Best bang for buck tyres?

hahaboy on 26/06/2013 - 01:34

I need to get new tyres for my car, and I was wondering about good brands for tyres which are cost effective (how long they last vs price) and reasonably safe.

I have heard Michelin tyres are often the best brand, but they are also at a premium price. What about the others: Dunlop, Goodyear, Yokohama etc? Where on the scale of upper/middle/low brand tyres to they sit?

Where is the best place to buy tyres: Kmart, Bob Jane, Local wreckers etc?

Are there companies that have subsidiaries with cheap products, unknown brands, yet producing from the same factory?

Cheers.

Automotive

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 26/06/2013 - 02:27
    +5

    Your title is unfortunate, it suggests you want a spectacular puncture. :)

    Choice has published tests in the past. I went for the midrange like Yokohama, Goodyear, Kumho. I won't go for retreads though. These days it seems I'm limited by my tire size which is not so common now and my car is in worse shape than the tires anyway. :(

    As for shops tire specialists seem to have lower prices than general repairers. But bear in mind, tires are only a small fraction of the running costs of a car.

    Sorry that wasn't much help.

  • tonyjzx on 26/06/2013 - 04:53

    you need to tell us what car you have

    i reckon its pointless going for full on exotic euro tyres for a little hatchback you go to the stores and bowls with

    for dummies, i would always recommend a brand you recognise… dunlop goodyear falken bridgestone etc

    maybe go to continental pirelli michellin if you have a nicer car or theres some reason you want performance tyres but you wouldnt be here asking dumb questions if you otherwise knew what you were doing

    for normal people, buy new from a known outlet but also try to hit the bargains (ie, beaurepaires were doing a 4 tyres for the cost of 3 deal) - also fuel card deals etc

    there's no particular ranking as such… a good example is that theres some dunlop and falken models i think that are utter shite but they also make some better models for more money but if you're not a 'car guy' its useless info to you

    also there are select brands like Bob Jane Allrounders and GT Radials etc. that are also good in some situations

    • hahaboy on 26/06/2013 - 12:39

      It's just a hyundai accent. A simple family car, which i am not pushing to any limits, just for everyday driving, and want they to be most economical.

      • tonyjzx on 26/06/2013 - 12:40

        if it uses 14/15s just get brand name

        i think you'd be paying $300 all up anywhere

  • Itburns on 26/06/2013 - 07:44

    I can totally recommend these guys in Derrimut Vic - they are real helpful, chinese tyres with great pricing, great quality - I purchased some Forceum Hexa on a mate's recommendation & they have been fabulous - long wearing & great grip (wet & dry). Got peed off with paying mega bucks for "brand" tyres - I can get 3 sets of these fitted & balanced for the same price as one set of Dunlops/Pirellis etc etc

    You can order online & then have them fitted wherever u like.

    http://stores.ebay.com.au/THE-WHEEL-SHOP1111?_trksid=p204767…

    • onlyletters on 27/06/2013 - 23:35

      Don't buy the forceum hexa Tyres. I have them on my vw polo and they are noisy!! Not to mention bad grip in dry and worse in wet conditions.

  • Pratty on 26/06/2013 - 08:45

    I like Hankook for my 18inch low profile rims, but otherwise I can't fault Bridgestone for my smaller car.

    Tires are the only thing between you and the road, so it's never a good idea to skimp out!

  • Oofy Doofy on 26/06/2013 - 08:49

    Any set of these with top marks…

    Cheaper overall (not always)

    http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2013-European-Summer-To…

    Premium tyres

    http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2013-European-Summer-Sp…

    Get the best value deal you get quoted from the top ranked tyres. (that you can afford)

  • Speckled Jim on 26/06/2013 - 09:01
    +2

    They were running TV ads for a US tyre that has a 80000km guarantee.
    Mastercraft
    lol

    I'm liking the Kumho KU31 at the moment.

