Yet Another Tyre Replacement Question

ComforTreads for Me

Snow isn't an issue here, but our heavy rains can be a driving challenge. The ComforTreads deliver a safe, quiet and smooth ride and claim an 80,000 mile service life. The only downside after 5,000 miles, is a 2 MPG drop. The Integritys are hard, loud and much worse than just about anything you'll replace them with; I got rid of mine at 15,000 miles and couldn't give them away.

I ordered my ComforTreads from the Tire Rack and they were delivered in two days; my dealer mounted and balanced them for $52,

I recommend investing in better tires, which means avoid the Integritys.

 

Just out of curiousity, Tideland, may I ask why you're not considering the HydroEdge? It would seem well suited to your local climate - which, if I recall correctly, is darn close to mine.

If you are still exploring the used option, I recall relatively recent threads here offering Integrities.

 

The problem of one bad tire. I'm not a fan of buying a used tire, but that depends on your budget. With 40k kms on them, I don't know how much life your remaining 3 tires really have left on them, and if it were me, I'd just replace them all with something better. I usually only get 25k miles (40k kms approx) out of OEM tires, if that, and I just don't like Integrities that much anyway... I have 17K mi. on them now, and they are wearing well, though, looks like they could last a long time. Of the tires you listed, I've only had the Michelin MXV4s, and was very pleased with them. I don't see much snow or ice, but lots of rain, and the handling met my needs.

Another option, if you can't afford to replace them all now, or you are like me and just quite can't bring yourself to basically throw away good tires, you could get 2 new tires and put them on the rear for now. Don't rotate them until you replace the fronts in the future, and then put the newer tires on the rear. In theory the 2 brand new tires should be Integrities to match what you have, but I'd go with 2 Michelins or whatever you want to ultimately end up with, and then go from there. This is not the recommended approach, mixing brands, but circumstances sometimes demanded something less than the ideal, which is 4 tires all alike, both in terms of brand, style and treadwear. Even on a FWD car, the best tires always go on the rear if you have to mix things up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 4 2007, 03:21 AM) [snapback]370624[/snapback]</div>

I did a lot of research on new tires and posted in here (http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=21271&hl=).

I suggest you replace all 4 Integrities, even if they have some tread left. The Integrity is a low quality tire. Replacing it will greatly improve handling.

I also suggest you get 195 width tires, probably in a 195/60R15. 195 is the OEM size in Europe and Australia and the higher option size in the US and Japan. The 195 will improve safety, handling and looks.

You might also consider the Tripletred. I think it's a better all around tire than any you mentioned.

 

Tideland,

My 4 ComforTreads cost $316 (US) delivered by Tire Rack. Delivery took 2 days and dealer mount and balance cost $52.

 

Purchased TripleTreds this fall, great in the rain, only one snow event so far, very happy with the result.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 5 2007, 02:30 AM) [snapback]371151[/snapback]</div>

Tideland Prius,

I've had TTs on my car for 10,000 miles and they're excellent. If you read through reviews on tirerack, epinions and 1010tires, you'll see TTs are given excellent reviews by nearly everyone that has them. CR rated them the number one all season tire too.

However, the TT is an expensive tire. CTs aren't as good on dry and wet pavement, but they're nearly as good and cost less. The WR is a good tire in snow, but not so good all around. There are several good all season tires that would be a vast improvement over the Integrity. It's hard to go wrong if you pick any decent all season tire. They're all better than the Integity. Be careful with performance all season tires. They're often not as good on wet/snow pavement and have low/no mileage warranties. Overall, I think all season is better for the Prius than performance all season, for reasons stated in the post I mentioned above.

I know the European and Touring models come in 16" rims, but that's irrelevant. The point I was making was about getting a wider tire. You can easily put them on your 15" OEM rims. If you look at the post I mentioned above you'll see the pro's and cons of going with a 195/60R15, 195/65R15 or 205/60R15. These are the best wider tire choices I think. I went with the 195/60 for many reasons stated in the post.

Good luck!

 

if your still looking for a used tire I know where there are some wrecked Prius. PM me for more info.

 

wife absolutly loves the HE's that I put on her Prius. Said no slipping or sliding in the snow and this last dump didn't have the TRAC cut in. They were pretty cheap also, $628 installed balanced taxes in.