Bora 4 Motion - Tyre recommendations?

[JY Dog]

I am curious what has been the experiences of other 4 Motion owners with tyres?

I have had my 4 Motion from new (200,000 km ago) and have always run Pirelli tyres P Zero Nero & Rosso and the Pirelli Dragons which I was told last tyre change were no longer available hence the P Zero Rossos currently fitted. However I am wondering if there something else available that will give good wet weather grip and better mileage (and maybe cheaper) than the Pirellis. I have been pleased with the grip of the Pirelli but not so impressed with the mileage.

The car does quite a bit of towing but is not driven hard. The front and rear alignment is done every time I fit tyres so there should not be any hassles there.

Many thanks in advance

[popeclement]

The originals on mine were MIchelin Pilot Sports & then I changed to Bridgestones and Yokohamas. If the price i right, I'd go back to the Michelins or even try some Continentals.

[Diesel_vert]

What size (205/55 R16 or 225/45 R17)?

Usually, wet performance and mileage are mutually exclusive. In addition, lower profile tyres (225/45 R17) tend not to focus on mileage, comfort, noise, etc. compared with higher profile tyres (205/55 R16). Finally, I suspect that towing also increases wear, as the tyres need to accelerate and stop an extra 800 - 900 kg, meaning more work for the tyres (and brakes).

This all conspires to ensure wear rates remain high, so something has to give (wet grip or mileage).


If there are no alternative pressures listed for towing, try running the "full load" set of (cold) pressures whenever you tow - front tyres at 2.5 bar (36 psi) and the rears at 2.8 bar (41 psi). It may reduce the wear rate without hopefully decreasing ride comfort too much.

[Manaz]

On 17" wheels, go for 235/45R17s - a lot cheaper here than 225/45R17 as they're a more common fitment, and as a bonus they correct your speedo a bit too.

I am a long time Pirelli fan, having run at various times P6s, P7s, P6000s, Dragons, etc. I've recently moved to Bridgestone RE001 (Adrenalin) tyres, and have been happy with them in terms of performance - can't yet comment on their wear characteristics (the P Zeros you're running will be a very sticky tyre I suspect).

goodfella was looking at tyres on tyrerack recently, he found some that looked pretty decent - good performance, decent wear rate, hopefully he'll see this and pipe up.

[LogiK]

I just got a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050A's in 205/55/16 for $550 in Sydney.

PM me if you want their number or something.

EDIT: Just noticed your in VIC mate, oops

[JY Dog]

Oops missed the obvious - the size on the Bora is most certainly 225/45R17 and I have always been a Pirelli user on this car and my previous couple. That was when Avon Turbo Speeds became unavailable way back around 1991.

Yeah I am very particular with tyre pressures when towing ruinning 36 psi front and 38 psi rear.

As to being hard on brakes my first set of pads lasted 158,000 km and in that distance 75,000 was towing so it gets driven pretty easily when towing.

I well understand that AWD, towing and wet weather grip all contribute to lower mileage but I am hoping for better than 30,000 km as I do not play dragsters at the traffic lights.

I had been wondering about Bridgestones or Yokohamas.

An interesting point about 235/45/R17, I will follow that up.

Thanks to all,