of any I've tried on my own vehicles.
 
Fair enough, I must've misread somewhere along the line as I thought the RE050A were quite new, an update to the RE050. My mistake.

Ah, I forgot it's the SC rather than PC that's the better tyre, always get those mixed up.

Looks like I'll be going for the PS3's then, I'm asuming the Pirelli P1, Goodyear Excellence and Yokahama A10 aren't as good, as they all seem like older tyres which have presumably been replaced. Must just not be a great size for high performance tyres, I don't regret ditching the 17's at all though as the ride has been transformed.

Hopefully there'll be a noticeable difference over the Dunlop Fastresponses I have on at the minuute, got them with the 16" wheels and they're alright, haven't really noticed much of a difference between thee and the Rainsport 2's I had on my 17" wheels previously, but I haven't really done much spirited driving on them yet. From reviews, they seem adequate but not fantastic so it looks like the Michelins should be a good improvement.

Cheers for the advice :)
 
MatteH Oxford said:
I have some, the only thing i can't comment on so far is the wear rate. The grip is more than adequate enough for a 156 Alfa JTS and the tyre noise level is exceptionally low, possibly the best of any I've tried on my own vehicles.
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Most of what I've read has said something about the tyre noise being exceptionally low, which is nice, but my ZS is noisy anyway (rattles, squeaks and bumps ahoy, exactly as you'd expect from a 12 year old Rover really) so I doubt it'd make too much difference. Reviews seem quite positive, especially regarding performance for what's named as an eco kind of tyre, but as above I think I'll be going with the Michelins.
 
Mine are 205/45/16 and when I was looking the ones that came up over and over were:

Avon ZV5
Uniroyal RS2
Toyo Proxes
Hankook Evo V12
Michelin PS3

for the price/ratings I went with hankook
 
Vredestein's are getting very good reviews, I have just fitted a pair on the front of my 335d and they are very quite.
I got them online and had a local fit them, the fitter said they are good for the price.

Alternatively I also found out that the Matador Hectorra are made in the same factory and from the same compound as the Contintenal SC3 I believe.
 
my oldman has michelin Energy Saver + on his honda accord and they are a quiet tyre with good wet and dry grip.

Seem to be better on fuel aswell than his older tyres he had on it.

£71.00 fitted here in Bristol.
 
danb21t said:
Alternatively I also found out that the Matador Hectorra are made in the same factory and from the same compound as the Contintenal SC3 I believe.
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Just going to stop you right there...

If you can provide me with a shred of proof that Matador Hectorra are little more than just a company which Continental own who cater for the "budget" (crap) end of the tyre market, I will be very interested.

If you can then go on and show proof that they are comparable to CSC3's, other than being round and black, I will be shocked.

To put it another way, if you buy a Fiat Cinquecento, it doesn't mean you drive a Ferrari Enzo, just because Fiat own Ferrari.
 
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danb21t said:
Vredestein's are getting very good reviews, I have just fitted a pair on the front of my 335d and they are very quite.
I got them online and had a local fit them, the fitter said they are good for the price.

Alternatively I also found out that the Matador Hectorra are made in the same factory and from the same compound as the Contintenal SC3 I believe.
Click to expand...

Fascinating, Intel i3 and i7 are also made in the same factory and made from the same materials.
 
Dropping from 55 to 50 profile adds about 40 quid and drops a lot of tyres.

at 205/55 R16 you can get CSC or CPC2's or Dunplop Sportmaxx RT's for around £80 fitted by Blackcircles.

All 3 of which I would happily have on my car.
 
MissChief said:
Good Year Eagle F1 Assy 2.
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Not available in my size.

Dr Who said:
Dropping from 55 to 50 profile adds about 40 quid and drops a lot of tyres.

at 205/55 R16 you can get CSC or CPC2's or Dunplop Sportmaxx RT's for around £80 fitted by Blackcircles.

All 3 of which I would happily have on my car.
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55 profile rubs unfortunately and I believe it's an MOT failure, otherwise I wouldn't mind too much as I rarely need to use full lock and the rubbing is very very slight. As you said, it would definitely be cheaper and offer a better range of tyres. Are CPC2 or CPC5 better than the PS3? Both are available in sizes that won't rub.
 
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