[madhukar_n]

Originally Posted by gpa

Finally time for an upgrade of my Santro's tyres after over four and a half years and 56,000 kms of driving on the OE Bridgestone S 322s. The tyres perfomed brilliantly, not a puncture ever.

Am planning on sticking to the Bridgestone family but am also seriously considering the Michelin XM1+ based on inputs from Nikhilb2008 and other colleagues. Thanks Nikhil

Spoke to Prakash at Super Tyre Tech and he said that since he's a wholesaler, he will not divulge details over the phone, but will gladly help out if I go to his shop. Wil check out another place close to home today as well.

I do no intend to upsize and will stick to the OEM 155/70 R13 size.

What are the best tyres for the Santro from Bridgestone. I'm looking at only tubeless tyres for the replacement.

Any indicative costs will be really helpful.

Thanks,
gpa

if bridgestone then Turanza is good. i guess it is 3250(approx) for that size.
i had that on my zen(sold now) and was very happy.

I also hear apollo accelere is also good though have not used it.

[gpa]

Originally Posted by madhukar_n

if bridgestone then Turanza is good. i guess it is 3250(approx) for that size.
i had that on my zen(sold now) and was very happy.

I also hear apollo accelere is also good though have not used it.

Thanks, Madhukar. I'm not too impressed with the Acceleres, intend to stick to Michelins or B'stones.

[Vid6639]

gpa, best option is the Turanza ER-60. You can also try 165/65-13 which will have marginal difference compared to OE size.

Prakash of Super Tyre Tec is a decent chap but suggest you get a quote from a couple of places as sometimes his prices are higher even though he will tell you they are the least.

He knows Team-BHP and says that he always gives the lowest prices to Team-BHP members but that is not always the case if you compare with other places.

[Nikhilb2008]

Vid, he wants a comfort tyre. The best for that is the XM1+. And 165/65 R13 is not really recommended on OEM steel 4j rim.

[gpa]

Originally Posted by vid6639

gpa, best option is the Turanza ER-60.

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Vid, he wants a comfort tyre. The best for that is the XM1+

Thanks for your inputs vid and Nikhil

I checked out the Bridgestone authorised dealer-Shiva Enterprises on New B.E.L Road which is very close and in a convenient location to where I live and he showed me the ER-60 and quoted Rs. 2,470 per tyre.

He said he will definitely give me a discount for 5 and free WA/WB as well.

The Santro is in for its 60k kms service today and is expected back tomorrow, so I will check out a few more dealers of both Michelin & B'Stone before I take a call.

Plan to take a drive in my dad's friend's Santro that was recently fitted with XM1+ before I make the change.

Regards,
gpa

[gpa]

So after 4 years & 7 months, 57,667 kms and zilch punctures on my Santro's tyres, I finally upgraded to 5 new 155/70 R13 Turanza ER-60s!

I chose these over the Michelin XM1+ after a 30 kms test drive in my dad's friend's Santro shod with the Michelins last night. He also said that he has observed that the wear of the XM1+ is far better compared to the XM1s, but they still wear out quicker than the BS or the rock hard MRFs. I suppose that's the trade-off one has to pay for ride comfort.

My mind was in a fix. Do I go for the XM1+ or the ER 60s? The boy racer in me finally prevailed and I chose the latter.

Changed them at Shiva Enterprises on New BEL Road for Rs. 2,267 per tyre. Got the 5 old tyres sold for Rs. 900 but I have a spare tube from the old set just in case of an emergency on the highway. All four rims were checked for rust at the valve neck and surprisingly only one had a slight rust formation which was sanded down before the tyre and valve was installed.

I suppose the ride will be slightly harder with marginally sharper handling on the BS compared to the Michelins, but I'm game for that anyday especially on the twisties. Yeehaw!!

Will post my initial experience on the relevant thread.

Many thanks to vid6639 and NikhilB2008 for their inputs and suggestions. Thanks guys!

