Boring tyre thread

[miniyazz]

205/55 R16. I need two fronts and so does a mate, same size. Thought HiQ had a 4 for 2 promotion on but apparently not in 205/55, but in 205/60??

Anyway they're more expensive and would probably mess up the 2+2 4wd so I'm not mixing up tyre sizes.. any recommendations?

etyres doesn't appear to fit in my area, only other place I've looked is blackcircles.

Cheers

 

[miniyazz]

Should probably mention I'm looking at good midrange to low premium (around £70-90/corner or something like that).

Are Continental Sport Contact 2 any good? Only the Contact 3 mentioned in Evo's latest tyre roundup, and they don't seem to be available in my size.


Also.. why does the same tyre cost more depending on whether it has a BMW or Mercedes badge attached to it, although it's the same tyre?
e.g.
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/continental/premium-contact-2/205/55/R16/V/91/f?tyre=22060574
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/continental/premium-contact-2/205/55/R16/V/91/f?tyre=13311705

 

[miniyazz]

Yeah they are a bit cheaper at camskill than blackcircles actually. HiQ is £7 for fitting so works out to just over £70/corner.

Any idea what the 'sidewall protection' differences are? Option seem to include FR or FRML
Car is a Golf, speed rating V or higher & load 91 is correct

 

[miniyazz]

Right popped into a random tyre place today and he's suggesting the Bridgestone T001. Anyone know anything about it? It's described as a Premium Touring Summer tyre here but I'm not really sure how that compares to Max Performance Summer tyres

Is £7/corner excessive for fitting or about right btw?

 

[miniyazz]

I don't think I would ever listen to a Tyre shops recommendation for a tyre, odds on (in my mind) it's one they've been able to get cheaply and make a nice profit from it. Also just because they fit them doesn't put them in the same league as Jaime Alguersuari doing tyre tests for F1. I'd probably only listen to recommendations from people that don't stand to gain from your purchase - grab a full list of what your options are in your price bracket and bung them on here, you'll soon get some recommendations.
If it's in your bracket I'd go with the Sport Contact 2 that you mentioned previously.

Yup the Conti Sport Contact 2 is in my price bracket - so I will probably end up going with that - however:

1. Pirelli Cinturato P7 - £52.40 + p&p + fitting
2. Uniroyal RainExpert - £52.90 + p&p + fitting
   [*]Falken FK452 - £55.25 + p&p + fitting
3. Goodyear EfficientGrip - £56.10 + p&p + fitting
4. Pireli P6000 - £56.30 + p&p + fitting
5. Avon ZV5 - £57 + p&p + fitting
6. Dunlop Sport FastResponse - £57.40 + p&p + fitting
   [*]Uniroyal Rain Sport 2 - £58.20 + p&p + fitting
7. Avon ZZ3 - £58.50 + p&p + fitting
8. Goodyear Excellence - £59 + p&p + fitting
9. Pirelli P7 - £59.60 + p&p + fitting
10. Goodyear Optigrip - £59.75 + p&p + fitting
    [*]Dunlop SP Sport Maxx - £60.90 + p&p + fitting
    [*]Continental Premium Contact 2E - £62.10 + p&p + fitting
    [*]Continental Sport Contact 2 - £62.10 + p&p + fitting
11. Dunlop SP Sport 01 - £62.20 + p&p + fitting
12. Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse - £63.10 + p&p + fitting
    [*]Vredestein Sportrac3 - £63.70 + p&p + fitting
13. Michelin Pilot Sport 3 - £67.30 + p&p + fitting

I've bolded a few that stand out to me but welcome to all and any suggestions here
Also no jealousy allowed from those with massive wheels

I still cannot fathome that some places in the UK just don't want to fit tyres... I've had it done for under £20 in both Bristol and Norwich.

Whereabouts in Norwich?

 

[miniyazz]

Place in Stoke Grifford did it for me in Bris, forget the name.

In norwich it was FastFit. They did 4 wheels and disposal for £12. Invoiced, not even cash.

Cheers, almost makes it worth driving back to Norwich for tyre fitting

I was very impressed with Pirelli P7 Cinturatos on my Volvo S90, but that's a sofa on wheels. They last for a very long time too.
What car have you got?

I have a Golf 2.8L 4mo

Michelin Pilot Sport 3's for £12 more than Falken 452's and other "midrange" stuff - YES PLEASE!

I take it these are the dog's danglies?

 

[miniyazz]

Ta for the tip. What made you very impressed with the P7s btw?

 

[miniyazz]

P7 Cinturatos. Big difference.
I was just surprised with the level of grip they offered, along with how long they last. They also did very well recently on a tyre test.
Could be wise on a heavy, 4wd car.

FWIW, I've got F1 Assy 2s on the front of my Z3, and will be putting a set on the rear to replace the knackered PS2s.

There does seem to be a bit of a dearth of reviews on the Conti Sport 2s, not sure why. Wet grip is relatively slightly less on the P7 Cinturatos but decent ride comfort and long life may make up for it, especially considering they are nearly 20% cheaper.. which is obviously nice.

 

[miniyazz]

Hmmm well thanks for the words of wisdom guys, looks like probably a debate between the CSC2s or the P7 Cinturatos for me