Advise on Laura tyres - Michelin Vs Pirelli Vs Michelin

Ravveendrra · 13th April 2009, 01:51

I need advice on the following:

My Laura is now Peted and there is a decent increase in torque.

My stock tyres (Dunlop Sport ) are 205/55 R 16. I am contemplating moving to 225/55 R16 tyres on the stock rims (6.5 J 16). Is this new size, which is about 3.4% bigger than the old one, going to adversely affect the car, steering or handling?

I am stuck between the Michelin Primacy HP, Pirelli P7 and Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres (I do not know if the Pilot Primacy are still available in India as only the Indian web-site of Michelin shows them). What do the gurus advise?

Cheers and thanks in advance,

GTO · 13th April 2009, 12:41

I can vouch for the performance of Michelin PP2's, just as many other BHPians do. This is the best rubber for your Laura. 25K up on my C and the tyres have endured Indian conditions well, including several highway runs.

nithin.g.balaji · 13th April 2009, 15:46

I would like to second GTO but i would strongly advice you to go for a 225/50r16 rather.
Since you are sticking to your o.e rims 225/55/16 is not advised. I am sure you'll love the clearance it would add to your car ( Skoda car owner's generally have a major issue with road clearance). To add to that the tire would probably touch inside if there are two people with some load in your boot.
Currently in 225/55r16 Pilot Primacy will be available but all the Mxv8's and Pilot primacy's will eventually get replaced with the new and better variant "Primacy LC".
I probably would ask you to look at Continental as an option over Pirelli's and Dunlop.

Ravveendrra · 13th April 2009, 21:44

Thanks a tonne GTO and Nitin,

Welcome to TBHP Nitin, this is a delightful forum, I hope you enjoy it.

I took the sound advice given (to an extent). I also checked the worldwide and UK sites including tyrereviews. I told myself that if I was looking for more grip, it was better to go in for a grippier compound rather than increase the width. Somehow when the time came to take the plunge, I balked at the thought of increasing the height of my sidewalls and it's attendant propensity to deform during cornering. So stock size tyres it is.

My choices in order of preference were (1) Michelin Primacy HP, (2) Pirelli P7 and (3) Michelin Pilot Primacy. This was dictated as much by availability in the size(s) I was looking at i.e. 205/55, 215/55 and 225/55 or 225/50 in R16. Performance tyres are difficult to come by in those sizes even the PP2s are available only in the 205/50 size. I also went by the reviews and write-ups on them on TBHP and other fora.

Once in the shop I checked out some Yokohomas, Continental Premium Contacts and the all new Michelin Primacy LC. You are spot on @ Nitin, Michelin is introducing the Primacy LC to replace the XM1, MXV8, and some other lines including the Pilot Primacy. It is basically a comfort tyre with added performance. I found the sidewall very soft though the thread compound seemed soft to the touch.

I decided to go with the 205/55 R16 Primacy HPs and fitted a set. They cost about Rs. 9275/- each.

A look at my old tyres after they were dismounted was a revelation. The compound and sidewalls had hardened and were rock solid. Small bits from the blocks in the tread had chipped off.

The short drive back with the new tyres was a revelation. The car felt more supple and planted. The steering was lighter and more precise, the feedback too had improved. The ride quality has improved and the car now seems to glide along. The wheel-spin when I floor the accelerator has disappeared.

Cheers,

absynthguzzler · 13th April 2009, 21:50

Nice one Vakil saab! new shoes and much wanted 300kms to test itself on soon as well :-) . No stopping the TANK now !

pulsar56 · 13th April 2009, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

I decided to go with the 205/55 R16 Primacy HPs and fitted a set. They cost about Rs. 9275/- each.

Congrats Ravveendrra - Now, I have a strong reason to travel in the tank for our Suryalanka meet now!

This is the shortest advice thread on T-BHP!

Ravveendrra · 14th April 2009, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by absynthguzzler

Nice one Vakil saab! new shoes and much wanted 300kms to test itself on soon as well :-) . No stopping the TANK now !

I would rather have it as "maaji-vakil" or "ex-vakil". Well I thought it was time to put an end to the Tank's fascination for agricultural operations. Unless you plan to drop me off a bridge, I think the total distance is about 700. 352 one way as per my old travelogue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pulsar56

Congrats Ravveendrra - Now, I have a strong reason to travel in the tank for our Suryalanka meet now!

