Tyres

[DerekW]

First, I'm guilty of giving out duff info.. The CTC doesn't have different tread widths, it has different aspect ratios; 205x65 at the back and 205x60 on the front - or rather it did have. I noticed that one of the fronts was showing some shoulder wear so I've just fitted a wheel and good tyre that I got in a job lot of spares for £10 from an ex forum member in St Helens (It included a pair of fog/indicator lamps, one of which I've also just fitted). Now this topic has forced me to go and check the tyre details I find this tyre is 205x65, so I think I'd better think it out again. All the CTC tyres are R rating.

The V6 has its left hand side hard up against the garage wall but both tyres on the off side are also Rs. Ho, hum!

The TCT is my winter car (I use the V6 in summer for its air conditioning and effortless performance with the caravan in tow), so I've another four months to sort out the TCT tyres.

Derek

This post has been edited by DerekW on July 02, 2008 06:08 pm

[xmexclusive]

Hi Derek

Owners Manual says that you should have 205/60/15's on the petrol TCT Estate. Rating should be 94V.

Hi Dean

I like the look of your wheels.

On tyre size I personally try to keep close to manufacturers recommended sizes as changes that significantly alter the shape of the contact patch can have a dramatic effect on braking performance and lateral stability. For the same reason I try to keep the same type of tyre at both ends of an axle.

Hi Minijet

Owners Manual says 205/60/15-91V for the petrol TCT car and 205/65/15-94V for the 2.0 Diesel Auto. For information it is only Manual 2.0TD's that should be fitted with 195/65/15-91V tyres.

Regards

XMexc

This post has been edited by xmexclusive on July 02, 2008 06:31 pm

[Peter.N.]

Why should the 2.1 auto have bigger tyres than the manual? - just interested.

Peter.

[minijet]

I was wondering the same thing Peter......

Thanks again for the advice everyone.......

I'll try to stick as close to the original spec as possible. The cheapest I've found so far is £50 per tyre (fitted), but I'm not sure what make they are, or the rating, I only enquired about the size.
The reason I'm looking for cheap tyres is that both cars are coming up to MOT time, and if the worst happens I don't want to send a good set of new tyres to the breakers yard.

Something that hasn't been mentioned is noise, one of the tyres I have on the 2.1 at the moment is really noisy. Does anyone know of a particularly quiet tyre?

Paul.

[aengus-xmv6]

hi Paul,

I'd be inclined to buy one good set and then rotate them onto the second car when you take it in for the test...

you can then get a second set if it passes...

[Peter.N.]

Hi Paul

At one time 'Which?' used to test tyres for quietness ond comfort, they dont seem to do it now though, probably because the ride of modern cars is so hard you wouldn't notice the difference

I usually take whatever my tyre man gives me and they all seem about the same now, as long as they last about 30k I don't bother much. I usually pay about £45 - 50.00 fitted. I have to get some tommorrow....

Peter.

[aengus-xmv6]

ah but Peter, you drive sedately so can probably get away with that...

if you are inclined to drive more 'sportily' then it's a good idea to invest in one of the brands known to give decent grip - the main brands seem ok if you buy mid-band upwards (Mich, Pirelli, Dunlop) also Toyo are highly rated for grip.

regards
Dave

[dean]

Thanks Xmexc for your kind words, of course the only problem with the alloys is you end up parking like an old woman fearful of damaging the things and your insurance goes up a bit and many insurers like Direct line refuse to quote me, cant blame them really since most people with modified cars have the mental age of a toddler and fall off the road a lot, ho hum.

D