It's tyre time, my 1.2 Dynamic needs 4 and I want to stay with the original 155/80 x 13. Continental Eco Contact 3 have been recommended on here a couple of times and I can get a set fitted for £200 but they don't come out well in the new rating scheme, they are F C and 70. The Uniroyal Rainexpert is E B and 70 and the Yokohama BluEarth is C C and 69. Both are cheaper than the Continentals and get better reviews (although reviews are not for 155 size) Anyone tried these or suggest any other premium make that works well on the Panda ? Our Panda has no aircon and a skydome that is often open so the slightly quieter Yokohamas I think might be a good choice ?
General 155 13 tyres Yokohama, Goodyear, Continental
- Thread starter Watermann
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General 155 13 tyres Yokohama, Goodyear, Continental
we've had the conti's and some budget ones on our 1.1 over the years, everything lasts @25K
no current experience of the yoko's, Rain expert did ok on my sons 307 diesel ( NOT relevant to panda at all..=195 /60 /15)
maybe ask in the 500 section for recommendations as they tend to have more traffic in there AND the 500 suffers the same / worse tyre noise issues..!!,
charlie
lamlash
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My first Panda had 155-13 wheels and the original Conti tyres. I always found them awful in the wet - lots of understeer, but they last a long time. I replaced with some cheap Marangoni? just before I sold it and they were much better in the wet - don't know how long they lasted but for a low mileage driver like me that isn't an issue.
My current Panda has 14" alloys with the original Continental tyres and I have the same horrible wet / greasy road handling. The car is 3 years old and has done 11K miles and the treads are like new but I got an MOT advisory because the sidewalls are showing signs of cracking.
I'm probably going to replace all 4 with Vredstein Quatrac Lites before the next MOT. I hope these will give a better compromise between wet and dry handling.
My current Panda has 14" alloys with the original Continental tyres and I have the same horrible wet / greasy road handling. The car is 3 years old and has done 11K miles and the treads are like new but I got an MOT advisory because the sidewalls are showing signs of cracking.
I'm probably going to replace all 4 with Vredstein Quatrac Lites before the next MOT. I hope these will give a better compromise between wet and dry handling.
I've changed to Michelin Energy tyres about three months ago. Must say I'm pretty impressed with them. They make the car seem a bit more sure-footed if you know what I mean. And I am getting that bit extra mileage out of each tank of fuel. I managed 473 miles on my last full tank. Love them and think I'll be sticking with them.
Thanks, particularly good to hear from people with the same size tyres, will look at Michelin Energy, they are a bit more money but have a good E C 68 rating. the 68db means very quiet (db is logarithmic so 68 is lots quieter than 70) Fuel economy is the first letter and wet grip is the second so both are better than the Contis.
Thanks earlier for the tip on posting on the 500 forum but I'm pretty sure all of them are 14 inch and lower profile so probably too different to be relevant.
On paper the Yokohamas are the ones to go for but they are a brand new tyre and very little info out there about them.
Thanks earlier for the tip on posting on the 500 forum but I'm pretty sure all of them are 14 inch and lower profile so probably too different to be relevant.
On paper the Yokohamas are the ones to go for but they are a brand new tyre and very little info out there about them.
We run 14" 500 tyres on our 1.1, during the summer months
they DO increase road noise - as there LOTS more rubber in contact - however it make the car feel a LOT more planted, and the 500 / punto 2 wheels are VERY cheap and plentiful ( £50)
we use 135 -13's over the inter with euro spec winter tyres,
WIDE 14's do NOT work in snow as the petrol panda is just TOO light,
Charlie
they DO increase road noise - as there LOTS more rubber in contact - however it make the car feel a LOT more planted, and the 500 / punto 2 wheels are VERY cheap and plentiful ( £50)
we use 135 -13's over the inter with euro spec winter tyres,
WIDE 14's do NOT work in snow as the petrol panda is just TOO light,
Charlie
Charlie, For me that's another reason not to go to 14" !
My 17 year old son is learning to drive in the Panda and I want him to learn car control and understand the cars limits at slower speeds.
There is also the issue of insurance, 14 inch were an option on the Panda so of course in theory shouldn't be a problem but I'd rather not have the conversation with an insurance company - either before or after any incident !
My 17 year old son is learning to drive in the Panda and I want him to learn car control and understand the cars limits at slower speeds.
There is also the issue of insurance, 14 inch were an option on the Panda so of course in theory shouldn't be a problem but I'd rather not have the conversation with an insurance company - either before or after any incident !
Thanks, yes they will be fitted by my local Independent, I just need to tell him what to order. I would never ever use Quickfit, Halfords or any of those chains, it's not so much price but competence, trust and just doing the job right.
Re: 155 13 tyres Yokohama, Goodyear, Continental, Michelin
Quick update, had new tyres fitted for a week now. In the end I went with Michelin Energy E3B1 which are E,B,69 rated. My local independent tyre place fitted 4 for £200.
Previous I had 4 budget tyres that were on when I bought the car, "Event" on the front, "Toyo" on the back, all looked fine and less than 2 years old.
The new Michelins are incredible ! First thing you notice when you drive out the tyre bay is steering is a fraction lighter but then - the noise - or rather lack of it. The tyre roar that made driving the Panda with the roof and windows open very tiring has totally gone. Grip off road is also much better - there is a loose dirt track to a friends house and it is much more secure, no scrabbling for grip.
No experience in the wet yet but they are B rated for that and the reviews are all positive so I expect I'll be more than happy.
I've even sold the old tyres (which were less than half worn) as 155x13 is a popular size on car trailers and caravans.
Can't believe the difference it's made for £200. Totally transformed the car for the better. Would never fit budget tyres again !
Quick update, had new tyres fitted for a week now. In the end I went with Michelin Energy E3B1 which are E,B,69 rated. My local independent tyre place fitted 4 for £200.
Previous I had 4 budget tyres that were on when I bought the car, "Event" on the front, "Toyo" on the back, all looked fine and less than 2 years old.
The new Michelins are incredible ! First thing you notice when you drive out the tyre bay is steering is a fraction lighter but then - the noise - or rather lack of it. The tyre roar that made driving the Panda with the roof and windows open very tiring has totally gone. Grip off road is also much better - there is a loose dirt track to a friends house and it is much more secure, no scrabbling for grip.
No experience in the wet yet but they are B rated for that and the reviews are all positive so I expect I'll be more than happy.
I've even sold the old tyres (which were less than half worn) as 155x13 is a popular size on car trailers and caravans.
Can't believe the difference it's made for £200. Totally transformed the car for the better. Would never fit budget tyres again !
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