This is the shortest advice thread on T-BHP!

As always, you are more than welcome. Are you sure you do not want to test the rocket on a long drive? There will be enough petrol-heads to give you advise and help.

About the thread being short - I posted the request for advice on the 'best overall performers' thread, but got no response. I then started this thread and hit pay-dirt! All's well that ends well.

Cheers,

Sahil · 15th April 2009, 02:55

Ravvendra- I got Primacy HP on my 520d and they seemed great. Now my 525d tyres are due for a change but I cant make up my mind between the Primacy HP or PP2s. My heart says PP2 since they have a better grip while maintaining the comfort but they have been several complaints about tyre bubbles.
Did you compare the compound of the Primacy HP vs PP2 to see which is softer hence more prone to damage?

Ravveendrra · 15th April 2009, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Ravvendra- I got Primacy HP on my 520d and they seemed great. Now my 525d tyres are due for a change but I cant make up my mind between the Primacy HP or PP2s. My heart says PP2 since they have a better grip while maintaining the comfort but they have been several complaints about tyre bubbles.
Did you compare the compound of the Primacy HP vs PP2 to see which is softer hence more prone to damage?

Hi Sahil,

I dropped in at the dealer again today for a tyre pressure gauge and met the rep from Michelin. He tells me that the whole Michelin range is being revamped. So if you can wait for a month or so you might get a better picture.

The PP2 are designed to be grippier while the Primacy HP gives a little more comfort. The sidewalls of the PP2 are stiffer then the ones on the HP. I think that the tread compound on the PP2 is softer but am not sure about it. The HP also has an assymetrical construction with the tread compound on the inside and outside of the tyres being different.

Cheers,

veishal · 15th April 2009, 16:54

The best upsize in the laura on the stock alloys is the 225/50/16 and i recommend that you try out the YOKOHAMA DNA decibels in that size. The results would be very different in terms of road behaviour and the virtually zero road contact sound inside the cabin. The experience with the PP and MXV8 has not ben very pleasant in the last three cars as they tend to become very stiff post 20000 Kms. Try this one and you will have a different experience, and with your car already Peted, high speed character would be amazingly pleasant.

babhishek · 28th May 2009, 15:36

How much are the DNA Decibels ? Also, i guess they are quieter than the PP2's ?

Nikhilb2008 · 28th May 2009, 15:48

The DNA decibel should be quieter than the PP2s for sure. However, they will not have the same outright grip as the PP2s in dry.

ACM · 28th May 2009, 16:23

Would recommend Yokohoma S-Drive 205-55-R16. Use them currently am at about 15k kms they terrific compared to the m'lins MXV8 that I had earlier.

Have also attached a file that I posted earlier. Seems to make more sense here.

Would also recommend 225-50-R16 as the upsize with the same rims.

Varaman · 6th March 2010, 13:30

I have recently upsized my Laura tyres (without changing the stock alloys) to Yokohama DNA Decibel ES501 in 225/50-R16. The results are quite amazing - ride comfort is much superior, road grip is phenomenal and the tyre noise is the lowest I have experienced in my 38 years of driving. I give a solid thumbs-up to these tyres.

