[The Gonz]

Well, my couple of days in Boneguilla ended with catching up with Mrs G's story of woe. It looks like all the rain has poured a lot of garbage onto the roads and Firty scored a puncture in the worst weather possible, so guess whose wife's joined RACV on the spot?

So... who has any hot tips on replacement 205/55 R16? I'll do two ( ironically I have two already 'curing' in our cellar back in Adelaide! )

[Dazzler]

Poor Elena! 

Several of the better brands do buy "3 get 4th one free", but you won't be eligible for that. 

Because you treasure low fuel use, I would be shopping around for a good deal on some eco tyres. Most major brands make them. Because you tend to drive relatively slowly I can't imagine tyre noise would be a big consideration to you?

You may be able to find a tyre that makes a good compromise between these attributes, plus wear and stability as well, but there are usually some compromises.

I haven't bought any tyres for a while so I'll leave it to others to nominate brands and current deals.

I don't like mixing tyres so what have you already got in the kitty? 

[asathorny]

I tret my shiny one to some new clogs ready for the MOT inspection some months ago now, as has been said I also don't like mixing tyres.

I went to my local Costco who where selling Cross climates  cheaper the the so called tyre bays. Used them for a few months, no complaints, I do not loose traction now gunning it away on a steep hill 

I was admiring them only this very afternoon as I was tucking her up for the night in her garage 

[Doggie 1]

Jean is sporting Kumhos all round and I have no complaints.
I've used Kumho many times over the years.
I only paid a hundred bucks each fitted & balanced and the guy I use threw the wheel alignment in for free.   

[mickd]

As doggie1 said, you'll get good gear for  $100 a throw,
Better again as price increases.
Stick to the major brands and all should be good.
Our newie 09/16 build came with Nexan, ( a bit noisy on the rough stuff -could be the car ), cannot fault them. Good enough for OEM.
For me 4 for the price of 3 is usually the way the to go. (tight)
Did it :
Bridgestone Ecopia , Excellent tyres, on 02 commode.
Firestone Destination A/T  on Challenger, don't think they'll be of any help to you.
Kumho ???? on 97 Mazda 323, good overall, (daughter has had a couple of moments with ice in ACT, but she has my right foot and that will happen)

[The Gonz]

Thanks for the comments, friends. It all got arranged on the phone from the office and Elena headed out (I ride my mountain bike to work) at 1330 to KMart Tyre & Auto for a couple of top quality Chinese Diamondbacks for $180 fitted. I did chase a match for my front Kumho Solus but their price was $141 each.
At least we got the 10,000 km periodic free rotation / rebalance / pressure deal and Flybuys points.

Funny, the old rears, at 88,000+ kms, were sounding like I had a serious bearing issue - now it's all perfect.

[Dazzler]

oh Gonz,  I'm tight as everyone knows, but even I wouldn't stoop quite that low! Diamondbacks, they do sound cheap and nasty!!!

[mickd]

 

Watch them in the wet.

[Dazzler]

Diamondback TR928 Reviews - ProductReview.com.au

On a positive note, they were almost round (except for the bottom which was a bit flat)

[Doggie 1]

Being Chinese, they're probably contaminated with rubber.   

[Dazzler]

Being Chinese, they're probably contaminated with rubber.   

Most likely synthetic rubber. 

[beerman]

 

Watch them in the wet.

And in the dry.....

[The Gonz]

And in the garage.

I'll be sure to drive Firty every 4 hours to avoid developing flat spots.