The OEM tyres that I've been using (good year eagle) are almost on their last legs after 2 and a half years (and 75,000km's) as they are slipping in the wet and pushing out wide going round corners at modest speeds (and it's not a powerful car). So I'm looking at getting some new tyres. The current size is 205/50 x 17 inches. The car is a ford focus zetec manual hatch.

The tyres I've been quoted are the following fitted.

Nankang - Wasn't interested as I've heard they are rubbish
Toyo proxes (210 a corner)
Toyo Teo (around 200 a corner)
Bridgestone Adrenaline (around 250 a corner)
Yokohama's - Don't have the longevity I'm after although extremely grippy.
Michellin & Pirelli - Now manufactured in Singapore and the quality apparently is down on the affordable tyres.

Has anyone had experience with the above tyres? How many km's did you get out of them? Other's you'd recommend?

The car doesn't see the track at all, does a lot of km's (200km+ a day, 7 days a week) and is subject to the occasional "spirited" driving . Mainly highway driving at the moment for the majority. The current goodyears while ok are nothing special, and I wouldn't use them again. Road surface is generally coarse bitumen.

The guy at Tyrepower I was talking to said that there was an option of using some slightly wider tyre on the standard rim. Does anyone know what he would be talking about? If so what optional tyre size would I be looking at?

Cheers,

Anthony

Both toyos mentioned are very good tyres

otherwise the Kumho KU31 are meant to be a good tyre (iv just had them fitted on my new rims on my focus, cost me $200 per corner for 215/40R18)

OMG you got 75,000km from a set of tyres?

Phil

My thoughts exactly!

I'm going to be happy if I get 30,000 out of the Continentals on the Focus that I drive!

I mainly do highway/country driving too.

I used to get about 15,000 out of my 30series i had on my VL

now the tyres on the trol have done nearly 85,000 and I reacon are still good for another 20,000

it really depends on the tyre (and profile IMO has a lot to do with it) tyre pressures, road surfaces and driving style as to how many k's you get from a set of paws

I'll take pictures of the tread on the weekend. There is still a bit there. Goodyear eagles

Also I'm probably leaning towards the Toyo at present. I hear that they wear really well and are a good alround tyre.

As opposed to good allsquare tyres?

Had Yoko C drives on mine, now Pirelli Dragons. Preferred the Yokos. had more grip in the wet.

I would think he'd be meaning to get a wider profile..
when i had the stock 15's on my VS (which had 205/60/15), i went to a 225/50/15... sure was grippier in all conditions..

not sure how it would work on your 17's tho, with rubbing and all..

I went from a 195/60R15 to a 215/40/R18 and its amazing how much grippier it is

no rubbing etc either

i think by a wider tyre he mean that it will sit out a bit from the rim.......the tyres on my corolla (falken ziex) have a little "lip" on them so they sit about 10mm wider than the rim itself

ive heard mixed things about the nankangs......there were a set on the corolla when i bought it and they were fine....bit bald though

i think the biggest thing was the wheel alignment i got when i did the tyres - huge difference

They are poo. Avoid at all costs.

I lost 5 in a year with sidewall fractures.

Paid $50 more for Falkens and never had a problem. Plus they're quieter, ride better, stop better, steer better..............

Phil

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

Toyo Proxies have tended to be a good tyre although I'm unsure about in that size...... That and as above the GS-D3's are good but possibly a little long in the tooth design wise. The Bridgestones have had good reports from my friends with them (although $250 is a little steep), same good reports for Yoko C-Drives.

Regarding upping the size of the tyre it *may* or may not degrade your fuel economy as you now have more rolling resistance (large contact area on the road). If that is an issue with 200km a day.

Jono

PS I miss my old Falken semi's 11,000kms and dead as a door nail......

Im voting for yoko c drives

Going the Adrenaline 205x50x17's. No proxes or T1R's in the correct sizing available and they can't tell me when they will be available next. I'll let you know how they go.

Well I've got them on and already they are a huge step up from the goodyear eagles NCT5's I had. There is no where near as much sound generated from tyre roar, grip feels really good around corners and they are a more comfortable overall tyre. Would have to recommend to anyone looking for a good quality tyre.