Team-BHP - Continental tyres

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdivy (Post 5454858)

Replaced Yoko Earth 1 (2015, 48K old) with UC6.

I have completed 5K Km in the last 5 months or so with the new set. These are the best tires I have used. The dry grip is amazing. The car feels heavy & ride is soft, smooth. Haven't got a chance to drive in wet conditions. Highly recommended.

I have Elite i20 which got Yokohama BlueEarth 195/55 R16 at present, these are 3+ years old tyres & clocked approximately 30,000+ KM's so far.

Recently I have noticed uneven wear i.e. rubber is chipping out on inner layer of both the front tyres. I have visited tyre shop to check the wheel alignment which came out to be perfect. Had a discussion about this unusual wear issues with the shop owner since they predominantly sell Yokohama & Continental tyres. He said that this is expected from Yokohama BlueEarth tyres after 3+ years of usages & as per him this is a performance oriented tyres and may not last long.

He suggested to change the tyres as soon as possible as it's present state is not so good, and he recommended to go for Continental UltraContact UC6, he is quoting around 8.7K per tyre for 195/55 R16.

I'm looking for some feedback about these UC6 tyres from existing owners, is there any good alternative options available other than Michelin which is not easily available in the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathanK (Post 5542515)

I am facing the exact same issue with my Earth-1s. Just posted about this today here
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-alloy-wheel-section/11239-tyre-warranty-claiming-7.html#post5542048"]

I think there is something wrong with the yoko rubber of that particular batch as my Earth-1s are also 3+ years. I am not buying the shop's excuse about the chipping being related to age on performance tyres. Mine are not and still have the same chipping on all 4 tyres.

Yokohoma has given us tyres which despite being maintained properly are not lasting beyond 4 years and no warranty for the same. And to top if off, i was told by the Yokohama technician that my tyres are safe to use whereas you are advised to change then instead:Frustrati

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrasadS (Post 5542705)

I think this is a common phenomenon for tyres with more silicon content. I've seen this with Michelin XM2 as well after few years of aging. I'm not sure how much of this chipping is tolerable though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amalji (Post 5542765)

I think this is a common phenomenon for tyres with more silicon content. I've seen this with Michelin XM2 as well after few years of aging. I'm not sure how much of this chipping is tolerable though.

If true, then you've given me a far better and acceptable reason compared to the Yoko tech, who kept saying it's not the tyre but my improper usage on bad roads:Frustrati

Warranty and Yokohoma issues aside, i was thinking of upgrading to the UC6, but I was told by the dealer that even Continentals are prone to have chipping issues:eek:. I was not expecting this.
Can members who have used Continentals shed some light on this please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrasadS (Post 5542812)

Warranty and Yokohoma issues aside, i was thinking of upgrading to the UC6, but I was told by the dealer that even Continentals are prone to have chipping issues:eek:. I was not expecting this.
Can members who have used Continentals shed some light on this please.

I've recently switched my tyres from Bridgestone Turanza T001 215/55 R17 to Continental UC6 205/65 R16. I've been using it for a few weeks and love it. But, long term i expect this to chip like the Michelin XM2s as well since I'm sure these tyres have silicon in it. The other side is that i could see that your tread is close to 3mm from the looks of it ( correct me, if I'm wrong ) which is a good time to replace regardless of the chipping phenomenon. So maybe, tyre did serve you well close to its real life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathanK (Post 5542515)

Recently I have noticed uneven wear i.e. rubber is chipping out on inner layer of both the front tyres. I have visited tyre shop to check the wheel alignment which came out to be perfect. Had a discussion about this unusual wear issues with the shop owner since they predominantly sell Yokohama & Continental tyres. He said that this is expected from Yokohama BlueEarth tyres after 3+ years of usages & as per him this is a performance oriented tyres and may not last long.

.

4 year old tyres, 25K on them. No such issue. These maybe symptoms of some other mechanical issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotirajendra (Post 5542920)

4 year old tyres, 25K on them. No such issue. These maybe symptoms of some other mechanical issue.

It's possible, I have swapped the front to rear as not much such wear seen on rear tyres, this might help me to narrow down further

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathanK (Post 5542515)

I'm looking for some feedback about these UC6 tyres from existing owners, is there any good alternative options available other than Michelin which is not easily available in the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrasadS (Post 5542812)

I
Can members who have used Continentals shed some light on this please.

My erstwhile Michelin XM2s did have some chipping. I replaced the Michelins at 20k ODO(2 years) when I upgraded to 16" and since then have run 19k(in 1 year) on Continental UC6s. Both tyres saw similar abuse.

-No such chipping noticed on UC6s.
-Michelins had developed fine cracks when it was replaced, no such issue on Continentals.
-Conti UC6 is far quieter on cemented GT roads compared to erstwhile Michelins.

The UC6 takes the fight to Primacy 4ST I'd say, but without the fragility of Michelins. Wholeheartedly recommend the same. :thumbs up

Regards,
Shashi

PS: Attaching the most recent pic of the Conti UC6s, after being used for 19k:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leoshashi (Post 5542958)

-No such chipping noticed on UC6s.
-Michelins had developed fine cracks when it was replaced, no such issue on Continentals.
-Conti UC6 is far quieter on cemented GT roads compared to erstwhile Michelins.

This is reassuring!
The quiteness on concrete roads in the first few weeks of drive with the UC6 impressed me as well!

Quote:

Originally Posted by amalji (Post 5542844)

The other side is that i could see that your tread is close to 3mm from the looks of it ( correct me, if I'm wrong ) which is a good time to replace regardless of the chipping phenomenon. So maybe, tyre did serve you well close to its real life.

I was there overlooking the entire claim process. During tread measurement, i dug around and was told that Earth-1s come with 8.1mm tread on new tyres. All 4 of mine retain around 4.2 to 4.4mm which is more than 50% actually. So they still have a bit more time to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathanK (Post 5542515)

I'm looking for some feedback about these UC6 tyres from existing owners, is there any good alternative options available other than Michelin which is not easily available in the market.

Got UC6 for my Elite i20 3days back, paid 8.4k per tyre for 195/55/16.

Initial feedback seems to be excellent in city conditions.

I have a scheduled drive next week to Coonoor & Ooty, I will post my highway driving experience post that trip.

With a mammoth puncture just before a day of 500km plus travel plan, I decided to change the tyres immediately. Checked with few usual shops and found that Darshan tyres, Baner(nearest from my place) had the stock of UC6 Continentals required for my Linea. Got them changed on Friday for ₹8400 per piece and completed the trip with full peace of mind. Alignment and balancing came free since I got all 4 tires changed.

Immediate feedback is that drive has became very silent and plush even on cemented roads. Dry grip on curve is nice too. I enjoyed a lot today in Tamhini. :)

The outgoing ones. Michelins served me beautifully. I would have gone with them blindly if not for the unavailablity. 5 and a half years - 60k kms

New kid on the block with oem spec - 205/55 R16 All tyres have manufacturing of 0823

Being balanced

Fitted

And aligned

I have now completed multiple trips to Himalayas on these tyres, at least 3, may be more.
My trips are usually to villages so naturally the roads are not good once I move away from highways.

I recommend UC6 tyres as they have offered me great performance on highways, city and village roads. Occasional mud, sharp U turns with steep inclines, kachha roads or just dusty lanes, they handled all this pretty convincingly.

No sidewall issues till now, reached home safe and sound. Safe driving also plays a role here.

Overall, good usually grippy performance. Dependable.