My Yeti has now covered just short of 40K miles and the front tyres were down to just over 2mm  (rears are still 4.5mm). The car runs winter tyres Nov - Mar, so I'm estimating ~30K to wear down the fronts.

 

The car was delivered new with Dunlop SP01, which I've found a little lacking in the wet and quite noisy, albeit quite long lived!

 

I recently replaced the fronts with Goodyear Efficient grip performance (225/50/17 94W) and have noticed a marked improvement in both wet grip and noise levels. 

 

I had these tyres on my old remapped MkI Octavia 4x4 1.8T and found a noticeable improvement in fuel economy.

 

I was sure initially unsure what to make of the new tyre ratings (noise / economy etc), as my local tyre fitter said the manufacturers decided on the ratings independently, without reference to other brands. My findings however seem to bear out the rating system for these specific tyres - "B" fuel economy, "A" wet grip and 68dB for noise.

 

On another note my local "back street" tyre fitter managed to beat everyone @ £120 / tyre (fitted / balanced) - myTyres quoted £135 (fitted / balanced) and my local main dealer >£150 / tyre (fitted / balanced)

I got about 25-28k out of mine on the front. The rear tyres were still legal and passed the MOT at 61K although the skoda garage were trying to persuade me to get new ones fitted. As I was getting a new Yeti in 10 days this was soon quashed.

Isn't it better to switch front to rear when fronts are down to ~5mm, so that all 4 can be replaced together - say with Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons, so no need for separate winter wheels/tyres (assuming a couple of mild winters to start with  )

I've just ordered four new tyres. Fronts down to about 2.5mm with the rears on about 4mm but all four look old and have some cracking starting. They are all the original Dunlops. Was just going to do the fronts but the cracking made me decide to do all four.

I have ordered four new Nexen N8000's which have a good write up and which some manufacturers have started using as OEM so can't be too bad. Nearly half the price of the Dunlops (£80 vs £140) too.

Cheers

Rog

Isn't it better to switch front to rear when fronts are down to ~5mm, so that all 4 can be replaced together - say with Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons, so no need for separate winter wheels/tyres (assuming a couple of mild winters to start with )

Not keen on "4 season" tyres to be honest. I have a set of 16" steel wheels and understand winter tyres to be more effective in smaller sizes. I did originally price up x4 winter tyres in 17" size (225/50/17), but found it cheaper to go with x4 16" steel wheels and 205/55/16 tyres (Hankook winter I'cept in my case).

I've just ordered four new tyres. Fronts down to about 2.5mm with the rears on about 4mm but all four look old and have some cracking starting. They are all the original Dunlops. Was just going to do the fronts but the cracking made me decide to do all four.

I have ordered four new Nexen N8000's which have a good write up and which some manufacturers have started using as OEM so can't be too bad. Nearly half the price of the Dunlops (£80 vs £140) too.

Cheers

Rog

My Dunlop's are actually starting to show cracking after around 40k miles / 2 years - I mentioned it to the tyre retailer and they said it was superficial and of no particular concern.

Keen to hear how you get on with the Nexen's - certainly a bargain at £80 / corner, assuming good grip / wear etc.

I'm not worried about the cracking but thought it would be nice to have new all round as I am doing the front anyway with the difference in price. The cracking doesn't look great either and makes the tyres look very tired.

I'll let you know how I get on with the Nexens.

Cheers

Rog

Isn't it better to switch front to rear when fronts are down to ~5mm, so that all 4 can be replaced together

 

Or if you haven't done this, at least switch the part-worn rears to the front and put the fresh tyres at the rear.

 

See the info box with the grey background here.

Which is exactly what I do.