205/65R15 Tyres urgent Suggestions Please

ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 16:33

hi,

I would appreciate some urgent suggestions for a set of 205/65R15 tyres to go on my 2002 Toyota Camry Altise. The left front tyre blew up when the wife hit the kerb yesterday, and since the remaining tyres look pretty worn out, I am thinking of replacing them all at the same time.

I mostly use the car for city driving between home and work with some occasional trips during the holidays. On average, I only do about 10,000km per year. The car is also not used to transport anything heavy at all.

I am after something decent and safe (they don't need to be top performers) and can last for a few years. I notice that Bridgestone is currently having a 4 for 3 promotion on their Turanza Serenity Plus, which would cost me for just under $400 based on their website ( I will ring them tomorrow for an exact quote). Are these tyres any good?

I need the car to travel to work daily so I am hoping to get the tyres done tomorrow so any suggestion/comment would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

  • boonanza on 03/01/2016 - 17:15

    Bridgestone also have the Ecopia tyres on the buy 3 get the 4th free & they are an excellent tyre.

    • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 18:17

      I couldn't find the promotion on the Ecopia on the Bridgestone website.I only see the Serenity Plus on promotion at the moment.

      Anyone has any experience with these tyres to share their experience?

      • teaBagger on 03/01/2016 - 19:37
        +1

        I got Ecopia tyres on the bridgestone deal….. Buy the fkng tyres - your family is worth more than driving on bald tyres.

    • twister292 on 16/01/2016 - 23:13

      They're not very good in the wet

  • negger on 03/01/2016 - 18:54

    Check out Tempe tyres. You can view the prices online

    • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 19:00

      hi nagger,

      I did look at the website but there seem to be so many options to choose from. And I don't have much experience when it comes to tyres so any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

      The reason I asked about the Serenity Plus tyres is because they are conveniently listed on promotion on the Bridgestone website. The prices of these, based on the promotion, would fall well within my budget. I just couldn't find any reviews on these on productreview.com

      thanks

      • JR63 on 03/01/2016 - 20:40

        We use the Toyo Teo tyres on our 2003 Camry Sportivo and have found them great. Look like they're out of stock on Tempe tyres though.

      • negger on 04/01/2016 - 08:36

        Kumho is pretty alright for the money and the kilometres you drive..Read reviews and get an all weather one.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2016 - 20:35

    I got the Bridgestone Serenity Plus for my VW a couple of months ago when they had the buy 3 get the 4th for $5 deal. They are much quieter than the original Continentals and have found them to grip quite well. No complaints so far.

    • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 21:07

      Thanks. I will ring the local bridgestone store up tomorrow for the exact costs on these.

  • 2jzzzz on 03/01/2016 - 21:03

    I got my Bridgestone Ecopia from JAX at a great price, buy 4 get 1 free and fitted. They even threw in free alignment.

    • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 21:09

      Could I ask what JAX store was this and if the their deal is still on?

      I had a negative experience with the local JAX store in the past. They did a very poor job on my wheel alignment and literally washed their hands off it when I brought the car back.

      • 2jzzzz on 03/01/2016 - 21:11

        Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne. Seemed to be pretty good guys there.

        No idea if the alignment deal is still on, but the Bridgestone deal is. It is refleted on the online order system.

        • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 21:43

          I am in Sydney so won't be able to visit this store ;). Thanks anyway.

  • PVA on 03/01/2016 - 21:09

    go visit a KTAS (kmart tyre and auto). they have decent prices and will beat any price you find.

  • Mad Max on 03/01/2016 - 21:18

    Michelin 205/65r15 mx2 are not bad and look like they will last…only done 15000k so far but not that good on wet. Good on dry.
    Costco had a special.
    Best gripping tyres i have ever had on that size is the bridgestone turanza er300.
    Unbelievable on dry and really great on wet.
    A pity you had to replace them at 15000km.
    I bought them from Kmart tyre and auto. They could nor care less that the tyres did not last. And they were really rude and dismissive. Would not buy from KTA ever again.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2016 - 21:21

      they could nor care less that the tyres did not last

      Does KTAS have a minimum km guarantee for tyres?

      • Mad Max on 03/01/2016 - 21:36

        They tried to find every sort of excuse not to honour their guarantee. They called in a "specialist" from Bridgestone that said that the alignment was slightly out and that caused the tyres to wear out at just over 15000km. Mind you wheels were rotated and balanced every 5000km at Ktas as part of their Lifetime guarantee and they never mentioned that a wheel alignment was required.

    • ktluu78 on 03/01/2016 - 21:21

      I read somewhere that bridgestone no longer sells Turanza ER300 and the Serenity Plus are their replacements ??

      Will Costo fit the tyres for you? I think I will also need a wheel alignment since the car did bump hard against the kerb.

      • Mad Max on 03/01/2016 - 21:41

        Not sure if Serenity plus is the replacement for ER300.
        At the time Costco had a special on Michelin. Yes they fit and balance and fill with nitro and you get rotation and puncture repair for the life of the tyre. I was not Costco member and not closeby to costco so I got Bob Jane to match the deal on the Michelin tyre. Unfortunately they do not do the rotation and puncture repair for the life of the tyre.
        Edit: i do not think costco does the alignment…Do not trust the alignment from ktas. Especially if you have hit the kerb hard I would go to a specialist suspension place for the alignment.

