Hello!

Has anyone got a recommendation for tyres for my Fabia 3 1.4TDi estate.

The factory fitted Continental Sport Contact 2 have only lasted 15000 on the front, and

they don't seem to be available anymore.

Uniroyal Rainsport 2 seem to be quite popular with VRs owners.

Cheers!

Are you after longevity or performance?

For the former I'd always recommend Michellin.

Prefer longevity, I don't drive fast.

yes Michellins all the way ever thought of changing front to back tyres last longer and even wear.

yes Michellins all the way ever thought of changing front to back tyres last longer and even wear.

Yes! I used to do that, years ago.

But a lot of manufactures don't recommend it.

Yes! I used to do that, years ago.

But a lot of manufactures don't recommend it.

I've just had a look at Michelin tyres.

They seem a bit dear, £130 each.

The Uniroyal's are £160 a pair, are the Michelin' really worth the extra £100 a pair?

Uniroyals are a softer compound and are quite good. Bit of road noise though.

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx are quite a hard compound and I got 16,000 miles out of my mine.

Yes! I used to do that, years ago.

But a lot of manufactures don't recommend it.

never heard that cant see the problem you will get even wear all round, and yes expensive look around a lot of dealers are doing deals on how many tyres you buy, and that old saying you get what you pay for.

I don't bother swapping tyres.

I've gotten 30k driving from each set of fronts on the octy and a Mondeo. The Mondeo had 6 tyres in 105k and 2 were due to irreparable punctures. 4 were on the fronts in a fully laden car carrying parts.

Yes they are expensive, but work out a per mile cost and you'll fins because they last longer they're either the same or less than the cheaper tyres.

If you know someone with a Quidco card, you can get HPs for £110 each fitted. They usually have deals if you buy 4 as well.

Michelin Energy Savers....

Previously my car had Dunlops as Standard. Then had Good Year Duragrip, after that Uniroyals.

I now have the Michelins. They are waaaay better than all previous tyres. More expensive, yes, but they are quiet, responsive on cornering, great in the wet or dry and dont seem to wear very much at all. I will be sticking with these in the future.

My car has skinny wheels, 165's. So whether they perform as well on a wider profile I dont know.

BTW Uniroyal Rain Expert. Dont ever put these on the front, grips ok but the steering goes to porridge, they are fine on the back.

Well thats my point of view anyway.

Edited 5 February, 201214 yr by raisbeck

never heard that cant see the problem you will get even wear all round,

If you replace only two tyres you seam to always have this debate.

Tyre manufactures (eg Michelin) recommend new tyres on the rear, as in a emergency situation most os the grip will be on the rear and you will understeer, which is much worse than more on the front and the rear overtaking the front (oversteer).

However, I like you, put new ones on the front of a FWD car. The front puts down the power, does most of the braking and steers. The rear wheels are like casters, that run in the tracks of the front

Thanks for all the advice.

I can only find Pilot Sport SP3 available in the size I require, so i shall give those a try.

Cheers!

Where are you looking?

SP3 will wear quite quickly as they're a sporty tyre. HP is what you want.

Unfortunately the only Michelin tyres available in 205/45 16 are Pilot Sport PS3.

I have tried e-tyres, Black Circles, Tyre Shopper, Best Buy Tyres, ATS Euromaster.

I have even looked on the Michelin website.

E-tyres do have Nexen N1000 at £77.80, these get a very good review on tyrereviews.co.uk.

If the PS3 aren't going to last any longer than the Conti's I have at present, I might as well buy the Nexen's and save a few bob.

Cheers!

I had Continentals on my Fabia 11 1.4TDI - found them to be very noisy also a very hard ride!

Now have a Fabia 1.6 SE Plus CR90 which came with SP Sport 01's. These are just as noisy regrettably - but give a much more acceptable ride.

As one poster has indicated MICHELIN (although more expensive) is the way to go without doubt. I too am an advocate of swapping front to rear at the opportune moment. By doing this I was able to offset the poor wear factor of the front continental tyres, and get at least some reasonable wear from the original set.

I don't have problem with noise or the ride, it's just the wear.

As I said earlier Michelin only make Pilot sport 3 in the required size, and as they are sports tyres they will still wear badly.

There is another problem I just noticed, the Conti's are 83 W.

Most manufacturers only make 83 V or 87 W.

Since I am no longer a "Boy Racer" I think I'll go for the cheapie's and then when the backs go see what is about!

Cheers

Unfortunately the only Michelin tyres available in 205/45 16 are Pilot Sport PS3.

I have tried e-tyres, Black Circles, Tyre Shopper, Best Buy Tyres, ATS Euromaster.

I have even looked on the Michelin website.

E-tyres do have Nexen N1000 at £77.80, these get a very good review on tyrereviews.co.uk.

If the PS3 aren't going to last any longer than the Conti's I have at present, I might as well buy the Nexen's and save a few bob.

Cheers!

Thats quite an odd size unless you've swapped the wheels? Surely should be 55?

As a suggestion,in the past, i have bought a set of 4 to get the lower prices but only had two fitted at the time with the agreement that i will bring the other two back when i'm ready to have them fitted as well. Just remember to keep all your receipts and take the tyres with you. Admittedly you then have to store them, but if your tyre fitter 'forgets' the agreement, at least you have two tyres and only have to pay for the fitting if it that happens.

Thats quite an odd size unless you've swapped the wheels? Surely should be 55?

It's the size that comes on a Fabia3.

I know it seems odd, and when I look at tyres of that size they are nearly all for sports cars or high powered saloons.

Cheers!

JerryT

It's not so much the price, it's just a bit of advice.

I don't want to fit tyres, that don't last.

I take the point about Michelin's, but since they only make sports tyres in my size

and these will probably last no longer than the current Conti's have. £132 per tyre

seems a little excessive.

Hankook Optima K415 are fitted as standard on my mates Hyundai, they get a good review on www.tyrereviews.co.uk

and they are only £85 each. If they only last as long as the Conti's, for £47 less each they would be a better bet.

After all a 1.4 TDI estate is hardly a sports saloon.

Cheers,