Tyres: How much to spend?

[Mooby]

I need 4 new tyres for the VR6, but I'm very poor...  I don't really want budget ones, since I'd like a car that goes around corners and stops and stuff like that.

I just asked the chaps at the tyre place down the road (Bathwick Tyres) and they said budget ones would be £178 for four, or the next ones up are some firestones for £238.

So, anyone know how much better the firestones would be?  Would they last longer, or last about the same but grip much better...?  I had a quick look for a review showing typical Budget tyres Vs some brand name ones but I didn't have any luck.  Anyone seen one?

Would it be worthwhile to spend even more than the £238?  or is there anyone I can get a good deal on some tyres (I'm sure I could get them to fit them... they fitted my exhaust for £20)

What do people recommend?  obviously some super-expensive ones which grip like Sh!t to a blanket would be great, but I have a mortgage and a baby on the way, so £250 is a bit of a budget stretch as it is, especially if something expensive needs doing for the MOT next month

[firstgolfgti]

give these people a go www.blackcircles.co.uk I did and payed £176 for 4 x Pirelli P6000 195/50/15 fully fitted and all in.

[gibby]

Get the best tyres you can afford would be my advice, only contact with the road and all that. I'm not saying get the very best, just don't go for the very worse because you're trying to save money.

[monkeyalan]

toyo proxes = cheapish and great. 

[Mooby]

give these people a go www.blackcircles.co.uk I did and payed £176 for 4 x Pirelli P6000 195/50/15 fully fitted and all in.

Was just getting quotes from their online system...  I've currently got 205s on, so assuming I need to replace with 205s?  I know you can 'Stretch' tyres to an extent - I assume though that this makes the wheel slightly smaller?  should I consider this? I don't particularly want to have to get my speedo calibrated

The equivalent to the tyres you have there in 205 width seems to add around £30 a tyre...   Making it a bit steep... aargh I hate cars. bloody money pits the lot of 'em.

Toyo Proxes are coming in at £74 too.  Why does that little bit of extra width seem to add 70% to the price?   

[Mooby]

well ok, more like 40%... but it's still only 5% more rubber?

[gibby]

Go for a stretch tyre because it's the look you want rather than because it's cheaper. How wide are your wheels ? I've got 8s on my Rallye and I'm running a 195/40/16 tyres on them and it's not a big stretch, but it's a stretch all the same. You may find some tyre places will refuse to put a stretch tyre on.

[topher]

www.mytyres.co.uk

Haven't bought a tyre from anywhere else in the last 4 years.

your toyo proxes are £44 on there.. as opposed to the £74 you quoted... i'd go for the falken Ziex ZE 512's though. £43.50 a corner, more grip than toyos and rim protection too.

[gibby]

^ that's the link I was trying to remember.

[Mooby]

www.mytyres.co.uk

Haven't bought a tyre from anywhere else in the last 4 years.

your toyo proxes are £44 on there.. as opposed to the £74 you quoted... i'd go for the falken Ziex ZE 512's though. £43.50 a corner, more grip than toyos and rim protection too.

Holy crap!  They're well cheap! Toyo proxes T1-R 205/50/15 V for £44 each    Thanks a lot!

I know normally the stretch thing is done for looks, but I do quite like it to be honest.... but since I can get 'proper' size ones from there I'll just go with that.

Just found somewhere that'll fit and balance them for under £50 too... So 220ish For the Toyos Vs 238 for second worst option at the other place...  lovely