Budget tyres or not budget tyres?

J

jbw

Registered User
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
194
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Worcester
Website
www.anotheragenda.com
I know it's been asked before but I'm in need of new tyres. I have looked at the sticky at the top (the poll seems to be dead) and I've also done a search but can't find the answers I'm after, so please don't flame me. I have a 1.6 a3 sport '99 model which I use for recreational use (i.e. i don't do race tracks or anything like that - why would i in a 1.6? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). I've currently got Nankangs which, from my searches, are apparently crap. I've found a set of 4 Toyo Proxes T1-S's for £400 but I'm not really sure if they're worth it.
My questions are...
Should I be looking at the more expensive tyres considering I don't drive particularly fast and my car isn't exactly powerful compared to alot of the cars mentioned in these forums?
Would more expensive tyres last me longer than cheaper tyres, like the Toyo's, thus saving me a few quid in the long run?
This car has had the original wheels replaced (by the previous owner) and the tyres are now 225/40 18's.
Any advice is most appreciated.

ta,
jbw
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the replies guys. I get what you're saying. So I should get budget tyres?
Does anyone actually have or ever driven with these Toyo's? My work mate seem's to think they're pretty good quality tyres?
I've read Avon's aren't all that great? There seem to be so many different opinions for what is and isn't a good tyre both on forums and sites like blackcircles and mytyre. I've never seen so much contradiction?

ta,
jbw

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll use nothing but toyos. They really are good!

Avons arent great, but its going on a 1.6 so performance really doenst matter. They are 'good' tyres for your average car, and really thats all that matters. After all, the brakes on the 1.6 arent hat powerful so ultimate grip isnt much of an issue... Your certainly not going to be causing accidents by using avons.

Rich
 
Opps... crossed posts (I edited whilst you guys were replying). Soz.
Avons are more expensive than these Toyo's (they're on special offer at the mo).
What's wear like on budget tyres compared to these Toyo's? Would the Toyo's last me longer? This way I'd possibly be saving myself a few quid in the long run.
I have found some Kuhmo Ecsta 711's. Would they do? At £68 each they would appear to be budget... unless of course they wear much quicker?

ta,
jbw
 
My toyos have lasted me about 8000miles...they are very grippy which has a big effect on tyre life.

Rich
 
Thanks RichA3Turbo. Your car is far more powerful than mine. Can I expect the toyo's to last me a little longer - about a year (10-12k miles) perhaps?
If a budget tyre isn't as grippy, in theory, it should last me longer but offer me less traction? Is that correct? I've just read in another forum that Toyo's are reknowned for being good tyres but they wear quickly. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

ta,
jbw
 
I've been using Vredestien Sport Trac 2's and they seem to be wearing very well. Had them before and they are definatly a good comprimise in performance and wear.

Anand
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks RichA3Turbo. Your car is far more powerful than mine. Can I expect the toyo's to last me a little longer - about a year (10-12k miles) perhaps?
If a budget tyre isn't as grippy, in theory, it should last me longer but offer me less traction? Is that correct? I've just read in another forum that Toyo's are reknowned for being good tyres but they wear quickly. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

ta,
jbw

[/ QUOTE ]

jbw,

Yes, in general, long life = less traction and vice versa. Toyos will last a bit longer for you, but still not long!

Rich
 
ive got pirelli p zero's on mine which were new on when i picked them up, ther not the best grip wise but ive done about 14k on them and they still have 4mm on them all round which i think is pretty good,

cheers tony
 
Those are the other ones i was thinking of! They are not cheap, but they last. Probably about the same price as the toyos.

Rich
 
I know I'm going the other end of the scale, but hear me out please. Would Goodyear Eagle F1's offer me the same traction as the Toyo's but last longer, say 14k miles? Alternatively has anyone heard of Kuhmo Ecsta 711's? Would they do? At £68 each they would appear to be budget.
I'm willing to spend the cash I just want the best for my money.
I'm so confused. Until I started researching tyres I thought a tyre was just a tyre.
I went to the tyre place down the road from me this morning and his quotes were terrible, £138 per Dunlop SP9000. He said he'd fit whatever I brought in and do the tracking for £10 a wheel.
My boss has the pirelli's on his porchse 911. He rates them. I'll pay for 'em if they're decent grip and last.

