Tyres - Which Brand?

[WelshGas]

My 2007 SE180 has 16in wheels and when bought last year had Hankook tyres. I haven't been very happy with them on wet roads, sometimes they just feel a little uncertain, and I've had problems on wet grass where most of my camping is done, so I've been thinking about changing to all-terrain tyres.
Today I had an emergency trip to my friendly local tyrefitters, as someone noticed a nail in my front tyre - bit scary, I drove 170 miles on Friday and home again on Sunday and have NO idea whether this was in the tyre at the time!

They mended the tyre for me as the nail was right in the middle of the tread, and I had the discussion about all-terrains, only to find that they aren't available in the 215/65R16 in a high enough load rating, so it was suggested I go for a commercial Michelin winter tyre but use it all year. Although the compound is softer it probably won't matter as I only do about 5000 miles a year - and I only need to put them on the front.

It sounds good to me, anyone have any comments?

And what happens at the back when you have more grip at the front and drive a little more confidently on a wet road?
By all means go with your tyre fitters recommendation but don't forget a mixture of front -winter tyres and rear - non winter is not good.

 

[Yorkie]

Hi,

My Cali is a similar age to yours. It is a Berghaus SE 180, 2011. I have done 48000 miles and need a fourth set of tyres now. I had the same originals as yours I suspect. 255/45 R18 Conti Sports fitted to the 18" Dakar Alloys. Since then I have fitted two sets of Uniroyal Rain Sport 3s. Each set has done ca. 16000 miles. I too have been alarmed at the rate of wear on the front of the vehicle, so have swapped front to back at 9000 miles or thereabouts. Not great mileage but then I travel back and forth between the Scottish East and West coasts and tend not to hang about as it is usually a 4-5 hour drive.

The Conti Sports were positively dangerous on anything the least bit slippery. Suffice to say, when it snowed I could barely get out of my completely flat drive. The Rainsports were much better on slippery surfaces but seem quite noisey.

I am now wondering what to replace them with.

What did you settle for? Anyone else?

Mountainman is looking for advice for replacement tyres, I too am thinking of replacing. My dilemma is around when I should take off my mud & snow tyres and what summer tyres to put on? It seems a bit short lived as June is nearly here and I believe I have been told to put M&S back on in September. All a bit confusing

 

[jts46]

These are the tyres i use
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/kumho/portran-kc53/215/65/R16/T/109/f?tyre=33579963

 

[B J G]

Summer tyres or what is normally factory fitted currently are designed to operate above 7degrees C. Below that the rubber is cold and hard giving less grip.
Winter tyres are obviously designed to operate below 7degrees C.
The great problem in UK is our unpredictable weather and temperatures. it can be 2 degrees one day and 14 the next.
As winter tyres will 'overheat' at summer temperatures they will wear rapidly.
In theory then 7 degrees average daily temp would be the winter to summer and back to winter change over point which doesn't have a specific date.
Personally I'd say when the daily temperatures are staying over or under 10 degrees it's time to plan a tyre change.

Tyre manufacturers are now starting to produce all season tyres, which they used to be the norm pre the advent of low rolling resistance tyres.

 

[Teejay]

I've lost the point of this thread and am not about to spend hours reading it. When I need to change I'm going either Michelin Cross Climate or Goodyear Vectors GEN2. If I find I need the full winter tyre I will get a set of steels and shod appropriately.

..message ends..

 

[Yorkie]

These are the tyres i use
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/kumho/portran-kc53/215/65/R16/T/109/f?tyre=33579963

Those are good value, i am hoping for a better ride when i switch over; are they a good ride and a decent grip?

 

[BikerGran]

I've lost the point of this thread and am not about to spend hours reading it. When I need to change I'm going either Michelin Cross Climate or Goodyear Vectors GEN2. If I find I need the full winter tyre I will get a set of steels and shod appropriately.

..message ends..

I hoped to go for Michelin Cross Climate but apparently they don't come in the size/weight rating combo I need.

 

[B J G]

I hoped to go for Michelin Cross Climate but apparently they don't come in the size/weight rating combo I need.

Assuming you have 16" rims you could probably use 225/60/16 102 load rated. Speedo would theoretically under read but as they are usually over reading it could well be more precise. Shouldn't give any clearance problems unless it is lowered.
Alternative go to 17" rims.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-crossclimateplus#sl

 

[WelshGas]

I hoped to go for Michelin Cross Climate but apparently they don't come in the size/weight rating combo I need.

Have you checked the tyre sizes suitable for your wheels? There is a label on the Drivers side B door pillar and it usually has 3 sizes that are compatible. I'm sure I read somewhere that Michelin now market a Cross Climate that is suitable for the California, Goodyear certainly do.

 

[panadero]

Additional question: Just choose any normal "103" summertire (like the Continental Contact) in the right size? Or better choose a special van/light truck "103" tire (like the Continental Vanco)? Thx.

 

[Teejay]

I hoped to go for Michelin Cross Climate but apparently they don't come in the size/weight rating combo I need.

When did you last check. I'm sure last time I checked I was able to get 235 x 55 x17 with the xl rating and the correct speed. If you have 215 x 65 they should be there too.

