Any tyre experts here?

[Ryan_R]

I'm not sure how many KM's tyres are supposed to last (depends on driving style of course), and I'm not terribly sure on where I should go looking for replacements next year.

I'm basically looking for something sporty that doesn't cost an absolute fortune. I figured I'd ask now since there's a better chance of specials being on, etc.

Dean from VolksPower reckoned Continentals were great, but probably out of my price range. I've currently got Hancooks on the car which I've been happy with.

[team_v]

I run Kumho's and they have been performing beautifully.
I have heard mixed reviews (generally positive) about Sumitomos

If you want a performance tyre go Michelin Pilot sport PS3's or Good Year Eagle F1's.
Best bet is to wait for a sale of get them shipped in from tirerack.

What size tyre are you after?

[pkjames]

in the case of after performance tyres, tirerack is usually 20% to 30% cheaper (inlc shipping and tax) than sourced locally.

[Mountainman]

My brother has just replaced the original 17" Contis with Bridgestone RE001 Adrenalins on his Jetta 118TSI and is raving about them. It's always unfair to compare worn with new though.

[ian]

I looked at Tyrerack and although the tyres are a lot cheaper than in Australia you have to remember that the tyres still have to be fitted and balanced , I was at Jacks tyres last week and they said they could supply 225.45/17/ 94Y for $1,000 fitted.x4
Tyrerack quote over $190 per tyre x 4 $760 plus freight $140 is $900 plus getting them fitted here will cost about $20 a wheel so all up your looking at about the same cost , personally i wouldn't bother just to save at the most $50.
And if you need them urgently you would have to wait weeks for them to arrive.

[AdamD]

I looked at Tyrerack and although the tyres are a lot cheaper than in Australia you have to remember that the tyres still have to be fitted and balanced , I was at Jacks tyres last week and they said they could supply 225.45/17/ 94Y for $1,000 fitted.x4
Tyrerack quote over $190 per tyre x 4 $760 plus freight $140 is $900 plus getting them fitted here will cost about $20 a wheel so all up your looking at about the same cost , personally i wouldn't bother just to save at the most $50.
And if you need them urgently you would have to wait weeks for them to arrive.

Tirerack becomes extremely worthwhile once you get to the pointy end of tyres - high performance 18"s and up. I saved a cool $1k buying my 18" Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics from Tirerack, and the shipping time was outstanding - 5 days total, door to door.

Ryan, I'd recommend you have a good google for tyre reviews in the size you're after. If you have a 118 and are keeping your rims I guess you'll be looking at 16s? If you can post up your desired size and a price ceiling, I'm sure plenty of people will be able to make personal recommendations within those parameters.

[dave_r]

Bridgestone RE001 Adrenalins

Had them on my last XR6T and they were good but compared to the rubbish dunlops they came with before hand, it wasn't hard.

Thing is you have to compare to a similar car because the same tyres might not suit a small FWD etc. I've always used high end bridgestones on my RWD's as they have good performance while not being overly pricey but I'm not sure if they're suitable for my current cars. Worry about that when the time comes...

[gareth_oau]

I recently bought some 245/35/19 goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics which retail in Oz for $600/ea f+b. I was planning to get them from tirerack for around $390ea (with shipping, taxes and local f+b), then goodyear had a sale and I got them locally for $390ea!!

[gareth_oau]

and for top end performance tyres, I would budget on around 20,000kms per set

[brad]

I looked at Tyrerack and although the tyres are a lot cheaper than in Australia you have to remember that the tyres still have to be fitted and balanced , I was at Jacks tyres last week and they said they could supply 225.45/17/ 94Y for $1,000 fitted.x4
Tyrerack quote over $190 per tyre x 4 $760 plus freight $140 is $900 plus getting them fitted here will cost about $20 a wheel so all up your looking at about the same cost , personally i wouldn't bother just to save at the most $50.
And if you need them urgently you would have to wait weeks for them to arrive.

depends on the tyre & size. I know a lot of people that have saved 30% ($500) buying through tirerack. i have no idea why you would pay $20 a wheel for fit/balance/valve/disposal - $10-$15 is the norm.

[Rob Burns]

There's 3 things you need to know about tyres.

1. The better the tyre grips the faster it wears out and vice-versa.

2. They are the only part of the car that touches the road so therefore the most important.

3. Don't ever cheap out on tyres, the life of the people in the car are worth significantly more than the most expensive tyres you can buy.