      • backpaqer on 04/01/2016 - 12:56

        The Serenity's look OK. But as an alternate to compare…look at the Kumho Solus (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireM…)

  • ktluu78 on 04/01/2016 - 08:54

    Another thing is on my car placard the recommended tyre sizes is 205/65 R15 95 H but it says 'the tyres fitted to this vehicel shall have a maximum load rating not less than 580kg, or a load index of 89 and speed category not less than H' . The Serenity Plus are 94 H which is less than the recommended but meet the requirements. I am assuming these would be OK for the car?

    • backpaqer on 04/01/2016 - 12:42

      Sounds like anything equal or better than 89H on the sidewall will pass an inspection.
      It probably also recommends a tyre pressure of 30 or 32psi. I run my tyres at 38-40psi. It's just a recommendation.

  • petrol95 on 04/01/2016 - 11:38

    See my post http://www.productreview.com.au/p/toyo-teo-plus.html - last one at the top. 1998 Camry V6. I have now done about 5000 kms on the Nano Energy3 - no complaints. (In review I said I had done 10000 on them, should have read 1000 kms at the time.) BTW, I have done a trip to Brissy and back since then and the tyres are quieter.

  • backpaqer on 04/01/2016 - 12:37

    I found that Tirerack.com is a great place to do research, and once-upon-a-time was a great place to buy. I bought 4 x Kumho tyres (correct spelling IMHO) and it only cost me US$360 for the tyres and US$150 for the shipping…then something went stupid with FedEx and I tried buying 2 tyres a year later and it was going to cost me US$300 just for shipping…I needed other options.

    eBay came to the rescue and I found the exact same tyres @ Tempe Tyres. They were just a little more and only $20 for shipping.

    Make sure you understand the different tyre ratings. (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=3…)
    The load and speed ratings for your tyres much match-or exceed what is placarded for your car (usually a sticker inside glove compartment or on the b-pillar of your car).
    Beyond that…they have UTQG (Uniform Tyre Quality Grade) (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4…)

    basically..the bigger the number, the longer the tyres last. There's also two letters; traction and temperature. In Australia you want these to be A and A as a minimum. Only AA for Traction is better…but they will wear out pretty quick too…but you might like the extra insurance of sticky tyres.

    As a guide, I originally had Michelin Pilot Primacy's on my car from new. 600 A A…they lasted nearly 90,000km and handled really well. I now run Kumho Exstas which have about the same rating and run really well…and are only a QUARTER of the price!!!

  • ktluu78 on 04/01/2016 - 15:29
    +2

    Thanks all for the inputs. I learnt a thing or two about car tyres :). I ended up going with the Serenity Plus and got them fitted plus all four wheel alignment for $400 at Bridgestone in Kensington, NSW.

    I just drove back from the workshop in a big shower. The steering felt really good and light. Also the tyres seemed to traction well when I had to break at the roundabouts albeit i was going quite slowly. Hopefully they will last me for a few years.

    • Baysew on 09/01/2016 - 14:53
      +1

      Thanks for getting back to your post and letting everyone know what you ended up with.

  • GLO on 07/01/2016 - 17:14

    im late to the party but thought id share my comments for others who may read in the near future.

    I drive the Sydney M5 every day (80-100km round trip)

    I previously grabbed 8 Michelin Primacy LC tyres for a 2003 C Class Merc and VW Daddy Life (people mover). These had great grip and low rolling resistance.

    When it was time to replace them on the Merc, the Primacy were not available and I didnt want to put on the lower spec XM1+.

    I opted to put on (from Costco) 4x Bridgestone Ecopia (Japanese) @$98 each with a $70 discount when buying 4.

    Also includes Nitrogen, and lifetime balance and rotation. They are wearing great still! Done at least 40K on them.

    Slightly less grip than the Michelin when pushed but predictable but since 90% of my driving is motorway straights and not race track circuits, im still satisfied with the buy.

    I prioritise wet grip, tyre noise and durability in that order.

    I should note that Conti Comfort CC5 was also shortlisted but I couldnt pass up the value of lifetime rotation and balance that comes with Costco.

    This rating may help others.
    http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/15-Inch-Tyres/205-65-…

    • 2jzzzz on 15/01/2016 - 01:40

      Can't agree more. The Ecopia although factory fitment on my Yaris, are actually awesome. Wore out my first set after 90,000km. Just got a new set with the buy 3 get 1 free special.

  • alxr0101 on 08/02/2016 - 17:09

    Just visited local JAX who quoted me $109 for Bridgestones or $79 for some cheapies.

    Timely thread as looking to replace 3 tyres including the spare.

  • alxr0101 on 08/02/2016 - 19:15

    Bob Jane have a price guarantee (like for like) including online prices. Beat by 10%. Combined with Tempe Tyres online pricing. eg. Michelin XM2 (great long lasting tyres) $95 at Tempe Tyres inc. fitting.

    http://www.bobjane.com.au/info/best-tyre-price-guarantee/

    • ATTS on 05/03/2016 - 20:10

      on the bob jane t marts website for beat by 10% it says

      "Proof of competitor advertisement or current written quote required"

      so just wondering by "Proof of competitor advertisement" can we just tell them to go to the tempe tyres website or do we need like an actual catalogue or something of the tyres?

      • Lucky1 on 06/03/2016 - 00:58

        its not 10% of the advertised price, its 10% of the price difference i think.

  • alxr0101 on 06/03/2016 - 08:18

    Bob jane quoted me same price so the guarantee policy does not apply.

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