AVANTGARDE SOFTER RIDE

[Rockall]

Indeed you are "remote" Bill. But the rest of Donegal is more forgiving....especially further North. Not many houses there (Google earth view), which one is yours?

No high resolution for Google earth yet for our area - hope the photo attachment works!! - I actually live in Malinbeg (photo) - the suburbs of Glencolmcille!!
Bill

I am the second nearest house to America!! - it is very exposed - note no trees, and I have lost part of my roof with Atlantic Storms on three occassions.

 

[Naraic]

I have never been there Bill...it's beautiful. But there is actually a high def view on Google Earth and street view too.

Press the clock symbol and you will get a lovely green shot. Which one is your house?

Must be one of these, they are the farthest West:

 

[BAZZER1]

What a beautiful place to live although must be better in the summer than the winter I guess,
Best Regards
BAZZER1

 

[BAZZER1]

Reduced tyre pressures by 2psi will see how this feels when I have taken it out for a drive today, I dont think it will make a huge difference but will see and come back on this

 

[Rockall]

I have never been there Bill...it's beautiful. But there is actually a high def view on Google Earth and street view too.

Press the clock symbol and you will get a lovely green shot. Which one is your house?

Must be one of these, they are the farthest West:

Thanks - didnt even know we were on Google!!. Amazing technology. My house in in the first picture - top right second house in. Street view did not go down our road - dead end!

Bill

 

[gizze]

What tyres are you running??

Continentals with an XL load rating can be a bit hard and noisy, compared with say a Michelin.
Also how old are they? If the car has done low miles before you got it they may be 5 years old and out of date, replacing them for some fresh new rubber can make the world of difference to the ride quality.

 

[BAZZER1]

Hi Gizze
Am running on Champiro HPX 215/55/ZR16 97W XL Tyres had these fitted about 5 months ago, very good road holding and good wear factor, all at correct pressures.
Best regards
BAZZER1

 

[gizze]

Have you read the reviews of that tyre?

Loads of people complaining that the comfort and noise becomes really annoying after a few months......

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/GT-Radial/Champiro-HPX.htm

Given 59% (breakdown) while driving a Mitsubishi lancer (205-50-16-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
Overall, this is a pretty grippy tyre for its price.

As of now, I am writing this review, I just got the tire balanced hours ago.

This tires shown very little wear, however, I guess this is due to the pretty "hard" rubber. A solid rib provides good steering feedback, as well as "tram-line", forcing me to do steering corrections when driving on uneven roads.

However, after around 15,000 KM, the tire noise is unbearable. There is a constant "drone" when speed are above 40km/h. Severe vibrations (due to noise) during stopping.

Will not buy again, because of the tire noise is even louder and more uncomfortable than semi-slicks.

Given 56% (breakdown) while driving a Vauxhall Vectra cdti (150) (215-50-17-W)
Driving on mostly town for 8,000 average miles
These tyres started off performing excelent, however after 6 months the noise like others have experienced has become totally unbearable!! would never buy again because of this!!

I would put some proper tyres on, why ruin a great car with cheap crap tat??
Harsh but true.

 

[gizze]

Hi Gizze
Am running on Champiro ..... good wear factor....

Great wear and comfort don't usually go hand in hand. I would rather complete comfort and swap them a little sooner.

 

[gizze]

I was going to say, the avantgarde can be a very soft ride if you get the tyres right, it is no where near firm and certainly should ride better than the V70.
Which makes me think that you either have issues with worn parts, but you didn't mention and knocking or squeaking over rough surfaces, so left me thinking you have got some cheap hard tyres on it.

 

[gizze]

In the words of Columbo, one more thing....


What pressures are you running when you say correct?

For comfort those tyres should be 28psi front and 29psi rear.
But be aware the estate soon gets loaded up and the rear would then need upping.
But try those pressures, and maybe even 2psi lower to give you an idea how a softer tyres would feel, but don't run it too long with them under pressured obviously.

 

[BAZZER1]

Hi Gizzie
I will pop up my local garage today and reduce the pressure in the tyres and see if that has any effect.
As I have only just recently had the Champiros fitted and balanced, I will have to wait a little while before I can change them for another make which will possibly give a softer more comfortable ride as you suggest.
Without going overboard on price, which tyres do you or any other Forum Members recommend that will improve the softer ride.
All suggestions and advice ( keep it clean ) will be appreciated
Thanks Guys
BAZZER1

 

[gizze]

I love the Michelin Pilot Sport 2's, and not too bad in 16" size.

The new Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 2 is getting good reviews and meant to be very quiet and comfy.

I have just bought Dunlop Winter Sport 4D's, and because it was 15" teh difference between a budget tyre and the Dunlop, which is rated as Number 1 or Number 2 across nearly every review, is only around £12 a corner.
16's tend command another £20-25 a corner over a budget tyre.

But then my old man has 20's on his 5GT and the difference between a Falken and a Michelin is over £500 for a set.
So we can't moan really.