In need of 2 front tyres for a 2006 Octavia 2.0 TDi - currently has Dunlop SP Sport 01s fitted which haven't lasted too well and don't seem to get very good reviews from what I've read. Was thinking of replacing them with Michelins (big fan of Michelins on my 330Ci sport) - either Pilot Primacy or Energy, any recommendations please?

Costco quoted me £68.76 for Michelins (205/60/15V) - not sure whether Primacy or Energy and throughout October they're offering £30 off if you buy a set of 4 which is my current plan.

Thanks in advance.

I'm a big fan of toyo t1-r.

I recently replaced my Goodyear NCT fronts with Michelin Pilot Primacy (I have 15" steel wheels) and they're definitely quieter than the Goodyears for road noise but they do seem to squeal quite a bit on roundabouts

My wife's Golf (16" alloys) had the Michelin Energy tyres on the front and they are a good grippy tyre but louder for road noise so last week we replaced them with Pilots Primacy, I haven't had a chance to drive her car yet but she reckons it feels the same

205/55/R16 91ZR are £62 each fitted and while they are slippery until they have scrubbed in after about 100 miles.

Once they are scrubbed in they are very grippy and seem to be wearing well.

205/55/R16 91ZR are £62 each fitted and while they are slippery until they have scrubbed in after about 100 miles

- what is that for cheezemonkhai?

I got the Pilot Primacys from Costco. Pleased with them. Much better than the Bridgestones, not sure if they're better than the Kumhos I had on the front last time.

I got a pair of Continentals (can't remember name) on my 2.0TDi as the Dunlops as you say didn't last long - only just over 10K if I recall. The Contis give me plenty of grip in the wet and dry.

I'm also a fan of Michelins having had several sets of Pilot HX, Pilot Sport, Primacy and currently Pilot Exalto 2 on three different cars over the past 7 years. Your right not to go for a repeat of the Dunlops, and don't get Continentals either.

Michelin are not the cheapest brand but their tyres are good and give long life; I guess you pays your money & takes your choice.

Of the Energy or Primacy; it perhaps comes down to your usage/driving style. Gentle average driving will be fine on the Energy but if you are true to the Briskoda ethos then Primacy ought to be the choice.

However, if you want the BEST for performance - have a look at the Pilot Exalto 2, they are only a couple of quid more than the Primacy and (having used both) are significantly better for grip dry & wet, noise and ride quality, and seem not much different on wear rate.

Helpful?

Funny, I won't touch Michelin, having had a long line of french cars before my Skoda I found that the Michelin (especially the energys) lasted a long tiem but the grip left a lot to desire in the rain and ice compared to others.

Have just put Avon ZZ3's on very good.

Thanks bahnstormer vrs - quite happy to pay a premium if its worth it. Got Pilot Sport 2s on my 330 (225/40/18 & 255/35/18) based on recommendations for that particular car - it came with Dunlop SP9000s which were good but IMHO the Michelins are worth the price premium over them.

Unfortunately I don't think Exaltos are available in a 60 profile (only 55 and lower) so currently leaning towards the Primacy.

Safety Engineer - my 1st car (Pug 309) had Michelin MXLs fitted which I reckon stood for Longlife as they were incredibly hard wearing/ no grip - so I accept that not all Michelins are fantastic.

I've heard good things about Nankang NS2s from a bmw forum... going for £60ish for a 225/18... The NS1 were awful by all accounts, NS2 very much a different ball game. Worth a look?

- what is that for cheezemonkhai?

Mark's talking about the Falken FK452's. They get the thumbs up from me too

Chris

Thanks bahnstormer vrs - quite happy to pay a premium if its worth it. Got Pilot Sport 2s on my 330 (225/40/18 & 255/35/18) based on recommendations for that particular car - it came with Dunlop SP9000s which were good but IMHO the Michelins are worth the price premium over them.

Unfortunately I don't think Exaltos are available in a 60 profile (only 55 and lower) so currently leaning towards the Primacy.

Your correct; I've checked Michelin's website and if you need 205/60 16 then it is Energy or Primacy.

I thought you wanted 205/55 16 for which you can get Exalto 2s.

My 2005 Octavia 2 2.0 tdi was delivered with Michelin Energies. They last exceptionally well (still 4mm of tread after 25k miles), but they generate an awful lot of road noise. Can't wait to change them.

Best

drcox

- what is that for cheezemonkhai?

As Chris said Falken 452 (oops on that front for not saying it).

I would say they are as good as the Pilot Exalto 2 having run both and a darn site cheaper too.

I read somewhere that factory OE tires are not the same as the tires sold on the replacement tire market and it seemed to imply that OE tires were made to fit the car makers price budget. Thus you got what you paid for and OE tires are cheapos.

My OE tires are the Dunlop Sport which seem very noisy on most UK roads and their grip can be a bit iffy and I am no boy racer.

Due to on going illness they do not get the miles put on them so I will have to live with these for probably another two years before replacement.

On my Octy Mk1 (110bhp) I had Michelin Pilot HX tyres fitted in that size and they lasted for about 40k miles on the first set and about 25k on the second. Not cheap tyres but they lasted well.

The rears did about 60k.

Octy Mk2 came with Dunlops on there and they lasted to 26k on the front which isn't as good as the Michelins on the Mk1 but it is the 140bhp engine.

I've replaced them with some Avon tyres which grip well but don't look like they will last any longer. They were cheaper than a new pair of Dunlops and are certainly a more modern design.

Thanks for all the replies.

Heard good things about the Falken 452s on the BMWLand website - someone has even got them on their M3 but unfortunately they only go up to a '55' profile.

Also heard good reports on the Toyo TR1s but same thing applies.

Had a Hertz Mondeo with Nankangs fitted the other week - surprised to see them fitted as OE.

Think its still probably leaning towards Michelins....

If you run an octy II 2.0 TDI your tyres are 205/55/R16 or on the 17" are smaller height.

The falken 452 are definitely available in that size.

Which Michelin are you looking at and what is more important for the tyre a longer life but lower grip or a higher grip but lower life?

If you run an octy II 2.0 TDI your tyres are 205/55/R16 or on the 17" are smaller height

- definitely 205/60/R15 (V) on a 140 bhp 2006 2.0 TDi Octavia.

My 2006 1.9TDI came with Dunlop Sport 01's which also generate a lot of road noise. I was thinking of changing to Michelin Energy or Pilot Primacy.

Any recommendation.

- definitely 205/60/R15 (V) on a 140 bhp 2006 2.0 TDi Octavia.

Yes.

The Ambiente has 15" wheels as standard , with 16" on the elegance and L&K

On a previous car, I changed from (205x50R16) Pirelli P6000 to Conti Premium Contacts and got a big reduction in tyre noise. Good for cruising, but not as direct on cornering.

I might go for them on the next change, to see if I get the same reduction compared to the bridgestones.