Your real-life tyre brand reviews

I been running conti contact sport 5 - 4x4 evtra load - 275 40 20.... hard to balance up, screw magnets .... 2 years use ... horrible but quiet ... good grip.
I just swapped out to Pirrelli Scorpion assymetricos 275 40 20 ....
a little more road noise but what a quality ride it has put back into my van, with the new 4motion running gear I fitted it has put the cream on the pie ...
 
I’ve just collected my new van, and it’s got a set of 20” dannovit Chinese cheapies on. (40 profile) New van 4 motion 200.

My old van is on 20” Conti sport contacts on (35 profile). Old van 2wd 150.

New van soon to be swapped out to Conti’s.

The Dannovit are probably the worst tyre I’ve driven, and quite why anybody would put this rubbish on a 60k plus van is beyond me. They feel dead. No feedback whatsoever and a very bizarre squirm under load. The vans are barges but they can be much better. These brand new Dannovits will be in the for sale section soon, mounted to the speed metals they came on. I’ve done 250 miles on them, mixed roads. They were at operating temp and inflated.

I’m tyre fussy, but if you’re opinion is that tyres are tyres and brands are a waste, you’d probably be better off in a Transit. These tyres have ruined a good van. Seem to have decent grip off the (straight) line in a 4Motion test tho
 
I've just changed from factory 16" steel rims with 215/65/16 to Ronal R69 18" alloys with 255/45/18 Hankook S1 Evo3 tyres. So far I am pretty happy with the Hankooks, though I do sense more direct contact feedback when hitting sharp edges/holes on the roads.

However despite having chose the Hankooks for the low "A" low fuel and noise rating, it has kind of surprised me that my average km/l went from 14,8 km/l to 12,6 km/l with a semi loaded van. Noise wise they are very decent, and I would say even better than the midrange tyres I had before.

I am considering going down to 235/55/18 tyres for my winter tyre setup in October - to mitigate some of the fuel efficiency loss.
 
I've just changed from factory 16" steel rims with 215/65/16 to Ronal R69 18" alloys with 255/45/18 Hankook S1 Evo3 tyres. So far I am pretty happy with the Hankooks, though I do sense more direct contact feedback when hitting sharp edges/holes on the roads.

However despite having chose the Hankooks for the low "A" low fuel and noise rating, it has kind of surprised me that my average km/l went from 14,8 km/l to 12,6 km/l with a semi loaded van. Noise wise they are very decent, and I would say even better than the midrange tyres I had before.

I am considering going down to 235/55/18 tyres for my winter tyre setup in October - to mitigate some of the fuel efficiency loss.

IMG_0153.webp

IMG_0152.webp
 
Changed all 4 tyres nigh on 1 year ago, Avon ZX7's.
Went to my local tyre fitter today to do a tyre swap as the new wheels have arrived.
And much to my chagrin, all 4 need replacing after 7000 miles.

My own fault as I didn't check for uneven wear throughout the year, the centre tread on all 4 were just below minimum with both the inside and outside showing bucket loads of tread.

Got Falkens being fitted tomorrow, in the future I will be checking the wear pattern on a monthly basis.
An expensive £800 lesson learned :thumbsdown:

Edit: It appears that they over inflated when I swapped wheels/tyres last year.
 
I've long been an advocate of Michelin Cross Climates (CCs) and have used the SUV version on my Audi Q5 for years . The original wheels on my van were 16" with OEM Hankook rubber and they couldn't get a proper grip on a patch of grass that a dog had peed on so were completely useless with truly wet stuff. Next up were 17" with the OEM Contivan Contacts which were a bit better on a wet pitch but still left a lot to be desired but I couldn't bring myself to just bin them until they had worn down a bit so last year I finally put a set of Agilis CCs on. No complaints whatsoever and they just seem to work well in all the circumstances that a sane person would use a heavy 2WD campervan in. Some people (but not me) say that they are not as good all round as as a 'dedicated' seasonal tyre but I've no complaints whatsoever - they're on a van after all, not a Ferrari (and it doesn't get thrashed). The only real downside that I've found is the price which his a bit eye watering - you won't see much, if any, change from £1K for a set of 215/60/17 and I dread to think how much the 255/45/20s on my Audi will cost to replace when the time comes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
I've long been an advocate of Michelin Cross Climates (CCs) and have used the SUV version on my Audi Q5 for years . The original wheels on my van were 16" with OEM Hankook rubber and they couldn't get a proper grip on a patch of grass that a dog had peed on so were completely useless with truly wet stuff. Next up were 17" with the OEM Contivan Contacts which were a bit better on a wet pitch but still left a lot to be desired but I couldn't bring myself to just bin them until they had worn down a bit so last year I finally put a set of Agilis CCs on. No complaints whatsoever and they just seem to work well in all the circumstances that a sane person would use a heavy 2WD campervan in. Some people (but not me) say that they are not as good all round as as a 'dedicated' seasonal tyre but I've no complaints whatsoever - they're on a van after all, not a Ferrari (and it doesn't get thrashed). The only real downside that I've found is the price which his a bit eye watering - you won't see much, if any, change from £1K for a set of 215/60/17 and I dread to think how much the 255/45/20s on my Audi will cost to replace when the time comes.

What about Tyre Noise - can you recall a significant difference?
 
The only real downside that I've found is the price which his a bit eye watering - you won't see much, if any, change from £1K for a set of 215/60/17 and I dread to think how much the 255/45/20s on my Audi will cost to replace when the time comes.
Have a look at all the cashback/30% off or whatever offers.
I bought a set of CC3 (sport) in 245/45/20 and 265/40/20 fitted for under £900. It was 25% off with black circle when you buy 4 tyres and £100 cashback from Michelin.
 
What about Tyre Noise - can you recall a significant difference?
The Q5 is quite a quiet car but I don't notice anything untoward in terms of road noise. As far as the van's concerned, at the end of the day it's a van so intrinsically noisy but I don't notice a lot of road noise in that either, at least not a lot compared previous tyres. Mind you, it helps that I'm partially deaf!
 
I can give some feedback on the Falken tyres I have on my T32 t6 ,215/60 17s Falken Linam van01 s which are quiet and have excellent wet grip. Wearing well after 15,000 miles all with a bit over 7mm tread depth and nice even wear. Cheaper than the conti oem tyres. On the van from April to December ish when swapped for full winter’s. If it’s info on the wildpeak off road type of Falken tyre you’re after can’t assist specifically but impressed with the quality of the ones I’m running.
 
If my memory serves me correct (which it might not), a couple of decades ago Hankooks were considered to be very budgety tyres. Somehow they have made it almost into the premier league - can't tell you whether they deserve that honour or not as I would always go Michelin. (mostly because that is what the local ambulances use - good enuff for them, good enuff for me. - Don't want to share with you about the funny looks I got skulking around ambulances to see the tyre brands)
 
Hankooks were OE on my 2023 4 motion...wore unevenly, harsh ride and useless on wet grass. Wanted to stay with original size but needed better grip...was advised by my tyre guys to go Maxxis Vansmart MCV+... they are terrific...no noise, more comfortable ride and no un even wear...grip on mud and wet grass ..fantastic. very reasonable price too .

IMG_20260508_131058818_HDR.webp
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
Back
Top