ta,
jbw
 
[ QUOTE ]
I know I'm going the other end of the scale, but hear me out please. Would Goodyear Eagle F1's offer me the same traction as the Toyo's but last longer, say 14k miles? Alternatively has anyone heard of Kuhmo Ecsta 711's? Would they do? At £68 each they would appear to be budget.
I'm willing to spend the cash I just want the best for my money.
I'm so confused. Until I started researching tyres I thought a tyre was just a tyre.
I went to the tyre place down the road from me this morning and his quotes were terrible, £138 per Dunlop SP9000. He said he'd fit whatever I brought in and do the tracking for £10 a wheel.
My boss has the pirelli's on his porchse 911. He rates them. I'll pay for 'em if they're decent grip and last.

ta,
jbw

[/ QUOTE ]

The F1's will have about the same life as the Toyos...both are grippy tyres. The pirelli's will last quite long and offer generally good grip... They are more expensive but ARE a quality brand.

RIch
 
i would give a fair amount on getting tyres myself as well.
my a3 wears the pneymant p250 or sth like that (which are for both summer and winter) and i am very satisfied.
getting a new set of tyres is not about brand.
just check here with other audi owners and see what's good for the car...

i don't know if the pneumant(owned by yokohama) sold in UK though
 
Yes I have had the same Vredesteins now for about a year and think they are excellent. At £370 fitted for four 225/45/R17s they were good value too.
 
Goodyear F1's £112 each @ Micheldever tyres, 225/40/18's
Don't skimp on your tyres, they could save your life.
In insurance terms I think they should adjust the premium you pay according to the tyres you are running, anyone with Dunlops is an accident waiting to happen.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As for marctwo's comments, he's a lucky man, my local Audi Franchise almost called me a liar and said I couldn't get the tyres for the price I said I could and when shown the receipt said I must have been undercharged...... good old Audi aftersales!

[/ QUOTE ]

You'll find that previously having written a very strongly worded letter to Audi UK about said dealership made them somewhat more accomodating!
 
17k miles would be brilliant plus I'd probably get a little more considering my car and my sensible driving style? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Goodyear F1's do seem to be the popular choice. Maybe I'll bite the bullet and get 2 this afternoon. I'll get 2 more next month. I'm looking at £122 per wheel including fitting and VAT. I'm not even gonna bother with my Audi dealer, my sales rep told me to look elsewhere as I'd get much better prices.
bbg52 - can you just confirm these are the tyres you had:

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D39122&dsco=10

Black circles is more expensive than if I order from mytyres and get my local garage to fit.

ta,
jbw
 
Thats the ones; I know the internet dealers are good but you should be able to find a local fitter that will do them cheaper, depends on where abouts you live. Side wall protectors are also decent on them if you have adecent set of alloys.
 
Thanks for the advice. You can see my A3 here.
Yep it's got some nice alloys, in my humble opinion. I found some where local that will do each F1 tyre, fully fitted incl. balancing for £113. That's the best I can find, which is much better than the original quote of £138 per Dunlop Sp9000 (don't think that incl. balancing). I'll get them done this weekend, if possible.

Many thanks for all your help. Now I need to start looking around for new disks and pads. Things really do happen in threes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

ta,
jbw
 
Well I just got off the phone from an audi specialist who has quoted me £129 for new disks and pads? Seems crazy... my dealer quoted me £525? Is something up here, is that per wheel or is my dealer really that greedy? I swear it cost me more to get new disks and pads fitted on my old 1.2 Clio? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I know the specialist isn't using Audi parts (I asked) but he used to work at my dealers and he claims there isn't a great deal of difference between his stock and genuine audi parts. He also said there isn't as much demand from my brakes (due to it being a 1.6 rather than a turbo or quattro model) thus it shouldn't cost so much.

ta,
jbw
 
audi upgrades
Dealers are greedy; labour charges are the real killer for a start, standard Audi Labour charge I have been told is £54 per hour + VAT up to £70 / p/h + VAT in London in some instances.

I shelled out £230 for 1st variable service interval at an Audi dealership, although from an independent Audi specialist I was quoted £95 for the same amount of work using VAG approved parts. Had it not been for the case that I had to put it to Audi for warranty purposes I would have gone there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

cecilthesausage
Budget Tyres
Replies
10
Views
1K
S3quatt
S3quatt
L
best budget tyres
Replies
15
Views
2K
The Doctor
The Doctor
Grale1
Budget coilovers
Replies
11
Views
1K
Grale1
Grale1
mastayoda
budget lowering
Replies
35
Views
2K
Ess_Three
Ess_Three
VAG-Slag
Budget brake upgrade? . . .
Replies
26
Views
4K
Tricki
Tricki
Top
Back