I wouldn't take ANY one type of rating on it's own - I personally cross refer a few before making
my educated(? ?) decision.
So - yes, I can vouch for the Rain Experts as a very safe tyre - but I don't know how they compare, in a real world, on the rolling resisitance issue... (E, B, 71DB)
I check the Tiretest.com figures (via Mytyres.co.uk) where the lower the figure the better.
Also check on Tyrereviews.co.uk - boith of these are real world in as much as real people input to the average overal figure - so check how many have inputed
Finally I also look at Pneu online - (
www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk) - that one has a helpfull little
Pie like graph to visually display characteristics.
Sometimes you might find a wet weather C rated tyre - actually betteres a B rated in certain test sites
So keep a flexable mind with these ratings - they are merely an incicator
I notice small differences in Tyre spec or size can also affect the rating -
I just looked up the Michelin energy Saver (for example)
on 'Mytyre's - I found 3 different ratings for a very similar tyre:
E A 70 dB 195/55 R16 87V GRNX
E B 70 dB 195/55 R16 87V M0, GRNX
C A 70 dB 195/55 R16 91V XL GRNX
Speed rating and size may also have an affect
It would be very easy to get bogged down with all this I think -
and I am as guilty as anyone of over thinking things.