Tyres...

[GSLV6]

I always used Avon ZX7's for my RX3 as they had great wet weather grip, were very quiet, lasted a good 3 years (tyres are recommended to be changed within 3 years anyway) and were not that expensive at £148, fitted per corner.

I can't get them for my new RX which has 20 inch rims (local supplier doesn't stock them in 20") so was thinking of trying the Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 tyres (199 per corner, fitted).  Not cheap but not as expensive as Duellers or Cross Climates.  Has anyone tried these?  Other recommendations welcomed.  Not looking to spend more than £230 per side fitted

 

[Jagman]

I’ve often used Avon ZX7 tyres and found them to be excellent but unfortunately I have heard that the factory has closed and they are not being made anymore.(can anyone confirm?)

Like you I’m thinking of trying the Yokohama blue earth tyres so will be interested to see how you get on with them.

[eric skerritt]

Had Yokohama Sports fitted by Lexus at £180 a corner all in which were my choice based upon the same tyre that was fitted to a previously owned Mazda CX5.

No complaints so far after 3k miles.

[GSLV6]

Speaking with my local supplier, he has recommended two upper mid range tyres...the Yoko' BluEarth XL061's and the Bridgestone Turanza 6's in 102 load rating.  I looked at the reviews for the T6's and they look very good for the money (a little more than the Yokos but still within my £230 budget).  Be interested in experience of these from those who've used them.  Yokos apparently give a harsher ride over bumpy surfaces due to stiff sidewall.

[GSLV6]

3 hours ago, Jagman said:

I’ve often used Avon ZX7 tyres and found them to be excellent but unfortunately I have heard that the factory has closed and they are not being made anymore.(can anyone confirm?)

Like you I’m thinking of trying the Yokohama blue earth tyres so will be interested to see how you get on with them.

Yes, apparently they closed a year or two back but ZX7's are still being sold.  You can get them for the 450 in 18 or 19 inch size but the 20 inch are too wide at 255 and I want to retain the comfort of a 55 sidewall so those are out.

[GSLV6]

Got some comparative prices.  4nr BluEarth A61's in 20 inch £198 per corner fitted and balanced (not a bad price)

4nr Bridgestone Turanza's fitted and balanced £230 per corner.

I know there's a saving of £120 if i went with the Yokos, but decided to go with Bridgestones purely on ratings and no reports of harsher ride which yokos seem to have picked up a few comments about.

[larryadler]

On 5/28/2024 at 9:46 AM, GSLV6 said:

I always used Avon ZX7's for my RX3 as they had great wet weather grip, were very quiet, lasted a good 3 years (tyres are recommended to be changed within 3 years anyway) and were not that expensive at £148, fitted per corner.

I can't get them for my new RX which has 20 inch rims (local supplier doesn't stock them in 20") so was thinking of trying the Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61 tyres (199 per corner, fitted).  Not cheap but not as expensive as Duellers or Cross Climates.  Has anyone tried these?  Other recommendations welcomed.  Not looking to spend more than £230 per side fitted

 

Earlier this year I had an unrepairable puncture in one of my original Dunlops, but none were available in the U.K.

I searched, read reviews, and compared the construction of tyres etc, and went for the Yokohama Blue Earth. In fact not only would I recommend this tyre, but when my Dunlops need changing, these will be my tyre of choice.

I paid £177 from Mr Tyre, if that helps.

 

[GSLV6]

Thanks Pete, good to know. As I hadn't any experience of them, I opted for the "safe" option (Turanza 6's seem very popular with suv owners) this time but will give them a go next time as there seems to be something of a consensus from those that have tried them.

[Sybaris]

I like the firmer but quieter ride of the duellers for summer and i have blue earth v906s as my winters which surprised me.

[GSLV6]

I had duellers on an old Rav4 and didn't find them great in the wet tbh nor mileage that good for a premium tyre.  I changed them to Yokohamas which were better on that car.  One tyre on my current RX is a dueller, presumably fitted as the owner couldn't get the OE Dunlops after a puncture or something.  It's practically new.  It's a shame really but no point in me changing both fronts for something different to what's on each back corner, so I'll keep the Dueller as an emergency spare tyre and maybe find a used rim to stick it on rather than use a space saver if needed.

The oems are sportmaxx tyres and sporty, they're not.  On a test drive on a dry roundabout, without pushing on too hard, they squealed their way around the roundabout!  My Rx3 on the same route simply gripped  like a limpet when fitted with the Zx7 Avons.  The Sportmax tyres on mine has one rear half worn, two fronts well worn with the edge treads showing cracking across the rubber and one of them has a screw embedded in it, so really I'm left with little choice but to change all four.  It came from the dealership with this mishmash of tyres, as they weren't keen on replacing them for me on a premium car at a premium price.  Not impressed but wanted that particular model which is hard to find locally.

[Sundance]

On 5/28/2024 at 5:13 PM, GSLV6 said:

Yes, apparently they closed a year or two back but ZX7's are still being sold.  You can get them for the 450 in 18 or 19 inch size but the 20 inch are too wide at 255 and I want to retain the comfort of a 55 sidewall so those are out.

The Avon factory at Melksham has indeed closed and the brand, mainly & historically associated with motorsport, is apparently being renamed Nova (name reversal) under new management. This might align with the racing fraternity but there's no mention that I can find of the consequences of the closure on the public market.

I run on Avon AS7s (R18s) and am extremely happy with them. It is rumoured that there should be sufficient stock levels for most normal road requirements throughout 2024 but no info about what happens thereafter.

[GSLV6]

Unfortunately, the Avons I liked aren't available in 235/55 R20 size.  Fitted Bridgestone Turanza 6 "Enlighten" tyres this morning...slight discount meant fitted cost was £225 each.  Big improvement in handling, road feedback, reduced noise levels and improved comfort.  B rated for economy too which is a plus as well as A rated for wet weather.  The OE Speedmaxx tyres were made in Japan (most available in the UK are made in Poland) and the tread had started cracking.  Date of manufacture on tyre walls was 2021.  The whole circumference was crazed with cracks on the outer edge and on one, the tread has started lifting. Not good.  Plenty of tread depth left in them though, so 25K miles probably easily achievable on OE tyres.  I just couldn't wait to get them off the car though.