Tyres - VT Commodore

[chookens]

Hi, I've had a 1998 VT Commodore V6 - Qld Police Pack - since new. The first tyres were Bridgestones, very noisy, about 40000ks. The next lot were Goodyear Eagles - only about 35000ks.
Then I put Pirelli Dragos (215/60 R15 94V) on the car. I got 60000ks out of them, and even though i'm not that young anymore - a granny in fact - i still like to put pedal to the metal, and test the car thru corners. Okay, after 60000 ks it was time to replace the Dragos, but they didn't make them anymore!! I put a set of Pirelli 6000s on the car - it has mags and FE2 sports suspension - and just over 30000ks on the Pirelli 6000s now, and they are worn and quite dangerous in the wet.
Can anyone advise me a good tyre for this car please? I prefer good handling, especially in the wet, and something with low rolling resistance for fuel economy (I average 8.5 litres per 100 on long trips, and that's not sparin' the horses either!) I'd rather pay more money for a good tyre with handling, economy and longevity than the rubbish that i have at the moment (and they cost me $150 apiece 2 years ago exactly). Many thanks for any help and advice you can give me! - Ally

[vxcalais_01]

2 of the best Tyres in my opinion are Toyo Teo, i paid $210 each for 18inch fitted at Tyre Power, a semi touring tyre, excellent grip in wet and will last you a while, extremely quiet. 2nd tyre more performance orientated Kumho Ecsta Ku31. They fit them even to prestige performance vehicles, and cost only $189 i was quoted for 18inch. They are not noisy but not quiet either in that a more aggressive tread pattern and will match some of the best in the wet. May not last as long as the Toyos as performance orientated. My opinion, thats all. I am currently using the Toyos

[ivaninoz]

G'Day Chookens,

I have a 98 Statey with 215/60R16
Continental ContiComfortContact 1

Quite happy with them, and in the wet,
though most driving is Highway.......If you could call the GORE Highway that

Contis and I go back to my Motorcycle days

[chookens]

Hi Ivan,

Many thanks for your reply. Yes, I think i have read good stuff about the Contis. And I know what you mean about the Gore Highway - it's a goat track! Thanks again for your advice.

[Chucknorris]

I have Michelin Energy XM1+ on my VT Calais.
Awesome tyres in wet and dry. Noticeably in the wet.
My last set of Michelin's lasted me 5 years.
And that was on a sports coupe with plenty of spirited driving.

[ViN3Y]

i have a set of Eagle F1z on my vr on the vt ss 17z they ride quite well for both traction and comfort

[JD]

get yourself some Bridgestone ER592's much better than re92's ( which im guessing were the Bridgestones you had previously ) and you should expect 40-60k out of them.

[chookens]

I have Michelin Energy XM1+ on my VT Calais.
Awesome tyres in wet and dry. Noticeably in the wet.
My last set of Michelin's lasted me 5 years.
And that was on a sports coupe with plenty of spirited driving.

Thanx Chucknorris for your reply. Yes, I've been reading good things about the Michies, while trying to figure out what to put on the VT. 5 years running is pretty good - around how many k's would that have been? Cheers, Ally aka Chookens

[chookens]

i have a set of Eagle F1z on my vr on the vt ss 17z they ride quite well for both traction and comfort

Hi ViN3y - thanks for your reply. About how many k's would you expect to get out of the Eagles? Cheers, Ally

[chookens]

get yourself some Bridgestone ER592's much better than re92's ( which im guessing were the Bridgestones you had previously ) and you should expect 40-60k out of them.

Hi Chucknorris, Many thanks for your reply. Yep, you were correct - the crappy Bridgestones that came on the VT were RE92s. Very disappointing. And yet, on the previous VR, ran Bridgestones RE88s, and got at least around 50-60000kms out of 2 sets. Had run Bridgies on the VN & VK before that with no probs either. When the RE92s came off to be replaced, it was found that each of the 4 tyres was 'lumpy' inside the casing - no wonder the car felt like crap to drive!
I'll sus out the ER592's that you recommend. Cheers - Ally

[vorn]

When i got my rims they came with bridgestone Potenza RE050. But they soon wore down due to not being balance properly. They handled grate in corners and in wet. But when I asked to get the same set put on them, the guy told me there were $300 each. not having the money at the time I now have Pirelli Dragons. I notice a bit less performance, but still a good tyre.

[chookens]

When i got my rims they came with bridgestone Potenza RE050. But they soon wore down due to not being balance properly. They handled grate in corners and in wet. But when I asked to get the same set put on them, the guy told me there were $300 each. not having the money at the time I now have Pirelli Dragons. I notice a bit less performance, but still a good tyre.

Thanks Vorn for your reply. Yeah, i agree - the Potenzas are too dear for me. Pirellli Dragons, hey? I haven't sussed them out yet - do they have silica? How are they wearing? Cheers, Ally

[vorn]

Thanks Vorn for your reply. Yeah, i agree - the Potenzas are too dear for me. Pirellli Dragons, hey? I haven't sussed them out yet - do they have silica? How are they wearing? Cheers, Ally

there probly done about 15,000ks so its hard to tell but they dont look like they have worn much. as for silica, i dont think so.

[Full Spectrum]

Bridgestone ER30's.. Have them on the VP, Since 2006. Still have nipples.
Stuck them on the Berlina, They do make a little noise over thumps in the road but other then that road noise is good.
But they do feel better on the VP, Better grip all round, But they are slightly larger on that car.

[chookens]

Bridgestone ER30's.. Have them on the VP, Since 2006. Still have nipples.
Stuck them on the Berlina, They do make a little noise over thumps in the road but other then that road noise is good.
But they do feel better on the VP, Better grip all round, But they are slightly larger on that car.

Hi, Thanks for your reply. I checked out the Bridgestone ER30s - don't sound like a bad tyre, but it looks like they don't come in the size i need - 215/60 R15. One tyre dealer suggested i fit 205/65 R 15, but i think i'd rather stay with the size i have on the alloys.
Cheers, Ally

[chookens]

there probly done about 15,000ks so its hard to tell but they dont look like they have worn much. as for silica, i dont think so.

Hi again Vorn, I don't know what to do - whether to get tyres with silica - which according to some, is the best thing since sliced bread, and i read good reports about tyres with wilica. Or whether to go for non-silica tyres. One problem i'm having also, is i sus out a tyre that sounds good, re performance, safety, etc, but then find it's not available in 215/60 R15.
Cheers, Ally

[Chucknorris]

215/60/15 is not a popular size and are harder to find someone who carries them or is willing to get them in.
Most larger cars i.e. commodore, falcon etc come with 205/60/15 on 15" rims
215/60 series are more common on 16" rims

[Full Spectrum]

Hi, Thanks for your reply. I checked out the Bridgestone ER30s - don't sound like a bad tyre, but it looks like they don't come in the size i need - 215/60 R15. One tyre dealer suggested i fit 205/65 R 15, but i think i'd rather stay with the size i have on the alloys.
Cheers, Ally

You could go 225-60-R15, I have them all round on the VP.. The VT only has 215-60-R16..
They are a little fat looking but give great grip in wet and dry on the VP, Which is rare in wet to have good confidence, With there slippery bums.

This is the front last year a few months after getting new ER-30's on the front.