Is it worth putting decent branded tyres on?

[Eric]

As I'm really overdue for some tread I was wondering if it was worth spending the extra cash on decent branded tyres?

I have always been a firm believer that the rubber is the only thing between the car and the road so to get the best out of the car you need good tyres, but...

The 406 isn't a hot hatch, and yes I know it's a class leader in handling (or was anyway.) but it's relative.
A dingy may have a smaller turning circle than the Titanic but they were both boats! ;)

Anyway, will I notice any difference in £15 or so a corner on a 406?
What tyres have people got fitted and found good grip, less understeer without costing the earth?

[Welly]

An excellent question Sir!

There appears to have been mixed feelings on here in the past about tyres. My feeling is to use a well know make like Michelin or Goodyear etc. The only reason being is that I know from experience that 'cheap' tyres tend to have more bendy side walls (not good for the 406), iffy tread block pattern and flexing and tend to be noisey (again not good). The trouble is if you plump for some cheap tyres to save, say, £30.00 if they ruin the drive then you end up stuck with them.

If you are thinking of changing the car in the next 12 months why not go for some part-worns? I got 2 Michelin Pilots for her indoors BMW last year and managed to get cracking tyres because I was allowed a *very* good look at them first cost me £50.00 for the pair (225 x 50 x 16's).

[steve_earwig]

If you're going for part-worns make sure you get a decent look at them, if they won't let you look then you ain't buying them! It might be an advantage if you know what they look like new too...

[Eric]

Yes I can see what you are saying and I wholeheatedly agree.

I guess it's worth the extra few quid even if it doesn't make as much of a difference as a smaller car.
After-all with better tyres I've got more chance to still be around to pick up my next month pay packet so the money is only a short term issue
With winter here, wet roads, salted roads and Ice/ Frost/ snow I guess it make sense for peace of mind and more relaxing drive

[mbell666]

I'd go for the decent branded tryes.

If the cheap ones will wear out a lot quicker than the good branded ones. I reckon cheap set will do 15k to 20k and a branded set will probably do 30k+. Then you get the increased grip, the better ride and less road noise!

If you do the cost v milage i expect a good branded set might work out cheaper overall.

[mjb]

I've done well over 40k on a set of cheapies and I've had no issues with grip until recently in the wet...

[Eric]

I've done well over 40k on a set of cheapies and I've had no issues with grip until recently in the wet...

Yup that's exactly it!
Dry roads the car ispretty good, as soon as it gets damp it gets scary.

Hydragrip tyres coming soon me thinks
£48 each inc fitting so not too bad.

Then just got to sort out the bastard calipers

[mjb]

I've done well over 40k on a set of cheapies and I've had no issues with grip until recently in the wet...

Yup that's exactly it!
Dry roads the car ispretty good, as soon as it gets damp it gets scary.

I'd like to see any tyre do well in the wet when they're getting close to the legal limit...

[bargainbro]

I've done well over 40k on a set of cheapies and I've had no issues with grip until recently in the wet...

Dry roads the car ispretty good, as soon as it gets damp it gets scary.
(

And that´s the way it goes. Also with the cheap ones you usually get some over- or understeering qualities included in the cheap price. If the car otherwise handles ok and the suspension is in good health, then why ruin it with some crappy linglongs.

Last summer had BfGoodrich G-force Profilers (jesus,the name )205-55-16 under and didn´t like em too much. Too hard and noisy.

For next spring got Pirelli P7000s waiting...Hope they´ll be a better pick. Meanwhile got to wear the winterrubbers (with spikes, or what are they in English)...

[DaiRees]

I've had this discussion at some length recently with the esteemed Mr Davies. My thoughts are that you should always get known good quality tyres (and also brakes eh Neil?? ).

We went through all the arguments about tyre wear, grip levels, different compounds, wet performance etc, and eventually had to agree to disagree .

I reckon though, even if the branded tyre performs only 10% better than the cheapy, that 10% might just be the bit you need to keep you on the right side of the hedge....

[Welly]

We went through all the arguments about tyre wear, grip levels, different compounds, wet performance etc, and eventually had to agree to disagree

*changes the christmas party seating plan so as not to sit near Mr Rees or Mr Davies*

[DaiRees]

I'm already sitting next to the Pearl, remember?

[bloodredwarlock]

thought id pose this question, seems appropriate. Got a leaflet from some tyre fitter about a tyre by PRESTIVO Tyres are the Sport pv7000 says they are excellent, never heard o them maself. £80 a corner anybody heard o them or used them cause i need 2 fronts.

[steve_earwig]

Looks like they've only been around about a year and I can't find any reports (apart from the manufacturers ). Seems they're made by some tyre fitting chain, Stapleton? Hmm, would you buy them if they said "Quick Fit" on them?

£80 sounds a bit steep too, unless you're running monster truck wheels...

[bargainbro]

did you mean "prestige tyres"? was the answer I got from google

Seems they´re for the UK markets only...