****Tyres**** who runs what

[whitetdci]

It is clearly apparent that I should read which forum that I am typing things onto. I do, in fact, have the Asymmetric 2's on the mondy and the Directional 5's on the other drive. It will be interesting to note the wear on these as they are pretty much a top end performance tyre without going ridiculous on the semi track rubber (bit overkill on the diesel me thinks ) These will outperform most road tyres in wet weather lateral grip and braking which are the 2 criteria that are most important to me. They are still only a part of the complete package, including the nut behind the wheel. If any part is deficient then the whole package could come undone.

[whitetdci]

Just had a play with the F1 Asymetric 2's on the Mondy in the wet. Great grip levels and very predictable. Gives you great confidence.

[beenee98]

Does anyone have any experience with the continental contisportcontact 5's? Can't get the goodyears as there are none available anywhere in the country at the moment in my size :(

[beenee98]

Actually scratch that. There is a 2 month wait for them...got a set of Michelin pilot sport 3's. seem much nicer already than the Bridgestone potenza's they've replaced

[ope126]

Originally Posted by beenee98

Actually scratch that. There is a 2 month wait for them...got a set of Michelin pilot sport 3's. seem much nicer already than the Bridgestone potenza's they've replaced

How much were they?
18" or 17"???

[beenee98]

Originally Posted by ope126

How much were they?
18" or 17"???

18" and $300 each fully fitted. Also noticed that the speed rating on the oem tyres is actually incorrect. The potenza's we Y rated but should actually be W according to the sticker in the door. I guess they can go higher than is needed *shrug*

[Batman105E]

Thought I would add my experience to this thread.

We got 37,000ks out of the original Continentals (235 40 R18)

Fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (235 40 R18) and paid $285 per corner fitted and balanced paid extra for a wheel alignment.

Just a month ago replaced the Michelins with another set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 for $275 per corner fitted and balanced, also paid extra for wheel alignment.

Got 47,000ks out of the Michelins could have got a bit more but wanted them replaced before we ended the lease next month. Were really quiet and the car rode really well. Super happy with them!

[Mickmelb]

On my MC Titanium I recently fitted a set of Goodyear eagle f1 directional 5's really good so far. A lot quieter than the Pirelli P Zero Nero they replaced (44000kms) and heaps of grip. Probably not quite the initial turn in feel at speed of the original Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (41000kms) but better otherwise.

[ajay1940]

Just replaced my tyres.
Fitted 4 Contis. 235/45ZR17 97W MC5 at $175 each
Also bought a full size spare, fitted with the best of my old tyres for $159.
Rim was second hand but in good nick.

'07 TDCI Hatch.

[ope126]

Originally Posted by ajay1940

Just replaced my tyres.
Fitted 4 Contis. 235/45ZR17 97W MC5 at $175 each
Also bought a full size spare, fitted with the best of my old tyres for $159.
Rim was second hand but in good nick.

'07 TDCI Hatch.

I hate that the Zetec now has a 17x7" rim and now runs 215/45R17 95W tyres...

According to tirerack a 215/50R17 can be a rim between 6.0 - 7.5" with a 7.0" ideal. Whereas a 235/45R17 can be on a rim between 7.5 - 9.0" with a 8.0" ideal.

What is the width of the previous MA/MB 17" wheels???

[GT2]

Has anyone tried Kumho KU39?
235/45-18 are available at St George tyres for $165ea.

[ryeman]

I'm looking at std Kuhmo 245/45/17 for my XR6....quality, endurance and lower noise but I can't realy complain much about the original Dunlops which should get to 60K with a bit of luck.

[ope126]

Originally Posted by ope126

I hate that the Zetec now has a 17x7" rim and now runs 215/45R17 95W tyres...

According to tirerack a 215/50R17 can be a rim between 6.0 - 7.5" with a 7.0" ideal. Whereas a 235/45R17 can be on a rim between 7.5 - 9.0" with a 8.0" ideal.

What is the width of the previous MA/MB 17" wheels???

So I decided to do some more investigation and have spoken to RACQ Technical and they have advised that as the 215/50R17 94W has a rolling diameter of 648mm and the 235/45R17 97W has a rolling diameter of 644mm (4mm difference) they should be fine to use as the load rating is higher and the speed rating is the same.
I spoke with Ford Australia, but they could not assist and told me to talk to my local dealer. I have spoken to a few and all have mentioned that there should be no dramas...

Now the search for 235/45R17 97W tyres begins...

[GK]

Originally Posted by ajay1940

Just replaced my tyres.
Fitted 4 Contis. 235/45ZR17 97W MC5 at $175 each
Also bought a full size spare, fitted with the best of my old tyres for $159.
Rim was second hand but in good nick.

'07 TDCI Hatch.

Probably a noob question, but does the spare fit okay in the wheel well? Does the boot carpet sit flat as previously?

GK

[ope126]

Originally Posted by ajay1940

Just replaced my tyres.
Fitted 4 Contis. 235/45ZR17 97W MC5 at $175 each
Also bought a full size spare, fitted with the best of my old tyres for $159.
Rim was second hand but in good nick.

'07 TDCI Hatch.

How are you finding these tyres?

[JimStone]

Originally Posted by GK

Probably a noob question, but does the spare fit okay in the wheel well? Does the boot carpet sit flat as previously?

