My Octavia will shortly be going in for it's MOT test it has about 68.000 on the clock and still has its original Mitcellin Pilot HX tyres on the rear which still have a servicable and legal tread depth put the rubber is getting really perished with visible small cracks on the walls and I half expect the examiners to fail them and as they are coming up to nine years old and have managed 68.000 miles I don't think they owe me anything.

The front ones incidently lasted to about 40.000 miles and I was so impressed with this that I actually got the tyre suppliers to fit some more Mitchellins, I have never asked for a specific make before but not only had they worn so well thay also seemed to be very good in the wet, I never experienced that "lightening up" of the sterring when hitting a section of road covered with a good amount of water. I was told the orininal tyres were no longer available and so I opted for Mitchellin Primacy HPs on the front which don't appear to be wearing quite so well but I have just noticed thay are also starting to develop small cracks in the sidewalls.

I have never noticed this craking/perishing with other tyres so I wonder if others in the forum have experianced the same thing wiht both Mitchellins and other makes?

I've never even heard of "Mitchellin" tyres before; "Michelin" is a well-respected make of tyre though.

I've seen premature sidewall cracking on Avons and Dunlops.

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by KenONeill

At 9 years old I'm amazed they're still going. I wouldn't trust tyres that old. Definitely no surprise that they're cracked though.

All tyres will crack with age, it's nothing to do with the brand.

6 years is about the limit i think

you should really get your new tyres fitted to the rear, and swap the part worn rears to the front. This avoids this age related problem since the tyres on the car are then as new as can possibly be, because you are wearing out the oldest ones on the driven "axle" so to speak

If you want a good hard wearing tyre that is also good in the wet (and don't mind a bit of road noise) I honestly can't recommend either the Michelin Pilots or Falken ZE912 enough!

Michelin and Falken in the same bracket?

Worlds apart

Michelin and Falken in the same bracket?

Worlds apart

Well, maybe not worlds apart. I certainly think Michelin aren't all they're cracked up to be. Certainly not in the class of topline Pirelli's or Goodyear's best, and the top Falken models are a very good tyre.

Yeh right I realised the "typo" but it was to late to change. I have had a quote for some Bridgestones and Goodyears the suplier has both in stock.

Just to clear up any confusion the front ones are about 2/3 years old and already showing signs of perishing, which I DON'T find to impressive. I cannot remember any other tyres on other vehicles I have owned ever developing this type of degredation

.

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by Silverline

Well, maybe not worlds apart. I certainly think Michelin aren't all they're cracked up to be. Certainly not in the class of topline Pirelli's or Goodyear's best, and the top Falken models are a very good tyre.

My personal choice wouldn't be michelin either. I'd have Goodyear, Pirelli or Continental over them but all of them are miles and miles above Falken IMO. I wouldn't put Falkens on a wheelbarrow.

At 9 years old I'm amazed they're still going. I wouldn't trust tyres that old. Definitely no surprise that they're cracked though.

They are not exactly cracked in the normal sence of the word they have fine cracks and they have always been run at the correct pressures and maintained properly.

Michelin and Falken in the same bracket?

Worlds apart

Believe it or not!

The 912s are very hard wearing and cope extremely well in the wet

Am I the only one who wishes I had a set of tyres that lasted 3 years?! But on a serious note I've had Yokohama on a previous car which had "crazing" on the sidewalls after 2 years. If you want some scientific feedback on what tyres to choose then check out the Auto Bild test results >>> http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2012-Auto-Bild-Max-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm there are tests for all groups of tyres, not just performance.

My last set of Michelins were pretty cracked too, but to be fair, the last owner only did about 3K a year with a poxy caravan. So they'd been on a while since they were half worn when I bought it.

Lets face it you have a sporting family hatchback capable of twice the national speed limit (on a private track of course). And the most important things between the Tarmac and your car are the black rubber circles at each corner. Now you may drive like the queens chauffeur and hats of for getting the mileage and years out of your tyres. But Really even Lloyd who has a mint MK 1 octy VRS with a little over 16k miles after 8 years has had more new tyres than you can shake a stick at. Answer Uniroyal Rainsport 2's for you.

Group1rs, Was looking at the rainsport 2s.

They are rated E for rolling resistance and 71DB which put me off them a bit. How do you find them on fuel?

I think you will find all tyres are rubbish on fuel.Ask any motorcyclist that's slid off mid bend on a diesel spill ! In all seriousness I had them on a company vehicle a few years back. Excellent in the dry and awesome in the wet. Which in my mind is most important to me above economy.

Ha, Completely agree on that, most important to me is how they cope in the wet but I don't really want them to last 5000 miles and use way more fuel too. I'll keep on looking anyway cheers!

Group1rs, Was looking at the rainsport 2s.

They are rated E for rolling resistance and 71DB which put me off them a bit. How do you find them on fuel?

I've got Rainsports 2's on my Corsa, they're much quieter than the Continentals that were on there before, and they grip just as well. The fuel ratings mean nothing to me anyway.

My latest tires have done 4k and need replacing :(

Thats toyo's and enthusiastic driving for you