Skoda Superb - Tyre dilemma

Sahil · 22nd December 2009, 16:03

So in less than 6000kms my Superb has had two unfortunate sidewall damages to the Goodyear NCT5. One was when my dad brushed it against a kurb at a relatively low speed, and today my driver managed to damage another sidewall. All this while I was using the damaged tyres as the spare but I guess I have no choice but to switch now. Fortunately no damage to the rim as both damages were at slow speeds. Do these tyres have weak sidewalls??

I wasn't very happy with the NCT5 as they feel hard and noisy, grip levels are average. So i guess it's an opportunity to replace them all

Now, tyre gurus please suggest a replacement. OE size is 205/55R16, I guess it would be ok for me to go one size up to 215/55R16? This would give me a little extra grip and a slightly bigger sidewall without any loss of FE or power.
Here are a few choices I had in mind, please suggest more if any:

1. Yoko A-drive: Tried and tested on my Altis and NHC. Comfortable,gripy,vfm

2. Michelin LC: Only heard good stuff about it. Not really tried it out on how it compares to the above.

3. Bridgestone: GR-80? I believe is their new comfort tyre?

If someone can lay the pros and cons with the pricing of these tyres in the size I require would be great.

Also how much can I expect for the 3 NCT5s that are in perfect shape? I am guess the 2 damaged ones wouldn't fetch anything, although the cuts aren't all that big?

.anshuman · 22nd December 2009, 16:57

Another option you can shortlist is Yokohama db. I have these ones on my car, they've done 35k and look good for another 20k. The ride is very good with decent grip levels.

Nikhilb2008 · 22nd December 2009, 17:09

Are you sure OEM size is 205/55 R16? I thought it was 215/55 R16.

Berj79 · 22nd December 2009, 17:14

@sahil bro go for yoko db, i have them in my laura & they are a good balance between performance & comfort.

cheers..

Sahil · 22nd December 2009, 19:29

Nikhil- it is 205/55r16 yes I know that's pretty skinny for a large car. Which is why I want to upsize. However the grip with 205 is good enough too. Could you help me with the pricing and availability ?

What is the diff between adrive and db?

itzzme · 22nd December 2009, 20:22

Go for 215/55 R16.
205/55 R16 is more vulnerable to pinch shocks etc.

.anshuman · 22nd December 2009, 20:56

Offtopic: My Swift had exact NCT5 205/55 R16. They are not so good tires, I wonder how do they manage to be OEM tires on premium cars like Superb and Merc C?

Nikhilb2008 · 22nd December 2009, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Offtopic: My Swift had exact NCT5 205/55 R16. They are not so good tires, I wonder how do they manage to be OEM tires on premium cars like Superb and Merc C?

Cost cutting. The NCT5s are crappy beyond belief but ridiculously cheap. They come as OEM on the Civic as well as the Superb, Octavia, Merc C Class, E Class.

Sahil, if you can hold on till stocks arrive, I would suggest 205/55 R16 Yoko C Drive. Or Conti CPC2. For outright comfort, nothing beats the Michelin Primacy LC. it will be better at handling than the DB. Some online reviews of the Yoko DB say that wet handling is miserable.

Vid6639 · 22nd December 2009, 22:12

For the superb I would recommend the Continental CPC2 or the Turanza GR-80. These 2 are more suited for larger and heavier eurpoean sedans.

I found the GR-80's fantastic on a new Accord and the CPC2's are already known.

Primacy LC is more suited for smaller sedans and so are the C-drives. I remember a complete blowout on someone's C-drive on a Skoda Octavia for no reason at all. May be due to different factors and not due to tyres. I also noticed that manufacturers make tyres for specific type of cars although they can be used on all.

Nikhilb2008 · 22nd December 2009, 22:18

GR-80 is dead. YOu wont get it anywhere.

Vid6639 · 22nd December 2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

GR-80 is dead. YOu wont get it anywhere.

Hmmm, the first batch of new Accords came with GR-80's. Now Honda has shifted to Turanza ER-370.

The GR-80's were horrendously expensive. I remember for 205/55-16 for a Octy vRS I was quoted Rs.8,500 per tyre. Guess that's why they are dead.

Sahil · 22nd December 2009, 22:58

Nikhil- Are C drives available in 215/60r16? Whats the pricing ?

Nikhilb2008 · 22nd December 2009, 23:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

Hmmm, the first batch of new Accords came with GR-80's. Now Honda has shifted to Turanza ER-370.

The GR-80's were horrendously expensive. I remember for 205/55-16 for a Octy vRS I was quoted Rs.8,500 per tyre. Guess that's why they are dead.

`That is not the reason. The reason is, as usual, the ''brains'' at Bridgestone India brought in a tyre that was OEL and then didnt bring in enough numbers. So, dealers tried to make a killing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Nikhil- Are C drives available in 215/60r16? Whats the pricing ?

They will be available in 215/60 R16 in Jan. Pricing is around 7k. Refer to the other C drives thread.

