Viking

Do all the WIM centres carry out wheel repairs? Or just the head office (so to speak). Edit: Obviously I meant buckled, not beckled...

Tony, how do you compare "Tread" with "Sipes", as in the picture above the sipes have disappeared as the tyre wears down, but is that classed as tread wearing too. Would a dim witted constable try and issue you with a fine / points for having a tyre below the legal limit?

Okay, cheers.

Yep, I'd read your post on the lines round the tyres, and also about the dot signifying where to valve it. There was no dot on these, but the balance wasn't bad at all. I took 75 grams of weight off one wheel and 55 off another when we took the old tyres off. What do the double yellow and blue lines signify anyway?

Yes, I was aware of that. My tyre fitter told me when he saw that one on the car when we did the exhaust last week. Worse than remoulds etc. he said. Anyway, daughter's been out for a drive this afternoon and came back with a big smile, saying it feels like a different car now. She's only been driving 18 months so I'm not gonna ask anything too technical, but if she notices a difference then there will be one.

Well, fitted today. wheel weights were 5 gram 10 gram 10 gram 15 gram Tyres removed were Goodyear Hydragrip and Eurotour Performance on the rear, and Kwik fit Centaur and Nexen on the front. So, fitted and balanced, and off for a road test. First impressions were that the wheel bearing which was making a noise is now quiet, so it was obviously tyre noise. Much quieter at motorway speeds and felt stable enough in cornering. As ever with brand new tyres I wasn't going to find the limit until they get washed off and start behaving, but still a marked improvement over the old ones. Nice directional tread pattern as well.

And I did check, but you don't have the Rainexperts listed.

Rain Experts ordered anyway. Delivery should be Thursday and fitting on Saturday. Will update when I've tried 'em out.

Yep, always do. I've had good reports on other motoring forums about the Falken FK452, but not heard much about the ZE912. But then reading online reviews suggest the Rainsport is way ahead of the Falkens, but the Rainexpert isn't quite so good (although still better than either of the Falkens). Having had Rainsports I can believe that. Overall, I reckon the Rainexperts will be the ones to get. She's not out for maximum performance, and having had one shunt in her Yaris in the wet with dubious tyres fitted, wet weather performance is more important than a lot of other factors. Certainly in North Yorks.

I know they're not popular. Doesn't mean they're bad though. She doesn't need performance tyres, just tyres which are good in all weather and will keep her on the road.

Yep, I already checked the shop, but I've not had Falkens before and I'd like some feedback as to what they're like. Rainsports I've had previously and they were very good, but comparison tho Falkens? Also, typo on the first post, I meant Rainexpert. Rainsports look to be discontinued now.

The daughter needs a set (all four) of tyres for her Ibiza. Size is 185/60/14. I was going to put Uniroyal Rainsports on, but thought I'd ask the question here. Anyone any experience of FALKEN ZE912 ZIEX, which are coming in a few quid cheaper. Or any other recommendations (no Nankangs, Matadors, Linglongs, or anything like that please), just decent tyres at a good price. I don't need fitting as my mate does 'em for me, so just some recommendations please. Cheers.

Yep, something I do with any modification. I give them the exact make, type, and spec of tyre and they confirm it's acceptable. I've been fudged by insurance companies before and I don't want it to happen again.

The blokes insurance company (Direct Line) actually didn't know the difference between the two. The woman he spoke to on the phone asked two others and they all seemed to just shrug their shoulders and "Dunno!" In the end they sent him a letter saying it was okay and didn't affect the policy, and no increase in premium.

Cheers Tony. Excellent info as usual.

A friend has a BMW 1 Series which came with runflats, and he's bought 4 new non runflats online to replace them as "They're much cheaper!" Went to have them fitted and his first few places refused, saying they needed written authority from the insurance company first. Having spoken to the insurers they actually have no issue with this, and are sending him a letter. Anyway, that aside the question has arisen about whether the standard tyres will actually fit on the runflat wheels without any issues or not. Is there any reason why they shouldn't be fitted (wheel design specific to runflats etc.) or are the wheels just the same for either tyre type? Cheers in advance.