different tack on tyres

Discuss Suspension, Brakes, Wheels and Tyres
Post Reply
Tahrey1043
Bling Bling Diamond Member
Posts: 5184
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2003 1:15 am
Location: Birmingham! Enjoys: The pseudo-G-Smiles provided by a 1.6 Megane Sport valver...
Contact:

different tack on tyres

Post by Tahrey1043 »

Been out pimping for tyre quotes... are Firestones any good?

They were the guy in Ford Masterfit's second choice for a "decent, midrange tyre that's alright in the wet" after I squelched the "Armstrong"s he's probably getting a commission to push.

Thing is, both of those ended up in a quote that was HALF what the independent place next door gave me for the same job - about £43 instead of £89. BUT, the place next door was offering some kind of Michelin (both these guys went by manufacturer rather than subtype :roll:).

Told him from the start I didn't want any budget nonsense, but £43 seems a right bargain for two tyres and the sundry jobs, indeed suspiciously so - the £89 sounded sweet to my ears after all.
User avatar
bstardchild
Moderator
Posts: 3057
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2004 9:53 pm
Location: Norfolk - "Its just Black & Dirty"

Re: different tack on tyres

Post by bstardchild »

Tahrey1043 wrote:Been out pimping for tyre quotes... are Firestones any good?

They were the guy in Ford Masterfit's second choice for a "decent, midrange tyre that's alright in the wet" after I squelched the "Armstrong"s he's probably getting a commission to push.

Thing is, both of those ended up in a quote that was HALF what the independent place next door gave me for the same job - about £43 instead of £89. BUT, the place next door was offering some kind of Michelin (both these guys went by manufacturer rather than subtype :roll:).

Told him from the start I didn't want any budget nonsense, but £43 seems a right bargain for two tyres and the sundry jobs, indeed suspiciously so - the £89 sounded sweet to my ears after all.
Got em all round on the Polo at the moment 175 13's and my Monza GSE 205 15's although they are about to be binned 3 track days and 16k miles means they have seen their best....

Following opinions apply to both

Grippy considering the width (on the polo 4 sure)

Stable in the wet - feel quite surefooted rather than edgy probably because wet or dry they seem to slide at the limit rather than let go all of a sudden
Tahrey1043
Bling Bling Diamond Member
Posts: 5184
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2003 1:15 am
Location: Birmingham! Enjoys: The pseudo-G-Smiles provided by a 1.6 Megane Sport valver...
Contact:

Post by Tahrey1043 »

Interesting... considering it's £52 for two (found the quote again ;)) all-in and not very much more for the extra balancing etc I want, sounds pretty good. The current ones seem ok-ish but then hit a point (say, full throttle in 2nd gear :shock:) where suddenly there's nothing at all, as if you're flying. And there's a good 4mm or so of tread on them!

Anyone have opinions on Michelin Energy E3Bs? Got a quote for them from Formula 1 autocentres, its the highest class tyre I can seem to get in 155 width, unless theres some way of squashing 165s onto 4.5 inch wide rims. £104 all together (including 5 balances, 3 new valves, 2 disposals), -£5 voucher, -£10 per tyre rebate from michelin (dodgy mail-in thing) = £79.... Hmm!
Post Reply