Frankly, I would sugges the CPC2(if it's going to be driven enthusiastically a lot. Doesnt mean more than 50%, but if you drive the car long distance, nothing to beat the CPC2). If it's going to be a chauffeur driven car 90% of the time, then Primacy LC.

However, the sidewall is kinda soft and you need to take care. Even though I've never heard of any complaints till now. More than 8 months.

Sahil · 23rd December 2009, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

`That is not the reason. The reason is, as usual, the ''brains'' at Bridgestone India brought in a tyre that was OEL and then didnt bring in enough numbers. So, dealers tried to make a killing.

They will be available in 215/60 R16 in Jan. Pricing is around 7k. Refer to the other C drives thread.

Frankly, I would sugges the CPC2(if it's going to be driven enthusiastically a lot. Doesnt mean more than 50%, but if you drive the car long distance, nothing to beat the CPC2). If it's going to be a chauffeur driven car 90% of the time, then Primacy LC.

However, the sidewall is kinda soft and you need to take care. Even though I've never heard of any complaints till now. More than 8 months.

60 profile won't fit too well, so I guess the C drives are not an option. As is I need too get them changed ASAP, preferbably this week itself.

What are my other options in 215/55r16? How much would the Primacy LC and CPC2 cost?

iraghava · 23rd December 2009, 02:20

Primacy LC would be a bit on the expensive side Sahil but worth it IMO. And your used tyres are going to fetch you absolute peanuts so don't hope for much from them.

P.S. NCT5's are absolute crap!

22nd December 2009, 16:03	#1
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,608 Times	Skoda Superb - Tyre dilemma So in less than 6000kms my Superb has had two unfortunate sidewall damages to the Goodyear NCT5. One was when my dad brushed it against a kurb at a relatively low speed, and today my driver managed to damage another sidewall. All this while I was using the damaged tyres as the spare but I guess I have no choice but to switch now. Fortunately no damage to the rim as both damages were at slow speeds. Do these tyres have weak sidewalls?? I wasn't very happy with the NCT5 as they feel hard and noisy, grip levels are average. So i guess it's an opportunity to replace them all Now, tyre gurus please suggest a replacement. OE size is 205/55R16, I guess it would be ok for me to go one size up to 215/55R16? This would give me a little extra grip and a slightly bigger sidewall without any loss of FE or power. Here are a few choices I had in mind, please suggest more if any: 1. Yoko A-drive: Tried and tested on my Altis and NHC. Comfortable,gripy,vfm 2. Michelin LC: Only heard good stuff about it. Not really tried it out on how it compares to the above. 3. Bridgestone: GR-80? I believe is their new comfort tyre? If someone can lay the pros and cons with the pricing of these tyres in the size I require would be great. Also how much can I expect for the 3 NCT5s that are in perfect shape? I am guess the 2 damaged ones wouldn't fetch anything, although the cuts aren't all that big?
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 16:57	#2
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	Another option you can shortlist is Yokohama db. I have these ones on my car, they've done 35k and look good for another 20k. The ride is very good with decent grip levels.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 17:09	#3
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,140 Times	Are you sure OEM size is 205/55 R16? I thought it was 215/55 R16.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 17:14	#4
Berj79 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 375 Thanked: 10 Times	@sahil bro go for yoko db, i have them in my laura & they are a good balance between performance & comfort. cheers..
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 19:29	#5
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,608 Times	Nikhil- it is 205/55r16 yes I know that's pretty skinny for a large car. Which is why I want to upsize. However the grip with 205 is good enough too. Could you help me with the pricing and availability ? What is the diff between adrive and db?
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 20:22	#6
itzzme BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 314 Thanked: 6 Times	Go for 215/55 R16. 205/55 R16 is more vulnerable to pinch shocks etc.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 20:56	#7
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	Offtopic: My Swift had exact NCT5 205/55 R16. They are not so good tires, I wonder how do they manage to be OEM tires on premium cars like Superb and Merc C?
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 22:12	#9
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,486 Times View My Garage	For the superb I would recommend the Continental CPC2 or the Turanza GR-80. These 2 are more suited for larger and heavier eurpoean sedans. I found the GR-80's fantastic on a new Accord and the CPC2's are already known. Primacy LC is more suited for smaller sedans and so are the C-drives. I remember a complete blowout on someone's C-drive on a Skoda Octavia for no reason at all. May be due to different factors and not due to tyres. I also noticed that manufacturers make tyres for specific type of cars although they can be used on all. Last edited by Vid6639 : 22nd December 2009 at 22:21.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 22:18	#10
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,140 Times	GR-80 is dead. YOu wont get it anywhere.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 22:58	#12
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,608 Times	Nikhil- Are C drives available in 215/60r16? Whats the pricing ?
	() Thanks

23rd December 2009, 02:20	#15
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Primacy LC would be a bit on the expensive side Sahil but worth it IMO. And your used tyres are going to fetch you absolute peanuts so don't hope for much from them. P.S. NCT5's are absolute crap!
	() Thanks