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Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk2 2008-2015 => Topic started by: TopDown on February 08, 2018, 10:57:45 AM

Title: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: TopDown on February 08, 2018, 10:57:45 AM
Any suggestions for 'best' 16" tyres for a 2012 EX Jazz please?

I wouldn't say 'money's no object' but it is an 'investment' that should last another 5-6 years at a guess.

We only do 2-3000 miles a year. It's tracking out from new that's done for the fronts.

I like quiet - but obviously, grip and longevity too. It's still on the original Dunlops but my previous EX was on Bridgestone Potenzas.

Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: peteo48 on February 08, 2018, 12:12:11 PM
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Honda/Jazz.htm

Remember seeing this review site a year or so back. I just replaced mine with the same - Dunlop SP2030s - but they are not the most long lived tyres. Toyo Proxes seem to get a good press in this list but others also speak highly of Michelin Energy Savers in terms of longevity.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: madasafish on February 08, 2018, 12:53:30 PM
At 2-3000 miles a year, I would buy the cheapest tyres you can find that have some semblance of grip. Or sell teh car and use taxis:-)
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest5079 on February 08, 2018, 02:31:09 PM
When I was looking for replacement tyres for my 2010 EX there was little choice and due to the 16inch wheel 'B' expensive. The car came with Perellis and although they had about 5/6 mm tread they were diabolical.
I bit the bullet and bought Michelins at £104 a corner. Three and a half years on still got between 5/6 mm tread after about 18,000 miles. Still cope with the man hole covers on the bends tween Fraddon and the Grampound Road B3275 where good ol BT have put the covers in groups of four right on the bends where the nearside tyres run. The Pirellis used to really hop skip and jump on these covers.
If you go for cheaper ones may I suggest you look on the tyre companies charts and they usually give comparisons with wet grip/ fuel economy and noise.. Wet grip is important so if you can find a budget tyre with a good A/B/C in wet grip then they might be worth considering.
Incidentally, looking at an ad for a Citroen C3 with 16inch wheels reckoned replacement tyres were £160 a corner. The tyres on the Citroen are 195/55 x16 not 185/55x16 as the Jazz
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: TopDown on February 08, 2018, 02:39:08 PM
Funnily enough I've just 'discovered' the Michelins. Which did you get, the Primacy 3 or Alpin, both around the £105 mark?

There's also the Continental Contipremium Contact, Dunlop Sport Blue Response and Bridgestone Turanza, all around the £60-£65 mark.

Only do around 2-3k in the Jazz as we also have two MX5's, so the annual mileage gets shared across them all.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: olduser1 on February 08, 2018, 03:06:23 PM
Always buy the best premium brand tyres you can afford - the rubber is the only contact between you & the road , hunt down a bargain on:
mytyres.co.uk
blackcircles.com
and
camskill.co.uk
Then go to your local tyre depot ask them to match the £ .
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: peteo48 on February 08, 2018, 03:39:52 PM
Agreed - you can get some pretty good prices on line.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 08, 2018, 05:17:36 PM
This is the year (before i take winters off wifes GE) that I will get some 15" alloys (plenty of choice at mytyres.co.uk at around £50 to £70)  for it and fit 175/65 R15 tyres - much cheaper and loads more choice + the car has a better ride.

The 'diamond cut' 16" alloys on her Jazz need  refurbishment anyway and that will cost more than new 15" alloys from mytyres.

Whoever decided to fit the awkward 185/55 R16 tyres to the Jazz must have been smoking something illegal, they make the ride harsh, make rims more exposed to pothole damage and cost pretty much twice as much as the equivalent 15" and although they do make steering feel a little sharper its not exactly sluggish with 15".
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest7288 on February 08, 2018, 05:53:34 PM
I favour the Michelin Energy Savers in terms of longevity and grip. On our previous VW Golf, we did 60,000 from new on them and then replaced them which was unfortunate because a couple of week later we traded it in for another VW.

