Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres

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Tue 14 Sep 2010 12:52
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Buster

I have a C4 picasso leased from Motability that needed a couple of new front tyres. I was advised to take the vehicle to KwikFit to get new tyres fitted. I had no say on the choice of replacement tyre. Motability authorised KwikFit to fit Marangoni Verso tyres, a budget make that I have never heard of before. On looking up the reviews on the internet, they are very badly rated for wet weather braking. I feel a bit short changed as I would have chosen Michelins as they were the original fit and feel that my safety has been compromised by fitting such a cheap tyre.

Does anybody elese have experience with this make of tyre, good or bad?

Edited by Buster on 14/09/2010 at 12:53

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Tue 14 Sep 2010 14:20
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - focusman
give motability a call and see what they say. normally they would specify a leading make. i have just had my front tyres changed, continentals all round from new. fronts replaced with goodyears.
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Wed 15 Sep 2010 00:12
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - autumnboy

I too have the same vehicle 1.6Hdi VTR+

Recently I had 3 of my tyres changed from Dunlops to Michelins (original fitments), but the Fourth was not changed for a further 1500miles to a Continental.

During the last service the dealer asked why there was an odd tyre fitted, I explained the reasons. They told me that Citroen recommend Michelin for this model, so as already suggested speak to motabilty about this. Unless you are near the end of your lease and thats the reason they have fitted budget tyres???

Edited by autumnboy on 15/09/2010 at 00:13

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Wed 15 Sep 2010 13:41
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - redviper

. They told me that Citroen recommend Michelin for this model,

They would, Michelin is a French company, Citroen is a French company - they all stick together.

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Wed 15 Sep 2010 13:57
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Buster

Yes, autumnboy, there is only five months left on my lease. That is probably the reason why they are keeping the costs down as the vehicle will go straight to auction when I hand it in. Trying to make up my mind on what to lease next.

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Wed 15 Sep 2010 19:24
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - quizman
If I were at auction and saw a car with Marangoni ditchfinders on, I would NOT buy it.

Stick to a decent brand.
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Wed 15 Sep 2010 21:32
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - autumnboy

Even so as you have 5 mths left, I would not think Motability would fit budget tyres as a safety aspect and false economy with tyre wear. Might be worth a phone call, I've always found them very helpful.

.As for whats next, I thought of another Picasso, but opted for a Vaxuall Insignia 2.0 CDTI with the front and rear sensors due in November.

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 00:46
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Dutchie

Hello,had no problems with the kwikfit centre here,i would't accept budget tyres wy should you? Have a word with motability.

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 14:34
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Buster

Well, I have had a word with Motability and they assure me that the Marangoni Verso tyres are not budget tyres, but "mid range" tyres and they are happy with the fit. They stated that Marangoni is owned by Pirelli.

Despite this, I am still not happy. Luckily, Motability have made a note on my file registering my concern, so when they prise the remains of my Picasso out of the back of a truck on the motorway in the pouring rain, they will be able to read on my file that "I told you so!".

Back to my original query, has anyone any actual experience of these Marangoni Verso tyres?

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 15:25
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

Mixed tyre reviews from the usual place.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Marangoni/Verso.htm

Edited by Glaikit Wee Scunner {P} on 16/09/2010 at 15:26

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Wed 22 Sep 2010 00:12
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - craneboy

Had these fitted on the rear of a 405 doing a 40mile commute every day and never had the slightest problem with them. I think they are a pefectly decent mid-range European manufactered brand. I would be more concerned if they were fitting "real" budgets like Chinese made Wanli's or Linglongs.

What exactly does a manufacturer like Citroen mean by specifying Michelins for a certain car? Do they mean Michelin in general or a particular product?... and what happens when that tyre is discontinued, or the tread pattern changes? does this mean the car is no longer safe to drive? I sometimes wonder if car manufacturers recommending a specific tyre maker is nothing more than both parties scratching each others backs..ie, the car manufacturer gets large discounts when buying tyres for factory fitment in return for recommending the product in the replacement market.

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Wed 22 Sep 2010 18:39
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - wrangler_rover

If the car isn't your property and belongs to somebody else, surely it's up to them which tyres they have fitted to the car as long as they meet the standards appropriate for use on British roads. I guess if the make of tyres fitted to the car gave you such a problem, you could always pay for your tyres of choice out of your own pocket.

There are many company car drivers who drive cars owned and managed by third party companies. Those drivers not only have no say in what make of tyres are put on the car, where the car is serviced and also when the tyres are changed. People on this forum talk about changing their tyres when they get down to 3mm, luxury! Some fleet management companies will not change tyres until they are down to 2mm or even the legal limit.

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 13:34
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - bikerider

Well, I have had a word with Motability and they assure me that the Marangoni Verso tyres are not budget tyres, but "mid range" tyres and they are happy with the fit. They stated that Marangoni is owned by Pirelli.

Despite this, I am still not happy. Luckily, Motability have made a note on my file registering my concern, so when they prise the remains of my Picasso out of the back of a truck on the motorway in the pouring rain, they will be able to read on my file that "I told you so!".

Back to my original query, has anyone any actual experience of these Marangoni Verso tyres?

Regardless of what tyres may be fitted to your vehicle should'nt you be leaving a safe braking distance between you and the vehicle in front!

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 23:32
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - Ben79

. They told me that Citroen recommend Michelin for this model,

They would, Michelin is a French company, Citroen is a French company - they all stick together.

They use Bridgestones on the DS3, not sure about the new C3.

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 11:15
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - captain chaos

I'm sure that Michelin has a major stake in Citroen ever since Andre almost bankrupted himself trying to develop an automatic transmission then finished the job off in various casinos

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 12:25
Citroen C4 Picasso - Motabilty choice of tyres - getafix
Right captain chaos, allthough Citroen is fully owned by PSA now. Any tyre from a major brand with identical features that a Michelin would fit the bill
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