  • Jalif on 26/06/2013 - 09:30

    http://www.michelin.com.au/Products-Services/Car-SUV-LT/pass…

    90000km and still showing minimal wear, super quiet and very trippy.

    Bridgestone inevitably will have a similar product.

    Yokohama are good too, but noisy.

    Sumitomo are terrible and very noisy.

    Pirelli make great high end tyres, buy poor low end.

  • suerayii on 26/06/2013 - 09:41
    +1

    Look at the wear rating and compare to price. Standard rating = 100. 200= double wear. I currently use Kinforrest with a wear rating of 340. Long life and available from Ian Diffen Tyres. Price is not the best guide as the cheap ones wear out very quickly and are false economy. Even brand names attract a extra premium.

    • Paul Atreides on 26/06/2013 - 09:58

      yeah if you are after decent "cheap" tyres, can't really go past your kinforrest or your rotalla.

      good in the dry, and decent in the wet.

      • DeWalt on 19/07/2013 - 16:56

        Interesting, just did some reading on Kinforrest and they were universally condemned by the reviews i've read (on a mitsubishi forum??).

        The problem with internet reviews is that you'll get wildly varying advice.

        Some top tips i've seen :-

        • Use WD40 as a lubricant (about the WORST advice on the planet)
        • It's ok to use water in a radiator (yes, if you want the engine to overhead - when the narrow pipes calcify)

        I can't remember the others at the moment. I've seen some REALLY bad advice that people have offered.

        FYI - I have no idea about Kinforrest. I wouldn't know if they're good or not.

        • Speckled Jim on 20/07/2013 - 15:54

          Distilled or demineralised water is absolutely fine in cooling systems. Unlike tap or bore water which should be reserved for emergency use only.

          WD40 is a fine lubricant for certain things but not everything.

        • wa01 on 18/09/2013 - 09:49
          -1

          Agree with 'mcmonte' -> "WD40 is a fine lubricant for certain things but not everything."
          I've used WD40 for over 3 decades as a selective lubricant, to aid undoing rusty nuts, general rust/corrosion inhibitor, dewatering sparkleads, initial treatment for battery terminal crust etc…

          Also right or wrong, for the last 10 years I've filled my radiators with Reverse osmosis tap-water without any problem or buildup. It may not remove the minerals (not sure) that cause corrosion, but I've read Ethyene Glycol can be far more corrosive if left too long (I think over 2 or 3 years it becomes very corrosive).

          Anyway, cars can soak tons of money out of families, or very little.
          A Sydney Uni. study found the avg family spends ~$125,000 p/10 years on cars (ex.petrol I think).
          I've spent about ~$4,000 p/10 years (ex. fuel) over the last 30 years. Do everything myself of course.

          New technology on cars is a bad joke. Try emergency breakdown repair in the bush. Or lose your keys, towing car back to Toyota dealership may cost you an additional $3000 and 1 month wait, for a new key. Which is in FACT a non-essential, and highly exploited, add-on car accessory.

          1997-2013 cars are not safer, more reliable, or more fuel efficient than 20+ years ago, and tend to take essential control away from the owner. A real shame.

  • discopotato on 26/06/2013 - 10:59
    +4

    Kumho KU31, quite happy with these. Not exactly the cheapest tyre but good bfyb

    Agree with Yokohama, good tyres but noisy as.

    • adr8 on 27/06/2013 - 14:34

      KU39 which is the new flagship tyre for Kumho is even better

      • discopotato on 16/09/2013 - 12:05

        Duly noted, will keep in mind when due for next tyre change. thanks for the heads up

  • mskeggs on 26/06/2013 - 12:24

    How long are you planning on keeping your car? Not much point in paying extra for flash tyres if you plan to sell it next year.

    • hahaboy on 26/06/2013 - 12:41

      Planning to have it for atleast another 3/4 years. It's just a basic family car.

      • casey2 on 26/06/2013 - 15:13

        9 months? :p

        Seriously, I'm interested in this question too. I got … Sunnies I think they're called because they were super cheap with new 18" alloys. $950 for tyres and wheels, when equivalent just tyres with a "good" brand would have been the same.