I am anti VW now because of the emissions scandal and hence why we have moved back to petrol and the remarkable little Jazz. Not the same as a Golf but it suits our needs.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest5079 on February 09, 2018, 04:23:20 PM
My Michelins are Energy Savers
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: John A on February 09, 2018, 06:28:21 PM
I went for the Vredestein Quatrac 5 as they seemed to get reasonable reviews and were of the all season type, ie almost as good as a full winter tyre, and not too bad summer. Saves the expense and hassle of swapping tyres to react to temperatures above / below 7 °c.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: TopDown on February 09, 2018, 07:43:08 PM
I'm leaning towards the Michelin Energy Saver +. Gets good reviews on low roll reistance, low noise levels but good all-round grip, wet and dry. Seems it has to be the + to get the EX size though.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 09, 2018, 08:29:20 PM
I'm leaning towards the Michelin Energy Saver +. Gets good reviews on low roll reistance, low noise levels but good all-round grip, wet and dry. Seems it has to be the + to get the EX size though.

I used to get Michelin mainly due to large annual (around 30k) mileage I did, they do last well, but they are not the grippiest or quietest tyre any more.  I went for Avon ZV7 on the Civic last time and very happy with noise, grip and steering response. I will be fitting 15" rims to Jazz this year for better ride and much, much cheaper tyres available (check out cost of 175/65R15 Michelin ES+ compared to 185/55R16 size) - will be able to get Avon ZT5 for 15" rims at £55 fully fitted (ATS Euromaster).  The 15" rims and deeper tyres make potholes easier on your rims and unless you drive round bends fast you never notice the stiffer sidewalls on the shallower 185 tyres (but you do notice more comfortable ride from 65 profile 15" tyres).

We have dedicated winter and summer tyres - the steel wheels in winter save your alloys from corrosion from salt and potential damage from skids on ice into kerb - all season may be best choice if you keep same wheels all year round.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: 123Drive! on February 09, 2018, 10:20:49 PM
Agrees with John A- all Seasons are best. As many of you know, I use Nexen N'Priz/ N'BLUE 4s. Done around 20k miles still have 4mm left. You only need to use it once in the snow and you know how useful they are! Excellent value too. Get them from eBay and get your mechanic to fit them.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Rory on February 10, 2018, 09:39:26 PM
I like quiet - but obviously, grip and longevity too. It's still on the original Dunlops.....

Our 2009 Jazz EX came with Dunlops and they coped well with the very cold winters of 2009 and 2010, downside being they didn't last very long.  However with your mileage that's not an issue - indeed there's a school of thought that tyres should be changes when 6yrs old anyway.

So if you've been happy with the Dunlops I'd be minded to replace like for like
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: TopDown on February 12, 2018, 11:27:26 AM
I tend to agree. I've been in a big circle and ended up back with replacing like for like.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest4871 on February 12, 2018, 11:48:22 AM
It is worth checking the tread wear rating and the traction rating when looking at tyres. 

You get a good indication of value for money and durability.

These are stamped on most tyres as is the manufactured date as part of the DOT code.

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/tyres-advices/utqg
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 12, 2018, 04:34:54 PM
Harder compound will wear longer but generally have less grip, I used to buy Michelin even though I knew they were not the grippiest tyre around because I did large annual mileage.  I have found the Avons to be a lot grippier ( I know the places where the Michelins used to struggle) just as quiet and have much better steering response.  I am happy that they may not last as many miles as Michelin (but only time will tell) because I only cover about 5 to 6k a year now and don't want to discard tyres with wear left because they are cracking through age or just plain out of date after  six years or so.

One thing that counted was Avon are made in UK, and makers like Goodyear and Michelin have been closing down their UK plants for years (nothing to do with brexit either).
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: jazzway on February 12, 2018, 08:54:21 PM
Harder compound will wear longer but generally have less grip, I used to buy Michelin even though I knew they were not the grippiest tyre around because I did large annual mileage.  I have found the Avons to be a lot grippier ( I know the places where the Michelins used to struggle) just as quiet and have much better steering response.  I am happy that they may not last as many miles as Michelin (but only time will tell) because I only cover about 5 to 6k a year now and don't want to discard tyres with wear left because they are cracking through age or just plain out of date after  six years or so.

