Tyres can seem expensive but they are one of the most important parts on your car. That isn't to say that you need to buy the most expensive but you may regret buying cheap ones.
Everything about tyre performance is a compromise. If they use a harder compound they'll last longer but won't grip as well. If the side wall is stiffer they'll handle more sharply but you'll get more road noise. What you need to decide is what characteristics matter to you the most and buy tyres that are good at them. As far as I'm concerned only one matters above all others, safety.
In safety terms one factor matters more than any other. Wet grip. The difference between the best tyres and the worst tyres in the dry is surprisingly little, only a few percent, but the difference in wet grip is huge. Stopping distances at thirty are separated by multiple car lengths. Think about that!
But it's not all about stopping distances, cars go around corners too so lateral grip matters. Some tyres are good in a straight line, not so good sideways.
After much digging and years of experience the strongest recommendation I can make is for a Dutch tyre, the Vredestein Sportrac3
LINK There are other good tyres, hard to go wrong with Continental or Goodyear, but I've used this tyre and its predecessor for many years and never found it wanting.
The first time you drive the Sportrac through standing water you'll be amazed at the way those big groves shift it out of the way and keep you planted, so yes, it's good at stopping in the wet, but passive safety is important too. It is called 'Sport' because it has quite a stiff side wall so it makes more noise than a typical 'touring' tyre, like the Bridgstone Turanza ER30, but you can 'feel' the road much better. Being able to feel exactly how much grip you have is far better than thinking everything is fine right up until the tyres break away!
Cheaper than the dealer's sugestion too but you'll need to get them ordered in, few fitters carry them. The first time I got them the guy who owned the fitters said you me 'They're fu***** good tyres mate. Most of the people who come in here just ask for the cheapest or for what's already on the car but they're really good."
Don't go to Thick Fit etc. Apart from the fact they they're run by idiot children why try to rob you, they are never the cheapest. Overheads are too high. Find a local firm who'd been around for years and live off their reputation, every town has them. They'll be cheaper and you'll get better service.
As I say, lots of good tyres out there, but I can say that if you go for the Sportrac you'll have a safe tyre at a good price.
