I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Tyre Choice
Looking to replace my front tyres as I’ve just upgraded shocks and springs and have had alignment sorted and the fronts are at EoL.
I notice there seem to be far less options than last time. Currently running the popular 215/45/R17 in place of the stock 205/45/R17 Michelin PS4 on the front (to replace) and Goodyear Eagle 5 on the rear.
I was going to go for a new set of the Goodyears, but I can’t find them anywhere. Nor can I find the Pilot Sports or any of the perfomance summer tyres. All I seem to be able to find in this size now is the more general purpose tyres and all seasons such as Michelin Primacy and Goodyear EfficientGrip etc.
I’ve actually been pricing up a set of tyres for my daily driver today, I usually get an idea of prices from Blackcircles, then make a decision where I go for them and their offer.
On there there’s got to be approximately 15 ish choices in your size of tyres to choose from, some are big name brands, can’t see a problem.
Thanks Mick. I too use BlackCircles as a first point of comparison, but today I’ve looked at all the main companies.
If you look closely on Black Circles, and read what I wrote above, you’ll notice the vast majority are from the general, eco and all-season lines of the top manufacturers.
Conti SportContact, Michelin Pilot Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1, Pirelli PZero, Bridgestone Potenza are all missing.
In fact from the top manufacturers the only ones I can see from the summer sports lines are Dunlops SportMaxx.
There’s a bit more if you go to more budget minded alternatives, but in years gone by the above were all available.
As for Michelin & Goodyear ‘sports’ series, it looks like you’d be going for the OEM 205/45/17 size as they’re both in stock there. As to why there’s a lack of availability from multiple manufacturers in 215/45/17, I’m afraid I don’t know.
I found similar a little over a week ago, on a Friday. By the following Monday they were showing as back in stock at Black Circles. I guess they will come back online soon. I sourced the same size PS5’s.
I’ve got my local garage on the case, going back tomorrow., their systems were down today. They’ve already hinted that they can do Kumhos for a competitive price, I’m after the 18” I noticed the discount code which I’ll mention. They no longer fit for Blackcircles, but are aware folk price match. So long as they are thereabouts on price for me, I use them as they are pretty decent and I can walk there.
On the stock level issue, you can also check Camskill who are usually good and tend to have fast access to stock.
I’ve filtered their 215/45/17 selection for Michelin, Goodyear and Conti and they’re indicating 1-2 day dispatch. So it looks like there’s UK stock available, it’s just getting hold of it sometimes!
Sorry Mick, but we seem to be talking at cross purposes. I’m saying I’m specifically not looking for all-seasons or winter tyres. Nor am I looking for more budget minded models, such as the Kumhos.
215 45 17 is not the popular size it was 15 years ago.
However just a very quick look in “Sports tyres” I can see Pirelli Dragon Sport, Davanti Pro Track Race, Yoko AD08, Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Conti Premium Contact 6, Conti Sport Contact 5, Mich PS5, Mich Cup2, plus a glut of road legal motorsport tyres. You write off the latest Kumho Ecsta Sport prematurely, it is a seriously good tyre.
In my own experience, Conti Sport Contact 5 were the worst tyre I’ve ever had on an OEM car, a NISMO Juke RS. Light up the fronts in the dry all the time, stopping distances poor (compared to the PS4 they were replaced by), and (thankfully) wore down super fast. Swift Sport forums often speak lowly of them too, as they are the OEM tyre on the MK2 and 3 Sports. PS4 were much better thereafter. PS5 I don’t rate all all. Had them on that NISMO RS after PS4 and even my Mrs asked if I changed the tyres as they’re naff!, plus there’s on an up! gti I’ve got. Pants on that too.
I wouldn’t call a Kumho Ecsta PS71 a budget tyre just because it’s half the price of a PS5. I saw a direct comparison test where it scored the Kuhmo at 95% of the performance of the Pilot Sport. It had half the longevity though. If you are not doing the mileage the Pilot Sports will be 10 years old before you wear them out, if you want to be driving around on 10-y-o rubber.
My local tyre fitter doesn’t do Black Circles anymore because they don’t make it worthwhile. They did the last set of Kuhmos I put on my Suzuki for less than BC.
Tyres are a subjective matter. One persons gold-standard of rubber ring wont apply to all.
I’d have you all on Firestones if I had my way. So be glad I dont.
I’ve just booked to have 4 tyres fitted next week on my daily driver.
Blackcircles were the lowest price, ASDA were the higher price fully fitted. My local garage were £4 per corner lower than ASDA but £3 higher per corner than Blackcircles. Not a great deal in it either way but I’ve chosen the convenience of the local garage, it’s within walking distance and they do a free alignment check/adjust.
I’m on 215/45/17 Goodyear eagle 6 , got them on Asda tyres then just selected my local garage where they were waiting to be fitted maybe try that approach .