        But in hind sight (that 20/20 vision thing), I think I should have spent more on the "only thing connecting my car to the road". They do feel a little slippier in the wet. I will probably grab some KU31s in a month or so, they sound good.

        • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 15:54

          The worst time for traction is just after it has rained, like 5 min. That's when the dust and stuff rises with the water and forms a film easily slipped on. 30 min after rain is good, but you have to take account Aus road surfaces are not very good anyway.

  • jar-unit on 26/06/2013 - 18:49

    Federals are good

  • theStinge on 26/06/2013 - 21:33

    IIRC, Costco prices are pretty good for tyres. They include nitrogen filling, don't know if that's something that sets them apart or whether everyone does that anyway…

  • danielh on 26/06/2013 - 21:44
    +1

    Well I am currently looking to replace all four of my 225/55R16 95W Michelin tyres (Mercedes E320) and right now I'm looking at either some slightly expensive Continental ContiComfortContact 5 (AU$242) or Michelin Primacy 3 ST ($243). Got the quotes from Kmart auto and tyre yesterday.

    The guy also mentioned a deal with their Goodyear OptiLife for $189 each. This comes with their 50k guarantee and I get free tyre checks and rotations every 10k etc. As I do mostly city driving, the Goodyears may be the preferred tyre.

    I'm a bit torn as to what I should go with and as I can afford to wait a bit, I'm hoping for one of those buy three get one free deals.

    The Beaurepaires deal someone mentioned above is only for select Dunlops and they are not even the right size tyre anyway.

    I like the 10% RACV (or equivalent) discount Beaurepaires give me though. I'll go and see if Kmart will match it when I'm ready.

    My friend swears by Jax quickfit http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au but I haven't tried calling them yet.

    I'll try to keep myself in the conversation if I find any interesting deals in the next few weeks.

    Also, if anyone else is looking for help or advice, as someone mentioned above, please say what sort of tyres you are looking for (and possibly make of car) so the right tyre can be suggested for you.

    Regards
    Daniel

    • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 15:50

      Had a friend get 4 tyres from Jax (just commuting) and they were duds, wall blew out on one another was off-round and the replacements were just as bad. They may have learnt so just a warning …

      • Geewhizz on 18/07/2013 - 06:46

        I don't suppose you know what brand they were?

  • Cheapo333 on 27/06/2013 - 00:10
    +2

    Choice did a test for 215/60R16 tyres on a Ford Falcon FG XT sedan.
    They found the best performing tyre was the GT Radial Champiro 228.
    See link below:
    http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11368666

    This tyre outperformed a lot of more expensive tyres in the test.

    I purchased 4 for $120 each from Chalmers tyre service in Alexandria Sydney.

    Edit: The manufacturer also offers a 5 year replacement guarentee.

    The guarantee is an industry-first initiative by GT Radial and covers any manufacturing defect causing loss of service fulfillment over the first full life of the tyre, up to a maximum of 5 years from date of manufacture.

    • robotdad on 27/06/2013 - 19:54

      Thanks for that -great link!

  • kRaYziE666 on 27/06/2013 - 11:53
    +1

    toyo teo plus have served me well on my civic

  • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 15:40

    At last Bob Jane tyre buy I was told their own brand was goodyear or michelin rebranded - they lasted for 50,000 K's anyway and never had a puncture then sold with legal depth thread. I would buy ret-hreads but never for the front. Unless tyres are put to extreme conditions it rarely matters but don't buy cheap chinese, they don't have the tech or experience.

    Oh yeah, less than $100 a piece.

  • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 15:46
    +1

    Currently looking for a deal on 4 tyres for the Ford Transit, 215/75R16C are on it but other might also do. I'm no longer up on what can be used. I will be doing the rounds in the next weeks and will post back if anything comes up.

  • slix_88 on 27/06/2013 - 16:42
    +1

    Any good deals for 255/45ZR18s?