Regards,
gpa
OT: Nikhil, please don't me for not going for the Michelins.

[ravibhat]

BridgeStone turanza/ER-60 is also good tyre, Based on what I tested I found XM1+ are more comfort but might wearout fast but still would last at least 40,000km. I would have not crossed that much in 5 years hence I decided towards XM1+

Congrats on choosing good tyre.

Ravi.

[rahulsnh]

Hi,

I finally settled for stock rims and XM1+ tyres of stock size. And thanks to Nikhil for a quick job, patience through months of making-up-my-mind, getting me the only 5J rims that I ever got to see, bearing with me rejecting that choice and of course dozens of calls, some at unholy-hours. Guys, I recommend Nikhil for more than just what I said above.

And last but not least a big thanks to KPZen for his invalueable advise which saved me from some very costly mistakes that I would have committed otherwise.

For zen owners who want an rim-upgrade, I advise that first upgrade your car. If you don't want to, then there is a reason. For sake of that reason itself and of course the availability-factor, do not upgrade your rims. Get new stock rims and the tubeless-tyre of your choice. I recommend XM1+ coz it is worth the price.

Thanks to all here who have helped,
Team-bhp rocks,
Rahul

Originally Posted by rahulsnh

Will 155/65 R13 fit on 5.5J rims without too much bulge?

The other choice is 165/55 R13 but then XM1+ tyre is not available in that size hence not preferred.

As far touching the arch is concerned there is a solution of tapping in the vestigial jutting metal of the rear arch so main concern is with wider tyres is the steering discomfort and whether it will touch the well! I hear, steering discomfort more than just palpable in non-PS. I do not know how it is gonna impact me since mine is PS.

I wish that a Zen / ex-Zen owner provides some inputs on my concerns.

[devrajman]

rahulsnh,

Can you give details of what tyres/rims you had. 13" 5j is old ZEN's OEM rims, till I know. Which is prone to bend when hit by a pothole. Did you buy new 13" 5j rims? Old/New? How much did you buy the rims for?

There are few sizes which do not require much modification? Any reason why you didnt go for it. Also, if there werent any upgrade choice on the same 5j rim. How about 5.5j rim of Esteem's. Did that require modification in the car?

Hoping you will reply in detail with the same patience with which TeamBHPians helped you!

[Nikhilb2008]

He bought 12" original steel rims. And he fitted 145/80 R12 Michelin XM1+ tyres.

He was very particular that if he goes for 13" alloys, ONLY 5j rims would do. Only aura made 5j rims and what rims were available were scratched slightly. After inspecting the rims personally, he decided not to go ahead with that and tried to get 5j 13" rims elsewhere. He couldnt so he finally settled down for 145/80 R12.

[devrajman]

Thanks Nikhil for the update in both the posts. :-)

Summarizing from both threads:

Even i had similar thoughts in my mind like,

Option 1-> down grading to 12" steel rims and getting 145/80R12 (either XM1+ or ER60)

Option 2-> Stick to 13" rims. Either Zen or Esteem Rims and get 155/65R13 or 155/70R13 (either XM1+ or ER60)

I hope above choices are correct.

[Nikhilb2008]

155/70 R13 is the wrong upsize technically. However, you shouldnt have any problems as long as the tyres dont touch anything. The wheel arch, the suspension spring, etc...

[devrajman]

going into technicalities:

Side wall of different tyres:
155/70 R13 = 108.5
155/65R13 = 100

145/70R13 = 101.5

I think 155/665R13 would be a better choice, it will have same hieght but wider rubber for better grip.

Can this be fitted on Zen Steel 13" rims? or I will need to switch to Esteem rims?

[Nikhilb2008]

I think it will fit on OEM steel rims.

[sandy82_2000]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I think it will fit on OEM steel rims.

Hey Nikhil,

where exactly is your shop? i would want to come over and have a look at the tyres and rims you have and if too good to resist, pick em up too