Just been looking for some new tyres for my Octy vRS alloys I have spare in 215/40/17 and after searching the net, for either Pirelli P Zero Nero or Toyo Proxy T1-R, I have noticed plenty of cheaper branded tyres.

These inc. -

Nakang

Falken

Ferderal

Hankook

Fulda

Kuhmo

Are these tyres really that bad?????:eek:

I know you normally get what you pay for but how do these compare to the Major brands?? Have any tyre comparison tests been done on these??

Why would you want 215/40/17 for the Octy?

I had a set of the Nankang tyres on an MR2 Turbo once (fitted by dealer not me), and they were suprisingly good really, nice tread pattern, lasted well, pretty grippy too.

These days however I would only ever fit 'proper' brand name tyres, i've tried all sorts on my cab (I have the 17s) and dry performance is good with the cheaper tyres but it's when things get wet that you really notice the limitations of budget tyres, and on changing road road surfaces (again especialy in the wet).

I use Pirellis at the moment, might switch too Michelin next time to try those out though.

Sorry Octy 17" wheels for a Fabia vRS

I've got Kumhos on my Octy and they are pretty good Summer tyres ... but as stated in virtually all the tests they are pretty iffy in winter & the wet. They are good value tyres and if you aren't worried about performance winter tyres I would recommend trying them.

BTW - they were aboslutely pants in the snow we have just had in Kent

Anytime I buy tyres, I go for part worns and always get almost new ones for £10 fitted. But then I'm a cheapskate.

Falken, Federal and Kuhmo all stand out as pretty good budget tyres. I had federals on once, and performed nearly as well as Toyo's - not quite, but close enough to make them a good budget tyre. Kuhmos are meant to be pretty good too.

Ive just ordered some Kumho KU31s as the toyos have gone up in price.. (on spinndrifts reccomendation)

costing me

Got Bridgestone on mine.

Can anyone recomend something cheaper than Toyo's which are at least as good as what I have.

John

Ive just ordered some Kumho KU31s as the toyos have gone up in price.. (on spinndrifts reccomendation)

costing me

Yep, heard good things about Kumhos. Not sure about the rest on your list. I've got some Accelera ones on at the moment - budget ones came with my Superlegs. This has highlighted more than anything the need to choose carefully. Needless to say I'm looking to get four decent ones soon! Probably Goodyear Eagle F1-GSD3s and flog these four on eBay

(Anyone with 205/45/16s who wants some cheap rubber maybe for trackdays let me know )

Steve

Just been looking for some new tyres for my Octy vRS alloys I have spare in 215/40/17 and after searching the net' date=' for either Pirelli P Zero Nero or Toyo Proxy T1-R, I have noticed plenty of cheaper branded tyres.

These inc. -

Nakang

Falken

Ferderal

Hankook

Fulda

Kuhmo

Are these tyres really that bad?????:eek:

I know you normally get what you pay for but how do these compare to the Major brands?? Have any tyre comparison tests been done on these??[/quote']

It depends on what you expect and what model you get. A friend is running Falken 415 and reckons they are lethal in the wet. I have tried Hankook on an MR2 Turbo and they were sh*te in wet and dry, really unstable. Have had good reports on Nankang. Know nothing about Federal. Fulda have made some excellent tyres in the past.

More and more tyre companies are now using silica compounds and these generally give excellent results grip in the wet. I know the Kuhmo KU31s are silica compound.

Also, IMO I would not consider price to be a sure fire indicator of performance. Check out Michelin, the most expensive tyres providing really average grip in most instances. Also many years ago, I was driving lots of miles on budget tyres, Yokohama A008 and Toyo 600F1. Now they have built a brand reputation they are just a tad more expensive.

Chris

Also' date=' IMO I would not consider price to be a sure fire indicator of performance. Check out Michelin, the most expensive tyres providing really average grip in most instances. Also many years ago, I was driving lots of miles on budget tyres, Yokohama A008 and Toyo 600F1. Now they have built a brand reputation they are just a tad more expensive.

[/quote']

Guess that depends on the tyres, car, and application though. On cliosport, the Michelin Pilot Exalto 2's which come standard with the car was voted the favourite tyre.... not sure what to make of that, but I had heard that the car was actually specifically designed (by Renault Sport) for those tyres.

Only problem with them is, they are outrageously expensive:rolleyes:

I'd heed Renault's advice there Paul. I think it was Evo that had a long-termer 182 and they tried different tyres, but went back to the recommended in the end.

