New tyres

[GrahamR]

Although there's plenty tread left on my tyres the side walls have cracks in them due to age so I've decided to play it safe and buy a new set.

I've called round local tyre fitters and the best deal I've been offered is £184 all inclusive for four Nexen 185/70 14's.

Does anybody have any experience or comments on Nexen tyres?

Graham

[DJT]

No comments on the tyres, Graham, but 185/70 14 are a bit on the small side (37mm smaller diameter), especially as you have an auto. Unless, that is, you have a 3.45:1 diff or a ZF 4-speed box.
Nexen, Falken Sincera, Toyo 330 can all be bought as 185/80 14T. Yes, a T-rated tyre is lower than the H-rated as OE, but still good for 118mph . A mate of mine, and his wife, has just come back from a 9-week, 5000-mile tour of France and the Iberian Peninsula in his Stag. He has the Falken Sincera tyres fitted on Stag alloys and is very happy with them. They can be bought from our local tyre shop for £45 all-in.

There has been discussion on here before about fitting T-rated tyres and insurance implications. If in doubt, contact your insurance company, but I would be very surprised if they have any objection to T-rated tyres.

Dave

[mike@thenook]

Hi Graham,

They are pretty good quality for the cheaper brands, most are Korean or suchlike but these are American it seems:

http://www.nexentireusa.com/

I've got Corsa's on mine (which I am told are made from the moulds of another well known manufacturer), similar price absolutely fine wet and dry compared to Good Year etc. If you are doing 10,000 a year i'd say go for something better known but on a low mileage they will be just right.
One thing I would do though is have 195/70 (as I have) as the 185's mean you are a little undergeared and under tyred.

Cheers,

[mike@thenook]

Dave,

Anything with a T rating is for a van and should be avoided at all costs - they have a much stiffer side wall and will not give the corrrect handling characteristics amonst other things.

Cheers,

[DJT]

Dave,

Anything with a T rating is for a van and should be avoided at all costs - they have a much stiffer side wall and will not give the corrrect handling characteristics amonst other things.

Cheers,

Mike,

Not all T-rated tyres are for vans. They are available to suit cars also:

Tyres.JPG

Dave

[aerosilver]

I had mine replaced with Nexens a couple of years ago as they were recommended at the time by someone on here. They seem pretty good for the money and I'm happy with them, although I neither push the car hard nor drive it in the wet if I can help it so can't really comment on their performance in extreme conditions.

Bob.

[flying farmer]

I have just come back from a 450 mile round trip to Devon, and thought I would check up on my mileometer accuracy as I have fitted a new gearbox since last year (mileometer was about 40% out on the old one). My car is fitted with 185/70 14 Toyo's and a 3.45 diff. AA routefinder said the distance was 220 miles, I recorded 219, probably the most accurate reading I have ever had, but as others have said the 185/70s must be a bit small in diameter if the 3.45 diff has corrected the reading.
The speedo ties in with the rev counter at a calculated 25.3 mph/1000rpm in OD, however at an indicated 75 to 80 I am passing nearly everything on the motorway, but in the 60mph section of the M6 I am only doing 54-55 at the same speed as everyone else. I will have to check it with the GPS, either I am reading low, or all the moderns are reading high (as they often do by about 10%)
Neil

[SAP]

As a side issue I have just been told my saab needs two new tyres and each will cost GBP381.0 thats not for two but only for one - so the price for our stags is reasonable...

[Danny]

I recently bought 4 Barum Brillantis 2 tyres 175/80/14/H at what I thought was quite a good deal, £188.20, Apparantly Barum are well thought of in Germany and are owned by the Continental group. I already have 175's fitted so decided to go for the same as it is almost impossible to get 185/80/14 car tyres.

Might be wrong but I thought Nexen was a Korean brand - good tyres never less.

Danny

[Guest]

As a side issue I have just been told my saab needs two new tyres and each will cost GBP381.0 thats not for two but only for one - so the price for our stags is reasonable...

Ouch....even more expensive than the "best" tyre for an M3

So what make / size are they?

[Bazstag]

As a side issue I have just been told my saab needs two new tyres and each will cost GBP381.0 thats not for two but only for one - so the price for our stags is reasonable...

Crikey Steve!....... Thats why you cant afford the fish & chips on the 19th.
Baz

[aerosilver]

As a side issue I have just been told my saab needs two new tyres and each will cost GBP381.0 thats not for two but only for one - so the price for our stags is reasonable...

Good grief! No wonder they're going bust.

[SAP]

Ouch....even more expensive than the "best" tyre for an M3

So what make / size are they?

Hi

Size 245/40/19 (Goodyear)

[SAP]

Baz

good to see you lot on Thursday - was a brilliant night and loads of different type/age of cars on view - will have to make it a regular thing - hope the house sale goes well..Steve