I just got a set of pepperpots for summer, to replace 16" SE alloys with 195/45R16 tyres, which were quite harsh on the poor roads here (and the Hankook Ventus Prime3s on the front the last five years wore down very badly on the inside edge. I ran about 2.4-2.5bar on them.
I wanted something better for potholes and rough roads, while still maintaning some sportiness, good steering, feel. I made a list of tire sizes, and sidewall heights (approximate?),
175/60/15 | 104 |
185/60/15 | 112 |
185/55/15 | 102 |
195/55/15 | 107 |
195/50/15 | 97 |
185/50/16 | 91 |
195/50/16 | 97 |
195/45/16 | 89 |
After some browsing of the forums, I thought that 195/55R15 might suit me, but it seems like a less common size, and therefore more expensive, with potentially older designs. 195/50R15, although more common and cheap, scares me a bit because it's only 8mm higher than the current 45s. 185/55R16 is also somewhat an unusual size I think, similar to 195/55R15.
People have been raving about the 185/60R15 size from what I've read, as a good compromise. Even though I want to retain some sportiness, I really want to eliminate the great big thuds I've been getting, with parts of the car probably taking loads which other parts were designed to protect them from.
Anyway, so 185/60R15 is basically what I think I'm after. Dunlop BluResponse, though now an 8 year old, or more?, design, seemed recommended by forum members as well. Was that in 84 or 88 load index though?
A few years old ADAC 185/65R15 test declared Bridgestone T005 to be the winner, but they did not test the (now old?) BluResponse, nor did they test, for example, the Michelin Primacy 4. They tested the T005 in 88H, but the 60s come in 84H and 88H XL. How relevant is a 65 test to 60 size tyres? Would I have to get the 88H XL in order to get as close as possible to the same tyre as the winner? They're also pretty loud, from the reviews I read.
Our family has used Michelin tyres many times over the years, and liked them, so I'm considering Primacy 4 as well, S1 version (quieter but with a B/A/68 label instead of C/A/68) because I found a DOT2020 set of demo tires for about 17GBP/each less than normal retail prices, so I thought, what the hey.
A bit of wet braking for a quieter ride and supposedly better fuel economy.
I also have an eye on the Vredestein Ultrac (88H XL), which is new, and seems well priced. I have no experience with this company's tires though, and the only tests I've seen from of the Sportrac 5 model.
So it seems to be between Bridgestone T005 (88H XL?), Primacy 4 S1 (84T), and BluReponse (84? 88?), and possibly the Vredestein Ultrac (88H XL).
There is also a set of BluResponse 84H DOT2016 demos available for 31GBP/each, which I was considering, as the price is very good compared to current year ones. However, from what I gather, Dunlop's warranty is 5 years from production (not purchase), so they'd basically come without warranty. Is it worth it? How likely is it they have a defect that would show up in, say, the next five years? I figured they might not be bad, and the difference in price could be invested in suspension work, which the car might need anyway.
The current Hankooks have worn down in about 5 years, so I estimated the Dunlops would be on for the next five, becoming worn, and old, at the same time.
Apologies for the long winded post, but I'd welcome your thoughts on this.
Thanks