  • wicklow on 27/06/2013 - 19:58
    +2

    The only thing I'd add is that it pays to call around. I prefer to go to the local Bob Jane for a few reasons. Called all the local shops, got advice on tyres to suit my car and requirements. Got prices from them. K-Mart Auto then gave me a much cheaper price - 18% off. Took it back to Bob Jane, they price matched, and threw in an alignment (normal price $55).

    • Geewhizz on 18/07/2013 - 06:47

      Bob Jane usually does throw in a wheel alignment with a set of 4.

  • cyclone22 on 28/06/2013 - 09:51

    I bought 4 Michelin Primacy HP 235/45/18 tyres with free wheel Alignment for 1200
    from Bob Jane.I think it is a good buy.

  • Cheapo333 on 28/06/2013 - 15:13

    Can you please justify why you think that is a bargain given the $1200 price tag?
    A free wheel alignment at that price surely didn't influence your purchase.

    • cyclone22 on 01/07/2013 - 16:29

      Previous set of Michelin Primacy HP which came with the car did 97000k.
      So these tyres are durable and low road noise is a plus.

  • Itburns on 29/06/2013 - 08:15
    +1

    It's called a rip off….

  • Aurion45 on 02/07/2013 - 08:47

    Jax tyres has discount of selected Michelin tyres: http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/great-deals/michelin-wrc-giftc…

    EG; Toyota Aurion 215/55/17 Michelin Primacy LC for $196 each total = $784 less $100 = $684

  • clubhonda on 02/07/2013 - 20:35
    +1

    Almost all brands have got good tires in the performance part of their lineup, for example, the Pirelli P Zeros/Rosso, Bridgestone RE11S, Falken RT615 etc. If you want performance, ie, great grip, the tires are usually made of soft compound and won't last. If you want long lasting tires, then grip's usually abysmal etc.

    Anyway once you have narrowed down your range, I would suggest that you lookup those tires from Ebay etc and buy them from there. Going to any of the tire stores like Kmart, Bob Jane etc only when you are ready to fit and balance them. Don't buy it from them as they are the biggest ripoffs out there. The margins they charge for tires are no better than highway robbery.

  • Aids on 16/07/2013 - 23:00

    Can't believe nobody said maxxis, great tyres, I've driven cars with all terrain's, muddies, low profile, and general road tyres, tend to be significantly cheaper and test relatively excellent in everything I've read.

    • Geewhizz on 18/07/2013 - 06:51

      We've been using Maxxis for the past 6 years and have been very happy with them. The time before last that they needed replacing though, the store needed to order them in (no longer a standard item) and most recently they couldn't even do that - no longer stocked, and could not order them in.

  • buzzliteyear on 11/08/2013 - 21:10

    I was looking for two rear tyres on my Ford Territory and was calling around and was set on getting the Goodyear Integrity tyres from KMart tyres for $220 each F&B. But on my last call to local tyre place he said he could match that price but he then highly recommended the Achilles Desert Hawks H/T tyres at $180.00 each F&B, as he said they were a good quality tyre and had many other happy customers who used them. Got them last week and we did about 1,500 km's in dry and wet conditions and so far they are pretty grippy and quiet. Big question is wear, obviously too early to tell now but as I have Integrity tyres on the front I'll see how they compare. I'll let you know how they go.

  • DEvok on 16/09/2013 - 12:42

    Bang for your Bucky ay? As long theyre made here or anywhere else besides china and your all good.

  • Donavann on 17/11/2013 - 00:24

    Well i currently use Kinforrest, with a use ranking of 290. Extended, life and available from Nan Diffen tyres. Cost is not the best, information as the inexpensive ones use out very easily and are incorrect economic system.

    • Speckled Jim on 18/11/2013 - 10:35

      I think you mean Ian Diffen tyres.
      Wait. What?

      • mskeggs on 18/11/2013 - 10:54

        I think this is just trying to be spam for the interact marketing company

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