Car tyres - How much ! ! ! !

[MickeyBlueEyes]

So, I need new tyres for the motor. It is running Conti Sport Contact 3, 245/45 18's, W rated on a 96 load. I have just been horrified to see that they are around £230 each ! ! !
After doing some shopping around I have found some budget tyres for around £100 each. I have never had budget tyres before, has anyone had any bad experience that has put you off buying them again ? Or has everything been ok with them ?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

It depends on the car you put them on. Budget tyres on my car are £140 something for 4 fitted. But my car isn't exactly a tyre shredding powerhouse (1.2 Fiesta) that gets driven in a spirited fashion.

Whereas if you're driving an 320BHP evo, cheap rubber just won't cut it.

As Vickster noted, the sizes you list indicate something with a bit of go. BMW?

 

[vickster]

If it's a performance car which the size and profile suggests, I would only use performance tyres - tyres and brakes are the two things not to skimp on with a car

Eventtyres or black circles are generally competitively priced

Of the brands, Kumho are chaper and ok, as are Toyo. These look good for £168, Eagle F1 have a good rep on performance car forums

http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/tyre/245-45-R18-Y/Goodyear/Goodyear-Eagle-F1-2-100Y-XL

They look to have branches around Derby, e.g. in Burton

 

[snorri]

I usually think bicycle tyres are expensive when compared rubber for rubber with car tyres, but in your example, perhaps not.

 

[Peteaud]

Kumho are on my car and they seem ok.

What car is it for that sort of tyre cost?

 

[Saluki]

I think that I paid about £150 for my last set of tires, It was for an old Renault Kangoo so not a powerful car by any stretch of the imagination. Its 0 - 60 was measured in weeks rather than seconds.

For tyres, it all depends on what car you are sticking them on. There is a world of difference if you are in a little car pootling around town compared to driving some dirty great beemer and thundering up and down the motorways. Our mate pays getting on for £1000 for the rubber on his Subaru WRX thing.

 

[vickster]

I would say Contnental and Michelin are overpriced, tend to get stuck on new cars where the manufacturer's buying power is fairly potent

If it's a BMW, it's not got those hideous appalling runflats has it?!

 

[Ladytrucker]

Try Blackcircles.com on line and get local garage to fit them. We use them and have no problems.

 

[slowmotion]

On a £ per kilo of rubber basis, bike tyres don't exaxtly come cheap in comparison.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Camskills usually come out best for price and service.

 

[Ladytrucker]

Arguably the most important component of your car/bike, never buy cheap.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

WOW ! Thanks for all of your replies so quickly !

It's not a performace car by a long way, it's a Vauxhall Insignia...............

 

[Ladytrucker]

For our small car the price comparison with the likes of National and Kwik-Fit was just the same as on line shops, however the big car it was way cheaper for good performance tyres to shop on line. I'd just look around for good deals.

 

[biggs682]

economy tyres are fine for everyday use just dont expect as precise wet reaction and maybe a bit more road noise . i have used economy tyres for ages never had much of an issue

 

[vickster]

WOW ! Thanks for all of your replies so quickly !

It's not a performace car by a long way, it's a Vauxhall Insignia...............

Still quite a heavy lump of metal, I'd want branded tyres personally. Camskills are ok but then you need to factor in the fitting and hassle factor (and car tyres absolutely pong, I wouldn't want them in my car for even 5 minutes )