You only need to do that on the front tyres not rear tyres. However, if the rear tyres are the same you could buy a cheaper tyre for the front and swap the wheels around so the rears are on the front and front on the rear.

I'd rather have matching pairs front & rear regardless, but there's no accounting for taste.

There is plenty of evidence out there to indicate that the EU ratings are a waste of time - not accurate at all.

Care to cite some?

I'll try and find you some links. However the basics as to why the system is flawed:

The labelling is self-certified. Although it is possible for any tyre with a marking to be tested independently, there is no independent test before a label is added.

Tests are carried out on a "sample tyre" which doesn't necessarily have to be the same compound as the actual released tyre. The sample tyre must meet certain requirements, so it's quite possible for a tyre to receive a rating that was only ever achieved on the sample tyre.

There is plenty of evidence out there to indicate that the EU ratings are a waste of time - not accurate at all.

You also won't get good wet grip and good fuel economy - You need rolling resistance for the best stopping and at the same time you want as little resistance as possible for good fuel economy.

This is why your very best wet stopping tyres tend to have only average-poor fuel economy.

Personally I go for reviews and I'm sorry, it may go against what many have said here, time and time and time again independent tests show that in the majority of cases the more expensive/brand tyre will out-perform the no-brand/cheap one.

By the reviews out there the Continental tyres always perform well. The EU wet stopping rating of "A" on the SC5's is down to if you believe in the system or not, but its the reviews that made me spend £115 per corner for these tyres.

I will not touch no-brands. Thankfully I'll never find myself in the position where it's second hand or no-brand's - to be honest if I found myself in that position I wouldn't still be driving the vRS.

Have to say i agree with this. Most reviews ive read tend to see the big name brands kinda near the top in terms of wet grip etc. There are few exceptions but as i say this is the general trend from what ive read in most car magazines.

People do learn things from experience though which is invaluable. For me ive learnt that continentals last longer than bridgestones. Certainly RE050's they were far too soft.

I had to fit 2 evergreens last week due to a pothole blowout. Evergreens where the only tyres in stock that fitted. I was reluctant as i had no experience of them and had read no reviews. They seem to be doing the job but i havent tried them properly yet plus its not untill it coms time to carry out an emergency stop that i will really know how they perform and by then its generally too late. Fingers crossed.

As for the price you were quoted of £130 that seems quite good. Ive used Kwik fit online before and found them very competitive. If you check regularly they change their special offers and if your tyres end up being discounted for a period of time its probably worth buying them early and keeping them in the garage. I was dead lucky a couple of years ago when the beemer needed new rear tyres. Rare size and stupid run-flat meant my tyres were hard to come by and even harder to get a good deal on. Got a puncture in one of them but luckily they were due replacement anyway. Tried kwik fit online and by sheer fluke it was my exact tyres on special offer. Must have been a good boy leading up to that point in time. Actually karma has just got its own back. 2 new tyres just binned due to pothole. Balance is restored.

Just been quoted £127 for a Michelin PS3 fitted and balanced - 225/40 18.

Michelin are currently doing their fuel voucher offer, and if you buy two 18" tyres, they will send you a fuel voucher for £50 (see the Michelin UK website).

So effectively £102 all in for a Michelin PS3. Result

Even if you have bought some tyres in the last month or so (until the end of this month) you should be able to claim (check the website for the actual dates, and the applicable dealers).

Edited 18 April, 201313 yr by GriffoVRS