Hi. The original tyres of my Ford Focus Sports S+ were Conti MC5. I replaced one rear tyre with MC6 four years, so currently 3 are originally fitted MC5 and 1 is MC6. Now, the issue happened last week when I did not realize that one of my rear tyre (the MC6) was flat and I kept driving. The side wall seems damaged, See photos.

The workshop guy came and "repaired" the flat tyre using a patching stick. I asked him whether it is safe to drive. He said for inside city short drives, it should be alright, but for long drives, the tyre will get heated up and the damaged sidewall can become an issue.

So three questions to experts out here
1. Seeing the tyre condition from the photo and your experience, is it safe to continue using this tyre? I drive mostly inside KL - ride duration 1-2 hours at a stretch at max.
2. If recommended to replace, pls suggest which one to choose for 215/50R17? The workshop gave me these options
- Toyo CR1 (410/pc)
- Yokohama AE51 (465/pc)
- Continental MC6 (480/pc)
- Michelin Primacy 4 (600/pc)

and on searching internet, I also saw these two other options
- Yokohama V701
- Continental UC7

3. Shall I change one pair of rear tyres or can just change the one with the sidewall damaged?

I stay in Bandar Sri Damansara and I would prefer not to spend more than rm500/pc (or rm1000/pair). I mostly drive inside KL city.

If I missed anything, pls ask. Thanks!

these tyres are no longer safe to drive on.
please replace in pairs ie 2 pc or 4 pc
Michelin would be cofortable and nice, but a bit pricer
wont be 600/pc, more like 500/pc type of pricing for your tyre size

with that budget can go michelin primacy for comfort and safety

Toyo CR1 is value for money. Using it for few months now and found the performance better than Michelin

@matrix88, @tancyew and @BL98

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, Michelin Primacy 4 is available at rm500+ when I check Shopee (though I will have to drive to their workshop for installation, which is not quite near - and I do not have high hopes on my "repaired" tyre). My regular workshop (near to my place in Bandar Sri Damansara) is indeed trying to make extra bucks, perhaps, since I am a foreigner.

How good is Yokohoma AE51 (at rm465/pc)? The workshop guy said it's "Made in Japan" and so recommended me that over others. Will it be a significant downgrade from Michelin? I can either get this AE51 (at 465/pc) fixed at the nearby workshop, or I can just order Michelin (at 500/pc) from shopee and drive to the installation location (Puchong/Klang/Seri Kembangan).

I was initially thinking of a pair of Conti MC6 since then there will be all four Conti tyres, though I think that's hardly a factor.

What are you looking for? Performance-oriented or comfort?

Yes agree, TS should need to inform us what tire category or expectation he wants before we can recommend it.
So many brands & model in market, each got their pro & con.

The tires listed above are a mix bag between normal touring comfort tires with UHP tires. What is your priority?

- Toyo CR1 (410/pc) - Touring Comfort
- Yokohama AE51 (465/pc) - Touring Comfort
- Continental MC6 (480/pc) - UHP tires
- Michelin Primacy 4 (600/pc) - Touring Comfort
- Yokohama V701 - UHP tires
- Continental UC7 - Touring Comfort

This post has been edited by littlefire: Oct 6 2023, 08:22 AM

@nghoongen and @littlefire

Yes, I realised I forgot to include that critical piece of information - desired tyre category - owing to my ignorance of the many categories. But now I've done some reading.

Safety is a top issue for me. Since the 2000cc engine may accelerate, I occasionally find myself in circumstances where I must bring the car to a stop quickly. I would love the tyres to provide me with good braking capability without compromising steering stability.

Most of my driving is in KL. I don't drive in a rage. Over everything else, I place safety first. Yes, my initial tyres were Conti UHP category, and I didn't have many complaints, other from the fact that they create a lot of noise and aren't especially comfortable, but the handling and braking are excellent.

By the way, I noticed that Yokohama AE51 and Michelin PS4 are both Touring Comfort, so which one would be suggested between these two options - AE51 at 465/pc from my neighbouring workshop and Michelin PS4 at 500/pc from Shopee?

If I missed any crucial details, pls hit me up again. And thanks for the replies. Appreciate it.

Bro, PS = Pilot Sport = UHP/Max Performance tire
P = Primacy = Touring comfort tires

Totally 2 different model from Michelin.

If you want great dry & wet braking without compromise steering feel, all these are more towards performance base UHP tire. Do take note, comfort & silent wont be the priority once you go into this category.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5
Bridgestone POTENZA ADRENALIN RE004
Goodyear Eagle Efficientgrip
Conti MC6
Falken FK510
Hankook Ventus V12evo2 / S1noble2
Yokohama V701
Maxxis Premitra HP5

Usually for best value: performance ratio tires i would recommend mid range line, example like Falken, Hankook, Yokohama & Maxxis. Time to time these mid range brands/models can provide best of buck performance/experience.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Oct 9 2023, 08:19 AM

Can throw Hankook Ventus Prime 4 in to the mic as well, and save some RM in the process. Seems like got a dealer in your area. If price is not favourable, can just go to any Teoh Bros branch at Klang to get good price.

CYK Car Auto Services S/B
NO.3A-1, GROUND FLOOR, JALAN DAMAR SRI DAMANSARA 15/1, DAMANSARA, SELANGOR, 52200
012-3136912

Like what @littlefire said, comfort and performance don't mix well together. It's usually one or the other.

If your budget allows, then you can consider Michelin Primacy 4 for comfort.

Personally, I'm using V701 for my weekend ride and Giti Sport S2 for my daily , and they both perform well within the speed limit.

If you're looking for affordable quality tyres, my suggestion is to consider Giti Sport S2. A little bit noisier than the Primacy 4, but the grip and steering response are still good.

You didn't mention if you like to do cornering at moderate to high speeds. FWIW I have Toyo CR1 on my Ford Focus sedan which is on 205/60 R16. It may not be like-for-like comparison since it's high profile vs low profile so perhaps low profile may not show too much of that softness, that I'm not sure. Everything else on the CR1 such as short braking distance, straight line performance in both dry and wet, all are good.

If you are changing 4 tyres together, check the prices with Hin Leong Tyre Klang as their prices are usually much lower than the rest in Klang valley. I changed my 4 tyres there Toyo CR1, RM295 per piece only. The rest all RM350+

This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Oct 11 2023, 01:08 PM