So I'm due two new front tyres soon. Seem to have been wearing on the inner side.

I've got Dunlop Sportmax 17s at the moment.

Probably gets asked a lot but what are other people using at the moment?

I read on one of the threads the Sailun Zsr was good. Anyone back this up?

Don't want to spend too much but then don't want to end up with rubbish tyres either. I mainly tend to do motorway miles.

Thanks

I use Sportmaxx RTs on 17s - the older model Sportmaxx tyre gets some very bad reviews, but the RT is excellent based on my experience using it for the last 5+ months. I also paid about 90 Euro a corner for them. The A rated wet weather grip and 67 dB road noise put them on equal footing with the top brands too. If you're doing a lot of motorway you'll particularly appreciate the low rolling noise. I was able to turn the radio down a couple of clicks for the same perceived volume after changing from the 73 dB tyres that came with the car.

I have replied to a similar question a few months ago with all my notes - see if you can find it via my profile

 

Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance tyres get a good write up and were my second choice, but I went for theses - 1822540WSAZ4ASXL - SAILUN ATREZZO Z4+AS 92W RF 225/40R18 £41.33 delivered £57 fitted

They are a bit noisey (72db I believe) and I was a bit disappointed with the wet weather handing, but recently they seem fine in the wet and overall I am very happy with them - under £240 for 4 newtyres fitted !!! And they are Run Flats as well.

 

Having said all that, the Sportmaxx as described above sound ok as well - I would do some more research on those as I've never heard of them before

I have Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta on the 170. They were on new when I got the car and now 3k later, I can report they're good tyres; pretty quiet, great traction in the wet and seem to be wearing well too.

 

Have Barum Bravuris 2 on the 140 all round and these too are great. So, clearly, I'm not a tyre snob and no, I don't believe in paying over the odds for so called "Premium" brands, albeit I've had a few in the past.

 

Now, when either of the current set need to be changed, I'm going for a set of Accelera Alpha I think. Seem to have good reviews Well, I say that, all with the exception of those of the P6000 etc. Snob brigade who've never actually used them of course - "What, oh they're just Ditch-Finders...."Right.. what do you run?"  "Me? Oh yes, I always put £800 Pirelli P Zero on my Alfa 156..."... "Really? Well you really are a bit of a jerk, aren't you!?" <sigh>

Tyres, my favourite subject!

 

Tyres are the only thing keeping you and your family on the road in the horrible weather we have in the UK. Auto Bild do an excellent review every year with 50 of the top tyres in the EU; they do wet and dry braking tests. The difference between the best performing tyre and worse (in wet weather) is 38m.... 38m! 

 

This is the difference between you stopping up short in an emergency and plowing into the back of someone. 

 

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2015-Market-Overview-Braking-Test.htm

 

Best: 1st: Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde

Total: 84.5 / Dry: 37 / Wet: 47.5

Worst: 54th: Maxtrek SU830

Total: 124.7 / Dry: 39.1 / Wet: 85.6

 

Sailun tyres comes in down in the high 40s in the chart which is bad.

 

I'm not suggesting go out and buy the most expensive you can find but stick to a good middle / premium range tyre such as the Falken or Goodyear tyre. 

 

I had 4 x 225/40/18 Goodyear F1A2 earlier this year for £350 all in - bloody good price and the performance is outstanding in all weathers. The possible £10 or £15 a tyre saving is not worth it. My excess is far more (and that is only £150) than a decent set of tyres versus budgets. 

 

My preference would be Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance (or F1A2), Dunlop BluResponse Sport, Falken ZE914 or Hankook V12Evo2. 

 

AE 2015 tyre test results here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2015-Auto-Express-Tyre-Test.htm

 

Expensive does not equal good; Dunlop SportMaxx originals are the second scariest tyre I have used. Pirelli P-Zero don't always get great write ups Conversely the Jinyu Zeta and Evergreens on the wives Fabia 1.2 TSi are down right crap. Understeer followed by oversteer; all in a 15mph damp corner. They will soon bee gone and replaced with something better. 

 

Buy the best tyre for your purpose; not the cheapest.

Currently on Continental Sport Contact 5 XL on 18" wheels. This set has seen 38,200 miles. Rotated once, but will rotate every 5000 (for me about every 10-12 weeks) on the next set.

 

Tyres are the only thing keeping you and your family on the road in the horrible weather we have in the UK.

 

Completely agree with the intent of your post but would like to add shocks and springs to that. They are a under checked part of the car and don't get noticed because they normally degrade so gradually. I'd become aware of my car nosing down a lot under braking, going back a fair bit under acceleration, and generally feeling very soft. Shock change has made it feel like a new car again. This excessive body movement in an emergency braking situation would not have been good, particually if the road surface was poor. It would be logical for the ABS system to work best with the cars weight reasonably consistantly on the front axle rather than oscilatting. I wonder if the MOT pass criteria for shock of settling within a couple of bounces is far too leaniant.

 

You don't see it too often now but a completely toasted shocker can leave the rear wheels bouncing while your driving on a straight motoway. I'd assume that's bad enough to fail an MOT though.

 

I'd expect to see a max of between 60,000-80,000 miles out of a shock that hasn't had an abnormally harsh life.