I know what you mean about expensive tyres, and don't agree with manufacturers going down this route, especially with a mainstream model, but sometimes you've just gotta live with it

Steve

Guess that depends on the tyres' date=' car, and application though. On cliosport, the Michelin Pilot Exalto 2's which come standard with the car was voted the favourite tyre.... not sure what to make of that, but I had heard that the car was actually specifically designed (by Renault Sport) for those tyres.

Only problem with them is, they are outrageously expensive:rolleyes:[/quote']

Hi Paul

This is another aspect of tyre performance. How the tyres suit the chassis. Some chassis suit a stiff sidewall, others a softer one. The tyres drift characteristics are also closely tied to the way the driver perceivs the tyre. It really is a personal thing. The Pilot Exalto II are an excellent tyre and well siuted to the Clio. You will need to drive an automatic though 'cos they cost a arm and a leg and wear out as quick as any other high grip tyre. I will see how much Costco do them for when mine need replacing.

Most of the rest of Michelins range are not very good in value for money terms. However, many of them last forever.

Chris

Have any tyre comparison tests been done on these??

To answer this earlier question, yes, there is some test data about for *most* of the tyres I've been looking at. Easiest thing is to goto www.mytyres.co.uk and enter your tyre size etc and browse their list. Where appropriate, when you click for more info, there will be a link to a website offering scoring on wear, noise, wet/dry grip etc - very useful I've found.

HTH,

Steve.

I tried cheap tyres only once, (had a saxo VRT at the time) and as someone else said in this thread, great in the dry, couldn't tell the difference, wet weather came, and I was SO scared I took 'em off, threw them away, and bought some F1's, and could breathe again when the rain came down ...

I run 215/40/17 Falken 512.....Very Good in the dry, Excellent in the wet (a really wet road).........Anything else, slightly moist or damp I don't bother taking the car out :thumbdwn: ...........I hate them that much I've put the original wheels back on for the winter and running on Michelins...........And there sh*te too

To answer this earlier question' date=' yes, there is some test data about for *most* of the tyres I've been looking at. Easiest thing is to goto [url']www.mytyres.co.uk[/url] and enter your tyre size etc and browse their list. Where appropriate, when you click for more info, there will be a link to a website offering scoring on wear, noise, wet/dry grip etc - very useful I've found.

HTH,

Steve.

Yes, I've been on this site before. Interesting to see that the Pirelli P Zero Nero is only

I can't complain about my 215/40/17 kumho ecsta tyres, had no problems with them, was pleasantly surprised, not much bother in the wet either:)

I understand why people buy cheap tyres, its because they just cant afford more. However, I would never drive on cheap tyres. All round ability is needed, just just one weather condition or another.

I would also ban the sale of used or remould tyres full stop.

Its only 6 inches a corner that could save your or someone elses life.

I've got Kumhos on my Octy and they are pretty good Summer tyres ... but as stated in virtually all the tests they are pretty iffy in winter & the wet. They are good value tyres and if you aren't worried about performance winter tyres I would recommend trying them.

BTW - they were aboslutely pants in the snow we have just had in Kent

My Vredestein Wintac M+S's were great on the only two occasions we've had snow here in Central Scotland :D

Don't think I would have got far on Contis :eek: :eek:

More snow now, please :)

In Holland a lot of people I spoke to switched to winter tyres + steel rims, for a little extra dosh they store your summer 'set' away for you as well.

Didnt notice much of a problem with the Contis on mine in the snow, grip was ok for the conditions, a proper winter tyre would definitely have improved on things but I don't tend to particularly go for it in the snow anyway (other than chucking snowballs :P )

I have used the Hankook before, and they are very nice. no problems with them, the Hankook OPTIMA range comes in Hyundai Tucson and Sonata Embera's as Stock.

Falken, Nakang & Kumho are all 'budget' tyres. The ST115 Falkens I used to have on my old 15" rims were excellent.

You have to remember though, these brands are made in the East, where EVERYTHING is relatively cheaper than anything made in the west. Falken, Nakang & Kumho are all Japanese. Toyo? That's where branding comes in. It's a brand. A name in the Jap tyre industry.

Falken, Kumho and Nakang are all used by crazy (street) racers in the East, namely Japan. Apparently, these are the brands you go for there, and their sports tyre range are supposed to be top notch.

So yeah, they aren't bad at all.