Mixing tyre sizes

[JuzzyD]

Soon need to get two tyres to replace the fronts (215/50 R17 91W's) and had a limited quick ring round this morning but could not find any decent makes in stock (did find plenty of the NCT5's but they were all the Slovakia ones - no thanks! happy with the German ones...) and popped into Costco.

Costco don't stock the 215's but have three lots of 225's, 225/45 ZR17 91Y Pilot Sport 2's being the cheapest (£101.03 each all in) which is more than I wanted to spend so walked out, but going back to the car I spoke to one of the fitters.

He said that they wouldn't fit two 225's to a car that had 215's on another axle - the only way they would sell me 225's is if I bought 4! ******** to them I thought.

Anyway (and I think this may have been covered before but a quick look and I couldn't find a definitive answer), if I do get two 225's should they be put on the front or the back? And is there an insurance issue with having two sizes on the car?

[MalcGSI]

You can have 225's on one axle and 215's on the other, not sure if there is any preference as to whether you put them on the front or back though.

I would always put the newer tyres on the front, better grip.

[Duncan]

No problem with mixing, as long as you don't mix on the same axle. Must be the same size tyres on the same axle. As 215/50/17 and 225/45/17 are both sizes listed by Vx then there shouldn't be any insurance issues.

I'd stick the 225/45/17 on the rear axle - that seems to be the general consensus when doing this. Also general consensus is to put the new tyres on the back as you have less chance of the back end flicking out, compared to a worn tyre, and a bit of understeer on the front is more predictable and more controllable.

BTW, £101 for a Pilot Sport 2 all in is a damn good price! When I had 17s they cost me £125 a pop from my usual tyre place.

[Big Sig]

No issues on mine, both VX sizes so insurance happy, I have 225/45/17s on the front and my old soon to be replaced 215/45/17's on the back. Really they should be the other way round but its so little in size difference the tyre place said it would be ok. They told me as long as the tyres on the axle are the same size then its ok. Just don't mix the sizes on the same axle

[JuzzyD]

Thanks guys - I wasn't going to mix on the same axle anyway and I was leaning towards putting the new ones on the back.

Duncan - what did you think of the Pilot Sport 2? How well did they wear? I can't remember exactly what models the other 225's Costco had (Cosco only do Michelin's) but I think they were £123 and £147

I'm going to call the good old tyre place in my old village and see what they can do price wise....

[Gregg]

i have 225/45 on the rear axle and 215/50 up front, not had any bother at all. when thefronts are worn out ill be putting 225/45 on the front too

i have bridgestone potenzas Superb

[MalcGSI]

My Pilot sport 2 were 250 each, though that was for 235/35/19

Personally I think they're a great tyre and will be putting them on the SRi when the NCT5's need replacing.

[JuzzyD]

Just been offered Goodyear Excellence 225's at £82 all in and Michelin Pilot Primercy 225's at £97 all in.

Tempted by the Goodyear's just to keep the same make on the car.

[Duncan]

Duncan - what did you think of the Pilot Sport 2?

I thought they were superb tyres, and I'll be putting them on my 18s when the tyres that came with them are worn.

How well did they wear?

I can't recall exactly how much mileage I got from them, but it was a decent amount. Put it this way, it was a good bit more than, say, a set of Toyo Proxies given owners of those tyres experience.

[mooney]

i always get mine from demon tweeks normally get a good price
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/produc...derBy=PriceAsc