New owner of V50 looking for tyre advice

johna

I just got myself a very cheap manual 2006 V50 2.4i with plenty of problems that I am slowly working through before I can actually start driving it to work each day.

Looking for some feedback on what tyres work well on these.

It's currently got 215/45R17 but I found the factory size is 205/50 and the usual upgrade is to 225/45R17.

Front tyres are close to the wear markers and the car seems to lose traction very easily so I am keen to replace at least the fonts (currently Goodyear Optilife). I guess I got the base model with no traction control :(

Any suggestions for a reasonable budget tyre and what size to run?

Philia_Bear

Get a set of second hand 18x8 Ford xr5 rims (they go cheap)

And fit 225/40/18 in either a Bridgestone re003 or hakook rs4 and never look back

pauljloz

Philia_Bear
Get a set of second hand 18x8 Ford xr5 rims (they go cheap)
And fit 225/40/18 in either a Bridgestone re003 or hakook rs4 and never look back

+1 Hankook or Goodyear eagle F1. Happily running both atm on c30 & v50

Chris

It will have traction control, whether it's working is another question.

I don't have specific recommendations other than to say I had both Pirelli P1 and P6 on a V50 and found them very noisy.

johna

Chris
It will have traction control, whether it's working is another question.
I don't have specific recommendations other than to say I had both Pirelli P1 and P6 on a V50 and found them very noisy.

I'm surprised but I don't think it does have traction control. I looked on Redbook and traction/stability control was a $2000+ option on the base S model and there would be a switch next to the lighter socket which I don't have.

Chris

Supposedly they had traction control as standard but not the full DSTC, or ESC in others makers' language. The latter was an option but standard on the T5. As time went on it pretty much became standard across the range.

johna

Chris
Supposedly they had traction control as standard but not the full DSTC, or ESC in others makers' language. The latter was an option but standard on the T5. As time went on it pretty much became standard across the range.

That's interesting. I will have to investigate further. Thanks for the info.

Spac

RE003s are the default choice if any sort of sporty driving is on the cards - and I would argue they are a good choice anyway.

Basically, they are a very good tyre at an entirely reasonable price. Most things that work as well are much more expensive. Most things that cost similar, are clearly inferior.

johna

Not really looking for a performance tyre (I should have mentioned that before), more a budget friendly but safe tyre that doesn't spin so easy.

@Chris was right. These do have at least STC but mine is not working.

Chris

Maybe look at something like the Bridgestone Serenity Plus, which is part of the current sale they have on.

I'd avoid going the Chinese brand or budget chain brand tyres (like Bob Jane, Supercats etc), partly because the former can be a lottery and partly because the grip and wear versus purchase cost equation doesn't really hold up especially as they wear.