Tyres. In need of up to date information.

[Mr Lazy]

@Petrus, I absolutely agree with you. Tyres are the most important part of any car and a £120 (or whatever) saving is meaningless if the tyres don't do the required job. That's why I have been so grateful for all the comments and haven't rushed into a decision.

One other question that I don't think has been mentioned: do tyre speed ratings make much difference on a light car like this? The tyres I have looked into have had speed ratings of H (130mph), V (149mph) and W (168mph). I think I read somewhere that the OEM tyres were V on the front and W on the rear, but I could be wrong. I'm not even going to be driving close to 130mph, so would H be good enough or would they feel wrong somehow? How do you feel about mixing them front/back? I read that if you are going to mix them then you should go for a lower rating on the front as this promotes safer understeer, rather than oversteer the other way around. Do you agree with this?

[Petrus]

For a given tyre type, the speed rating is related to the ply rating which indicates the relative wall stiffnes.
Wall stiffnes is like tyre pressure; A stiffer side wall compares too more pressure.

As to price and traction in extremis, it would be odd to spend several K on a turbo and then limit what can be put down by budget rubber. Well, unless smoking or sliding is the goal. As was observed, max grip also raises cornering speed, raising the bar for drifting fun.

[SV-3]

@Petrus, I absolutely agree with you. Tyres are the most important part of any car and a £120 (or whatever) saving is meaningless if the tyres don't do the required job. That's why I have been so grateful for all the comments and haven't rushed into a decision.

One other question that I don't think has been mentioned: do tyre speed ratings make much difference on a light car like this? The tyres I have looked into have had speed ratings of H (130mph), V (149mph) and W (168mph). I think I read somewhere that the OEM tyres were V on the front and W on the rear, but I could be wrong. I'm not even going to be driving close to 130mph, so would H be good enough or would they feel wrong somehow? How do you feel about mixing them front/back? I read that if you are going to mix them then you should go for a lower rating on the front as this promotes safer understeer, rather than oversteer the other way around. Do you agree with this?

Stock tyre sizes/ratings are:

Front 185/55R15 81V (26psi)

Rear 215/45R16 86W (32psi)

Compact Spare T125/70D 96M (60psi)

H rated tyres are not a legal option for our cars, irrespective of the speed you may drive at.
Tyres may only be uprated e.g. V to W.

Higher rated tyres carry a price penalty and therefore your available budget becomes a big factor.

Revisiting your original post and assuming you are running stock wheels, then for everyday driving and given the state of our roads, tyres from any of the reputable manufacturers will be fine.
Anything else, is purely subjective.  

[Petrus]

and given the state of our roads,

meaning rather unsmooth thus compliance being an objective requirement.

Btw the wear rating is objective too. Both in mileage and in grip. How much one appreciates that is subjectove.
Like stopping distance. Quite objective but again how one values it is personal priority.

[Mr Lazy]

Thank you both of you. That is quite limiting. I'm pretty sure that the Falkens I was considering for example, were V rated all round. I don't recall seeing many W ratings for the rear. Nevertheless, I'll check again later when I have more time. Better to find these things out now than after purchasing them.

[Ardent]

@Mr Lazy
As laid out by @SV-3
Little sticker in bottom of glove box. That is the stock sizes.

I appreciate things change and seems the falkens may have. But at the time of purchase they were the closest to stock available. I did what you are doing now and they came out on top.
There is more choice now then then.

[Topdownman]

I would have said the Falkens look a good choice for you but it seems the rears are only V speed rated. This is the kind of problem you get when looking at staggered tyres! Could you ask your insurance company if the V rating would be acceptable as the stock tyres (bridgestone potenzas) are no longer available? Just a thought as I seem to vaguely remember doing this with a previous car.

I am a bit disappointed to see that you can get stock sizes in the new AD08rs tyre. I am disappointed as I have just bought a set in 195/225s like my old AD08r (tyre manufacturers should never add an s on the end of the tyre designation as it gets very confusing!). If I had known I could have got stock sizes now I would have as they werent available in the AD08...

