So it's time for the summer tyres and these two are available in my size at a fair price.

So has anyone run any of the above three tyres and if so how do they do.

Fuel efficiency and tyre life are important, in so far as they don't wear out very quickly or cause the fuel usage to rocket, but at the same time lack of wet/dry performance is a higher priority, especially at high speeds.

(Autobahns are likely to happen again this year)

Thanks

Only because the Michelin is OE on my car. Looking like they will only last 15000 miles or so (ie get to 3mm). Probably actually go for a cheaper brand when I need replacements.:no:

Edited 15 March, 201016 yr by gregoir

A suggestion of Hankook Evo V12s from me Mark

Ive got Toyo Proxes on my Vrs,,seem ok

A suggestion of Hankook Evo V12s from me Mark

I know I shouldn't base my choice on this, but bearing in mind comments from chinese friends and the quality process from some chinese companies, buying anything made there that my life depends on is a no no.

Conti Sport Contacts are one the best tyres ever made, in my opinion. I got excellent mileage on 2 sets of the original sport Contacts on my MPV and never had a heart stopping moment. They are also comfortable and quiet. Inspires confidence.....

They are Korean and the Hankooks V12's are pretty good tyres beating most of the brands mentioned in your poll in the German car magazines. I had a set of 4 of the V12's and then a set of 4 Michelin Primacy HP's and I preferred the Hankook rubber, but the Michelins did last a few thousand miles longer.

I am trying the Bridgestone ER300 next, it's a direct competitor to tyres in your poll, the ER300's seem to do really well in the tests.

In the last Auto Motor und Sport (one of germans leading magazines), the Hankook S1 Evo won the test.

Hankook did a lot on their development of the tyres. No comparison to the chinese (really bad) tyres. Cheap they are, but they are the worst, not recommended tyres in tests over here.

Hankook won the test in front of the

GoodYear Efficient Grip

Pirelli Cinturato P7

Conti Sport Contact 3 (! As this is germanys leading brand)

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT

Nokian Z G2

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (just bought these in 225/40 18)

Uniroyal Rain Sport 2

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta

Bridgestone RE 050 A

In the size 245/45 17

Cons of the Hankooks: relatively high rolling resistance and average in wet. Pros: Handling in wet (controlable), brake distance in wet and dry, quiet.

But they didnt quote the tyres longevity.

High rolling resistance or short life are always bad because it means that the extra fuel used might well pay for the cost difference, albeit over time.

I'll have a look to them, but I have to admit to being impressed with the conti premium contact 2, that were on SWMBO's mini.

Oddly a lot of the tyres you mention in the test are not available in 205/55/R16, which does reduce the choice somewhat.

In terms of cold weather performance I'm not that bothered as I have a set of Nokian winter tyres, so it shouldn't be a big issue.

Anyway, keep the thoughts coming, especially those who have run any of the above.

I am trying the Bridgestone ER300 next, it's a direct competitor to tyres in your poll, the ER300's seem to do really well in the tests.

I have these on my Fabia - really, really noisy .

I have these on my Fabia - really, really noisy .

Ditto, I had some that came to the car and was very pleased when they finally went.

Good life, but very noisy and while the grip isn't bad it's not inspiring.

Oh joy, getting them fitted tomorrow! :S

I nearly went for the Conti Prem 2 (205/55 R16 as well) but after having a set of 4 before on a different car I didn't think they were worth paying the extra over the Bridgestones. Not tried Bridgestone before, it's the only big brand name I haven't. Have to wait and see how noisy they are, but they didn't seem noisy on a 59 plate Fabia Estate that I had as a courtesy car last week. Must have been drowned out by the PD lump under the bonnet.

Edited 15 March, 201016 yr by peter0976

Oh joy, getting them fitted tomorrow! :S

I nearly went for the Conti Prem 2 (205/55 R16 as well) but after having a set of 4 before on a different car I didn't think they were worth paying the extra over the Bridgestones. Not tried Bridgestone before, it's the only big brand name I haven't. Have to wait and see how noisy they are, but they didn't seem noisy on a 59 plate Fabia Estate that I had as a courtesy car last week. Must have been drowned out by the PD lump under the bonnet.

No they are ok to start with, it's just as they wear down a bit they get noisy. Mine started to get noisy with about 14k on the car.

How were the Conti Premium 2 for you noise/grip wise, particularly in the wet.

