My 2012 1.2 Panda Easy is approaching 30,000 miles, and I'm looking to change the tyres soon.

I've been watching Black Circles for prices, not least because I think I know which garage they contract to locally and it's one that comes recommended.

There are a couple of unbranded options, and then in order of increasing costs various tyre types from Toyo, Kumho, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Dunlop and Hankook. Has anyone bought new tyres lately and have any feedback to share?

I do about 10,000 miles per annum on A-Roads and motorways. However the lease is up in twelve months so I may not keep the car beyond another thirteen or fourteen months.

Many thanks.

I'd definitely stick to a known brand - wet-weather grip can sometimes be lacking on unknown brands and they can be prone to faster wear, making cheap tyres a false economy, if the savings are not significant.
Also check your lease agreement, there might be some clause that states the vehicle should be handed back with tyres equivalent to the OEM fitment?

Toyo tyres are very good. Had a set on one of my cars and they lasted a long time.

If you're a one set of tyres person then I'd get a set of winters, they can be a life saver in the winter weather and are the better choice to have and use in the summer also, than normal summer tyres are in the winter

Buy the oe fitment. Why gamble. As for all season, why bother. Its a front wheel drive car. I can count on the fingers of one knee the amount of time ive been stuck in fwd car.

ExBluebird said:

Buy the oe fitment. Why gamble. As for all season, why bother. Its a front wheel drive car. I can count on the fingers of one knee the amount of time ive been stuck in fwd car.

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Who's on about all seasons, or even getting stuck?? Whats getting stuck got to do with someone wanting to car to hold the road and handle the best it possibly can

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Whats getting stuck got to do with someone wanting to car to hold the road and handle the best it possibly can

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You're surely not arguing that a winter tyre will perform better than a summer tyre in the summer?. In which case, the issue is whether the better performance of a winter tyre in the winter is worth trading for the better performance of a summer tyre in the summer.

gar074 said:

You're surely not arguing that a winter tyre will perform better than a summer tyre in the summer?.

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I'm not no, but over a 12 month period in the UK a winter tyre will be at it optimum performance for a greater period of time than a summer tyre will be during the same 12 month period.

For the record, I'm going with 4 x Toyo NanoEnergy 3 175/65 R14 T (82).

+1 for Black Circles; can be fitted day after tomorrow at my preferred locally owned tyre shop, and there's a few quid cashback via Quidco. Not a dissimilar business plan (buying services from garages at wholesale and selling online at retail) to Servicing Stop, who were notable for getting a £100,000 cash injection on Dragon's Den a few seasons ago. They'll be picking up the car for its MOT next month for £24.

I've just put a set of Maxxis on mine, I've been running the 500 on them for about 6 years now and never found them wanting, summer winter, rain or snow they just stick and get on with it. (nice deep rim protector too)
I tried them because I remember them from Racing motorbikes years ago, they were one of the top racing tyres for a while.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I'm not no, but over a 12 month period in the UK a winter tyre will be at it optimum performance for a greater period ....

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According to the Met office statistics, only 3 months (Dec,Jan,Feb) in 2014 had mean temperatures below that point of 7 degrees where 'winter' tyres would hold sway. Practical experience says that driving appropriately conditions is more important, and that driving a regular tyre equipped FWD vehicle across the pennines in snow is perfectly possible. Of course if you do have a rwd vehicle or wide low profile tyres then things get stickier quicker. Truth is, Winter tyres for most part in the uk are a waste of time.

ExBluebird said:

According to the Met office statistics, only 3 months (Dec,Jan,Feb) in 2014 had mean temperatures below that point of 7 degrees where 'winter' tyres would hold sway. Practical experience says that driving appropriately conditions is more important, and that driving a regular tyre equipped FWD vehicle across the pennines in snow is perfectly possible. Of course if you do have a rwd vehicle or wide low profile tyres then things get stickier quicker. Truth is, Winter tyres for most part in the uk are a waste of time.

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I disagree, your issue is you're getting too hung up on 7C, winter tyres drop off in performance over a far greater temp range above 7C than summers do over a temp range below 7C, this is why winter all year in the UK is more ideal than summers IMO.

The difference of a summer and winter below 7C is more noticeable than the difference between a summer and winter at 15-20C, ie the capability of the winter tyre will not be as far behind the summer at this temp that the capability of the summer tyre behind the winter tyre below 7C and this is the point I'm making on the winter being better suited all year around.

Good Year Efficient Compact are a good tyre that's what they fit to the Corsas at work

jamesbrownontheroad said:

For the record, I'm going with 4 x Toyo NanoEnergy 3 175/65 R14 T (82).

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I would had chosen the "Dunlop SP StreetResponse 2".
The Dunlop is a lot better in de rain then the Toyo.

The Pretender said:

I would had chosen the "Dunlop SP StreetResponse 2".
The Dunlop is a lot better in de rain then the Toyo.

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£20 more. I'm not made of money

jamesbrownontheroad said:

£20 more. I'm not made of money

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I never economise on tires, it's your only contact with the road.

I am really happy with the Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 I just got fitted to my TA lounge

Dunturin said:

I am really happy with the Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 I just got fitted to my TA lounge

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For their economy, ride comfort, road noise and/or grip?

I'm also wondering what to go for when replacement time comes. I always thought a tyre was a tyre, until I took a local tyre fitters recommendation when changing tyres on an Alfa 159 a couple of years ago. I replaced my budget tyres with a mid-range tyre, and suddenly the road noise dropped, especially on the motorway. It also felt significantly more sure footed. It wasn't a premium tyre, just mid-range.

biminibob said:

For their economy, ride comfort, road noise and/or grip?

I'm also wondering what to go for when replacement time comes. I always thought a tyre was a tyre, until I took a local tyre fitters recommendation when changing tyres on an Alfa 159 a couple of years ago. I replaced my budget tyres with a mid-range tyre, and suddenly the road noise dropped, especially on the motorway. It also felt significantly more sure footed. It wasn't a premium tyre, just mid-range.

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Then you know what the effect will be if you take a Premium tire.