I, like many, like the yokos for the dry grip as that is when I am going to be using it, I drive to the conditions when wet/cold and am aware of the possibility of aquaplaning so look out for standing water particularly. If you were using it as a daily commuter etc you may have different priorites to affect your decision. I am hoping that I will like the RSs but too soon to say yet.

[Mr Lazy]

Well I've just done some more searching (I couldn't really spare the time, but never mind) and the ONLY tyres I can find that are available in stock sizes front and rear with V and W speed ratings front and rear respectively are the Yokohama AD08RS! Lovetyres.com do list the original AD08 in this spec, but I am very sceptical that this is what they actually are, especially as they don't also list the AD08RS and because @Topdownman said above that they weren't available in this size. How ridiculous to only have one tyre available (advertised as a track day and competition summer tyre) that meets the original specification. As far as I can see anyway.

[Joesson]

Thank you both of you. That is quite limiting. I'm pretty sure that the Falkens I was considering for example, were V rated all round. I don't recall seeing many W ratings for the rear. Nevertheless, I'll check again later when I have more time. Better to find these things out now than after purchasing them.

Maybe the FL model with 16inch wheels on the rear are specified with W rated tyre but my PFL is specified as Front 184/55R15 81 V rear 205/50R15 85V.  That's from the car handbook.
And a quick look at Falken uk web site gives me ZiexZE310 EcoRun, newer than the 914 , in those sizes with 86V load/ speed rating.

PS
If the rears on a FL car are 215/45R 16 86W
Falken offer                        215/45R 16 90 V

As @Topdownman suggested a word with your insurer may help as the V speed rating is in excess of the car's capabilities let alone W rating.

[Mr Lazy]

That's interesting about the PFL tyres @Joesson. Yes, the Falken Ziex ZE310 were one of two that I'd narrowed it down to  (the other being the Hankook Ventus Prime 3), all thanks to the help here. Both only seem to be available with 'XL' rears (extra load presumably) in this size, so there's not a lot between them really. Yes as you say, a great suggestion by @Topdownman. I didn't have chance to contact the insurance company earlier but I will as soon as I can.

[Joesson]

That's interesting about the PFL tyres @Joesson. Yes, the Falken Ziex ZE310 were one of two that I'd narrowed it down to  (the other being the Hankook Ventus Prime 3), all thanks to the help here. Both only seem to be available with 'XL' rears (extra load presumably) in this size, so there's not a lot between them really. Yes as you say, a great suggestion by @Topdownman. I didn't have chance to contact the insurance company earlier but I will as soon as I can.

My reference point was my handbook. I used the Falken web site and then their supplier locater. I checked this out and  for perspective four tyres for my car 4X 15 inch was around £280 fitted from a local garage.
Good luck with your insurance query.

[Mr Lazy]

I was away all weekend and didn't get chance to finalise this. After some further investigating, it seems that all the recommended tyres here that are still available (except the AD08RS) are sold exclusively as XL (extra load) tyres in these sizes. So this includes the Falken, Hankook, Avon, Continental and Nankang models mentioned previously. This fact isn't always obvious from supplier listings. Sometimes the manufacturer websites mention it, but if not then a higher than expected load rating is the tell tell sign. Therefore the pros and cons of reinforced tyres is irrelevant really as I have to have them.
I am therefore going buying the Falken VE310 from tyreleader.co.uk (I hope they are reputable) and will arrange fitment at a local fitter. Final decision . I'll let you know how I get on after a while.

[Mr Lazy]

...'going to buy' (I hate typos)

[Mr Lazy]

A quick update...

I finally ordered the tyres (Falken ZE310) on 27 August from Tyreleader.co.uk. The fronts arrived in good time, but it is now 35 days later and the rears have still not arrived! DPD appear to have lost them but Tyreleader are refusing to reimburse me or send out replacements until they have finalised a claim with DPD. As far as I'm concerned, the issue with DPD  is between DPD and Tyreleader and I don't see why I should wait endlessly for that to be resolved. I won't be using Tyreleader again.

