More 'Tyre' recommendations please.

[Frontstep]

There has been some massive changes in tyre manufacturing over the last few years and most manufacturers are in some part of the east.
The home grown far eastern companies are buying in western technology and improving in leaps and bounds.
A company I have followed Shandong Linglong have improved dramatically in the last few years from appaling junk to reasonable quality cheap tyres they and the others will improve further.

I have always been a Michelin buyer but not any longer.

I would like to see some genuine tyre tests that are not conducted on favoured manufacturers test tracks by car magazines looking at their advertising income.
Tests that replicate real world driving would be good as well.

 

[mersum1es]

Time for winter tyre test results (Tekniikan Maailma magazine), I post studless tyres result only since you cannot get benefit of studded superior friction:

1. Nokian Hakkapelitta R2 7,7 points
2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice2 7,6
2. Michelin X-Ice XI3 7,6
2. Pirelli Ice Zero R 7,6
5. Continental ContiVikingContact6 7,5
6. Nordman RS 7,0
7. Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 6,9
8. Nankang Ice Activa Ice-1 6,7

Edit: If you want more details, post me. There is only one point difference in overall results, but for example braking test on ice: Michelin stopped in 55,6m distance when Bridgestone needed 64,3m. Again on snow all tested tires stopped between 52,2-53,0m distance!

 

[Essel]

Any SL55 tyre recommendations, for rears in particular? I have 2-3 mm left and could do with good tread going into winter. Currently Michelin PILOT SPORT 3, which have been good, but have "only" lasted about 10,000. Is this typical?

Thanks

 

[L John]

There has been some massive changes in tyre manufacturing over the last few years...

Is your comment about cheap eastern manufacturers catching up or have the leading brands had massive changes?

What are these massive changes?
Sure, there are new tyres coming out all the time, better sipes designed by computers for better water dispersal and lower noise but I haven't seen any leaps in tyres, little tweaks maybe.

 

[wheelie]

Well i've been using Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme tyres for the past 3 winters.
Absolutely faultless and will definately buy again.

 

[rf065]

Well i've been using Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme tyres for the past 3 winters.
Absolutely faultless and will definately buy again.

I've used them for the last 8 years and find them so good I have never even thought of going to another make.

Russ

 

[John Laidlaw]

^^ as above, used Wintrac Extremes on my E Class for 2 winters- excellent tyres , I was always sad to put the Pirelli P zeros back on!

 

[JBell]

Any SL55 tyre recommendations, for rears in particular? I have 2-3 mm left and could do with good tread going into winter. Currently Michelin PILOT SPORT 3, which have been good, but have "only" lasted about 10,000. Is this typical?

Thanks

Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric

 

[Frontstep]

Is your comment about cheap eastern manufacturers catching up or have the leading brands had massive changes?

What are these massive changes?
Sure, there are new tyres coming out all the time, better sipes designed by computers for better water dispersal and lower noise but I haven't seen any leaps in tyres, little tweaks maybe.

The surge in manufacturing in the East many big brands now manufacture in China etc.

 

[JBell]

The surge in manufacturing in the East many big brands now manufacture in China etc.

Pirelli are Chinese owned now as well

 

[L John]

The surge in manufacturing in the East many big brands now manufacture in China etc.

So the massive changes in tyre manufacturing you mentioned is just that big brands have moved their production to the East?

Not trying to be funny, I think I'm missing the point somewhere.

My guess, trying to read between the lines is the manufacturers in the East that were making poor tyres are now under contact to make tyres for the big brands and have the correct equipment and processes in place to make good tyres?

Or am I still missing the point?

 

[rf065]

Or am I still missing the point?

Yes, the largest tyre manufacturers in the world are from the east and do not make tyres under contract for anyone. They just make really good tyres now.

Russ

 

[mikestrivens]

I have just put two Michelin Cross Climate tyres on the back of my estate. I shall probably replace the front ones with them next month. As we are coming up to winter I thought I'd give them a go.

 

[ashford charlie]

I've just replaced all four tyres on my E220cdi. I went for Michelin CrossClimate too, due to the ecomony rating, performance and low noise (decibel) count. I wanted summer tyres but was swayed by the winter "capabilities" of the CrossClimate tyres. They certainly seem quiet in the short time they've been on and the ride is very good so I'm very happy with them.

 

[C350Carl]

Any SL55 tyre recommendations, for rears in particular? I have 2-3 mm left and could do with good tread going into winter. Currently Michelin PILOT SPORT 3, which have been good, but have "only" lasted about 10,000. Is this typical?

Thanks

As per JBell get the GY EF1 A2. I put them on mine 13.2k miles ago and I've still got 4.2mm left on the rears and 5mm on the fronts.

I normally change at 3mm so I reckon I'll get around 16-17k working on circa 3k per mm.

 

[JBell]

As per JBell get the GY EF1 A2. I put them on mine 13.2k miles ago and I've still got 4.2mm left on the rears and 5mm on the fronts.

Take it to GAD, that will soon change ;-)

 

[mersum1es]

New result from TekniikanMaailma magazine:
205/55R16
1. Nokian HakkaGreen2 9,4 :roll:
2. Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 9,2
2. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue 9,2
4. Contonental Conti PremiumContact5 9
5. Apollo Alnac 4G 8,8
6. Dunlop Sport BluResponse 8,7
6. Michelin Primacy 3 8,7
8. Vredestein Sportrac5 8,2
9. Ladsail LS388 8
10. Barum Bravuris 3 HM 7,9
11. Kumho Ecowing ES01 7,5
12. Nangang Green/Sport 6,9
13. Wanli Harmonic H220 6,6

For comparison:
225/45R18
Continental ContiSportContact5 8,9

 

[bigcatman]

Hi guys , has anyone had dealings with Oponeo ? I am thinking of ordering 4 tyres of them . Secondly as I only do about 2k miles per year I don't want to spend a fortune on tyres as the tyre walls will break down before the tread wears down . I am looking at Nankang NS2 any thoughts ?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Hi guys , has anyone had dealings with Oponeo ? I am thinking of ordering 4 tyres of them . Secondly as I only do about 2k miles per year I don't want to spend a fortune on tyres as the tyre walls will break down before the tread wears down . I am looking at Nankang NS2 any thoughts ?

Yes, used Oponeo for my Winter tyres this time on the A6- Dunlop Wintersport 3D, they were good 20in winters aren't too common (long story) but they had stock and were delivered to the fitters in Liverpool in about 5 days from order. Pretty efficient

 

[JBell]

I am looking at Nankang NS2 any thoughts ?

I had them on my W203 they were good