I have always put new tyres on the back. In addition to the argument that I prefer to brake less efficiently than lose the back, I have always found fitting new tyres to the front non-sensical; in a FWD car, they will always wear faster than the ones at the back, so any braking benefit is short-lived.
Plus, I never keep tyres on that are over 4-4.5 years from their manufacture week, back or front. I lived to tell the tale, but I was on a DS and odds were then in my favour.
Kostas
In message , johannes writes
Ditto. They probably know where we live, too. I just put in the car number for my first search, and they knew the tyres for several subsequent visits. I had to tell them 16" wheels rather than 17", that's all.
That's the tyre I'm probably going for...
I'm 75, and I don't do that kind of work any more. :-)
In message , Doki writes
Not quite in the same category but...
I bought a new Viva HC in 1970, the one with the thicker body to beat the rust reputation, (but the same clutch, which wore out every 13,500 miles).
I digress. I specified Michelin ZX tyres, I believe the first steel radials (?). After a few years I complained about a knock in the front NS suspension, and said it sounded like a loose shack absorber bolt. They replaced the shocker, but it was in and out of the garage again several times without solving the problem. The garage owner asked me to drive over a rough road with him hanging onto the bonnet and listening, then in desperation they passed it to the main dealer in Manchester for diagnosis. Their test driver reported a problem with the shock absorber mounting. Duh! They didn't charge me except for a replacement fitting, and said that the ZX's were hard on the suspension, and may have been partly the cause of the problem.
Not a problem. The hour a side was the time quoted for a garage to do it.
In message , Gordon H writes
All comments and opinions studied, many thanks.
Gordon H gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
Michelin made the first steel-belted radials, yep - the X, in 1946...
If Vauxhall couldn't figure out how to design a car that didn't fall to bits as soon as a tyre with some grip was fitted - a quarter of a century after the damn things were introduced...
My email address is disposable, when it gets full of spam I'll create another one.
The autoexpress site seems quite comprehensive although it does not list my Firestone Firehawk tyre in the review, however I think Bridgestone has taken over Firestone and it may not be possible to purchase Firestone Firehawk tyres anymore, not that I'm bothered because I'd just purchase an equivalent tyre when the time comes which will be a long way off yet because they're quite new.
Regards,
Stephen.
Interesting, I'd not realised the car body would make a significant difference to handling in this way, But I knew tyres did.
My car is a Ford Focus with ESP, not sure if that would make any significant difference on choose of tyres either.
Regards,
Stephen.
Downforce does. But fortunately most of us don't drive on the road in a similar fashion to a Caterham on the track.
Do you have a Costco card or know anyone who does? Costco do Michelins at a good price for Michelins even if they are little dearer than no names.
The different aero setup would have meant a different suspension setup. I don't think the Caterham would have developed much downforce, if any. It most likely stopped generating loads of lift. Either way, more downforce or less lift, the suspension needs altering as the car is effectively heavier than it was at high speeds.
Not really - it works by braking a corner of the car at a time. I suspect it would be a good idea to keep at least the same tyres on an axle though.
In message , Gordon H writes
Try Costco in Trafford Park if you have a card, Michelin only but a mate who runs a local garage reckons after you've added valve, balance, carcass disposal etc. they can be extremely good value. So much so that he buys some tyres there and actually runs *some* customer's cars in there when he's busy. Like any 'trade' warehouse, check prices first....
If you know or can get friendly with a fitter at a kwik fit (yeah, yeah, I know, ok.) they run different discounts depending on the day of the week, day of the month, phase of the moon etc... and you can actually get good prices if you hit the right day and haggle (best to avoid bank holidays and weekends). As to whether you'd want to give your money to them, that's another matter entirely.
In message , Clint Sharp writes
No Costco card, but I liked the local Quickfit guy when I got a quote from him. I still have a few mm left but will have to decide soon. Up to now, the Etyres option sounds good...
Don't go for the P7's , they are softer than cheese and are positively dangerous if mixed with a different tyre on the same axle .
In message , Fred
Opinion noted, thanks.
I own a tyre fitting company so it's more of a fact than an opinion.
Ignore him, he'll be trying to flog you some Chinese s*it, known affectionately around these parts as 'TeflonFreds'.
In message , Fred
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