tyre suggestion for ZEN LXi

[shapath]

looking for tyre suggestion for ZEN LXi 2003 which has JK Ultima 145/80/R12- done 42500 km.
Travel is 60 % city & 40 % highways(about 1000 km per month ).
my expectations are
a) safety when i touch about 100 or 120 though i mostly go in the range of 70-90 only in highways .
b) fuel efficiency
c) upsize IF & ONLY if does give extra safety/good steering &
dont affect FE

Too get these A/B/C what are the options i have in TUBED & TUBELESS.
IF tubeless- can i go for NEW RIMs ( which brand ) without going for ALLOYS as i prefer not to spend for alloys.

so pl share your suggestions & expertise. TIA

[kpzen]

Shapath

Get 155/65-13 tyres and esteem steel rims. It would satisfy most of your expectations.

Tyre options in 155/65-13
1. Michelin XM1
2. Yokohama A300

[breezydrive]

Originally Posted by kpzen

Shapath

Get 155/65-13 tyres and esteem steel rims. It would satisfy most of your expectations.

Tyre options in 155/65-13
1. Michelin XM1
2. Yokohama A300

I got the same combination fitted on my ZEN as per KPZEN's advice, the results are awesome.

[shapath]

thanks for the responses. can i also KNOW the pros & cons of this change & upsize.what about the effect on FE with 13 as the current ones have 12.thanks.

Originally Posted by breezydrive

I got the same combination fitted on my ZEN as per KPZEN's advice, the results are awesome.

[breezydrive]

My zen had 155/70R12 after the stock tyres were worn out (145/80)

So, i will give my experience with all of them
Description 145/80R12 155/70R12 155/65R13

Km run 53000 29000 1800

Rim size 4j 4j 4.5j

Initial torque normal excellent 5% below normal

Top speed 125km/hr 145km/hr 135km/hr
(incl. odo error)

Handling poor good excellent

Ride good almost good marginally below average

Braking ability average good V.good

FE (Km/ltr) 17.5 16.5 15.5

Shapath,i hope the above data helps you!

[breezydrive]

Sorry! tried to present the data in a tabulated form but upon posting the fragmantatition gone haywire!

[kpzen]

Neeraj
Which tyre did u have in 155/70-12?? Kumho??

[shapath]

thanks breezy for your detailed response.
can you specify city & hiways break up reg FE and what do you mean by
" Ride - below average for 155/65R13"..pl confirm your tyre brand and RIM . which tyre SET is your fav and for what reason. TIA

Originally Posted by breezydrive

My zen had 155/70R12 after the stock tyres were worn out (145/80)

So, i will give my experience with all of them
Description 145/80R12 155/70R12 155/65R13

Km run 53000 29000 1800

Rim size 4j 4j 4.5j

Initial torque normal excellent 5% below normal

Top speed 125km/hr 145km/hr 135km/hr
(incl. odo error)

Handling poor good excellent

Ride good almost good marginally below average

Braking ability average good V.good

FE (Km/ltr) 17.5 16.5 15.5

Shapath,i hope the above data helps you!

[shapath]

i read this in THE HINDU dated Sunday, Aug 26, 2007
The Hindu Business Line : Question & Auto

tubeless tyres are also notoriously unpredictable when used with steel rims and when driven on bad roads.

any opinion on THIS as im planning to go for NEW ESTEEM RIMS-13 for my ZEN LXi 2003 instead of ALLOYS ( due to its price ) . TIA

[prkothan]

I stand by Michelin XM1 tyres, even though that is costly. Recently I fitted Michlien XM1 - 185/70 R13 tyres in my Palio. I expereince in superb both in ride and handling. Actually I went to buy bridgestone GIII potenza, but its not best selling in chennai, hence I got a old stick (2004 manufactured). Hence I decided to go for Michelin. NOw I am extremely happy with that.

[iridium]

I've used 155/70 R12 Good year Gt3 for my Zen Lxi for about 3k kms (sold my Zen after this).

When fitted, it was a little lower than the OE fitted Apollo 145/80 R12


My suggestion is to stick to the existing 12 inch rims and use 155/70 R12 radials.

In 12 inches, heard that there's a falkan tyre (chinese make) available in size 165/65.


If you do plan to upgrade to 13 inches, then go in for Michelin Energy Xm1 instead of the plain Xm1.

Energy XM1: what the company claims is that a tyre consumes about 20% of the overall fuel consumed by a car and this specific tyre consumes only about 10% (they use silica compounds to reduce friction).

Regards
Ravi.

[shapath]

where did you buy in chennai. psbl let me know your price .

Originally Posted by prkothan

I stand by Michelin XM1 tyres, even though that is costly. Recently I fitted Michlien XM1 - 185/70 R13 tyres in my Palio. I expereince in superb both in ride and handling. Actually I went to buy bridgestone GIII potenza, but its not best selling in chennai, hence I got a old stick (2004 manufactured). Hence I decided to go for Michelin. NOw I am extremely happy with that.

[kpzen]

155/65-13 Michelin XM1 would cost u Rs 2200 per tyre

[shapath]

you mean 2200 in Faridabad ? what about Yokohama A300? TIA

Originally Posted by kpzen

155/65-13 Michelin XM1 would cost u Rs 2200 per tyre

[kpzen]

If i remember correctly Akroy(abhi) in Bangalore got it for Rs 2175...
Yokohama A 300 would cost lesser than XM1.