13th April 2009, 01:51	#1
Ravveendrra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,390 Thanked: 447 Times View My Garage	Advise on Laura tyres - Michelin Vs Pirelli Vs Michelin I need advice on the following: My Laura is now Peted and there is a decent increase in torque. My stock tyres (Dunlop Sport ) are 205/55 R 16. I am contemplating moving to 225/55 R16 tyres on the stock rims (6.5 J 16). Is this new size, which is about 3.4% bigger than the old one, going to adversely affect the car, steering or handling? I am stuck between the Michelin Primacy HP, Pirelli P7 and Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres (I do not know if the Pilot Primacy are still available in India as only the Indian web-site of Michelin shows them). What do the gurus advise? Cheers and thanks in advance,
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 12:41	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,831 Thanked: 321,548 Times View My Garage	I can vouch for the performance of Michelin PP2's, just as many other BHPians do. This is the best rubber for your Laura. 25K up on my C and the tyres have endured Indian conditions well, including several highway runs.
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 15:46	#3
nithin.g.balaji Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	I would like to second GTO but i would strongly advice you to go for a 225/50r16 rather. Since you are sticking to your o.e rims 225/55/16 is not advised. I am sure you'll love the clearance it would add to your car ( Skoda car owner's generally have a major issue with road clearance). To add to that the tire would probably touch inside if there are two people with some load in your boot. Currently in 225/55r16 Pilot Primacy will be available but all the Mxv8's and Pilot primacy's will eventually get replaced with the new and better variant "Primacy LC". I probably would ask you to look at Continental as an option over Pirelli's and Dunlop.
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 21:44	#4
Ravveendrra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,390 Thanked: 447 Times View My Garage	Primacy HPs it is. Thanks a tonne GTO and Nitin, Welcome to TBHP Nitin, this is a delightful forum, I hope you enjoy it. I took the sound advice given (to an extent). I also checked the worldwide and UK sites including tyrereviews. I told myself that if I was looking for more grip, it was better to go in for a grippier compound rather than increase the width. Somehow when the time came to take the plunge, I balked at the thought of increasing the height of my sidewalls and it's attendant propensity to deform during cornering. So stock size tyres it is. My choices in order of preference were (1) Michelin Primacy HP, (2) Pirelli P7 and (3) Michelin Pilot Primacy. This was dictated as much by availability in the size(s) I was looking at i.e. 205/55, 215/55 and 225/55 or 225/50 in R16. Performance tyres are difficult to come by in those sizes even the PP2s are available only in the 205/50 size. I also went by the reviews and write-ups on them on TBHP and other fora. Once in the shop I checked out some Yokohomas, Continental Premium Contacts and the all new Michelin Primacy LC. You are spot on @ Nitin, Michelin is introducing the Primacy LC to replace the XM1, MXV8, and some other lines including the Pilot Primacy. It is basically a comfort tyre with added performance. I found the sidewall very soft though the thread compound seemed soft to the touch. I decided to go with the 205/55 R16 Primacy HPs and fitted a set. They cost about Rs. 9275/- each. A look at my old tyres after they were dismounted was a revelation. The compound and sidewalls had hardened and were rock solid. Small bits from the blocks in the tread had chipped off. The short drive back with the new tyres was a revelation. The car felt more supple and planted. The steering was lighter and more precise, the feedback too had improved. The ride quality has improved and the car now seems to glide along. The wheel-spin when I floor the accelerator has disappeared. Cheers, Last edited by Ravveendrra : 13th April 2009 at 21:55.
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 21:50	#5
absynthguzzler BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: hyderabad Posts: 651 Thanked: 245 Times	Nice one Vakil saab! new shoes and much wanted 300kms to test itself on soon as well :-) . No stopping the TANK now !
	() Thanks

15th April 2009, 02:55	#8
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,354 Thanked: 8,000 Times	Ravvendra- I got Primacy HP on my 520d and they seemed great. Now my 525d tyres are due for a change but I cant make up my mind between the Primacy HP or PP2s. My heart says PP2 since they have a better grip while maintaining the comfort but they have been several complaints about tyre bubbles. Did you compare the compound of the Primacy HP vs PP2 to see which is softer hence more prone to damage?
	() Thanks

15th April 2009, 16:54	#10
veishal Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ahmedabad Posts: 14 Thanked: Once	The best upsize in the laura on the stock alloys is the 225/50/16 and i recommend that you try out the YOKOHAMA DNA decibels in that size. The results would be very different in terms of road behaviour and the virtually zero road contact sound inside the cabin. The experience with the PP and MXV8 has not ben very pleasant in the last three cars as they tend to become very stiff post 20000 Kms. Try this one and you will have a different experience, and with your car already Peted, high speed character would be amazingly pleasant.
	() Thanks

28th May 2009, 15:36	#11
babhishek BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: KOLKATA Posts: 335 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	How much are the DNA Decibels ? Also, i guess they are quieter than the PP2's ?
	() Thanks

28th May 2009, 15:48	#12
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,195 Thanked: 10,177 Times	The DNA decibel should be quieter than the PP2s for sure. However, they will not have the same outright grip as the PP2s in dry.
	() Thanks

6th March 2010, 13:30	#14
Varaman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pune, India Posts: 86 Thanked: 30 Times	I have recently upsized my Laura tyres (without changing the stock alloys) to Yokohama DNA Decibel ES501 in 225/50-R16. The results are quite amazing - ride comfort is much superior, road grip is phenomenal and the tyre noise is the lowest I have experienced in my 38 years of driving. I give a solid thumbs-up to these tyres.
	() Thanks