Tyre Recommendations

[XN85]

Hi,

 

I'm looking to replace both front tyres on my 03 Galaxy TDI 115 and am looking for an alternative to the standard-fit Dunlops.

 

At just over 18000 miles the front Dunlop 2020s are barely legal. Tyre wear is even across the tyre, and we don't generally go around wheelspinning, so I'm assuming that these tyres don't have a long life-expectancy. I used to get 30000+ out of front tyres on our old Espace...

 

Neither, in our experience, do the Dunlops have much grip! We regularly find that pulling briskly away from junctions, even on dry roads, causes the front wheels to lose grip and spin. Pulling into heavy traffic can be quite nerve-racking...

 

Can anyone advise on a good alternative to the Dunlops? I'm after a tyre with good wet and dry grip, that aren't riduculously expensive and with a reasonable life-expectancy. Any suggestions?

 

In a previous thread someone mentioned Nokian tyres. I've never heard of these before and their website doesn't mention reinforced tyres. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

Thanks

[Richmond]

There are several threads on tyres, worth a read if you're replacing yours.

 

FWIW, I have Michelins which are fine, no problem with adhesion or wear, but pricey.

[GalMan]

Mine came with Continentals on from new now done 29,000 miles and still a fare bit of tread left on the front with loads left on the rears, no problems with grip etc. and will probably replace with same when the time comes.

 

Galman.

[seatkid]

In a previous thread someone mentioned Nokian tyres.

Probably made out of recycled mobile phones... :D

 

I recommend you stick to major brands .... IMO Continentals are the bee's knees.. :D

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Dont knock em! I have just read that Nokian have perfected a carcinogen free tyre :D this means that they can keep their production in Europe rather than shifting it to the far east and avoid enviromental legislation :D

and they make decent mountain bike tyres :D

[italiastar]

and they make decent mountain bike tyres

- I agree !!

 

Mine's got conti's and I'm happy with them - If I get 29K out of them I'll be even happier - My Space wagon used to be barely legal on Bridgstones after 16K - ALL ROUND !!!

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Does anyone switch tyres in the winter? on the continent it seems the done thing to have a second set of rim set up with winter tyres on them ready for the bad weather, although we dont suffer as much with snow and have the need for studded tyres or chains the latest breed of winter tyres are made from compounds that supposedly grip better in the wet and damp conditions! after all we drive round on tyres that are made for all conditions which means a compromise has to made some where in their design! do we get good grip in all weather conditions but suffer a high wear rate and shorter life or do we get a low wear rate and crap grip in the wet due to the hard compound of the tyre!

I would think it would make sense to have two sets of tyres, both sets would possible last longer as the mileage on each set would be reduced and the safety aspect of having a better suited tyre for the prevailing weather condition could be a life saver! and possibly the cost of tyre would drop slightly as the demand for them is reduced due the reduced need to replace them

[seatkid]

My Bro-in-law does....but he lives in Poland. I believe it is the law to switch to winter tyres in winter over there. (Also to drive on headlights Nov - Feb)

 

Remarkable grip on snow and ice compared to our universals.....and surprisingly they seem to last...

 

But think of the stripped locking nuts.... :(

[Guest vr6galaxy]

 

But think of the stripped locking nuts.... :(

 

What locking wheel nuts? after I misslaid the key for the last lot and found out just how easy it was to remove them and not set off the expensive after market alarm! I havent bothered to replaced them! :( when someone comes out with a more secure form of locking nut then I may invest in a set!

[Andrew T]

Does anyone switch tyres in the winter ?

I put Michlelin Pilot Alpins on my Civic a couple of months ago. The cost was comparable with 4 Season Michelins. First impressions are good, there is no disadvantage in terms of road noise or wear as far as I can tell after 2000 miles or so. We've had a few icy days recently and they do seem to hang on well and then breakaway progressively. Another advantage is that if you have them on steel rims, it saves alloy wheels from being attacked by road salt.

If they wear as well as 4 season tyres, then in the long term there is no cost penalty beyond buying a set of steel rims, which can often be picked up for very little from someone who has changed to alloys (

[Richmond]

I have just read that Nokian have perfected a carcinogen free tyre

I think that XN85 wants to drive on them, not smoke them.

