Fizzer
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 04:15 PM |
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17" tyre recommendations
Need a new set of tyres for my daily driver - Mk3 mondeo estate - 205/50/17
We're due our first child in January so I'd like something thats safe through poor weather. Not keen on dedicated winter tyres though.
I'm also not fussed about 'sports' grip or handling, just something very capable in crap weather.
My two trusted local places get good(ish) prices and recommend Kumho and Cooper but I don't have a preference myself...
Any recommendations?
TIA
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mookaloid
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 04:32 PM |
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I don't understand why you say you want to be safe but don't want to buy the tyres that are safest...
Have a look at this review before you decide not to buy winter tyres
Winter vs normal tyre test
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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theduck
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 04:42 PM |
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uniroyal rainsport. will be going on my daily soon.
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russbost
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 05:33 PM |
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So are there any regs saying that you have to fit winter tyres as a set of 4?
If not surely if you fit winter tyres to just the front wheels (of a front wheel drive car say) surely you have the old scenario same as radial front
crossply rear, which was illegal due to the fact that numpties can't handle oversteer!, it would start & stop ok, but handling could prove
interesting!
Other than that, that video is an emphatic reason why we probably ought to make it illegal to drive in snow without winter tyres as they do in Austria
& Germany!
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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dhutch
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 06:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Fizzer Not keen on dedicated winter tyres...snip... just something very capable in crap weather.
I have to admit this doesnt make much sense to me. Mid spec winters are atleast as cheap as a decent summer and much better from now till about
march. For the price of a set of steels you could proberbly save money on going down a size or too as well.
The 306 is already on 14's so Ive just got a pair of Quatrac3's from my tyres which are a partially siped all weather tyre, bit of a lead
time at they where shipped from germany but otherwise very happy with the service and first impressions of the tyre are positive as a compromise
between a whole new set and blindly fitting summer tyres a week before december!
- Dry grip and feel is perfectly acceptable for everyday driving, damp conditions are like wise, as is grip at 3deg (coldest its got yet) which is i
would say better than the firehawks on the rear and the mich energys they replaced. The car doesnt feel stupid but having gave it a good hard push
there it might have slightly increased the cars tendancy to oversteer in the wet.
I dont think i would want to fit a pair of summers with a pair of winters, but asa half way house, this isnt bad.
Daniel
[Edited on 29/11/2011 by dhutch]
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 06:28 PM |
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have a look here, its covers everything tyres
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/
Meanwhile, I have a healthy disregard for what anybody who is selling something says about its performance. I always think they are just after a
profit for some strange reason. obviously a few good people out there, but not many...
Uniroyal stuff does do well in the wet though, otherwise conti's seem good.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 06:41 PM |
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Get a set of budgets for the summer on your 17" alloys. If you don't have the money right now you've got a good 4-5 months during
which you'll be in "cold weather" so you can save up for these.
For now, get a prefitted set of 16" or better yet 15" 195-width winter tyres on a set of steels (assuming they'll clear your
calipers - I'm assuming Mk3 Mondeo's didn't come with a 17" minimum fitment!).
The winters will last you at least a few years, and a lot of budget tyres are actually quite decent in the dry/warm weather and will also last
absolutely ages due to their rock solid compound. (I've just done 45k on my Arrowspeeds on the Micra, and that's with spirited driving and
an autosolo event!)
I would certainly not suggest driving this winter on budget summer tyres if you have (a very valid) safety concern/factor.
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Fizzer
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 10:16 PM |
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Thanks for all the advice so far guys. I seem to have pushed a few buttons, but just to explain...
I am aware that proper winter tyres are amazing in the snow, however I also know that there are some really good All Weather tyres out there,
and that's what I'm interested in. I don't want outstanding summer performance, it's a mondy estate fgs... 
Anyhow, thanks to the link that Mookaloid sent, these seem to be the best bet for all season tyres:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259459/hankook_optimo_4s.html
Their review:
Our pick of the all-season tyres, but it was close, with only the Optimo’s wet performance giving it victory over Vredestein. Both tyres make a
good case for all-season patterns, as they beat their winter rivals in dry braking, and were near the top on the handling track.
Winter patterns had the edge on the white stuff, but the Hankook and Vredestein were close, and miles ahead of the summer alternative. The Optimo
struggled to get on terms around the Skanska track, where it had less grip than the Vredestein, and was two seconds behind its rival. It also needed
almost three more metres to stop on snow when compared to the winning winter tyre. The temperature dependent wet tests suited it better, with second
in braking and fourth for handling.
The Hankook also performed well in the wet and dry tests, although rolling resistance was a letdown. So this is a compromise tyre during both seasonal
extremes, but some will consider it to be a compromise worth making at this price.
Our verdict
The all-season tyre to go for, with relatively small compromises in winter and summer use.
Anyone used them...?
Russbost - putting slippy tyres on the back sounds like suicide tbh...
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Fizzer
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 10:33 PM |
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..except they don't seem to make them in 17"...
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dlatch
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| posted on 29/11/11 at 11:02 PM |
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the problem here is your wheel size which will affect your choice
i have just recently got a pair of Kleber Quadraxer all season tyres fitted to my daily and they are fantastic so far can't wait to test them
out in the snow.
the only size they offer in 17" is 225/45/17
only all season tyres i could find listed for your size was Pirelli P 6 Four Seasons 205/50 R17 90H XL
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Fizzer
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| posted on 2/12/11 at 03:28 PM |
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Update,
it seems that because it's a bit late in the year to be buying all season tyres, they are mostly out of stock everywhere. In particular, the
Vredestein Quatrac 3 which is highly regarded (and fits my wheels).
So, after phoning and emailing quite a few tyre suppliers, I called Vredestein UK and spoke to a nice lady called Tracy who explained that most tyre
stockists are now gearing up for summer tyres and there weren't really any quatrac 3's left anywahere in the UK. She then arranged to
IMPORT SOME TYRES from the continent, just for me...
I couldn't believe it, but the deal is done and they are arriving later next week...
Just goes to show; don't ask, don't get...
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PSpirine
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| posted on 2/12/11 at 05:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Fizzer
Update,
it seems that because it's a bit late in the year to be buying all season tyres, they are mostly out of stock everywhere. In particular, the
Vredestein Quatrac 3 which is highly regarded (and fits my wheels).
So, after phoning and emailing quite a few tyre suppliers, I called Vredestein UK and spoke to a nice lady called Tracy who explained that most tyre
stockists are now gearing up for summer tyres and there weren't really any quatrac 3's left anywahere in the UK. She then arranged to
IMPORT SOME TYRES from the continent, just for me...
I couldn't believe it, but the deal is done and they are arriving later next week...
Just goes to show; don't ask, don't get...
That's some pretty impressive customer service to be fair! 
Let us know how you get on with them.
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Fizzer
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| posted on 21/12/11 at 10:01 AM |
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Update,
the tyres arrived a few days later than expected but at least they did arrive 
Have done approximately 500 miles on them since new so still early days.
They are slightly noisier and harder feeling than the cheap crap I had on before, which is odd as they are supposed to remain soft in cooler temps.
In the dry they are a little vaguer but not excessively so.
However, in the wet they are simply outstanding. It's a heavy car so pulling out of junctions in the wet used to result in wheelspin -
everywhere... I haven't done any braking tests yet but I can only imagine that they will be excellent at that too. Accellerating out of
roundabouts and sharp turns is much sharper/faster - less understeer.
No snow yet... :p
downsides:
seem to get quite warm on long runs, very smelly in the first few days but that's calmed down a bit now. Also fuel consumption has gone up by 1
- 2 mpg
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