Tyres

What with all the excitment of Mrs_G clocking up 200,000 miles I forgot to mention tyres.

The Doblo is curently running around on Pirelli P3000 tyres (175/70R14 88T). It is getting very good mileage from them but they are now all getting close to the wear bars. A few months ago I swapped the tyres front to back to even out the wear so that I could buy a set of 4 at the same time.

I feel that now is a good time to replace them even though legally they may still be ok for a few thousand miles. Mrs_G does a lot of motorway miles - not the place to find out you have insufficient tread in heavy rain.

Originally when supplied the van was fitted with Goodyear GT2 tyres - They lasted less than half the distance the Pirellis have - so I won't consider them. The Pirellis have lasted a HUGE distance but are showing worrying signs of a problem with the compound. There are many tiny little cracks appearing in the running surface of the tyre. I have seen similar cracks on old tyres but these have been on the van less than a year and have a manufacturing code of mid 2005. I have been reliably informed that this kind of problem has been seen before with Pirelli tyres.

So I'm going to try something different. Vredestein do a range of reinforced van tyres and have been recommended by the garage that service the van. I'll have them fitted on Saturday and LYKHIGO.....


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Ooooh being very adventurous there Niall

I shall look forward to finding out how your new tyres are going... by the way what's the cost difference, are they more expensive?

The difference in cost insignificant. I'm more interested in how long they last.

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Had them fitted this morning. Vredestein Hi-Trac 175/70R14 88H XL.

Picture is from Vredestein web site.


They certainly look nice compared to the Pirelli P3000 tyres. The directional tread should make for much better water dispersal. Having taken them for a short run to clean them up they also seem quieter as well.

Cost fitted £53 each at the same independant garage that services the Doblo and V70. I'll be claiming the VAT back so that works out at £45 each.

Lets see how long they last.

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I am though

The quote I had for 4 Pirelli P3000 tyres was £226.

I paid £212 for the Vredesteins.

Both prices include VAT.

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Hello all

Just to add my experience to the mix. I have a Doblo 1.3 Multijet and it looks as if I will have to replace the Pirelli P3000 on the front after 25000 miles of mixed motorway and town driving. The tyres on the back are showing much less wear. A number of people have suggested getting reinforced tyres or commercial tyres but would these still suit the smaller engine Doblo's or just apply to the 1.9JTD.

Apart from the tyre wear I have no complaints about the vehicle or the dealer I got it from. Somethings bound to go wrong now that I've said that.

All the best

David

Ah

Good evening.... tyres a favorite subject of mine.... well I would recommend Mashall tyres (american) , but not for a commercial .... Perelli for a commercial

If still on 14's then go for a 195/60-65 , they will fit ok , the wider the better, some local tyre dealers have equipment to ensure correct fitting... It does put out the on board trip computer but what the hell its better to be safe ........

The narrow buttons that come with a doblo should be binned asap...

Ok i've 17's with 205/45's but we judged on the next tyre change that 205/50's will fit fine only 3% in it

I would love to be told different..................

The Pirelli P3000's you have should already be reinforced anyway, and mine certainly are. 25,000 isn't bad for a set of tyres, you would get much less on your normal Fiesta or something like that. At least your's didn't wear down after 3000 miles

For those that are interested in tyre mileage.

Mrs_G's Doblo has had its new tyres on for about 6 weeks (Thats 11,000 miles ) now.

They still look like new.

Good glad the new tyres are going well for you how is your wife finding the grip now in the wet weather? That is one advantage of the pirelli's is that due to the softer compound they do offer good levels of grip.

You should lend me the Doblo for a week and see what they look like then

The grip is fine in the wet. Please don't ask such personal questions in future - you've made her blush....... but she's still got a good grip

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Or to save a lot of time and trouble why don't I just drive it across a few fields and into a couple of trees, do loads of burn outs and handbrake turns. Should have the same result

Did you get your wheel alignment checked?

Thanks for reminding me to post an update... See the other thread "Tyre Time Again..."

Cheeky bu**er I meant mostly town driving at low speed, parking, stop start, lots of hills.... not doing a bit of off roading and taking it to the local "Cruise" although I'm sure for the amusement of the people of the forum you should try the actions you set out above not sure the wife would be too happy though!

Oh and before I forget, please pass this onto your wife: "Sorry for Nialls dirty mind but I was actually on about the tyres on the van nothing else and that you should give him a good spa*king to sort him out"

Can she stop yet?

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