Tyres

[Dave R.]

Just had the Gen3 T-Spirit serviced and it seems I need 2 new front tyres. Interestingly,the original Michelin Primacy tyres lasted for about 30,000 miles. The replacement Bridgestones have lasted only 20,000 (and my fuel consumption went up by at least 10%). Unfortunately the choice of tyre is driven by my company and the leasing company policy - so I can't have Michelins. I've just been into KwikFit & they are about as informative and useful as a chocolate teapot - in their eyes, there's no difference in economy / rolling resistance between the different brands of tyre.

The leasing company won't have them put cheap and cheerful tyres on the car (thank goodness!) But equally, they won't let me have Michelins. It seems that the choice for 215/45/R17's is very limited - I believe they are going to get Continentals this time (I said I didn't want the Bridgestones again) - but no idea what model.

Fortunately I still have a little wear left in the tyres (they're down to 2mm) so have some days to sort out options.

Any views or comments from any Tyre-Heads out there? :)

[timberwolf]

There was a good thread, which discussed LRR tyres. Didn't that include some information about how the manufacturers mark their LRR tyres?

LRR Tyre name by brand

from the thread Tyre topic

[johalareewi]

Continental LRR tyres are branded ContiEcoContact

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/car-tyres/standard-car-tyres/contiecocontact/contiecocontact.html

[johalareewi]

Wonder if this will catch on? EU tyre labelling...

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/tyrelabel/background.html

[Dave R.]

Well, having had the bods in 2 Kwik Fit branches tell me that there's no such thing as an LRR tyre - apparently they're all pretty the same!! (one has to wonder at the breadth of technical knowledge of these skilled tyre fitters) And bearing in mind that I also have to fight with a leasing company who dictate what tyres can actually be fitted, I've just had to grit my teeth and let them get on with putting whatever tyres (of the right size) they had in stock. So now on the front I have 2 new Dunlop SP Sport Maxx. According to Dunlop these have a good rating for just about everything (handling, grip, fuel economy, wear) <aren't marketing copywriters so clever!>.

I'll let you know how I get on.

After the disappointment last November (when they fit 2 Bridgestones on the front & fuel consumption rocketed - mpg barely reaching 50), and 9 months of my wife driving the car as I was working away from home, I gave up on logging consumption into Fuelly (too depressing). I'm starting back on a regular 100 mile round trip each day, so I'll start a new Fuelly record to see how these new tyres perform).

Yes, I know, I should have done more research on tyres, been firmer, not taken any bull**It but after a while it wears you down.

One minor victory for the consumer(if you can call it that) - At KwikFit in Northwich yesterday, the guy barely looked up from his notepad to discuss my requirements, and wasn't interested in looking for / repairing the nail in my rear tyre - he just ordered 3 new tyres for the car & was going to call me about going in to get them fitted (still not heard anything from them).

Today I called into KF in Telford (to get the nail removed and fixed - dead centre in the tread, so NO chance of them telling me it could not be repaired!) - they were happy to fix the puncture, but weren't for letting me out with 2 worn front tyres (tread down to 2mm) .... though it was them who only had Dunlops to fit. So Mr Helpful in Northwich has just lost the business.

[timberwolf]

Wonder if this will catch on? EU tyre labelling...

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/tyrelabel/background.html

I assume you mean catch on with the consumer? How much of any of the current energy efficiency labeling schemes (e.g. white goods) has had an influence on consumer purchasing decisions? I've always wondered how they set the A rating and whether it can be set too low such that it is too an easy a target for manufacturers to meet?

[Cyker]

Toyota garages apparently fix punctures for free :)

[johalareewi]

Dunlop don't appear to do (or market) low rolling resistance tyres. It will be interesting to see how yours get on. Info here...

http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_uk/I_want_new_tyres/tyre_range/passenger/summer/sp_sport_maxx.jsp?OpenMode=SameWindow&car_type=passenger