GK

No - will need to get optional full size spare kit that lifts floor about 70-90mm, or just make your own...



as a bonus you get a flat floor when seats are folded



as an aside - NEVER NEVER NEVER fit Altenzo sports comforters - absolutely diabolical in the wet...

[ajay1940]

Re. my new Contis:
The tyres seem smoother and quieter than the original Bridgestones. No noticeable disadvantages.
As Jim said, you will need to add some padding. I used timber offcuts and some old carpet, cut to fit.
You will lose some boot space, but there's still plenty left and you will end up with a flat floor.

[GT2]

KU39's are now on. I can't fault them so far. They are quite don't feel all that different to the Contis at all. Will have to wait until it rains for the final test.
At $165.00ea, I think they are well worth it.

[ope126]

Ok, so just changed the tyres. I replaced the OEM Goodyear EfficientGrip 215/50R17 with a 225/50R17 Bridgestone Turanza T001 (made in Japan). The car is now wonderful again, no more wobble in the steering wheel / tramlining or tracking issues!!! A little more than I wanted to pay, however Goodyear / Dunlop did not have stocks of the tryes I wanted in conjunction with there current promotion (Buy 3 Get 1 Free).

[steve289]

If you don't mind me asking - ball park price for the Turanza?
Will be up for a new set of tyre on my MB soon, after approx 38,000 km

Thanks

[manamp27]

Replaced the original Bridgestone potenzas with a set of Michelin pilot sport 3 yesterday. 235/45 18 inch. $295 each at bob jane. Plus wheel alignment - the toe was out by 3-6 mm.

Fantastic so far. The potenzas had 25k Kms on them and were almost gone. They were noisy and the car was tram lining badly. Would follow every groove in the road and had become very tiring to drive the car on Sydney's ****** roads.

The michelins have transformed the car. No tram lining and super quiet. They don't feel as direct and responsive as the potenzas, but only by 5-10%. Early days though and yet to try them in the rain.

Highly recommend.

[allanv6gt]

manamp27 : I found exactly the same with the OEM Continental ContactSport2 235/40x18, + aquaplaning when vaguely damp.
Switching to Yokohamas suddenly made the XR5 a pleasure to drive....energetically....

[allanv6gt]

manamp27 : I got 33500kms out of the Contis before a flat tyre came visiting, prompting immediate action. Might have made $35000kms.
And the Yokohamas were $100 cheaper......each!!
And are a pleasure to drive in the p***ing wet.

[steve289]

Hi All,
Any thoughts or experiences with Kumho tyres, specifically the KU22?
Bob Jane have the 235 / 45 / 17 for $139 each in their latest flyer.

Seems to be good price, on a tyre that has consistently good reviews.


Thanks.

[b2428]

Whats the average people are getting out of tyres? Mine are 2/3 down after around 30000kms and just wondering

[DRU842]

Around 45,000km per set, so far. Bridgestone OEM and then the BF Goodrich.

[b2428]

Hopefully then I can squeeze similar out of my teo's then. Would love to nail 50000 but I tend to drive to hard for that I think haha

[steve289]

Update:
Fitted 4 x Kuhmo Ecsta KU22 (235 / 45 / 17)
Total cost $606 fitted, balanced, aligned etc from Bob Jane.
MB Mondeo - zetec diesel.

So far, after around 250 km's, have to say that these are fantastic.
Road noise is absolutely minimal & it feels like i am driving the car that i took from the showroom floor.
Was getting extremely frustrated with the old set, tramlining has now completely disappeared, and it drives true & straight. Grip is fine, pushing from a corner or roundabout, there is no hint of losing grip or tyre squeal. Pull up on braking has improved.

Will post an update once i have driven these in the rain/wet. Am in Melbourne, so rain is due any day now....!!!

At the end of the day, it is a 103kw front drive car, and not a performance machine. I believe that these tyres will be more than cabable of the intended job.

[rxj]

Hi,

I currently have Bridgestone Potenza RE050A and all tires are due for replacement in another 5000Kms. I have just clocked over 25000Kms.

I will watch this thread with interest to determine what the next set will be, but I don't think I will go with the Bridgestones again... too much tramlining.

Cheers,

rxj

[Canyonero]

Driving down through Galston Gorge in northern Sydney, from the Dural side, yesterday morning I hit a monster pothole with the OSF wheel. Being a narrow winding road with oncoming traffic, there was no avoiding it. It was an awfully big thump and when I stopped later and looked I found I had one damaged tyre, with a nasty bulge in the sidewall. Fortunately the wheel was undamaged. Goodyear no longer import the OE tyre, their EfficientGrip, in the size and rating to suit the Mondeo, so I had it replaced with one of their Assurance Triplemax in the correct 215/50R17 95W rating. Beaurepaires fitted the new tyre to the rear, so that the two front ones have the same pattern. There is less than 20,000km on them all and they were rotated at the 15K service, so it should be OK. All up about $350 including a wheel alignment check and the extra fees. An expensive drive to work. So, if you are needing to replace your Goodyear EfficientGrip you'll need to find and alternative.

BTW number two child was driving it a couple of weeks ago and someone gave him a little tap on the rear bumper, so that gets fixed next month. I hope what they say about things occurring in threes isn't true!

If I can figure it out, I may try to reduce the photo file size and post a picture of the bulge in the tyre.