As for the front Falkens, it is difficult to give a fair review. Partly because I still have cheapo tyres at the rear and partly because I can't really compare them with anything. Despite this though, they do feel good and inspire me to drive with more confidence than before, although this could be psychological.

[tricky1138]

I've used Tyreleader before without issue, although I do recall them taking a while to be received.

I guess you never know how good or bad a company is until you have a problem, and then its how they deal with it.

As you say the dispute is between them and DPD and you should not be out of pocket / without tyres just because of that.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[Joesson]

@MrLazy
That is not acceptable, rather like ordering a pair of shoes and the carrier loosing one. As you are using the fronts I believe that means you have accepted them, however, you have not received part of your order. If you payed with a credit card I suggest that you email Tyreleader confirming all the dates etc and tell them that you are claiming on your credit card and the card company will be pursuing them for the refund. Then contact your credit card company. They will ask  " have you contacted your supplier" and you can continue from there.

[Jimbo]

Interesting reading, had a quick look on blackcircle and couldn't find a decent matching set front and back for a facelift car. Rear one's do seem to be the more specialist!

[Gaz mr-s]

Interesting reading, had a quick look on blackcircle and couldn't find a decent matching set front and back for a facelift car. Rear one's do seem to be the more specialist!

Camskill say Falken & Hankook k125 available in front & rear. The Falken are over £20 dearer per rear!

[Mr Lazy]

Interesting reading, had a quick look on blackcircle and couldn't find a decent matching set front and back for a facelift car. Rear one's do seem to be the more specialist!

Camskill say Falken & Hankook k125 available in front & rear. The Falken are over £20 dearer per rear!

The prices were comparable when I ordered them a month ago, but there seem to be fewer Falkens around now and at a higher price. A price I'll probably have to pay due to the aforementioned issue.

[Gaz mr-s]

Interesting reading, had a quick look on blackcircle and couldn't find a decent matching set front and back for a facelift car. Rear one's do seem to be the more specialist!

Camskill say Falken & Hankook k125 available in front & rear. The Falken are over £20 dearer per rear!

The prices were comparable when I ordered them a month ago, but there seem to be fewer Falkens around now and at a higher price. A price I'll probably have to pay due to the aforementioned issue.

Meaning you're going to order Falken rather than the Hankook?

[Mr Lazy]

@Gaz mr-s The front Falkens arrived in good time and I didn't want to risk them going missing at the tyre fitters while I waited for the rears, so I had the fronts fitted. I therefore need to get Falkens for the rear to keep them matched. If I didn't have the fronts though, I would probably now get the Hankooks all round based on cost.

[Gaz mr-s]

@Mr Lazy.... I see, that's a b'gger. I've just had a message from someone who's had something gone missing with DPD...

[Mr Lazy]

I think all suppliers make mistakes sometimes. I can forgive them that if they follow it up with suitable corrective actions. Unfortunately, it seems that not everywhere does.

[steveash]

Just thought I'd mention, I have been running AD08RS on the back with AD08R on the front. I had to replace the low miles rears as I picked up a nail in the shoulder. For road driving, they stick well beyond my abilities/bravery in the dry and I notice no difference from the AD08R. They feel equally responsive and give plenty of feedback which to me is more important than grip.

On the road in the wet, I'm not going to throw around a mid engined car whatever the tyre!

[1979scotte]

Just thought I'd mention, I have been running AD08RS on the back with AD08R on the front. I had to replace the low miles rears as I picked up a nail in the shoulder. For road driving, they stick well beyond my abilities/bravery in the dry and I notice no difference from the AD08R. They feel equally responsive and give plenty of feedback which to me is more important than grip.

On the road in the wet, I'm not going to throw around a mid engined car whatever the tyre!

Good to know.
I have the same situation on Stews Blue.
Need some dry weather before I can make up my mind.

Perhaps add a review in the tyre thread so its easy to find ?