One thing that counted was Avon are made in UK, and makers like Goodyear and Michelin have been closing down their UK plants for years (nothing to do with brexit either).
Before the summer wheels go on again in 1 or 2 months i have to buy new summer tyres for the rear. The front tyres are replaced in april 2016 and are Michelin ES. I am always told that it is best to keep all tyres the same brand and type, but with our annual mileage almost the same as yours and being it rear tyres, the Avons seems a nice alternative for the more expensive Michelins. Is two brand tyres advisable or do i buy better the same Michelins? And when it is possible, which type Avons do i look for (175/65R15) ?
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 13, 2018, 08:51:07 AM
Harder compound will wear longer but generally have less grip, I used to buy Michelin even though I knew they were not the grippiest tyre around because I did large annual mileage.  I have found the Avons to be a lot grippier ( I know the places where the Michelins used to struggle) just as quiet and have much better steering response.  I am happy that they may not last as many miles as Michelin (but only time will tell) because I only cover about 5 to 6k a year now and don't want to discard tyres with wear left because they are cracking through age or just plain out of date after  six years or so.

One thing that counted was Avon are made in UK, and makers like Goodyear and Michelin have been closing down their UK plants for years (nothing to do with brexit either).
Before the summer wheels go on again in 1 or 2 months i have to buy new summer tyres for the rear. The front tyres are replaced in april 2016 and are Michelin ES. I am always told that it is best to keep all tyres the same brand and type, but with our annual mileage almost the same as yours and being it rear tyres, the Avons seems a nice alternative for the more expensive Michelins. Is two brand tyres advisable or do i buy better the same Michelins? And when it is possible, which type Avons do i look for (175/65R15) ?

Avon don't make 185/55R16 tyre (not many makers do because it is really an odd size) - one of the reasons I will be getting new 15" alloy rims from mytyres to replace 16" on my wifes GE is there is much more choice and much lower price for tyres in 175/65R15 - and also the car rides better on 15" higher profile tyres.
 
For 15" wheel you will need ZT5

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/car/zt5

I guess you have to change brands sometime and not many replace all four tyres at once, I guess unless you drive like a maniac nothing wrong with two brands - especially when the grippiest tyres will be on the rear until you replace the fronts.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: jazzway on February 13, 2018, 10:27:43 PM
...
For 15" wheel you will need ZT5

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/car/zt5

I guess you have to change brands sometime and not many replace all four tyres at once, I guess unless you drive like a maniac nothing wrong with two brands - especially when the grippiest tyres will be on the rear until you replace the fronts.
Thanks! At least one month to decide and compare with the others. ;)
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: stesjazz on February 19, 2018, 09:43:38 PM
my jazz came with dunlops, but needed replacing at only 8,000 miles on the front!!  so i priced them up, and due to the odd size the cheapest i could get dunlops for was £91 each!!  so i bought 2 cheap tyres called three a, and got them both for £83 fitted!!  theyre quiet and grip well, and are good enough  for a 100bhp runaround... :) :)
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest7504 on February 20, 2018, 06:09:36 PM
Not on a Jazz but I've been using Michelins for 4 years.  It came with Energy Savers which lasted 30k but I wasn't happy with wet grip (it rains a lot here in NI). Changed to Cross Climate and immediately noticed much better wet grip (did I mention we get a lot of rain in NI?) 10k further on and it seems they are wearing a bit faster but ought to last at least another 10k, except I won't know - taking it in for my new Jazz tomorrow :D
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: desthemoaner on February 24, 2018, 10:30:23 AM
Coming to this thread a little late, but hey ho.

I never bought anything but Michelin ES for my two previous vehicles. On the 07 Focus that I had for seven years they were 205s, so pretty expensive, but as said above being the only part of the tyre touching the road, you don't skimp.

On my B Max I went for the 185/16s, again in the ES, which cost about £86 from a local fitter, and my current Jazz ES has had two 175/15 Energy Savers to replace both rear tyres, which in previous very low mileage ownership had perished from lack of use. It'll get two more for the front when pocket allows because I always believe in starting afresh tyre-wise after buying a new used car.

I'm considering Avons for the front to save a few quid, but will probably stick with what I know.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Hobo on February 24, 2018, 10:50:43 AM
my jazz came with dunlops, but needed replacing at only 8,000 miles on the front!! 

That is quick wear what motoring are you doing, my brand new Jazz with 16" wheels came with Dunlops and it still had the originals on with approx. 3mm on the fronts and 5mm on the rears when I traded it in with 14k on the clock.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 24, 2018, 12:01:05 PM
I'm considering Avons for the front to save a few quid, but will probably stick with what I know.

I fitted Avons to the Civic last year and saved over £25 a tyre over Michelin ES.

