Tyre Decision

[kevinororke]

Hi,

After much research and lots of comments on this forum I decided to buy a set of 4 Barum Bravuris 196/65 R15 91H for my C220 CDI Estate. The deciding factor was all the data proving that tyres with less than 3mm tread are significantly compromised. If I'm going to replace tyres at 3 - 4mm then they have to be reasonably priced. National Tyres in Edinburgh did 4 tyres, valves, balance, fitting, tracking and old tyre disposal for £198 all in. In addition the Barum Bravuris seems to come near the top in all the published trials. Down side is that they are directional. To early to say much about them. They are definitely quieter than the previous P60000 even with more than twice as much tread depth. Bottom line seems to be that an economy tyre with 4mm of tread is always going to beat a top of the range item with 2mm

Regards, Kevin

 

[Blobcat]

Pls keep the forum up to speed with how they wear / handle etc.

Came out to mine tonight and the front right tyre was flat :-( (but only at the bottom ). So I'm off to see my tyre dealer tomorrow to see if it can be repaired. I like to change tyres in sets or pairs at least, losing one to a puncture is a dilema, especially if you cannot get the same type to replace it.

 

[jberks]

Yes, lets keep this thread going. As you know I'm running a similar experiment. I'm using Federal F595's which like the Barums and Khumos seem to be the better budget brands. Cost was £83 each as against £150 is for anything with a name on.

Now I've had the balancing sorted by a more reputable garage (the moron left the old weights on!) she rides a lot better. There is still some road vibration, but given that this is the first 'sports' set up E I've had, I can't decide how much is intentional road feel. Anyway, its still comfortable. Actually I might drop the pressures a tad (I have them on the high side of the range) and see if that helps.

Grip I reckon is better than the Contis - I got less wheelspin than I'm used to on a quick roundabout getaway last night, and she's very firm footed when the G's build up. They are also a lot quiter than the previous ones (Conti rear/bridgestone front) too.

The only downside I can come up with is MPG which seems to have dropped off. Some could be the weather but I'm around 1.5-2mpg down each journey. Around 3-5%. Better grip=higher rolling resistance? Makes some sense to me. Now to see how they wear....

If this goes ok, my next set will be Khumo as thats the one my preferred supplier does. They also fared well in the reviews.

 

[Blobcat]

Came out to mine tonight and the front right tyre was flat :-( (but only at the bottom ). So I'm off to see my tyre dealer tomorrow to see if it can be repaired. I like to change tyres in sets or pairs at least, losing one to a puncture is a dilema, especially if you cannot get the same type to replace it.

The hole was in the shoulder so the tyre is unrepairable - isn't that always the way . As I can no longer get hold of the Conti EcoContacts, my tyre dealer has persuaded me to try a Viking. We used them previously on a Vectra but did not like them, grip and wear was poor. However this is a different tyre a Protech 500 (215/55 R16) which at £80 all in fits what I'm perpared to pay. I have gone back to the 'W' rating, which although specified for the estate I have found they last longer. I had 17,541 miles out of the old one so it was not far off replacement anyway.
If this Viking performs as I hope I will replace the other 3 with the same when they are due. I don't like odd tyres but what do you do?