What size does the Saga use? Best price I could find (so far) for the XM2 in 185/60 R14 was 195, caught a glimpse at another dealer that they are paying 187 for one...

Did the price go up, cause this thread lists 168 as best price, so I thought 195 is quite high. But if it's already good I go there before they change their mind... (Permas Jaya, (almost) opposite McDonalds).

Btw., is it cheaper in Singapore...? Spare parts for my car are usually cheaper there, so who knows, right? Other tips in JB?

Oh, and 230 or so (can't really remember cause I'm more interested in the Michelin) for Toyo tyres in that size... they have Toyo Tyres written in large letters all over the shop.

Any alternative to the XM2? I'm looking for reasonable comfort (though I usually have 2.7 bar in the tyres, so it's not an absolute priority), good fuel consumption, good handling in dry and wet (well, it's Malaysia after all). They don't have to last forever, they will probably die of old age rather than from being worn out. Currently driving on worn out (and too old) Bridgestone Turanza ER60...

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Jun 5 2012, 09:08 PM

They do seem to be linked together. http://www.achillestyres.co.za/Achilles-about.htm

I have heard good (and bad) things of Achilles, I guess they are amongst the better cheap brands, but would I put it on my car...? Not sure. Especially if you have that size it's probably a more expensive car, which means why drive an expensive car when you can't afford the tyres? Such a car may also put more stress on the tyres, which may have bad consequences. Change the rims to a cheaper type then.

Also even if Achilles is Yokohama it could be used to sell poor quality tyres, poor quality rubbers instead of throwing them away. For example there is this car light bulb brand that is made in the same place as Osram, called White Hammer. Some have had good experiences with them, some bad ones. Probably they are the same lights, but with poorer QC. So perhaps those that didn't pass the QC get sold as White Hammer, plus maybe a few good ones because they can sell more of them than there are bad ones. White Hammer is much cheaper than original Osram.

Seen others complain that the side wall of Achilles tyres burst. Being sticky isn't everything... also fuel consumption, aquaplaning etc. is relevant.

Changed my tyres today. Ended up paying 200 each for the XM2, they said because the valves were included. Didn't want to fight with buddha (he looked exactly the same, just not as fat), and RM5 each more than quoted I can still manage. They changed it so fast that I couldn't watch... didn't see them doing balancing. If they have done, there should be weights on the rims, right?

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Jun 7 2012, 04:23 PM

So it's always like that?

Steering feels lighter, seems to be less noisy (I was pretty much driving on old slicks (Bridgestone Turanza ER60) before, so yup, improvement). Not sure if the cornering will be as good as the old ones though, maybe I'll try tomorrow (could feel the limit of the old ones), but I don't want to ruin the tyres just after I bought them. So far (the 10 km I have driven with them) I'm satisfied.

Rubber prices went up...

The final diameter should stay the same as it is before. there are calculators for that. comfort, acceleration and fuel consumption will suffer though, handling can improve or suffer. also more expensive.

prices depend on type and brand, see the first post for a rough reference. don't sacrifice safety for good looks. dont get cheap crap.

2,2 bar (32 psi) is usually ok. What is recommended? I would pump it up a bit more though, usually I drive with 2,6-2,7 bar (I don't have the chance to check with very cold tyres though, have to drive a km or two before I can check). It's better to have too much than too little, too little damages the tyre easily, too much... they are usually rated for at least 3 bar, so they can withstand even more than that. Even with potholes I doubt they will explode as long as you are only a bit over the recommended pressure.

Advantages of driving too (moderately) much pressure: Lower fuel consumption, better speed/acceleration (less resistance), better handling, less tyre wear. Disadvantage: Not so comfortable. Try to find the right balance for you

(After having seen how much a tyre on a Kangoo deforms during cornering (ok, it was racing on the Nürburgring/Nordschleife) I rather have more pressure in there than too little ).

If you buy a new set balancing is usually included (apart from valves which are 5 each). If you just want a tyre change then balancing and changing is 10 each. Alignment and chamber are I believe always optional, and you will have to pay for it.

comfort will suffer, not sure how much. speedo will be wrong. car lower, may look odd.

In the past at least one set has blown up in the UK or so, but that's quite a while ago, and amongst really cheap tyres it has a decent reputation, from what I can tell. Still I'd rather get decent ones from an established brand with good reputation, even if it is their entry level tyre. Tyres are the last place I'd like to skip on. Better drive on small steel rims than on tyres that aren't any good.

Achilles. Look around for it, people have had good as well as bad experiences with it.

Recently bought the XM2 (after lots of positive feedback here... and now it's very negative. Great, thanks guys ). FC seems to have dropped by 1-2l/100 km, but this is only the first refill (on the other hand I never, ever got below 10l/100km, usually 11-12, and now it is 9? I did drive faster than usual, normally I only get up to 90-100 cause someone is blocking the way, but in the past few days roads have been clearer so I could drive 110-130.) The tyre is also pretty quiet.

On the other hand I had to brake hard today (almost missed an exit), and the ABS kicked in. In the dry! The first time the ABS got work, ever. That is a bit scary. I slowed down in time, but the G forces didn't feel that high.

In a review in Russia the XM2 did perform pretty bad, while another Michelin Energy Saver or so was on top. I thought that was because the XM2 is probably designed for SE Asian weather and doesn't perform that well when it's cold, but... oh well, it doesn't seem to grip that well even when it's hot (my previous ER60 were better, but then again those were semi slicks In the wet a bit scary...).

Is there actually a better option for 185/60 R14? PS3 is for bigger tyres only. (But I'm stuck with the XM2 for a while, not economic to change them so soon).

XM2 is ok. Grip isn't great, depends on how you drive. Fc is good, it is comfortable and quiet. If those are your priorities and you drive slowly then it is a good choice. Should also last long. Didn't experience grip problems in the wet (never tried hard enough), only in the dry when braking very hard.

Reduce FC go for skinny tires. Driving on 155 XM2 and you won't consume at all, lol. It's might get a bit dangerous though. Think stock size should be fine. Beware though that grip isn't the XM2's strong point, and going for skinnier tires won't help. I'm driving on 185/60 R14, and got the ABS to kick in when braking hard (not very hard though). In the dry. That is _not_ a good sign.

But if you drive carefully, yeah, why not.

Not sure if c drive is better. The xm2 are reasonable. Not very noisy, good fc. Probably last forever. But grip isn't that good. I'd you want good grip then you will have to trade off in those areas. Not sure if the xm2 are the best compromise though.

Wider tyres are good for dry handling, narrower ones for wet handling (not so much surface that can make the car float).

XM2 is ok, but the grip is so-so. It's more aimed at comfort, fuel consumption and long lasting. Don't drive like a lunatic and you should be fine... though in emergency breaking... I once had to brake hard, and the ABS kicked in. While it was dry. First time ever that happened to me (apart from one emergency braking in driving school, but there I really smashed the brakes (intentionally), and it felt like my internals were rearanged that time, with the XM2 it was no where near that). My old Bridgestone Turanza ER60 gripped better, though they were pretty much slicks when I bought the car. Not sure how they performed when they were new.

However I do not know if in that size there are better options than the XM2. Usually in that size tyres are more aimed towards comfort and saving money than towards very good grip, at least over here.

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Jul 15 2012, 10:57 PM