Tyres, tires; Tired of tyres

"Illegitimus Prime" (illprime)
04/12/2016 at 09:58 • Filed to: None

The time has come for me to switch tires. While I’d like to get some new rims with that, I have to keep budget in mind unfortunately. This also means keeping fuel economy in mind. The sensible choice seems to be these: Hankook Kinergy eco K425

https://www.profile.nl/autobanden/han…

But a few others have caught my eye, I know for the most part you get what you pay for with tires but it is hard to find good information on them sometimes. A lot of the tests seem very subjective.

I also have my eye on: Vredestein Sportrac 5

https://www.profile.nl/autobanden/vre…

On the pricier end of things: Dunlop Sport Bluresponse

https://www.profile.nl/autobanden/dun…

The odd outlier is this: Interstate Sport IXT-1, these appear to be from a Dutch company.... but manufactured in China. Are these any good? Horrible crap? They seem extremely sketchy.

https://www.profile.nl/autobanden/int…

Does anyone have a good recommendation for summer tires within the 60-80 euro range? (They need to be available in holland)

DISCUSSION (5)

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Illegitimus Prime
04/12/2016 at 10:11

First tip, stay away from Profile, Kwikfit and Euromaster and try to find an independent tire shop, since these “quickfitters” sometimes tend to “find” problems on your car, and charge you for fixing them badly, or so I heard. I won’t say all of them do it, but depending on the city there are some rotten apples. The independent shops might be a bit more expensive at first glance, however they will treat your car better and haggling is sometimes possible.

As for tires, I’m running Continental Ecocontact 2e, which are quite decent and long lasting tires, although I don’t know if their successors, I guess they are at generation by 5 now, are available in your size.

I would also try to stay away from anything Chinese, or fake Dutch, like Interstate. Vredestein and Apollo(a Vredestein company) are good however.

Echo51 > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
04/12/2016 at 10:24

I bought the K425 for my mom’s focus wagon, and she likes them. Says they’re quieter then the previous rock/roadstones, and they’re rated decently for grip aswell. As said, stay away from the cheap china brands..

Illegitimus Prime > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
04/12/2016 at 10:25

Unfortunately, the shop I like to go to doesn’t have the proper equipment for tires. They can mount and balance but not align. I’ll see if there are other shops in the area.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Illegitimus Prime
04/12/2016 at 10:31

Good luck. I myself found a tire shop which I really like through a family member who told me about it, so don’t be afraid to ask around, you never know where a good suggestion hides.

Illegitimus Prime > Echo51
04/12/2016 at 10:35

Thank you for the input, it is appreciated.