Will be fitting Avons to her indoors GE Si this spring when I get 15" alloys to replace the silly 16" OEM)- again will almost save enough to pay for alloys (about £55 from mytyres.com) - her alloys (diamond cut) are looking a bit tatty and don't fancy paying over £100 a wheel to get them refurbished).

Have found Avons to generally have better grip than Michelin ES and they steer much better and IMHO are just as quiet - whats not to like.  If I was still doing big annual mileage I may have stuck with Michelin but do about 5K a year these days - can't comment on longevity of Avons but I want them to wear out rather than perish out. ( I have winter Nokians on steel wheels so for 5 months of the year the Avons are in garage anyway).
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Hobo on February 24, 2018, 03:11:59 PM
I'm considering Avons for the front to save a few quid, but will probably stick with what I know.

I had Avons several years ago on a Ford, personally I was not impressed either with the wear or handling in the wet.

On my previous Civic I had Uniroyal Rainexpert tyres all round, made by Continental but a reasonably priced mid range tyre, I really liked them good wear and handling especially in the wet and also quiet, I shall go for them again when this Civic needs new rubber.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: desthemoaner on February 24, 2018, 07:52:10 PM
Conflicting views on the Avon tyre, then.

I think the Avons are about 50 quid for a 175/15 as compared to £76 for the Michelin, so a saving of yes, about 25 quid a tyre, which is not insignificant.

I suppose I could put the Avons on the front and if I do notice any negative effect, switch them to the back with the Michelins on the front.

I never push my cars hard, so I probably wouldn't notice anyhow unless there was a marked deterioration in handling at normal road speeds and the sort of casual cornering that would never dislodge my flat cap.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on February 24, 2018, 08:27:06 PM
I used Michelin ES for many years,  I knew they were not the grippiest of tyres but good wear,  they often felt 'squirmy' and lost a bit of directional stability 'when making good progress'.  The very, very supple sidewall on the Michelins could account for the squirmy feel (and maybe make it easier to damage on potholes),  the sidewall on the Avons is firmer and has a rib to protect alloys from kerbing, it will protect the whole wheel unless your wheel is convex and the hub bit protrudes out further than the rim.

I noticed the difference with Avon straight away,  the ZV7 tyre has only been on sale less than 2 years and is a new design and material.  Better grip than Michelin and very good directional stability and not at all 'squirmy'.   Bear in mind when reading European tyre tests that they always seen to put European brands first (especially Continental,  which I took off one of my motorbikes because they were crap,  and don't always get good reviews from buyers).
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on April 17, 2018, 09:14:00 AM
Have just taken winter Nokians off and put shiny alloys back on - when I checked the pressure on Avon ZV7 summer tyres they were all spot on after 6 months in garage, I did not need to add any air - that is pretty impressive.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: JohnAlways on April 17, 2018, 10:17:26 AM
They don't seem to do ZV7 tyres less than 195. My Jazz has 175/65 x 15 so had to go for ZT5, only on the back at the moment soon to try on the front as well.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest5079 on April 17, 2018, 10:34:34 AM
Approaching 20000 miles on my Michelins and they still have a fair bit of tread. Back ones obviously more than the fronts. Last time I checked it was 5plus mm on the fronts and 6mm on the backs and that is with enthusiastic driving. I will concede that this winter with the copious amounts of rain we have had, that the grip is not quite as good as it was on 'pigging' metal covers. Perhaps BT/et als cable covers that always seem to be four together in a line on a bend and are more polished than they were.
Horses for courses.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on April 17, 2018, 03:23:19 PM
Approaching 20000 miles on my Michelins and they still have a fair bit of tread. Back ones obviously more than the fronts. Last time I checked it was 5plus mm on the fronts and 6mm on the backs and that is with enthusiastic driving. I will concede that this winter with the copious amounts of rain we have had, that the grip is not quite as good as it was on 'pigging' metal covers. Perhaps BT/et als cable covers that always seem to be four together in a line on a bend and are more polished than they were.
Horses for courses.

I found Michelin ES long lasting but wanting for grip on damp / wet roads, I am not so worried about long mileage these days so went for grippier tyres.