 

My old man used to change to winter tyres when we lived in NE England in the 70s. I drove the car (Vauxhall Viva - good car of its type) with them on quite a bit, and found them an inprovement on ordinary tyres in snow (surprise, surprise). No idea about wear or whether they're necessary with modern tyres which are presumably loads better than 70s tyres (or should be at about

[Andrew T]

 

In a previous thread someone mentioned Nokian tyres

Have a look at My Tyres. Make sure you click the box for reinforced. If you click on details against each tyre it brings up test results (although not always in English). The Nokian NRVi seems to compare well with the big name brands.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

I have just read that Nokian have perfected a carcinogen free tyre

I think that XN85 wants to drive on them, not smoke them.

 

:( :( :(

but its an interesting point that a european company is making the effort to keep it's production in the EU and stay inside enviromental guide lines and not ship it's production to the far east and save itself a lot of money in the proccess! if only a few other company's would do the same!

[delboyt]

i just got firestones on my gal 4 all round 195/65/15 rf570.

total cost

[neilb]

Yes, got Fires on my Ally. Very pleased

[XN85]

Thanks for all the advice folks!

 

I think a lot of it with tyres comes down to personal preference. I had a nasty experience with Firestones on an Alfa Romeo back in the 80's. I hit standing water on the motorway and suddenly aquaplaned across three lanes - scaring the life out of me! Still, in their favour... being an Alfa, the Firestones DID last longer than the bodywork!

 

On Boxing Day I took the family to the Lake District. On a number of back roads we found black ice and the tyres struggled to grip. On one occassion I couldn't even keep the Galaxy stationary on an icy hill (thankfully there was no one behind me, but it still seemed a good time to panic!). A family car in front of us drove straight up the hill but the Galaxy couldn't. Even lifting the clutch slowly with the enging at idle the tyres wouldn't grip. The only way was down - and backwards!

 

It is now definitely time to replace the tyres and I am not impressed by the Dunlops, so want a change. My current options are:

 

>> Continentals - These are fitted to my other car (Peugeot V6) and give excellent grip, economy and tyre-life. The down-side is cost.

>> Vredestein - Surely the Dutch get as much rain as we do? So, working on this assumption a Dutch tyre should be designed to be at its best in our type of climate. Shouldn't it?

>> Nokian - I don't know any one who uses these tyres, but coming from Finland I would assume that poor weather grip should be good and prices are significantly less than Dunlops and Contis.

 

Has anyone got any experiences of any of these tyres on a Galaxy and could advise me?

 

Many thanks

[Guest mick]

I had Nokian's fitted to my last MPV, a Pontiac Trans-sport. Very little road noise and good grip. Seemed to be an acceptable tyre for all seasons, coping with ice and snow pretty well.

My present Gal has just been fitted with Michelen Alpins on steel wheels. Gave massive increase in grip on wet roads when pulling out of junctions, and have proved themselves when driving on snow - wife driving Gal, and me driving Rover on normal Bridgestones - I was sliding all over, whilst Gal kept steady. OK, extra weight (Gal, not wife :( !), but far wider tyres also.

[Dave-G]

:( I've just had a pair of stunner torneo's fitted, cost

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Don't forget that new tyres need to be run in - drive gently for a couple of hundred miles to remove a slippery coating that is used to help ease them out of the mould that they are made in.

[Guest gritrash]

I have had good experience with Conti's on other vehicles, last car was a golf 130ps, and got 48,000 out of the front tyres. The rears were hardly worn. Now very depressed that the dunlop front tyres on my 130ps gal don't look like they'll make 20k.

[ALARM MAN]

Those new Charlie Brown remoulds have been great on our Galaxy speed rated to 90 mph partially reinforced seem just the job for my wifes Gal

Getting to 16 k miles and not looking bad

Been back to Charlie Browns to get some more they say they should have a good matching set in soon

May as well get ahead of myself

 

Ian

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Those new Charlie Brown remoulds have been great on our Galaxy speed rated to 90 mph partially reinforced seem just the job for my wifes Gal

PARTIALLY REINFORCED! :) do you get the life insurance policy out every time your wife pops out in the car? or do you just wait for the phone call :rolleyes:

[Guest thecodfly]

have got firestones on the front of my galaxy and these are reinforced ,44 pound each all in from local tyre fitter in medway, cant argue at that, had dunlops on my old vectra never again no grip spinning all the time and wore out in less than a year,

[Guest Scott]

Have a look at My Tyres.

Good for information but not cheap when supply only. I can get same tyres fitted & balanced at less than this in Plymouth (4 x Dunlop 2020 H @

[Richmond]

the dunlop front tyres on my 130ps gal don't look like they'll make 20k.

That's pathetic. The Michelins on the front (and rear) of mine have done well over 20k and are nowhere near needing replacement.