New set of tyres - worth it or not?

[peteo48]

This post was partly inspired by the recent thread on shock absorbers.

I'm a big fan of ericthecarguy.com - an American car site started by a man called Eric! He is a self confessed "Tire Junkie" and is happy to spend money on top of the range tyres even on some of his older cars because he believes they transform handling. He tends to go for Michelin or other top of the range makes.

My Jazz has the stock Dunlop SP2030s. The two fronts are down to 3.5mm and will need replacing at some point. As you know they are "E" for fuel economy and "C" for wet braking.

I'm tempted to go for a full new set of Michelin Energy savers when the time comes.

So my question is this - has anybody uprated their whole set of  tyres and will it provide a noticeable difference in handling?

[John Ratsey]

See this thread http://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=7772.0 for some relevant discussion.

[madasafish]

My Jazz came with Michelin Energy as standard. They have now 22,000 miles and have 5mm of tread left so should be good for 35,000- 40,000 miles. On a cost per mile basis that looks pretty good.

Our 2003 Yaris D4D was fitted with Michelin Energy tyres at  35,000 miles after two sets of tyres from new. They are now half worn after 25,000 miles.

So our experience is of long wear and good handling. And quiet.

You tend to get what you pay for in tyres.

[ColinS]

My last car was a CR-V and the tyres it came with from new lasted just over 20,000.  I replaced them with Michelin SUV tyres and they went on for 85,000.  Yes not a typo, I couldn't believe it.  The ride was a bit noisy but handling was good.

[applicationcen]

get rid of the Dunlops

Michelin ES are great for noise reduction.

I definitely feel less wheel spin and skid in the wet with the mitchelins on and the dunlops off.

[Ozzie]

Michelin Energy Savers all the way. I get 37,500 miles from the front tyres and 75,000 miles from the rears. I made the mistake of buying a pair of Yokohamas as they were on sale and they only lasted around 20,000 miles, so that was a false economy.

[olduser1]

Costco have £50.00 off a set of Michelins at the moment

[peteo48]

I think I'll be going down the Michelin route! I am looking into joining Costco (although retired I am one of the approved list of occupations) because they do excellent prices on Michelins as olduser suggests and that's without the offer. You have to go elsewhere for wheel alignment though.

[chrisv]

Hi,
Kwik fit online are very good as are blackcircles,
Chris

[guest5505]

I changed all my tyres for Michelin from Cost Co when I bought the car. Cost co often have deals for a set of 4, I think I got one tyre free.

[Pine]

If I want to swap my tyres front to back so that all four need replacing at the same time when is the best time to change them around?  By mileage or wear?  I have done 10600 on my current tyres, the front tread depth is 5mm and the rear just over 6mm.

[madasafish]

If I want to swap my tyres front to back so that all four need replacing at the same time when is the best time to change them around?  By mileage or wear?  I have done 10600 on my current tyres, the front tread depth is 5mm and the rear just over 6mm.

If you do it now, you'll get at least 20,000 miles from all 4..New depth is c 8mm You have used 3mm at front so mileage to 2mm deep (limit)  = 10,000 miles.  But as tyres wear less as depth reduces (the tread is less flexible so flexes less) you should get more.

Now is as good a time as any... in my view.