My vRS has Michelin Pilot Premacy tyres from new (complete matching set) and despite the most careful driving the front tyres are nearly to the markers. The rears have loads left though. Now, in these days when every penny must be watched (as they have a nasty habit of escaping) I want to keep all tyres the same by using the (unused) spare and buying one new tyre. But despite searching around I just cannot find a new Premacy tyre. I have turned to searching for a part-worn, but even that has proved fruitless.

So, to other vRS drivers, have you found a place that sells the correct tyres? Where do you get your Premacy tyres?

The only other option is to put the fronts on the rear and as the rear tyres wear slower the remaining 1-2mm of tread should last another 5,000 miles or so and put off the need for new, but I heard the best tyres are supposed to be on the rear...

Its all a bit of a headache and every tyre place I ring is trying to flog me one brand or another and all I want is one new Premacy tyre!

Just to add that this issue is unique to my Fabia as for my 105 Estelle the same Vreidestein Sprint pattern I use has been available since the mid-1990's and it is unchanged now so buying is easy.

Thanks for any help, Ian

Tada!

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m62b1127s291p0

wrong size, not 45 profile

CamSkill dosent do the correct profile, its who i use.

Looking on the Michelin website they no longer make 205/45/16's in the premacy

I wouldn't overly worry about putting a different brand on the front axle as opposed to the rear.

Just pick a good, decent brand and all will be well. I'm presuming you're more after a good wear rate than outright tyre grip and handling?

Steve

I wouldn't overly worry about putting a different brand on the front axle as opposed to the rear.

As Steve says I shouldn't worry about different tyres front and back just make sure they match on each axle.

I currently have Kuhmo Ecsta KU31's on the front and Pirelli P-Zero Nero's on the rear - no problems at all.

I'd also add that rotating tyres between axles is also not a huge issue unless you are a maniac on the roads.

I have previously got to exactly your situation and put the almost time to replace tyres on the back (hugely reducing the wear) and moved the barely untouched rears to the front.

Then 10k later when the fronts reach the markers I changed all 4 at the same time

I enjoy a spirited drive and didn't find the rear grip any less than normal and never expereinced any issues; and as summer is on the way you shouldn't even have to worry about worn tyres being overwhelmed by serious amounts of water.

Re-read the guys post, he only wanted to buy 1 new tyre and swap the spare tyre for the other! So he'd need a new tyre of the same profile/make/model ideally... if it was swapping the front for 2 new it wouldn't be an issue

Re-read the guys post, he only wanted to buy 1 new tyre and swap the spare tyre for the other! So he'd need a new tyre of the same profile/make/model ideally... if it was swapping the front for 2 new it wouldn't be an issue

However the 1 tyre he wants to buy isn't made anymore so i'm offering advice on the alternatives..... :wonder:

its not overly essential that tyres need to be matching (on the condition you don't drive it like you stole it), my gf's car had 4 eagle F1's all round, had a puncture then garage said they dont have them anymore in that size, ended up having 1x Toyo T1R as an 'equivalent'.

Edited 19 May, 201016 yr by JLneonhug

Thanks for the thoughts. Perhaps I shold stump up for a pair that are available but it seems a real shame that I cannot get the Premacy style any more. Is it OK to mix makes on the front axle or should I really match the pair? I will have to live with the decision and I don't want an emergency stop to turn ugly. Our local tyre bay has Vreidestein - anyone use those?

Thanks again,

Ian

Edited 19 May, 201016 yr by Tailhappy

I don't want an emergency stop to turn ugly.

I assume when left tyre slips at different rate to right tyre ABS would kick in, if its in a turn situation ASR/ESP (Traction control - whatever its called) would kick in..?

Edited 19 May, 201016 yr by JLneonhug

if i cant get a matching set of tyres i always make sure that i get matching pairs as in the past when ive had to have different makes on the front you can feel it pull/wander on the motorway ever so slightly

Don't make things unduly complicated for yourself. Leave the spare tyre untouched and fit two new tyres of the same brand and model to the front axle.

Job done.

Steve

You could get a pair of Michelin Pilot Exaltos for the fronts, similar to your rears and the current Michelin sporty hatchback tyre. Would seem the best option to me. The rubber in the spare will have degraded with age even not being used and so I'd be minded to keep it as a spare for emergencies and not use it as your regular road tyre.

Thanks. The pair of Pilot Exaltos sounds a good idea. I wonder if I could use 50 profile tyres? I seem to remember someone here doing that and it being a cheaper option and also giving a better ride. Anyone here remember that?

TH

You have pm.

Fitted four new tires to my fabia yesterday avon zz3's seems quite good so far, my dad had them on his old evo4 back in the day and said they were bettr than p zero neros, michilines he tried

Thanks. The pair of Pilot Exaltos sounds a good idea. I wonder if I could use 50 profile tyres? I seem to remember someone here doing that and it being a cheaper option and also giving a better ride. Anyone here remember that?

TH

That's the same as fitting another brand to the front TBH.

The Pilot Exaltos are aimed at a completely different market and car than the Premacys. I have a feeling you'll find the wear rate isn't as good for a start, as they're a grippier and more performance orientated tyre. They're also fairly expensive.

And no, you really shouldn't run a 50-profile. Your car came with 205/45/16 tyres for a reason. That doesn't stop some doing so though

Steve

Just to add that grr666 will be selling me one new Pilot tyre of the correct size so I can use my spare after all!

Thanks, TH

So you'll end up with two different tyre models on the same axle??

So you'll end up with two different tyre models on the same axle??

No - I have the Pilot Premacy type on all wheels now and one as an unused spare - I only need one more and I will have a new pair for my fronts.

TH

Should swap the fronts to the rear, until all need changing, or someone local could offer you their matched spare for a new one from you, if they are not as bothered about a miss match make

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