I seem to remember that you can put 225/45/17s staight on these as well. Some models had them as standard fit. Think it was DD who mentioned he'd done that on his Vectra and that it had improved the handling noticeably. Sorry Dave, if I've got that wrong..Prices seem similar brand for brand.
Edit - would of course change all 4 in that instance.
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 04/10/2008 at 21:42
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I seem to remember that you can put 225/45/17s staight on these as well. Some models had them as standard fit. Think it was DD ....
Yep, was me - 225/45/17's are cheaper than 215/50/17's because there is more choice available.
The main reason for the handling improving was because I got shot of the NCT5's that were previously fitted. Awful tyres, IMHO.
I thought you were selling/sold the Signum?
That aside, there are also many debates of what brand of tyres to fit over on Vectra-C.com.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 05/10/2008 at 03:37
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Thanks Dave. I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure ! To be truthful I'm not 100% happy with the Signum. It's very very clever in some ways and much more economical than I could have hoped. My main gripes are that the handling isn't as sweet as as the Mondeo and nor is it as comfortable on a long run. Common sense says that I should keep it for a bit though as I would lose too much by selling now. I've managed to add 10k to the odometer in 2 months so it can't be that bad ! Maybe the tyre size change option would go some way to improving things. Bit too vague and understeery for my taste at the moment. There have also been a number of minor but niggly faults which in themselves were insignificant but something I had not experienced on a succession of Mondeos which have just got on with the job without issues.
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 05/10/2008 at 09:36
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DD, did changing the tyre size to 45 aspect from 50 not make the ride harder, or did the improvements make up for it.
My MB's standard size is 195/65 x 15, seems barely believable on a car likely to hit 150, they made the ride very comfortable but the handling was so so and the car would roll a lot on bends.
Its now on 225/45 x 17 toyo's for summer use, and the ride quality is admittedly not great any more, but the handling and grip and zero roll make up for it.
Just out of interest i removed a almost new set of goodyear F1's as when the tyres were cold, even summer, wheelspin far too easily and they would take a couple of miles to loose the overnight flat spots, was like driving on threepenny bits until they got warm, that probably wouldn't worry someone who does Humph's mileage, as once warm transformed to excellent, but as a commute car it annoyed a lot.
I would have thought the signum's ride would be very good Humph, don't suppose you've tried a saloon in comparison but as the signum and vectra estate have a longer wheelbase than the saloon, i have found them to be very smooth over undulating ground, is there anyone you know who has fitted the 225/45's who would let you drive their car to see if the ride is much worse.
Just a thought, very little give in a 45.
Always intersting to hear which tyres satisfy, last time i looked they were the only things touching the road.;)
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DD did changing the tyre size to 45 aspect from 50 not make the ride harder or did the improvements make up for it.
The ride is fairly hard anyway, which for an Elite model was surprising. To be honest I haven't noticed any difference changing from 50 to 45 profile.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 05/10/2008 at 13:47
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Maybe the tyre size change option would go some way to improving things. Bit too vague and understeery for my taste at the moment.
I recall from your previous thread that your Signum has Goodyear NCT5's fitted - that'll be the reason why it's so 'vague and understeery'. My Vectra was the same until I changed to Goodyear GSD3's. Admittedly I've only changed the front tyres - the rears still have NCT5's fitted, but it has significantly transformed the handling of the car.
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Had Toyo Proxes on a Merc C-class at one time adatto. Very grippy but wore quite quickly I seem to recall.
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Try here Humph. tinyurl.com/4jl2wb
I value Vredesteins a lot, but one of the most respected posters on one of my MB forums swears by those Federal S595's, seem quite a bargain to me.
Not saying anything about Chinese ditchfinders this time..;)
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>>Chinese ditchfinders
;-)
That's torn it GB. Can't do it now.........
:-(
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 04/10/2008 at 22:03
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Try Maxxis - £45 a wheel on mine - 16" or £60 for 18" for the A3...
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Hankook, Kumho, Federal, Barum all good 'cheaper' brands, especially Kumhos, had these on the Pug for 30k now and still got 4mm left with excellent grip.
