I've got to buy two new tyres for my 1.4 tsi estate (205/55/r16) fairly soon. I don't need ultimate performance, but I would like low rolling resistance, low wear rate and a bit of hush. I won't buy budget tyres.

I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of tyres there are available in this size - hundreds! Where do you start? I tried AutoExpress 2012 review and AutoBild 2012 (German?) but am, if anything, even more confused.

If anyone has some helpful suggestions, I'd be grateful.

dill

To make it slightly less than hundred, try here: http://www.tyrerevie...55-16-Tyres.htm

For cheap, but not too cheap, I've had decent experience with Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response, £70 per corner (http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/products/2055516du04v?locale=en).

Or for a bit more money and an excellent all round tyre with low rolling resistance, Michelin Energy Saver.

Had 4 fitted 6 months ago to replace the Pirelli P6000's. The Michelin's are much much better.

Or for a bit more money and an excellent all round tyre with low rolling resistance, Michelin Energy Saver.

+1 - not too sure about the 'hush' as the energy savers are quite a hard compound, hence low wear rate and rolling resistance. But as quoted an excellent all round tyre. Just replaced 4 on the wife's VW Golf (Energy Savers fitted as OEM - OK not an Octy estate) 5 yrs old 30K+ miles and still loads of tread - only replaced as moving to Germany and didn't fancy autobahn speeds on old tyres with kids in the car. I think we paid approx £300 for 4 in Costco including fitting, valves, balancing and nitrogen.

Just replaced 4 on the wife's VW Golf (Energy Savers fitted as OEM - OK not an Octy estate)

Maybe not, but as near as makes no difference!

Goodyear Efficient Grip are fairly quiet - quieter than the Bridgestones that were on before. Can't say anything about wear rate, they've only been on a few weeks.

I've got to buy two new tyres for my 1.4 tsi estate (205/55/r16) fairly soon. I don't need ultimate performance, but I would like low rolling resistance, low wear rate and a bit of hush. I won't buy budget tyres.

I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of tyres there are available in this size - hundreds! Where do you start? I tried AutoExpress 2012 review and AutoBild 2012 (German?) but am, if anything, even more confused.

If anyone has some helpful suggestions, I'd be grateful.

dill

Nearly 600 options and good brands from less than £60, the Amazon of tyres....

http://www.oponeo.co...yres-205-55-r16

Thanks everyone. Really helpful. I've decided either on Goodyear Efficient Grips or Dunlop SP Fast Responses on the basis that both register below 70decibels whilst having low rolliing resistance and reasonably good wet weather braking response. Can't ask for much more than that at about £70 fitted each.

This forum is immensely useful isn't it?

dill

+1 - not too sure about the 'hush' as the energy savers are quite a hard compound, hence low wear rate and rolling resistance. But as quoted an excellent all round tyre. Just replaced 4 on the wife's VW Golf (Energy Savers fitted as OEM - OK not an Octy estate) 5 yrs old 30K+ miles and still loads of tread - only replaced as moving to Germany and didn't fancy autobahn speeds on old tyres with kids in the car. I think we paid approx £300 for 4 in Costco including fitting, valves, balancing and nitrogen.

Are you in the Army by any chance?

If so buy your tyres in Germany and get the VAT back

Personally, i'm gonna be going to National this week and making the most of their BOGOF deal on Barum Bravuris2's. Reviews on most sites are good and it's only £300 for a fulls et of 17's. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Barum/Bravuris-2.htm Only downside is it's National tyres which are a bit pants.

Your size tyre would be £257-267 fitted, depending on what speed rating you need.

Not saying you shouldn't, but the efficientgrip's get a bit of a panning on tyrereviews. :( http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

The SP Sport's seem to be good though. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-Fast-Response.htm

I had Barum Bravuris 2's fitted to the rear of my car last summer. Very good tyres at a very good price. However, I found my MPG went down a bit with these fitted. Not much, but noticeable. I needed two new tyres for the front just before Christmas. I was contemplating fitting two more Barums, but really couldn't face going back to National to get them fitted after the 2 hr wait I had last time (plus I was pressed for time), so I opted for a mobile fitter to come to me. My mate uses them for his Porsche 4S so can't be bad. He also runs Nexen tyres on his Fabia which he abuses the hell out of in all weathers and they grip well and don't wear quickly. They didn't have my size in his model of tyre but they had these Nexen N'Blue as here: http://www.tyrepress.com/News/LEGISLATION/labelling/26238.html

They were about £6 more expensive each than the Barums fitted and I didn't have to travel. It was a no-brainer. Had them fitted and tested them very well over the last two wet weeks. I have to admit they work very well. Lots of standing water and wet roads to contend with and they felt good. Not had chance to try them in the dry much yet. Got a 400 wear rating so should last better than the Goodyear Excellences that they replaced with a rating of 240.