Edited 15 March, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

No problems with the Premium 2's I just didn't think the mileage against price was good for what is classed as a touring tyre as most tyres are in 205/55 R16 size. I have not tried the Sport Contacts 2's but they are a fairly old design now.

No problems with the Premium 2's I just didn't think the mileage against price was good for what is classed as a touring tyre as most tyres are in 205/55 R16 size. I have not tried the Sport Contacts 2's but they are a fairly old design now.

Indeed the SC2 are replaced by the 3 which are not available in 205/55/r16, however they are about to replaced by the SC5P:

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/automobile/themes/car-tires/summer-tires/contisportcontact-5p/contisportcontact-5p.html

I think I can discount the SC2 and say it's really down to the Premium Contact 2 vs the HP's

If I can get the prices farily similar then I'll be looking at the HP's but at the moment I've been quoted about £100 less for 4 of the PC2 over the HP's which will take a lot of justification.

Out of interest, what sort of mileage did you manage in on the old tyres?

Not sure what speed rating you need but there is only £2 difference a tyre with 205/55 R16 91V between the HP and the PC2 on black circles at the moment. For that difference I would get the HP's but for £100 difference the michelins would stay on the shelf!

Sold the car before my PC2's the needed replacing but they did seem to be wearing quicker than I thought a touring tyre of that price should.

Not sure what speed rating you need but there is only £2 difference a tyre with 205/55 R16 91V between the HP and the PC2 on black circles at the moment. For that difference I would get the HP's but for £100 difference the michelins would stay on the shelf!

Sold the car before my PC2's the needed replacing but they did seem to be wearing quicker than I thought a touring tyre of that price should.

Ahh yes, blackcircles are very expensive for the PC2 though compared to my local vendor, however about right for the michelin HP's.

I'm waiting to see what happens over the next week or two weather wise before I move over to the summers anyway so not in a massive rush just yet.

I know I shouldn't base my choice on this, but bearing in mind comments from chinese friends and the quality process from some chinese companies, buying anything made there that my life depends on is a no no.

Sounds like a very vague, wooly reason for discounting them Mark! But anyway...

I'd check http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk for some other choices and reviews from people who've run them.

Steve

Edited 16 March, 201016 yr by Wardy

Sounds like a very vague, wooly reason for discounting them Mark! But anyway...

I'd check http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk for some other choices and reviews from people who've run them.

Steve

It's not an outright no, steve, it's more a case of I've had to deal where the first few come through good and then at some point they don't tell people and start cutting corners and using cheaper raw materials etc.

It all then goes to **** and it's a mess to recover.

I just wouldn't chance my life to this.

I'd also rather pay a small premium for made in the EU.

Looking over the reviews many do say grippy but short life, which isn't what i'm after this time around.

I did consider falken 452, but they have gone up in price so much these days that they are no longer worth it IMHO>

A suggestion of Hankook Evo V12s from me Mark

I just put 30000kms on a set of these, fronts, the rears are still on. I have replaced them with Falken 912's as Camskill where out of stock of the Hankooks. I found the Hankooks to be brilliant, very quite and my fuel consumption never suffered. I will be going back to the Hankook V12's as soon as the Falkens are sufficiently worn.

Anyone got opinions on what I should fit to my Scout Tdi ? They're coming up for renewal soon and want a decent replacement.

Just fitted Pilot Sport 3's to my Vrs Tdi. They seem very good to me but I have no experience of other tyres but this might help...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Sport-3-PS3.htm

I just put 30000kms on a set of these, fronts, the rears are still on. I have replaced them with Falken 912's as Camskill where out of stock of the Hankooks. I found the Hankooks to be brilliant, very quite and my fuel consumption never suffered. I will be going back to the Hankook V12's as soon as the Falkens are sufficiently worn.

Interesting.. I might throw those into the mix, depending on price, although I'm still thinking buy in the EU

Just been in touch with my tyre fitter:

225/50 17 94W

Goodyear NCT5 £130

Pirelli P Zero £139

Kuhmo KU31 £100

Falken ZE912 £95

All prices fully fitted etc..

Choices choices........

Vredestein Ultrac Sessenta

Getting boring recommending these but they are excellent and I've tried a fair few in my time etc etc

Genuinly can't understand why you would pay more than £90 for a tyre they are that good.