Not sure if this link will work.
http://m.michelin.co.uk/tyres/miche...-26443-893067-446758&originalFitment=complete

 

[aileron346]

Interesting thread; I've always assumed that with the Weight of the Cali and its camping kit, reinforced/van tyres are pretty much essential. I think mine are Goodyear Cargo Marathon. These seem to be wearing very well. I'll be checking my pillar sticker but personally would stick with reinforced tyres for a van if this weight if in any doubt.


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[WelshGas]

Interesting thread; I've always assumed that with the Weight of the Cali and its camping kit, reinforced/van tyres are pretty much essential. I think mine are Goodyear Cargo Marathon. These seem to be wearing very well. I'll be checking my pillar sticker but personally would stick with reinforced tyres for a van if this weight if in any doubt.


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As long as the tyre has the correct load weighting, 103 and above then there is no problem.

The Commercial C tyres are really from a bygone age before the advent of People Carriers and SUVs like the Range Rover that can be as heavy as a loaded California, but travel at high speeds.
Commercial C tyres have stiffer side walls than other tyres, but likely to have worse traction, noise and fuel efficiency. As long as the tyres are 103 H or above there is no problem and they are totally legal.

 

[aileron346]

OK. Interesting. Just checked my pillar sticker which specifies 215/65 R16C. Was advised at last tyre change (credible local specialist) that the C specified commercial (i.e. Van & reinforced) and advisable not to ignore for lots of reasons including insurance. However, some of the other tyre size options on the sticker don't have the C, so I wonder if it depends on the size. I'm interested because I suspect they do feel stiffer than non reinforced and if safe I'd prefer a smoother ride...but above all would want to avoid tyre failure.


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[WelshGas]

OK. Interesting. Just checked my pillar sticker which specifies 215/65 R16C. Was advised at last tyre change (credible local specialist) that the C specified commercial (i.e. Van & reinforced) and advisable not to ignore for lots of reasons including insurance. However, some of the other tyre size options on the sticker don't have the C, so I wonder if it depends on the size. I'm interested because I suspect they do feel stiffer than non reinforced and if safe I'd prefer a smoother ride...but above all would want to avoid tyre failure.


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ALL the tyre sizes on that Sticker are suitable for your vehicle as determined by VW. ALL are Legal and Fit for Purpse. You Do Not need to notify your Insurance company as long as you stick to those sizes. The Load Rating, 103 , can be exceeded i.e.: 104/105 but not less. Similarly the speed rating H can be exceeded i.e.: V or W but not less.

The 215 is a narrower tyre compared to the others, supposedly better in snow.
The sticker you have relates to your vehicle, with the wheels it was built with.
You will have a greater choice of tyres and a better ride with the Non-C tyres.

 

[motacyclist]

I just bought a new set for ours. As Costco is only 2 miles away I used them, they supplied Michelin Primacy + £480 fitted etc.

The originals were Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, so it will be interesting to see how the Michelin compare for wear.

 

[aileron346]

I assume only the lines with the same rim size as current; my sticker has 3 different rim size options and the wider tyres than mine are linked to different rim sizes. Jeez it gets complex this tyre spec buisness!


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[aileron346]

I. E. 6.5J x16 , 7J x16 etc


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[B J G]

The sticker would probably apply to the original van and shows all the factory fitted combinations that can be optionally fitted. In the UK it's not a must fit only these sizes.
I would doubt the sticker is one specially for the Cali conversion.

The 6.5J & 7J sizes would relate to steel or alloy rims.

 

[WelshGas]

This is a picture of my sticker. I have factory fitted 17" alloys and steel spare.
It came, from the factory with 235/55/R17 103H sized tyres. I now have the same size tyres but Goodyear Cargo Vector 2. Changed after 20,000 miles and still had 4mm tread. Changed in December and I don't like wearing them down to anywhere near the UK legal limit, not in a 3 ton vehicle with our roads and weather. Mines used almost everyday and I average 20,000 a year.

 

[Velma's Dad]

WG, I have the same factory 17-inch wheel spec (and sticker) as yours - 235/55s. I was considering the Goodyear Cargo Vector 2 which you use... but only seem to be able to find them in 225/55 not 235/55.

Can you tell me where you get yours from? VMT.

 

[WelshGas]

WG, I have the same factory 17-inch wheel spec (and sticker) as yours - 235/55s. I was considering the Goodyear Cargo Vector 2 which you use... but only seem to be able to find them in 225/55 not 235/55.

Can you tell me where you get yours from? VMT.

My local garage that I use ordered them in. They use a Tyre Wholesaler but I don't know which one.

 

[WelshGas]

WG, I have the same factory 17-inch wheel spec (and sticker) as yours - 235/55s. I was considering the Goodyear Cargo Vector 2 which you use... but only seem to be able to find them in 225/55 not 235/55.

Can you tell me where you get yours from? VMT.

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rs...rd&Label=C-B-69-1&details=Ordern&typ=R-238842

 

[Velma's Dad]

Okay thanks I'll try asking the garage we use.

Unfortunately Goodyear's website is useless - they don't list the available sizes for their individual products!

 

[Velma's Dad]

Just seen your second post with the link, thanks WG. Those are the Vector 4 Seasons G2 not the Cargo Vector 2... but I guess they would be good, they are a reinforced tyre so I assume load rating is fine.