215 or 225 ?

[Humph Backbridge]

Hi all, first of all, sorry if this one has been asked a few times !

I have a 53 Signum Direct Design running on Goodyear Eagles 215/50/17s.

All four tyres are due for replacement ( Gulp )

I have been advised that it is not only cheaper but gives a handling improvement to move to 225/45/17s ??

Been nosing about on 'tinterweb and I can see Barum Bravuris for good prices and Falken 452s for not too scary money.

To explain, my car works for a living, up to 1000 miles a week self-funded mileage so I'm as much interested in getting long life and value for money as style and performance. It's usually fully laden and I have to say feels a bit understeery on the current rubber but that may just be due to low but still legal tread depth.

Any suggestions most welcome. Should I change size ? Is budget rubber a false economy ?

Thanks

Humph

[_ZS_]

Barum are a Michelin brand, and actually tend to fare better than Michelin's own brand in tests.

I'd also recommend the Vredestein Ultrac - have them on the front of the Astra in 225-45/17, they've still 3mm tread left on them after 20k, depite 200hp/310lb-ft and VXR brakes giving them hell. They also grip better than the Conti SportContact2 they replaced (which lasted 21k on the front).

I'll be putting 225-45's on the Vectra in the future, probably Pilot Sport 2 (good blend of grip and rolling resistance, but expensive) or indeed Ultracs.

[Duncan]

I have been advised that it is not only cheaper but gives a handling improvement to move to 225/45/17s ??

Yep, you'll have a lot more choice of tyres in that size and the same tyre will be a bit cheaper in 225/45 than 215/50. Handling will feel a bit more planted due to the lower profile.

Is budget rubber a false economy ?

IMO definitely! It's all that keeps you stuck to the road and a better rubber will have a much better braking performance.

I've always used Michelin Pilot Sport 2, both when I had 17s (225/45/17) and now with 18s (225/40/18) and they are simply superb. Not cheap, but a fantastic tyre. Plenty of other tyres out there that will give reasonable performance without the price tag of the PS2s.

[AndrewTi]

225/45/17 Eagle F1's all the way. If you can get the last of the GSD3 style, you'll be laughing, trust me.

[Humph Backbridge]

Yeah, I've always bitten the bullet in the past and put "pukka" branded tyres on but was just wondering if there was such a thing as a "cheap lunch" if not naive enough to believe in free ones !!

Humph

[merikiito]

I would not use any cheap tyres as they seem to give 1. Poor grip in the rain 2.More road noise. I have just changed my tyres all round from a cheap brand called Wanli (225/40/18) which produced hell of a lot of road noise to sportcontact2's (235/45/18's) which are like mice with slippers on noise wise.

The only reason I had Wanli's on was they where the ones fitted when I got the alloys (18" x 8J BK999's) from Vid on this forum. To be fair they were a better tyre than the Goodyear Eagles I had been using before on my old alloys for grip. I planned to wear them out before winter and then put some better tyres on but some work that VX done on my car caused them to wear on the inside (another story!).

So moral is buy the best tyres u can afford which is going to set you back at least £80-90 per corner for 225/45/17's. Most brands at this prioce should be ok.
Try www.camskill.co.uk

[AndrewTi]

Forgot to say, I ran the Eagles on my old SRi, and got well into 20k miles a set. On my Signum, I'm using Falken FK452's on my 19's and have to say they are 100 times better than the OE Continentals.

[Humph Backbridge]

Yes the Falkens seem reasonable value. I have read good reports on them on other forums. Want to say I saw them for about £87ish fitted. Times 4 that's still a lot of wongarooney but I need tyres.

[wardy]

Had Goodyear F1s (225/45) and yes they are good, but don't last too long so would not recommend with your mileage. I'm currently trying the Falken 912s XL cos I've got a 3.0 diesel. Seem to be wearing well (better than the F1s anyway) and honestly seem to handle just as well and are much quieter. At £58 each I think they are pretty good.

[dennis_signum]

I've just bought some 452's 94Y XL from Camskill for 67.50 each delivered, take em to you're local tyre place and job done.
Can't comment on the performance as there not fitted yet, but i've read good things about them on here.