Tyre recommendations – worth going premium?

[alyssagrey]

Hi everyone, I’m trying to decide between premium and mid-range tyres for my Clio and could use some opinions.
I’ve been browsing around comparing different brands and sizes (including on sites like TyreSavings), but it’s hard to know if the extra cost of premium tyres is really noticeable in normal driving.

• Is there a big difference in grip and comfort?
• Are mid-range tyres good enough for daily use?
• What are you currently running?

Appreciate any input

 

[Cub.]

What clio is it?

I’m always of the view, no matter what else you do to your car, your tyres are the only thing connecting your car to the road, so I don’t scrimp on them.

That said, on a non-performance car, most mid-range tyres have reached a point in terms of performance that they’ll be more than adequate.

On a performance orientated car, then high end tyres for me.

 

[charltjr]

For UK road driving some of the high performance summer tyres are worse overall in metrics like wet braking than “touring” tyres. A Clio isn’t going to be testing the limits of tyre grip like a two tonne 400bhp+ car.

I’m absolutely a tyre nerd but horses for courses. Don’t get kidded by the “ABC” ratings for grip, wet braking etc. Check out tyrereviews.com

A tyre with a bit less outright grip can feel more fun to drive. Anyone who’s hitting the limits of any decent tyre on the road in a Clio is an absolute mentalist.

 

[R3k1355]

What are your options and what's the cost difference? Have you seen what offers are on, sometimes you can get a good chunk of a set of 4 Michelins.

Just put some Kumho's on the Mrs car and they're good, to be honest there were quite a few 'budget' options that were priced on a similar level.

 

[R3k1355]

A tyre with a bit less outright grip can feel more fun to drive. Anyone who’s hitting the limits of any decent tyre on the road in a Clio is an absolute mentalist.

I prefer to look at it as the amount of grip that's going to be available in an emergency.

Like when someone pulls out in front of you, in the wet. I want a tyre that can stop then, not let me down.

 

[charltjr]

I prefer to look at it as the amount of grip that's going to be available in an emergency.

Like when someone pulls out in front of you, in the wet. I want a tyre that can stop then, not let me down.

Yep, they’re all a compromise one way or another. Hard data is difficult to come by, and the same tyre in a different size can perform quite differently to a tested tyre of a certain size.