Need To Purchase Tyres...

[CUDDLS]

Hey everyone,

Sorry, but dont really feel like going through the whole thread about which tyres are best and what you rate them.

I'm looking for some new tyres as mine are as bald as a baby's backside and want to get the cheapest best ones around (yes, i know everyone always wants the cheapest and best).

I'm just not sure on the whole tyre size thing... currently i have 235/30/17s on the front and 255/35/17s on the rear. That's how the car came from Japan and really dont know what the go is with upping any of the sizes or ratios.

Fill you in on what i have - 1996 Skyline Series II - has Billstein (however you spell it) suspension and that's about it...

Yes, i am female, hence i'm blabbering on... But a quick answer would be good if someone could help out.

Forking out cash for my Exhaust Manifold Gasket dying right now, so would like to get everything done so my car is 100%.

Thanks.

Catherine.

[scathing]

How about a budget?

Its really hard to say what is the best cheapest tyre around, because the two tend to be mutually exclusive.

And what are you aiming for in terms of "best"? Maximum grip? Low noise? Long life? Great wet weather performance?

Another option is to try and find slightly used tyres. Some dealerships put new tyres on ex-demonstrators (to seal the deal) and so its possible to get tyres with 80% tread for 50% of the RRP.

I recently picked up a pair of slightly used Bridgestone Potenza RE01s in 245/45 R17 for $350, that still have plenty of meat on them. Not bad considering the brand new 255/45 R17's I bought cost that much each....

[CUDDLS]

Well, that's what i'm trying to figure out, which sort I should go for.

I'm thinking to go for ones that will e great in wet weather - probably semi-comp. I had GIII's on my previous car.

I'm trying not to put a budget on them, just whatever the cheapest I can get some good tyres for.

Would like to start ringing around a few places today and get some quotes. So, any suggestions to which ones would be good?

Ta.

[TokyoTaxi]

I got TOYO TPG's from Blair's in Peakhurst NSW for $1,000 even for 235/45/17 x 2 & 255/40/17 x 2 if that helps. For less money in those sizes I'd suggest Nangkang NSII's.

Hope that helps

[scathing]

The Goodyear Eagle F1s seem to do well in the wet no matter what car they're on (from Motor and Wheels tests), and I saw them first hand when I had a friend breathing down my neck when we were doing Putty in the rain.

I also drove on Dunlop Sport 3000As, which were a nice progressive tyre. They're a hard rubber compound so there's good life in them, and they squeal as they're approaching the limits so you get plenty of warning if you're corner carving. They were also good in the wet, as I noticed when I was driving up the Hume in a downpour.

If Dunlop was still making the DZ101s I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I loved these tyres, and its a shame they were discontinued. Better than the 3000As in every respect, aside from tyre life. Softer compound, more dry weather grip, at least as good wet weather grip if not more. If you find some in stock then they come highly recommended.

[Kennedy]

Go second hand if you don't really care that much. I just replace my fronts with BridgeStone GIII's 17/40/235 for $30 each with 80% tread. Ring around and you should find something decent second hand.

[blind_elk]

Those tyres seem a bit small (profile-wise). Most common size is 235/45x17.

Anyway, if you want good advice, have a chat to Craig out at Trackside Tyres in Bayswater, or Andrew at Traction Tyres in Rowville.

If you've been happy with the GIIIs, then stay with them (although I know they aren't cheap). I'm not sure what everyone has against Falken 326s, but I've always found them a quite good general purpose road tyre (they seemed pretty hopeless on the track, but then so did the GIIIs)

[JCMarshall_Law]

Go for the Goodyear Eagle F1's they are relativly cheap, I got mine for $210 each fitted and balanced 235/45/17 (RRP $275 - just ring around till you get a good price).

They grip well in the dry, very well in the rain, excellent wear for a reasonably soft street tyre. Only problem they are not great on the track (especially a dry track) because the tread rolls too much, just take a look at the pattern to work out why - although they are better than similar swept profile treads because the tread is joined in the middle (again look at the tread to see what I mean).

Oh, and BTW, it is worth reading through all 11 pages of that tyre rating thread. Don't be lazy.

[CUDDLS]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Yes, i made a mistake with the profile size - they were 235/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rears.

I got myself a set of Pirelli P Zero Rossos for a very good price, then got the whole allignment and balance done straight after and i can definately feel the difference with the stearing wheel not shaking as much.