Have Runway Enduros on the C15, very cheap and good wear rate but grip is dodgy in the wet, which on the van isnt so bad as cant get any speed out of her but wouldnt put them on anything with a bit of oomph.
LingLong, Wanli, Kingstar, Tigar not very good at any price.
Definitely never ever fit Arrowspeed, terrible grip and wont last 15k even if you are light on the go fast pedal.
Check out Camskill, usually about the best price tyres delivered.
CBG
Edited by corblimeyguvnar on 04/10/2008 at 22:46
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Thanks cbg - gb's link took me there. Some good prices.
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Oops that'll teach me to check out others tiny links.
Plenty of other on line sellers too , Etyres, Mytyres, Blackcircles, Tyreexpress, Tyreshopper, Tyetraders, Pneus, all worth a look if you have a few minutes.
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Yes I will, had a look at BC earlier and they were where I saw some sub £60.
GB's put me off now though........
Might change my mind in the morning. Mrs B is in new furniture mode so choices may be influenced by how much she feels we need more cushions or whatever.....
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Hi HB, I run a Fiat Croma with 17" wheels 215/50/17 tyres but when I came to replace the Bridgestones originally fitted, I wanted Goodyear Eagle F1, for my size the price was around £120 each, I found I could fit 225/45/17 and I found these for £68 each. cheers
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Goodyears at that price Vincey ?
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Agree with CBG about mytyres especially worth a butchers, they sometimes have prices that are obviously mistakes which they do honour, i've picked up some great bargains occasionally, got 5 yokohama's for the pick up for 70 a corner that are usually 110/120 a corner, and in fact were a couple of days later.
My son bought a 528i with new 'corsa' tyres, unusual BM in that it had unintentional 4 wheel steering..;)
Are you avidly reading peoples assessments of your potential tyres on 'tyretest' Humph?
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tyretest, wassat then ?
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Google takes one to . . . www.tyretest.com/
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tyretest wassat then ?
tinyurl.com/4hm7rc
Don't take all views as gospel, you'll see what i mean, and some people can't fathom the scoring either, but its one of several sites i use to get a general feel for users views about their tyres.
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Crikey - those guys take their tyres seriously don't they. Think I shall just buy some round ones with a name I've heard of......
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Bullseye PU. Decent tyres it is. Cheap cushions
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Couldnt recommend Federals tbh. They seem very hardwearing, but seem to spin at the slightest provocation (ie: not when playing traffic lights grand prix). I amp currently trying to wear them out so that I can justify buying some decent rubber.
The old saying 'buy cheap, buy twice' seems very apt.
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H.B try Hot Lane Tyres in Burslem, its worth the price of the phone call.
;o)
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Thanks Dox, I will, and thanks to all other responders. This site really helps you to make the right decisions sometimes.
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Only scanned this thread though just to say I have been running Falken FK452s for a while now, excellent wet and dry, made in Japan and a premium brand tyre in Germany, Japan and the US though not heavily marketed here.
I had previously paid well over £100 for Contis and £90 for Bridgestones, also £90 a tyre for the first four Falkens though I have just got two replacement Falkens for £140!
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Just been out and checked the tread depth on all 4. Fronts are definitely due but even the backs are only just north of 2mm. Think the lower profile wider jobbies are in the frame.
;-)
Very cheap cushions will now be negotiated with SWMBO.............
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 05/10/2008 at 11:26
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National is still selling the Barum (part of Continental) and Avon tyres on a BOGOF basis.
I've had the Chinese Event 16in low profile XL tyres on my Bora for 11 months now - much quieter than the previous Michelin and Pirelli examples which I had and, at £40 a tyre fitted, a darn sight cheaper.
Two of my local tyre outlets sell them and in the case of one at least, which I and friends have used extensively, it wouldn't sell anything that would/might let down its reputation.
However, only a few days after I bought them, National sent me a news letter stating it had revived the Barum/Avon BOGOF offer...:-(
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Humph,
How about getting the old tyres recycled as granules and use the granules to refill the cushions?
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tinyurl.com/4q2dft
Tyre manufacturers are feeling the pinch, Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli etc are laying off or cutting back on shifts and production.
The price of oil, electricity and gas hit them hard
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I'll mention the granules idea. Can't see why there would be any objections.........
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