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Old 24th April 2010, 22:18   #1
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NHC Tyre Dilema - New Tyres and Mixed Sizes - - Help!

Hi,
Although I came across several threads around NHC and Tyre Choice, I couldnt find posts that are specific to my dilema. Mods, Do merge this incase there is a thread about it.

I drive a 2007 NHC ZX Exi thats done about 28 K on the odo. The OE Tyres were goodyear 175/65/R14 and like I have figured out by experience and others experiences, they are a lousy set of tyres. My problem is that 2 tyres have got 'bubbled/swollen' in the sidewalls and one has even had a puncture very close to the sidewall. The patch repair is not advisable and so am not going in for it. The leaves me with just 3 good tyres. I am now scouting around to buy one pair of better tyres.

Options i have are:

1. Buy a pair of michelin energy mx1+ 175/65/R14 or Pirellis of the same size and replace them in the front, leaving the goodyear's in the rear. I am getting a deal of Rs 3900 per tyre for Michelin and Rs 3800 per pirelli from Jay tyres near satyam cinemas in chennai (Bridgestone is for Rs 3450 a piece).

2. Since my longer term plan was to upgrade to 185/60/R14, I wanted to look at an option of running 185's (Michelin / Pirelli) at the rear and 175s at the front. Deal is a 100 Rs more per tyre than the 175s price above.

Questions:

1.Among Bridgestone / Michelin / Pirelii which is the better one to go for? My assesment after reading several threads is Michelin en mx1.

2.Is the deal i am getting a decent one?

3.Can I look at running 185s at the back and 175s at the front? Would this cause any issues? One i see is the spare would be a 175 and so in case of a rear puncture i would run 175 and 185 mixed for a short time.

Pls note my budget doesnt permit me to pick up 4 tyres else would have moved to 185s without a doubt.

Guys, Do help out without suggestions. I want to pick up the tyres in a week at the max because I am really worried driving around on the bubbled one.
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Old 25th April 2010, 00:28   #2
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Pick two tyres of 185/65 R14 (not 185/60 R14).

185/65 R14 is theoretically not perfect, but in the real world, it makes a lot more sense.

Now, pick up two tyres of XM1+ 185/65 R14. Put them at the back. Put the two Goodyears at the front so they wear quickly.

Then as soon as possible, buy another pair of Michelin 185/65 R14 and you are good to go!

Now, coming to the prices:

3800/- for 175/65 R14 Pirelli cant be true. Check again and bargain harder. It should be closer to 3400 or so. Maybe lower.

Same goes for the Pirelli 185/65 R14.

Now, 175/65 R14 michelin XM1+ and 185/65 R14 Michelin XM1+ are priced EXACTLY the SAME!

Dont fall for the old trick of "bigger tyre = more expensive". It's true 99% of the time, but not in the case of the Michelin.
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Old 25th April 2010, 10:28   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008 View Post
Pick two tyres of 185/65 R14 (not 185/60 R14).

185/65 R14 is theoretically not perfect, but in the real world, it makes a lot more sense.

Now, pick up two tyres of XM1+ 185/65 R14. Put them at the back. Put the two Goodyears at the front so they wear quickly.

Then as soon as possible, buy another pair of Michelin 185/65 R14 and you are good to go!

Now, coming to the prices:

3800/- for 175/65 R14 Pirelli cant be true. Check again and bargain harder. It should be closer to 3400 or so. Maybe lower.

Same goes for the Pirelli 185/65 R14.

Now, 175/65 R14 michelin XM1+ and 185/65 R14 Michelin XM1+ are priced EXACTLY the SAME!

Dont fall for the old trick of "bigger tyre = more expensive". It's true 99% of the time, but not in the case of the Michelin.
Nikhil, Thanks for the quick reply! Any specific reason when you say as soon as possible for upgrading the remaining two to 185s? My idea was to live out the life of the remaining 2 goodyears (or till whenever they last fine) and then upgrade them to 185s. That could be another 12-15 k kms and over an year surely). Any issue running the 2 different sizes for that long?

Regarding the Pirelli's, let me check with the dealer again. But in all likelihood I'll stick to Michelins and sort out the 100 Rs difference thing when I pick them up. But otherwise, is Rs 3900 a piece ok for them?
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Old 25th April 2010, 11:47   #4
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Just that it isnt recommended. You will have more grip at the rear than at the front and it will lead to even more understeer.
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Old 25th April 2010, 13:00   #5
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Ok. Got the point. So looks like all round michelin 185s is the way to go.

Time to save up some cash!
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Old 16th July 2010, 14:33   #6
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Hi Seek,
I am also in the same boat and like to change my NHC tyres (crappy goodyear ones).

What did you put finally and how was the ride so far.

Can you share your feedback.

Thx.
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Old 29th July 2010, 11:23   #7
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185/70/R14 on the stock Steel RIMs?

I am hijacking this thread for one NHC related tire upgrade query

Currently I am running the stock tires and rims (175/65/R14) and thinking of changing my tires to 185/70/R14 as the stock one is almost reaching EOL.

I hope the size 185/70/R14 will give better GC in NHC. But my confusions are this

1. Can I fit this size tire in my stock rims?

2. How safe is this on highways ? Currently I am not rich enough to go for Alloys.

3. How much will be the speedo error? (Suppose if the speedo shows 100kmps what will be my actual speed? )

4. I am planning for Yoko A-Drive, any idea what will be the price in bangalore?

I hope the Tire Gurus can throw some light on this

Thanks
Rajesh
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Old 29th July 2010, 16:38   #8
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I am nota tire guru but:

1. Yes, it will fit on stock rims !
2. As safe as your old ones, if not more.
3. Radius will increase by 15.75mm. So when speedo shows 100Kmph it should actually show 113Kmph. (13% error, recommended is less than 3%)
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Old 30th July 2010, 07:58   #9
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@guptavis, Thanks a lot for this information.


Quote:
Originally Posted by guptavis View Post
3. Radius will increase by 15.75mm. So when speedo shows 100Kmph it should actually show 113Kmph. (13% error, recommended is less than 3%)
You mean that, my actual speed will be more than what showing in the speedo meter..right? That is little concern for me. In this case I may have to go for 185/65/R14...??

Thanks
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Old 30th July 2010, 21:53   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RajeshK View Post
You mean that, my actual speed will be more than what showing in the speedo meter..right? That is little concern for me. In this case I may have to go for 185/65/R14...??
Yes, your actual speed will be more than what odo shows by 13%.
For 185/65 R14 the error will be 6.5mm. This will still give an error of 5.5% (I am not against it, just listing the info) . I plan to get this size myself when i change my tires. Primary reason would be to get a little more grip and increase the Ground clearance.
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