Tyre Choice

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For the first time ever the moons have positioned themselves such that we need all four tyres changing on the car at the same time.

Auto Express number one summer tyre is Conti Premium Contact 5 for our size: 205/ 55 R16 91V.

Their other top choice is an "all-season" tyre: Michelin Cross Climate +.

Black Circles have got the MCC+ tyre on a multi-buy discount: four work out at £78.40 each fully fitted.

The Contis are 68.83 each fully fitted from another supplier.

Of those two, which would you buy or would you go for something else altogether?
 
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Where do you live and is it rural or urban ? Is snow a frequent occurrence ? Does the car get pushed to its limits ?
 
Secure,
I find tyres are so personal to your driving and situation that recommending tyres is near impossible.
I feel that everyone's experience is so limited (eg I change tyres only every 2 years so hard for me to compare), and when someone has spent >£300 they will 'loudly believe' that they have bought the best correct tyres (me included).

BUT for me I currently like the "Michelin Cross Climate +" as I occasionally see snow and when I do the tyres and car very performs well, and the car then also performs well in Summer, without changing tyres. However, My car performed better with Snow tyres in Winter (better grip) and Summer tyres in summer (better tracking and water dispersion). But the "Michelin Cross Climate +" provides me with a compromise that I am very happy with.

So for me:
Pros of Michelin Cross Climate +:
-Great when there is any snow, car moves well when everyone else is wheel spinning and back ends drifting.
-For me great to get out of snow filled car parks at end of day when it has suddenly started snowing whilst I am at work.
-No need to change tyres between summer and winter
-No need to have two sets of tyres
-Also Works quite well on muddy fields (eg when camping)

Cons of Michelin Cross Climate +:
-More Expensive
-Comes with [EDIT- delete ("a few")] a mm less grip than other tyres so likely need replacing after less miles.
-I find less it has less tracking than summer tyres, so have to steer more (if that makes sense) so a bit more tiring.
-Not as good in snow, not as good on dry roads than dedicated winter/summer tyres.

Conclusion
I am not happy to recommend tyres as everyone has different uses/expectations, but for me, although they are a definite compromise, they are very useful and got me home when weather has turned bad.

SFK
 
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Secure,
Also, that is a great price as in my local area Black Circles is showing £113each fitted (less £25 if I get four = £107).

Where are you getting the "Black Circles MCC+ tyre at £78.40 each fully fitted"???

(i guess it might be because my tyres are bigger)
SFK
 
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Secure,

-Comes with a few mm less grip than other tyres so will need replacing after less miles


SFK

That's interesting to read. What is the new depth ? I measured my Nokian snow-tyres ( 195/65 - 15 )
when I got them and they had 6.5 mm total.
 
Mointain Walker,
Now I am a bit worried that I am spreading falsehoods from other internet blogs (and from my memory).
So I am prepared to be proved wrong as I cannot find a spec sheet.

So having a quick google search:
This site shows MCC+ are 7.6mm when summer tyres are 8mm:
https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/87066-tread-depth-on-new-michelin-crossclimates/

And here
"Tread depth is low from new and this may improve on dry braking and handling at the expense of long life."
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Michelin/CrossClimate.htm


SFK
 
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Found it.
Note that this is a 2015 review, and for MCC not MCC+:

"[MCC] Original tread depth is 7mm"
ref: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2015-02/michelin-crossclimate-tyres/

where tyres are typically 8mm
ref: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=23144

As the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, however, most motoring organisations recommend changing your tyres at 2mm, then
=100% * (7mm-2mm)/(8mm-2mm)
=100% * 5mm/6mm
=83%
So 17% difference (less) in available wear (if all things are equal which they are not with tyres).
 
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Where are you getting the "Black Circles MCC+ tyre at £78.40 each fully fitted"???
Well, as I say, the FR-V has 205/ 55 R16 91V, so if yours are bigger, that could well inflate (see what I did there?) the price.
I ordered them online from BC, to be fitted at my preferred tyre depot.

OOI, what size are your tyres?
 
My tyre depot said that he could not match BC's price, but if I ordered them from BC and my tyre depot fitted them, he would make more that way???
He also said that BC was now owned by Michelin, so could crank up the discount on their own rubber.
 
My tyre depot said that he could not match BC's price, but if I ordered them from BC and my tyre depot fitted them, he would make more that way???

mine said the same. I've been going there for years and didn't want him to be out of pocket.

BTW I've found Michelin give better mileage on the grades I buy, as well as better grip. Always the more expensive option, though.
 
Their other top choice is an "all-season" tyre: Michelin Cross Climate +

I got 4 of these for my wifes Honda. Cant really comment on snow holding, but wet and dry both really good, wear rate seems good, road noise is low.

Ive just got some bridgstone weather control A005 tyres also pretty good. I got them from tyresonthedrive, a really convenient way to get tyres done. I get them to come to my work and they do them there.
 
SFK

Thanks for your detailed reply. Perhaps winter-tyres have less tread anyway - I'll have a look at that sometime. I have to say though that the grip on snow with the Nokians is outstanding and anything that saves me hugging the wheels to put chains on, certainly gets my vote.
 
guess it must be personal , frankly I've never noticed any difference in any of the tyres I've bought over 30+ years. Tyres are tyres to me.
 
Winter tyres are a must for us up in the Tundra :whistle: I must say, the difference is outstanding. Your average FWD has almost as much grip as a 4x4 with standard rubber.
Cross climate tyres are really the future - at a price.
John :)
 
As said, must be what you experience, never really get much if any snow, so don't notice any difference. Wouldn't have thought Stockport would get much snow, but if venturing further afield say across the pennies, could well be a different story
 
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