If you think manhole / BT covers are bad news in a car try hitting / avoiding them mid bend on a motorbike :o
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: guest5079 on April 18, 2018, 12:20:24 PM
One thing I DO NOT miss from my M/C days.
Looking at the state of our roads, I have noticed that where two lanes are joined and the road surface is breaking up a trench about 3 inches wide and as deep as the layer of tarmac appears which must be very dangerous to M/C riders. I thought the dangers of tram lines and bicycle wheels were long gone now it is even more dangerous.
Yes I am old enough to have fallen foul of tramlines.
 I of course should  remember that we have modern trams with their dreaded lines.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on April 27, 2018, 12:42:19 PM
Gave Avon ZV7 on Civic a serious workout today in the heavy rain we have had in our neck of the woods.  Pulling away from junction hard and crash stops on various road surfaces (where ABS hardly cut in) I was very impressed with level of grip. Car also steers very well, so what not to like? Her indoors MK2 Jazz now shod with 15" Avon ZT5 now, so next time I am in Jazz on my own  :-X will check them out properly as well, at the moment all I can say is they are quiet and steer well.

The only thing I can't comment on yet is life of tyres,  but being as my mileage is less than 10k a year these days not really a worry for me, especially considering they are £25 a corner cheaper than Michelin ES+ and other tyres.  A UK company as well, so also being patriotic.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: 123Drive! on April 27, 2018, 07:25:54 PM
Just had a set of Maxxis AP2 All Season Tyres fitted. The tyre shop said it has 'Lifetime warranty'. £54 each, fully fitted. Will see how it goes. Never used Maxxis before.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Rory on May 22, 2018, 10:35:55 AM
Usually use Costco for tyres which suits as I prefer Michelin but they haven't got the Energy Saver in the EX size (185/55R16) and the system wont let them order it.

I looked at a couple of the online places and there are various speed and load ratings available but only one place had the 83H and they were £130!

Bit flummoxed now - usually I don't have to think about, just buy Michelin.  Costco did offer Goodyear.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on May 22, 2018, 11:41:13 AM
It is cheaper to get 15" alloys (or certainly no more expensive) and buy 175/65R15 tyres which are much more widely available,  much better choice at half the price of 185/55R16 expensive lumps, and every time you replace tyres in future you save £50 or £60.  As a bonus car rides much better on 15" tyres.   Why Honda chose to fit such a funny size tyre is beyond me.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Rory on May 22, 2018, 12:10:43 PM
It is cheaper to get 15" alloys (or certainly no more expensive) and buy 175/65R15 tyres which are much more widely available,  much better choice at half the price of 185/55R16 expensive lumps, and every time you replace tyres in future you save £50 or £60.  As a bonus car rides much better on 15" tyres.   Why Honda chose to fit such a funny size tyre is beyond me.

We run our older EX on 15" wheels with Michelin Alpin winter tyres year round.  I think the tyres were about £60 and they last well.

Looking at the choices for 185/55 16 on one of the online sites I must admit I was amazed at the choice - when we got the first EX there were literally only 3 choice.  Now tyres from many of the "mid-range" brands are there - people like Vredestein, Kumho and Kleber. 

I'm running All Seasons on my Merc from the first two (it has different sizes front and rear and no one manufacturer did both in All Season).   I can't tell the difference between them and the Michelin Primacy's I had on before.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: elninochino on May 31, 2018, 09:00:57 PM
I’ve got the same dilemma. Looking at black circle, its either their own branded ones for £48 or Toyo for £65. The better known brands were £90-110, which didn’t warrant the money since we only do 2000-3000 miles a year. My gut feeling is go for middle ground so it’ll probably be the Toyo.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: Jocko on May 31, 2018, 09:40:28 PM
Toyo make excellent tyres.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: sparky Paul on June 01, 2018, 11:05:26 AM
As Jocko says, nothing wrong with Toyo - good tyres.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: VicW on June 01, 2018, 06:53:49 PM
I've just put two Toyo tyres on my motor. They have good write ups and are middle of the road for price. Very pleased with them so far, more quiet than the Dunlop 2030's they replaced.

Vic.
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: culzean on June 01, 2018, 07:29:45 PM
they are are middle of the road

Don't they do them in LHD and RHD versions - middle of the road is no place to drive  :P
Title: Re: 2012 EX - best tyres?
Post by: VicW on June 02, 2018, 06:51:06 PM
The tyres are marked 'inside' and 'outside' so presumably that depends on whether you park your car in your garage or on your drive or road.  :) ;)

Vic.