ETYRES.CO.UK

[Guest Stuart]

I will need 2 new tyres in the near future and came across etyres.co.uk. Apparently they come to you to fit the tyres and examples of prices (215/75/R16C) are: Pirelli £86.90; Michelin Agilis £114.90. Does anyone have experience of using this company? Are these good prices? Is it best to fit new tyres on the rear? Thanks in anticipation of your contributions and Compliments of the Season to all readers.

[Guest Derek Uzzell]

Presumably the Michelin tyre pattern is Agilis 81, in which case it will be 215/75 R16C 113R, with the "113" indicating a maximum load-bearing weight of 1150kg per tyre (ie. 2300kg maximum axle load) and the "R" indicating the speed at which the tyre can carry that load (in this case 106mph). For a realistic tyre-to-tyre comparison you'll need to check that the Pirelli tyre has the same (or better) load/speed index (ie. 113R or higher). Arguably the best performing tyre in this size is Continental's Vanco-8. As far as prices are concerned, I suggest you contact a number of potential suppliers and ask for their best quotes. The difficulty with tyre pricing is that the tyre companies themselves regularly have special promotions and/or the distributors have special deals with tyre-fitting outlets, so next week's price for a particular make/pattern of tyre may be higher or lower than today's price. Smaller independent tyre-fitting specialists tend to be less expensive than major chains. Nowadays it's recommended that a new pair of tyres is fitted to the rear axle of the vehicle. The rationale behind this is that, in extreme manoeuvres or heavy braking on a slippery road surface, the front (more worn) tyres will break away before the rear ones giving the driver a sporting change of retaining control. Fitting a new pair of tyres to the rear axle of a FWD motorhome may present a dilemma if you are accustomed to using the vehicle off hard surfaces (eg. on grassed campsites) where maximum grip is desirable. However, if that's the situation and your remaining tyres are a bit lacking in tread depth, I guess you should be swapping the lot not just two.

[Guest MelE]

Presumably the need to fit new tyres to the rear axle doesn't apply if the vehicle has ABS?

[Guest Mike C]

Hello Mel, New tyres on the back axle still applies. You are correct about braking and ABS but think of the scenario with worn rear tyres on a motor caravan with the weight distribution back heavy. Enter a sharp bend greasy road, front grips, rear breaks away. No tyre dealer worth his salt would recommend putting the new tyres on the front. Regards, Mike C.