New tyres for ’01 XC SRi
Question:
I’ve had an awesome run tyre-wise with my ’01 XC SRi and got 80,000km out of the 185/55/15 Michellin Energy front tyres, which I’m not certain were even new when I got the car! Better still, the rears still have about 2mm left before the wear markers are reached.
One of the fronts finally let go last week so it was on with the spare and time to make a “few” phone calls to see what I could organise as replacements. I wasn’t interested in Michellins as I know there’s plenty of other brands out there so I had a figure in mind of about $110 per tyre fitted and balanced for something good.
Boy was I mistaken! After about 5 calls to differnet tyre places I kepy getting told that 185/55/15 is rather uncommon and the best price I could do was $120 fitted and balanced for some piece of crap brand called Sonar!!!!
The last place I called finally suggested that I consider going with 195/50/15 as there is minimal difference in diameter and they are a far more common size.
A couple of calls later and I tracked down a couple of Kumho Ecsta KU31 in 195/50/15 for $98 each fitted and balanced, so the decision was a no brainer.
After a weekend of driving in both wet and dry conditions I can categorically state that these are simply an awesome tyre for the price and more than a match for the Michellin Energy tyres they replaced.
If the price seems too good to be true then it is because the place I got them from down here in Melb (Tyrepower Croydon) bought them in bulk so they got a huge discount.
Answer:
I had similar issue with 185/55 when I had the 15″ wheels on my 01 sri…I ended up getting Bridgestone Adrenalins when they first came out introduction offer $129 ea in 195/50×15
i have since got the 16″ update wheels and ended up with Toyo Proxes4 205/45×16 $155ea…love them good grip but sidewall softer than the Adrenalins
another budget tyre is the Federal SS595, friend has them on his ford ute and loves them also have seen the Kumho recommended, i think was the KU31′s
