At some point in the future, I'm going to need to get some new tyres. I'm not sure quite how far in the future, as I've still got plenty of wear left in my existing tyres, but I just want to think ahead a bit here (and budget for it as much as anything else 4 lots of 18 x 245 x 45 -- not sure about that last number -- isn't going to be cheap).

 

So my natural instinct is to go for a premium brand of tyre, because basically these are the only things that keep you on the road. Something like the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, or Continental SportContact 2 or whatever. However I know absolutely nothing about tyres, so my slightly controversial question is are the premium brands (Goodyear, Michelin etc) really any better than brands like Nankang (Taiwanese), or is it all just marketing hype?

 

My perspective on this is that without any hard data I'm going to go with Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone or whoever, because basically you know what you're buying, but I'd be interested in knowing if at any time any comparisons have been run between all the brands. Or is there anyone here who works in tyres who knows anything about this?

 

 

Thanks,

Bart

nankang are not a performance tyre the design may look the same but the compound used in the main tread is far infrior and the banding in the crcass is not as wide or strong as in top brand tyres (i used to work in tyre sales)

i would never fit nanknags to a ford escort so certainly not a performance car like the zed im sorry but this is my educated opinion and yes we all have our favourite tyres but i have seen the end results of using cheap budget tyres and its not good i.e speed ratings stating a max speed of 125mph and the tyres delaminating at 90mph so the risks are there but it all comes down to personal choice and what you can afford

At some point in the future, I'm going to need to get some new tyres. I'm not sure quite how far in the future, as I've still got plenty of wear left in my existing tyres, but I just want to think ahead a bit here (and budget for it as much as anything else 4 lots of 18 x 245 x 45 -- not sure about that last number -- isn't going to be cheap).

 

So my natural instinct is to go for a premium brand of tyre, because basically these are the only things that keep you on the road. Something like the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, or Continental SportContact 2 or whatever. However I know absolutely nothing about tyres, so my slightly controversial question is are the premium brands (Goodyear, Michelin etc) really any better than brands like Nankang (Taiwanese), or is it all just marketing hype?

 

My perspective on this is that without any hard data I'm going to go with Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone or whoever, because basically you know what you're buying, but I'd be interested in knowing if at any time any comparisons have been run between all the brands. Or is there anyone here who works in tyres who knows anything about this?

 

 

Thanks,

Bart

 

F1

it all comes down to personal choice and what you can afford

 

And the way you drive ;)

ok i used to work in a tyre and exhaust centre so i could take all day explaining this....

cheap/budget tyres nankang-jupiter-roadhog etc etc are made up with less width of banding in the carcass therefore allowing more sidewall flex in the tyre the also use lower grade compounds for the main tread of the tyre which returns less mileage for your money. also the way water is disspersed from under the tyre is less efective on cheaper tyres. when you do a side by side comparison with a cheaper tyre to a leading brand you will see exactly the diferences yes maybe michelin pirelli goodyear toyo kumho are more expensive but the return you will get will outway the costs.

 

other factors affected by cheap tyres are road noise handling stopping distances and of course fuel consumption whereas with a leading brand you will run quieter on the road feel more positive in the corners/roundabouts stop quicker and get slightly better mpg from the car (all of these items are dependant on correct tyre pressure being maintained.

 

any reputable garage will be more than happy to give you a demonstration of what i have just said

hope this has helped some and not got boring

 

Good post evo & no not boring.

At some point in the future, I'm going to need to get some new tyres. I'm not sure quite how far in the future, as I've still got plenty of wear left in my existing tyres, but I just want to think ahead a bit here (and budget for it as much as anything else 4 lots of 18 x 245 x 45 -- not sure about that last number -- isn't going to be cheap).

 

So my natural instinct is to go for a premium brand of tyre, because basically these are the only things that keep you on the road. Something like the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, or Continental SportContact 2 or whatever. However I know absolutely nothing about tyres, so my slightly controversial question is are the premium brands (Goodyear, Michelin etc) really any better than brands like Nankang (Taiwanese), or is it all just marketing hype?

 

My perspective on this is that without any hard data I'm going to go with Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone or whoever, because basically you know what you're buying, but I'd be interested in knowing if at any time any comparisons have been run between all the brands. Or is there anyone here who works in tyres who knows anything about this?

 

 

Thanks,

Bart

 

F1.....Sorry chaps wrong post.

Looks like I've started something here then. It's not a straightforward decision. Most of the time I drive quite gently, but every so often I let it go and take it to the red-line in every gear (well, except 4th and 5th), throw it round corners on country lanes etc. Tricky.

i would never fit nanknags to a ford escort so certainly not a performance car like the zed im sorry but this is my educated opinion and yes we all have our favourite tyres but i have seen the end results of using cheap budget tyres and its not good i.e speed ratings stating a max speed of 125mph and the tyres delaminating at 90mph so the risks are there but it all comes down to personal choice and what you can afford

 

Before driving my sons Skyline I might have agreed with you, but the fact is these tyres work well.

 

I also feel that a "normal" Nankang, ie 177/65/15 or similar might well different.

 

I can remember when Bridgestone first started, no one would buy them either, now people swear by them. Remember Datsuns? Now who would buy a Datsun? Not us?

 

I know a man who works as a manager in a tyre fitting place, he wont touch Kumho, says they are cheap rubbish. Good enough for VW to fit as standard though. And Kumho did used to be poor.

 

Time moves on, and what may have started as a cheap useless tyre may now be a whole lot better than many believe, just cheaper. In a few years time I bet they are regarded as "good" and are more money. They are made in Taiwan, not known as a great tyre producing nation, yet. Have a look at what the Yanks say are good, some of them we have never heard of over here.

