Replacing Tyres

[tim-spam]

Looking at the test reports on the mytires.co.uk website, the cheapies don't come out too well, so I chose the Nokian NRHi 215/55R16's to replace the Dunlops.

 

These tyres are so much better than the Dunlops, it's hard to believe - they grip far better, especially in the wet, the traction is far better, they are far quieter and they are rated at treadwear 320 as against 200 for the Dunlops, so should last at least 50% longer. They are also a low rooling resisitance design, which should reduce fuel consumption by around 5% - I certainly appear to be getting 20 -30 more miles out of a tank. If these tyres last for 30000 miles (the Dunlops were shot at 20000 miles), they should save around

[sparky Paul]

Looking at the test reports on the mytires.co.uk website, the cheapies don't come out too well

 

In general, I think you may be right...

 

However, the Fortuna tyre rates highly on tyretest.com (via mytyres.co.uk), this is what compelled me to experiment with them at the low price. Their overall rating is better than the Dunlops and almost as good as the Nokians which are now

[jwilliams]

Looking at the test reports on the mytires.co.uk website, the cheapies don't come out too well

 

In general, I think you may be right...

 

However, the Fortuna tyre rates highly on tyretest.com (via mytyres.co.uk), this is what compelled me to experiment with them at the low price. Their overall rating is better than the Dunlops and almost as good as the Nokians which are now

[dakster]

dont forget dunlop 2020e are "run flat" ie designed to stay on the rim in case of a blow out. Cheap tyres wont do his and IHMO are a false economy. Wife & kids safety worth a few extra quid?

[raymac]

dont forget dunlop 2020e are "run flat" ie designed to stay on the rim in case of a blow out. Cheap tyres wont do his and IHMO are a false economy. Wife & kids safety worth a few extra quid?

 

Depends how much you got them insured for :blink: joking apart cut corners and you won't be able to take them :lol:

[sparky Paul]

dont forget dunlop 2020e are "run flat" ie designed to stay on the rim in case of a blow out. Cheap tyres wont do his and IHMO are a false economy. Wife & kids safety worth a few extra quid?

 

I don't know who's told you that, but Dunlop 2020Es are definitely not 'run flats'. :blink:

 

The Fortunas are higher speed rated and higher weight rating than the Dunlops, are quieter, and seem to drive just as well.

 

Galaxys should never be fitted with 'run flats'. Run flat tyres should only ever be fitted to cars which are designed for them - it is essential that the vehicle is fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system.

 

You can read about run-flats here

 

http://www.etyres.co.uk/run-flat-tyres

[sparky Paul]

Can't help notice on the mytyres site that the Fortunas and the Michelin Pilot PRIMACY seem to have the same tread pattern and very similar scores is this a coincidence?

 

How are they working out? I think I will need some on my new galaxy which I am well chuffed with (apart from the cam belt which had been missed on the 40,000 service but the dealer replced for me at their cost). Must admit I find the Dunlops a bit noisy. What are they like in the wet? I will have to visit my family in wales so will see plenty of rain through winter.

 

There may be a resemblence to the Michelins, but I'm sure there's no connection - though the similar pattern may account for the similar results? At the top of the description on the mytyres site (in German!) that they are made by a Goodyear company, but I have not seen any evidence of this elsewhere - I would take that with a pinch of salt.

 

What I do know is that they are made for a Belgian company with a rather unfortunate name, there's a bit of blurb about them here -

 

http://www.deldo.com/en/hm_01_07.cfm#prog

 

So far, with only about 300 miles on the Fortunas, I am very pleased with them. I was always happy with the Dunlops, but now the new tyres are bedded in I would say that they're every bit as grippy as the Dunlops.

 

The one thing I am particularly pleased about is the noise levels - they are much quieter than the Dunlops, the OH even commented on this and says it's like a different car. I had always assumed the road noise was inherent with the Galaxy, but these tyres have made a big difference.

 

As a visitor to Wales myself, I know what you mean about the rain. :blink:

 

Unfortunately, we've not really had any rain to talk of since they were fitted, so I can't really comment on wet performance - but I generally like the tyres with the deep centre grooves around the circumference, they are supposed to disperse water better. If it rains, I'll nip out in it and report back if that's any help - being rural here there's lots of twisty lanes to test them out on.

 

Here's a good general explanation of the different types of tread pattern -

 

http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/patterns.asp

 

The Fortunas are assymetric.

[dakster]

Sparky Paul.

Yes - you are rigt, these Dunlops aren`t "run flat". I do remember though Quick-Fit advising me to take another set of 2020E`s when I went to replace them - they said they were designed to stay on the rim in the event of a blow out. I wasn`t looking for cheaper tyres at the time as the company were paying.

[sparky Paul]

As far as I am aware, the Dunlop Sports do not possess any special properties - they look like a pretty standard tyre casing construction, much the same as any other tyre - they certainly came off the rims easy enough on the tyre changer! :unsure:

 

I'm not saying that the cheapest tyre you can find will be as good as the best - indeed some of the cheap tyres are really poor - but a carefully chosen, well reviewed budget tyre can be an excellent buy IMHO.

 

Not sure if you have read the whole thread, but these tyres got good write ups and were purchased as a bit of an experiment. So far, I'm mighty impressed.

[nigelbb]

Anything fitted to your vehicle that isn't "as standard fit" will give the insurance companies an argument for not paying out if not declared. This goes for non standard wheels and tyres. My Mrs used to work for an insurance claims dept and this was the main reason for not paying out that she found (non standard parts in general, not just tyres)

Just to add a note to this old posting. We just had a Contr

Edited July 18, 2008 by nigelbb

[sparky Paul]

A good bit of info there. Although Edited July 18, 2008 by sparky Paul