I’m after tyres for for my new alloys (original VW alloys from 30 years ago) on the campervan.

The size I want are only made by a few companies Ive trawled all the tyre sites and I’m left with budget brands only

The size is 205 70 14 with a load rating of at least 97 and these companies are the only bad boys out there I dont want van tyers as the ride is to hard, for example Nexen can get for £40ish but Effiplus I’ve seen for £26 per tyre ! Is there going to be any difference both budget brands etc

What have you heard of ?

Nexen

Effiplus SATEC II

Evermax

semperet

Runway

goform

Jinyu

Thanks in advance

Are the wheels now on a different vehicle? If you are struggling to find known brand tyres in the correct load rating, thats probably because the alloys aren’t rated for the weight.

Also I wouldn’t discount van tyres, with a 70 sidewall ratio the sidewalls will be strong but flexible.

Have you tried looking at 210/215 width tyres, might open up the options, 60 and 65 height as well.

P.S, Nexen are the only make I’ve heard of on your list.

Nexen prolly the best of that lot

the alloys are original VW CARAT alloys the tyres need to be load rated I dont think the widths would fit on the rim.

The sizes/loads are VW specific 🙂 also changing the height of tyres would mess with the gearing ratios

Nexen were the worst tyres I’ve had the misfortune of experiencing making a car understeer at the slightest hint of moisture. I can not understand why anyone would fit budget tyres to any vehicle.

I can not understand why anyone would fit budget tyres to any vehicle.

Because none of major companies make them in that size anymore…

The wife had some cheap tyres fitted to our car when she had a puncture whilst away, and they sold her a pair.

Fast forwards a while and i thought we had a wheel bearing gone, as over a certain speed the wheel made an odd noise.

Guy at garage had a look and made a very well educated guess that it was in fact the tyres. they had worn flat spots on them (essentially like 50p’s) and that was the cause.

Buy cheap, buy twice (we did!).

I would ignore the size of tyre that’s on there at the moment and establish the rim width. Then find a tyre that fits that rim and has the correct diameter.

If you’re concerned I’d go to a local specialist and ask them for advice.

I would ignore the size of tyre that’s on there at the moment and establish the rim width. Then find a tyre that fits that rim and has the correct diameter.

er probably wont be doing that ! its the load rating I need to be looking at, I don’t think VW would spend ££££ on working out the correct size etc for it to be ignored !

If you’re concerned I’d go to a local specialist and ask them for advice.

what you’re telling me this isn’t the specialist place 🙁

I didn’t mean to be dismissive but many cars have a variety of tyre widths and profiles that are valid for the same model. Mrs BigJohn has a V reg Golf and her user manual lists 4 or 5 tyre and wheel sizes.

I can’t comment from personal experince with the tyres but Semperit are one of Continentals sub-brands, as are Uniroyal. No idea if that makes then a good budget tyre. Nexan are the only other on the list I have heard off, maynbe Jinyu but there are a lot of far easten budget makes that sound similar.

Edit: this suggests that Semerit are a Continentals mid-range brand (along with Uniroyal) Barum and is thier budget brand.

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/car-tyres/best-car-tyre-brands/continental/

just pick the nearest size that’s more popular, it’ll be cheaper. Presume it’s for a T3? One of the best things I did on mine was put 16″ wheels on it and increase the gearing by 4%. They’re horrible under geared for modern roads.

I know a bit about tyres but a lot of what I’ve learnt is from the local independent tyre place where all my cars/vans have had new tyres. They’re knowledgeable, can supply just about every tyre brand under the sun and they’re cheaper than chains/internet – worth going and having a chat with them and seeing what they recommend.

Out of that list, I’d have said Nexen. But I’ve been reading reviews on them as I need some new van tyres for my new wheels this week and Nexens have a nasty habit of delaminating. Well documented by a pretty long thread on the T5 forum.

My tyre place has told me to go for something, can’t remember the name, but they’re (secretly) made by Hankook which I’ve had very positive experiences of before.

Hankook tyres

Price band: High
Pros: Generally good wet and dry grip, good wet and dry handling
Cons: Availability patchy, high purchase prices

Hankook Tire (South Korea) is an ambitiously expanding company which is growing in Europe – where its involvement in race series such as the DTM (German Touring Cars), GT4 European Series plus the Nurburgring 24 Hours has helped raise its profile.

It owns the subsidiary value-oriented brand Kingstar (Netherlands), as well as its own in-house entry-level line, Laufenn. Its own-brand range includes winter and all-season tyres, as well as models developed to optimise fuel economy. However, Hankook tyres are quite expensive compared with other makes – and availability is patchy compared with mainstream brands.

buying a brand does not guarantee good tires

ive had shite tires from pirelli and hankook – conversely ive had good tires from both (optimo 4 seasons from hankook are spot on imo)

ive had good tires from baum and nexen and ecostar…..

And one persons good tire is anothers shite tire ….. based on driving style and vehicle choice.

although admittedly the worst tires i ever bought were 24 quid fitted for a fiesta – cheapest i could find and i litterally drove to fort william and back – then went to the garage and spent another 100 quid having 2 good tires fitted.

Could you go for a slightly different tyre size to get something more suitable?

Hankook do some van tyres in a 205/75/14 with a high load rating….

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m90b0s2226p115287/Hankook_Tyres_Van_Hankook_RA18_Vantra_LT_Hankook_RA_18_-_205_75_R14_C_109R_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

and if you put the numbers into here:

http://www.willtheyfit.com/ (you can ignore the width/offset values as you’ll be using the same wheels or put them in if you know them)

it looks like they’ll only be a 3% variation between these & the size you linked to.

I’ve had Hankooks before (Ventus Prime, or something similar) and they were OK.

There have been several long discussions on the brickyard and club 80-90 about tyres for carat alloys, mostly revolving around if a 96 rating was sufficient – I seem to remember that for a while vw fitted 94 or 96 rated tyres as oe.
If you use the van all year then I’d suggest getting any of the budget brands for the alloys and a set of standard steel wheels with all season van tyres for the winter, I’ve got cheap Avon tyres on mine and managed to get out in the snow and ice sledging this year without getting stuck.
Of the ones you mention I’d go with nexan though

This tyre size in Europe would be a rated at 98 load index as XL/Reinforced type (or 102 as van type 205/70R14C )

Semperit is the only brand that I would consider from your list.

Just had some ‘Jinyu’ tyres fitted to my Cmax bought via Blackcircles from there ‘Premium Budget’ range?

Never heard of them and thought they’d be shite but actually seem alright and the model I have seem to get have decent reviews.

Have had Nexex N blue as well which were ok, but prefer tyres which have a built in rim protection which the Nexens didn’t have.

Bought a car which had some ‘Landsail’ tyres fitted, binned them off asap as they were lethal in the wet, proper ditchfinders.

Thanks re Jinyu tyres which model ??

The semperit tyres aren’t in stock for at least 5 weeks ! I phoned continental uk and they said no where has them !