Are cheap tyres really that crap?

[rj1986]

That time again of choosing which tyres to have.

After getting stitched up last time and getting undersized Toyo Proxies (which are actually really good, just loaded to 106 rather than 110, and have worn on the inner toe, the rest is still got about 4mm after 35-40k), i have narrowed down to a choice of 2.

These will be rear only, and driving is a mix of crawling traffic and moderate a-roads, and the occasional trip on the m25.

The choices are Falken 453cc's for £145 ea.
or
Pace Azura at £91 ea.

Question is, are "cheap" tyres really that bad, or will the car fall over as soon as i turn the key?

[Horizon]

There are independant tyre tests/ reviews on the Internet for most tyres. It's worth typing in the make and size, along with the words review into Google before considering purchasing.
Some cheaper, budget tyres favour well in the ratings

[AW8]

I see little point in running a premium car on poor tyres.

I have never driven my X5 with poor tyres.

Some premium tyres come at premium price but may not offer a great deal more than mid range offerings.

I haven't seen of or spoken to anyone who has tried those Falken 453cc tyres yet but I suspect there are reviews out there. Have 4 x Falken ZE912 (since replaced by 914) tyres on another car here and I can say they have been okay - main issue is they get noisier as they wear - but so do many other brands.

The Toyo ST1 do still seem popular.

Hankook is a brand well on the up (fitted by some manufacturers) and worth a look. No idea what sizes they come in.

I have driven on cheaper rubber - usually on cars sourced used running same. No absolute horror stories but had a few moments.

In my experience many used cars shod with budget tyres seldom have a matching set of 4 which are of decent depth/condition, with acceptable inflation & on balanced/aligned/non damaged wheels. Thus some may have bad things to say but the name on a sidewall or two is only part of the overall picture.

I appreciate decent tyres but am not a tyre snob. I am very aware that some premium brand tyres can be questionable in terms of quality relative to the outlay.

Some cheap tyres can be relatively dire but the reality is that many don't call on anywhere near the limits of specific tyres limits except in an emergency (where differences are most important to many).

I wouldn't reject a low price tyre solely because others cost more.

Not heard of the second brand before and could only find half a dozen reviews which varied widely.

My best advice would be to run all 4 tyres of same make/type (and with correct load rating and -  but you know that).

[AW8]

Further to my above and having just seen a thread on pistonheads I would ask you what is wrong with the hankooks on the front ? ( I had not seen this when I typed re this brand initially).

If the Hankooks are fine then simply by another pair of those, have a matching set of 4 and be done with it.

You can maybe consider other brands when you need to buy another set.

[Riggie]

What are the views on fitting non- starred tyres?  (BMW approved)

I've also read scare stories about transfer box problems when non approved tyres are fitted.

I intend to ditch the runflats when the time comes to replace all four on mine, I have even bought the spacesaver kit, as that plus non RF is still cheaper than a set of RFs.

Any experiences of running non approved without problems?

[shadrack]

Ive never had an issur with any budget tyres. But I never mix them. I change them in 4s and do read reviews as some budget tyres have good ratings.

im shafted now tho as the ml has continentals on that a oe merc size only they do

[RenoHuskerDu]

I believe that you can find good deal on less expensive tyres. But every tire review I have read notes the very low end Chinese tyres as pure junk. So my advice is to shop carefully, but don't bottom fish.

I consider brands like Nokian, Falken, Uniroyal, Vredestein, to be good alternatives to the majors. That is not an exclusive list. Read the reviews (I translate DAC tyre reviews) and decide for yourself.

[damian777]

The two things that would make me  shudder  to think about  on a  big heavy performance 4 X 4  is fitting  cheap tyres  or cheap brake pads !    By the time  you find out either  is not up to scratch your probably looking down on earth  with a pair of wings on your back ! O:-)  Either your pads dont grip the discs in which case you hit something in slow motion while watching blurred lamposts drift  by  or your pads grip like mad to be let down by cheap  rubber that just melts and again you end up meters past your prefered stopping point !  >:D
D

[X5Sport]

I don't have an issue with using cheaper tyres, as long as they are from one of the reputable brands.  What would scare me is the use of the budget or bargain basement tyres as those are likely to be fine on a 20 year old Ford Escort, but not on a two tonne chunk of metal running in the wet and needing to stop in a hurry.

Personally I only ever fit what the manufacturer approves, the same with brakes.

Richard

[celica]

I'm contemplating mid range next

These being half the price of premiums but from reviews they aren't half the tyre and actually in some testing areas are better than premium

I would stay clear of budgets

As above mid range would be falken, uniroyal, toyo, vredestein, hankook

Unless you're pushing on hard all the time I think mid range should be good

[535dboy]

Michelin

[briankerrys47]

[quote="celica"]
I'm contemplating mid range next

These being half the price of premiums but from reviews they aren't half the tyre and actually in some testing areas are better than premium

I would stay clear of budgets

As above mid range would be falken, uniroyal, toyo, vredestein, hankook

Unless you're pushing on hard all the time I think mid range should be good
[/quote]Nexum front £242 rear £270

[rj1986]

[quote="AW8"]
Further to my above and having just seen a thread on pistonheads I would ask you what is wrong with the hankooks on the front ? ( I had not seen this when I typed re this brand initially).

If the Hankooks are fine then simply by another pair of those, have a matching set of 4 and be done with it.

You can maybe consider other brands when you need to buy another set.
[/quote]

the thread on PH went as expected tbh (WHY ARE STILL ALIVE?! HOW HAS YOUR CAR NOT EXPLODED!!!)

I did consider Hankooks, but they were £120 more so i went to order the falkens.

Phoned my tyre guy to see if he can price match Openeo - he said he would look, but also google Achilles Desert Hawk UHP.
A few Q7's he knows uses them and are meant to be very good.

Done a bit of googling, and have to say they seem to come back with some very good results for the price

[JonP50]

It really does depend on the tyre and how you drive! Heavy right foot, don't go cheap, good driver, then there's lots out there that will work perfectly well. Some were talking about Hankook's, found this blog  http://whichtyres.com/2012/01/are-hanko ... -any-good/

For me, I'd look at Vredestein's as you can run winter ones all year! The other alternative is all season, another blog here as well http://whichtyres.com/2012/04/what-are- ... son-tyres/ they seem to like Hankook and Vredestein.

Personally, I'd go minimum mid-range tyres

Jon

[99ron]

I am running Falkens and they have been fine. Great in the wet and not noticed any difference vs previous Conti Runflats.  Think the tyre walls are still quite stiff. Going to try a set of those new Michelins next though.
Falken 453CCs have done 12K and there's about 1000 miles left in the rears.