HTH and a Happy New Year to all.

As said elsewhere I've had Barum Bravuris 2 fitted again to the front of my car. They are rated at <71dB but are rated E for the energy efficiency and C for wet grip.I'm happy with their performance. Tyres that are highly rated all round (eg Michelin) are expensive and factoring in the extra cost and poorer wear rate (in my experience) not worth it..

Although I noted one of the really cheapo tyres was rated energy efficient, low noise and decent wet grip.Believe it or not.

Edited 2 January, 201313 yr by gregoir

Just found this site which shows all the treadware ratings. Quite convenient!

http://tire-ratings.findthebest.com/

The Barum's appear massively better on wear than the Michelin PS2's I have and the Goodyear Eagle Assymetrics I was GONNA buy if I hadn't seen this deal.

Just found this site which shows all the treadware ratings. Quite convenient!

http://tire-ratings.findthebest.com/

The Barum's appear massively better on wear than the Michelin PS2's I have and the Goodyear Eagle Assymetrics I was GONNA buy if I hadn't seen this deal.

Interesting site. It seems like it is a US based site and so the brand ranges do vary as do the ratings compared to European standards. Some of those wear ratings go up to 800 - which by all accounts in this country would mean they are made from titanium!

Personally, i'm gonna be going to National this week and making the most of their BOGOF deal on Barum Bravuris2's.

Gutted no offers on 18" Barum's, I need four!

There is a huge benefit to running 16's.

Glad i'm on 17's as they're covered by the deal.

Dont know if you are able to join Costco or if there is one near you but if you are then well worth checking them out. I recently put a complete set of Michelin PS3 onto my 2.0 TDI L&K Estate for just a shade over £300 ! That was tyres, tracking and Nitrogen filling. Even considering the membership of £30 for Costco I still saved megabucks on what I was being quoted by all the normal places ! Only downside ? Has to be a set of 4 to get such a good price as they apply a further discount for the full set. You can get them singly or in pairs and even then the price bettered the local comp. Fitted them just before going from South London to Wales and very pleased with them on the M25/M4 - very little noise and great feedback. Then took them around the narrow roads of Carmarthenshire and always felt very safe and secure in wet ( VERY WET !) and dry.

Edited 3 January, 201313 yr by bazman57

Nearest one to me is Leeds, the website is no good though, no prices / offers etc.

Dont know if you are able to join Costco or if there is one near you but if you are then well worth checking them out. I recently put a complete set of Michelin PS3 onto my 2.0 TDI L&K Estate for just a shade over £300 ! That was tyres, tracking and Nitrogen filling. Even considering the membership of £30 for Costco I still saved megabucks on what I was being quoted by all the normal places ! Only downside ? Has to be a set of 4 to get such a good price as they apply a further discount for the full set. You can get them singly or in pairs and even then the price bettered the local comp. Fitted them just before going from South London to Wales and very pleased with them on the M25/M4 - very little noise and great feedback. Then took them around the narrow roads of Carmarthenshire and always felt very safe and secure in wet ( VERY WET !) and dry.

Just phoned up the branch in Reading near where I work and they quoted about £110 per wheel even for a set of 4, so not particularly cheap.

They had an offer on until about early december, but nothing now.

I got my 4 16" Michelin Energy saver back in July in a Formula one autocentre. They have a hunter rig so I got a full geometry check done including adjustment to the left rear.

Total price £365. This included the alignment, adjustment, balancing, and the tyres filled with a unique mix of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon and other trace gasses. I was very pleased!

Edited 3 January, 201313 yr by booke23

Not saying you shouldn't, but the efficientgrip's get a bit of a panning on tyrereviews. :( http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

The SP Sport's seem to be good though. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-Fast-Response.htm

Not sure that's very fair. The Goodyears won the AutoExpress 2012 tyre review.

I think I'm inclined to accept the more scientific, consistent approach to tyre testing against other tyres, rather than a slightly scattergun popular poll. So much depends on their driving style which cannot surely be consistent between different drivers in different cars driving differently?

Anyway, thanks for taking an interest.

Dill