Tyre choice

jphegers

jphegers

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I have to get two new tyres for my car and because the car is presently shod with 185/55/R15 tyres witch are very difficult to find and also very expensive i was advised to change to 195/50/R15 tyres because they are quite a bit cheaper.
The tyres that I want to replace are on the front wheels and I want to know whether I can have the 195/50's. on the front and the 185/55's at the back.
Secondly it is a toss-up between either Pirelli;s or Michelin's.
Any suggestions and advice will be most welcome.
 
you can put 195's on. Your grip will be better, but your fuel bill will also increase a tad.
 
jphegers said:
The tyres that I want to replace are on the front wheels and I want to know whether I can have the 195/50's. on the front and the 185/55's at the back.
Secondly it is a toss-up between either Pirelli;s or Michelin's.
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That shouldn't be too much of a problem, but I'd rather move the wider tyres to the rear.

Michelin.
 
Which model of Michelin and Pirelli are you looking at?
In general at that tire size the Micehlin is a harder compound tire and the Pirelli is medium to softer compound so all depends on what tire compound you prefer to ride on then that would determine your choice.
 
Kido said:
Which model of Michelin and Pirelli are you looking at?
In general at that tire size the Micehlin is a harder compound tire and the Pirelli is medium to softer compound so all depends on what tire compound you prefer to ride on then that would determine your choice.
Click to expand...
Looking at the Pirelli P6000 and the Michelin Pilot exalto 2
 
Kido said:
Which model of Michelin and Pirelli are you looking at?
In general at that tire size the Micehlin is a harder compound tire and the Pirelli is medium to softer compound so all depends on what tire compound you prefer to ride on then that would determine your choice.
Click to expand...

would a harder compound give your tires a longer life span but less grip? and visa versa with the softer compound?
 
SoftDux-Rudi said:
try and get the widest tires that will fit the rims. You'll have better grip + control and save some money on fuel as well. 195 will fit on 185
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The tyre price made the decision regarding the tyre size, a 185 tyre cost more than R250 more than a 195 for the exact make of tyre. Now all I have to find out between a Michelin and the Pirelli would the more durable tyre.
 
jphegers said:
Looking at the Pirelli P6000 and the Michelin Pilot exalto 2
Click to expand...

Your answer didn't specify what tire compund you prefer.
But based on the 2 you are looking the Michellin is a better tire over the P6000
 
Please don't put different size tyres front and back.

It is going to mess up your handling as you will then have different handling characteristics front and rear which is a recipe for disaster.

By all means go up to the 195 if you are dropping from 55 to 50, but do it to ALL FOUR TYRES.
 
I had Bridgestone MY-01's on my previous Velociti and those things clung onto the road like no other tyre I had on there. But yeah, Pirellis and Michellin very good tyres as well.
 
Creature said:
I had Bridgestone MY-01's on my previous Velociti and those things clung onto the road like no other tyre I had on there. But yeah, Pirellis and Michellin very good tyres as well.
Click to expand...

I think people are forgetting that you need to pay attention to the weight of your car as well. A Voleciti is much lighter than a Ford Focus, hence the tyres you chose need to done carefully.
 
Fazda said:
Please don't put different size tyres front and back.

It is going to mess up your handling as you will then have different handling characteristics front and rear which is a recipe for disaster.

By all means go up to the 195 if you are dropping from 55 to 50, but do it to ALL FOUR TYRES.
Click to expand...

Why does high performance cars like the M3 Merc and Ferrari then have wider tyres at the back than in front?
 
jphegers said:
Why does high performance cars like the M3 Merc and Ferrari then have wider tyres at the back than in front?
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for extra traction :)


And yes, you can put wider tires on the back of your car than on the front, but their wear & tear won't be the same. Also, having wider than specified tires in front may cause extra strain on the steering wheel, i.e. it will turn a bit harder so unless your car is made for it, don't do it. But, going from a 185 -> 195 doesn't really make a huge difference. Going from 185 -> 265 is a different story. Most cars won't turn nicely with that size tires in front and you'll probably wear your steering rack & column out quicker.

But, a 245 on the back could give you some extra traction, and if your car is a nice and wide (don't do this on a corsa / getz / etc) then you'll also have a bit more control around corners, but not much.
 
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