Advice please - new front tyres for 2007 1.4 TDI 80

[MasterMunchkin]

Hello. I need to replace the front Bridgestone Turanza (size 205/45r16) tyres on my Fabia 1.4 TDI 80. I feel the Bridgestones are a somewhat noisy tyre and not keen to simply replace like-for-like. I am happy to look at mid-range tyre manufacturers such as Falken, Kumho, Nexen, etc as well as Michelin and Goodyear. 

 

What is most important for me is low noise and good wet grip. I live in East London. Any recommendations much appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

MM

 

PS: My local tyre fitter says stay with what you know.   He still reckons the Turanzas are a "very good tyre with a very hard compound meaning they should last longer than rivals". I'm not so enthusiastic...

Edited 23 August, 2016 by MasterMunchkin

[Fab Estate]

On the front of mine I have Avon ZT5 and the rears they are Hankook K425. How good they are I don't really know. I use Tyreshopper which has regular deals. https://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/

[bluecar1]

snip....

 

PS: My local tyre fitter says stay with what you know.   He still reckons the Turanzas are a "very good tyre with a very hard compound meaning they should last longer than rivals". I'm not so enthusiastic...

usually means most profit for them, or they have a load out back they want to shift

 

hard compound also can mean poor wet grip, I followed local type shop advise for a harder tyre and it was noticeably worse in the wet, never again

 

have a look on black circles or tyre shopper and you can see the ratings, they are a bit like Gov MPG stats ( take with bucket full of salt) but having had E wet grip level and swapped to a B wet grip level it is very noticeable, as is the noise going from 72db to 68db

 

I usually end up paying £70-£80 a corner is a good price range / performance compromise for me if just normal driving, swmbo's old MK1 fabia VRs used to be £90-£110 a corner as you needed the higher performance tyres to cope with the engine power and the way it could corner

 

 

also beware of cheap branded tyres, I have a local tyre company near me that buys in container loads of cheap tyres from the EU which are past a set age so can't be sold there , but legal to be sold in UK

[Rooted]

You can go to ATS euromaster and for around £50 each get tyres fitted which are made in Europe by TIGAR. Michelin own the company and the factory, so not out of date or ditch finders and actually very good value and performing tyres. Not everything cheap is rubbish as it is often the case.

[MasterMunchkin]

There's some very good advice here. Thank you to all. 

 

My head has been slightly turned by the Avon ZV7 at £63 at Tyre Shopper. Low noise at 69 dB and A-rated wet grip. See https://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/tyres/brand/avon/avon-zv7/205-45WR16-83W

 

The Uniroyals at Mytyres at £62 also look decent though noisier than the Avons at 71 dB. See http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&cart_id=82087078.110.31375&Breite=205&Quer=45&Felge=16&Speed=&kategorie=6&ranzahl=4&tyre_for=&x_tyre_for=&rsmFahrzeugart=ALL&search_tool=standard&Label=E-A-71-2&details=Ordern&typ=R-242754   

 

However I will take a squizz at the Tigar offering at ATS also. 

 

Thanks again.

Edited 24 August, 2016 by MasterMunchkin

[MasterMunchkin]

Had a look at ATS. No Tigar's available in 205/45/16 I'm afraid. Worth a try though. Thanks.

[MasterMunchkin]

I bought, in the end, the Avons ZV7 via Black Circles. Fitting Friday. £62 each. Thanks again for all the collective wisdom directed here. 

 

MM

Edited 24 August, 2016 by MasterMunchkin

[Rooted]

I have 4 Tigar Syneris 205/40 R16 on rims & if not in stock they get them in the next day, or maybe 48 hours on occasion.

I have various sizes now on cars winter and summer ones. Some of the few tyres i have not managed to wreck.

http://shop.atseuromaster.co.uk/search_tyres/tyres-205-45-16

Edited 24 August, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[MasterMunchkin]

200 miles on...

 

In contrast to the Bridgestone Turanzas the Avon ZV7's are quieter and more pliant. More a 'big car' feel. Not so much feedback in the corners but the 'A' rated wet grip (additionally) is more than compensation. Less wearing generally.