 

Only way for them to sell many and get a name is to sell them cheap.

 

Jamies certainly look the part....and from the abuse he gives them they cope very well.

I've got Kumhos all round on my n/a and they are way better than the michelins I had on the rear when I got the car, the michelins let go all the time in the damp even at 20mph coming into my road I was glad to get shot of 'em and the Kumho's only cost me £200 for 4.

 

Chris.

 

I had Kumhos Supras i think they were and they were f@cking lethal! I heard from someone else they are well-known ditch finders, mine lost it at 30 on a rounndabout in the wet, got bridgestone s03's now and no complaints.

As I said in an earlier post everyone has their own past experiences of tyres. I've never had Kumho's before and they did well in some yank tests so I thought i'd give them a go. So far I don't have a problem with them, maybe coz I don't drive stupid in the wet I don't know.

 

I'm not implying anyone on here does drive stupid in any conditions btw.

........I can remember when Bridgestone first started, no one would buy them either, now people swear by them. Remember Datsuns? Now who would buy a Datsun? Not us?

 

I know a man who works as a manager in a tyre fitting place, he wont touch Kumho, says they are cheap rubbish. Good enough for VW to fit as standard though. And Kumho did used to be poor.

 

Time moves on, and what may have started as a cheap useless tyre may now be a whole lot better than many believe, just cheaper. In a few years time I bet they are regarded as "good" and are more money. They are made in Taiwan, not known as a great tyre producing nation, yet. Have a look at what the Yanks say are good, some of them we have never heard of over here.................

 

A good point there Mark - I believe the same was said about Toyos 10 years ago now they are highly regarded.

 

Richard :D

I have been told by no less than 3 independent tyre fitters that Goodyear F1's are very sticky but as an everyday tyre are very impractical.

 

I was told that they are a "waste of time" as they will last 5 minutes before I am back down there to have more fitted. Let’s face it, they are not cheap!

 

I guess if you were just after ultimate grip for that unexpected moment when a tractor pulls out of a blind bend, leaving you milliseconds to react then it’s a great tyre to have fitted. But......

 

99% of the reason most of us want a sticky tyre is purely for the best cornering speed possible.........resulting in the heaviest wear rate possible! Let’s face it; going places fast was a big part for most of us in the decision to buy a Zed in first place.

 

That said, I have never tried the "preferred" choices on here (F1's, S03's, Toyos) so cannot really comment to that degree. Just thought I would let you know what I have been told by people in the tyre trade.

 

In my experience I have always looked for a good all rounder and for me this means it must be a good performer in both dry and wet conditions, must give you decent rate of wear and finally, must not cost you a kidney every time you need to replace them.

 

I had Falkans on my MR2 tubs and found these ticked all these boxes nicely. I drove it like an arse and it still gave me 10,000 miles and despite the MR2's rep of wanting to swap ends I never really has any "moments".

 

I have Fulda Extremos on my Zed at the moment and so far so good. Grip like flies to poo and after about 5000 miles still look in excellent shape (and yes, I do like to give my Zed a good spanking!):D

 

They cost me £112 each for 265/35/18 from my local tyre place.

 

Anyway, just noticed this is a bit of a lengthy post so bye!

 

Justin:)

I have been told by no less than 3 independent tyre fitters that Goodyear F1's are very sticky but as an everyday tyre are very impractical.

 

I was told that they are a "waste of time" as they will last 5 minutes before I am back down there to have more fitted. Let’s face it, they are not cheap! .........Justin:)

 

The wear rate of F1s is not that bad. I got around 10k miles from the rears (just) which for a 300zx is probably reasonable. I don't do smoking standing starts but I often do hard overtaking and cornering on the rural a & b roads.

 

The fronts have been on for around 15k now and aren't showing signs of serious wear yet. In view of that I'd say they were the perfect choice for the front at least - because when they hit standing water at 80mph, they disperse the wet stuff sooooo well and there is not even a momentary loss of grip.

 

Richard :smw:

Went for Bridgestone S02's couple years back and they were awesome :bow: though very expensive, when it came to replacement they changed to the S03's, having heard they were not as good as the S02's I then chose Eagle F1's and are great as well and lasting well despite the odd doughnut and wheel spin or 2 ;) Look at Forumla 1 and all they ever use is Bridgestone and Goodyear so that says alot about thos brands, plus we all know how unpredictable the Zeds tail can be, so buy wisely as you may not get a second chance!

cheers

smithy

what other tyre sizes can fit on a Z with 18's on it.

 

currently i have Bridgestones but need to change them.

 

235/40/18 = Front

265/35/18 = Back

 

What about:

 

245/40/18 or any 225/?? =Front

 

265/40/18 = Back

 

Any others

 

(Zed is lowered)

 

 

T

I have been told by no less than 3 independent tyre fitters that Goodyear F1's are very sticky but as an everyday tyre are very impractical.

 

I was told that they are a "waste of time" as they will last 5 minutes before I am back down there to have more fitted. Let’s face it, they are not cheap!

 

Tell those independent tyre fitters that thats a load of rubbish ! ;)

 

My old Bmw 535i (Powerfull heavy RWD car) used to go through Goodyear F1's every 12k.

 

Have had the current ones on my Zed for about 5k, and looking at them, I would expect that again out of them

 

...and ofcourse when I only do 4k a year...thats 2.5 - 3 years between tyre changes :hyper:

What are Falcons like?

What are Falcons like?

ive never had a problem with them good budget tyre imo