General Recommended Tyres (summer).

[leonsdada]

I would go slightly wider with 165 65, you have a lot more choice and the price difference is negligible.
I would get Michelin Energy, a bit more expensive, but worth the extra money. I had them fitted on the selecta and they transformed the driving experience.
If you are on a budget and want to stay with the 155's, the Firestone multihawk are another one i tried, and were good. Harder compound, so probably longer lasting but a little more skittish on the wet., but still safe at all speeds.
I would forget abut the fuel efficiency ratings. In my eyes those scores only work with bigger cars, say on long motorway journeys. I do not think driving a Panda around towns and A roads it will give noticeable difference in fuel economy.
I have chosen my tyres based on the softness of the compound and wet performance (we're in England ....). Softer compound=more grip. Being light and not powerful, soft tyres will still last long enough. In a Panda, the tyres (and the driver) are the only thing that will inspire a bit more confidence while cornering. There are no fancy traction control, ABS or wonderful suspension designs to fall back on.

 

[Palio]

No problem John - happy to put that thought there any time!

The shout wasn't at anyone in particular, just everyone in general. :bang:

There were a couple of suggestions for online suppliers which is great & they might be cheapest. What I'm trying to remind people about is the massive a-z list of retailers who give donations to Pinky. The 3 tyre ones I found so far may be cheapest - get your price, then see if any Pinky donatees can match it. Doesn't take much effort as Vernon's already clocked up £15 of donations for example

 

[VmanC]

I would go slightly wider with 165 65, you have a lot more choice and the price difference is negligible.
I would get Michelin Energy, a bit more expensive, but worth the extra money. I had them fitted on the selecta and they transformed the driving experience.
If you are on a budget and want to stay with the 155's, the Firestone multihawk are another one i tried, and were good. Harder compound, so probably longer lasting but a little more skittish on the wet., but still safe at all speeds.
I would forget abut the fuel efficiency ratings. In my eyes those scores only work with bigger cars, say on long motorway journeys. I do not think driving a Panda around towns and A roads it will give noticeable difference in fuel economy.
I have chosen my tyres based on the softness of the compound and wet performance (we're in England ....). Softer compound=more grip. Being light and not powerful, soft tyres will still last long enough. In a Panda, the tyres (and the driver) are the only thing that will inspire a bit more confidence while cornering. There are no fancy traction control, ABS or wonderful suspension designs to fall back on.

Thanks LD, you just saved me a whole load of typing.

165 65 13's are my prefered size choice unless I'm wanting a specific size for a theme, better grip and a more accurate speedo. If you have any weaknesses in your suspension this will be exaggerated by wider tyres though, so get any issues sorted first.
I've found that if you want a significant improvement from a tyre you need to look at the top end, everything else in the lower ranges are very similar, but if a particular brand instills a placebo effect for you then go for it, what we believe often has more effect than reality.

Liking the new signature Gavin, must change mine for something similar.

 

[Palio]

Thanks - I'm going less subtle!

I can go very unsubtle eventually - this may involve hitting folk with a rubber mallet :bang:

 

[firecolour]

Only thing between you and the road

Well said. And also only four things barely the size of the palms of your hands in contact with the road with best part of a ton of car/occupants sitting on those four pads. I don't like to risk my life with unknown economy brands. I had Savas on my TR5 and didn't like them. They were also too wide so I swapped them for something closer to standard but that was a rare size and only made by a couple of manufacturers nowadays (Vredestein being one of them).

On the other hand personal recommendation for some of the off piste makes is OK but bear in mind it's only human nature for people to rave about the brand they happened to choose.

Sorry about the links, I wasn't aware of special funded links, but a good idea. Make sure you click on those.

A couple of images of comparison of 195/65 (15") vs more original sized 165/80 15s.

The handling of the Triumph was transformed by going skinny. The steering was much more agile (it doesn't have power steering), the chassis (yes, it has a separate chassis) seemed to cope better (the lateral traction on the wide tyres just seemed to strain the car). The handling just seems altogether better, much more how the original designers probably wanted it. Fitting wide tyres was something I used to do without thought, thinking "bigger is better" but there are lot's of other things to take into account with the design of the car that I would tread carefully (sorry couldn't resist).

 

[Boodajuda]

Anything Michelin - nuff said.

 

[panda panda]

I really should get a pair bought before the MOT, stupidly spent the cash on something else :bang:

Are crazed sides an MOT fail?

 

[homeward]

Are crazed sides an MOT fail?

Not even a crazed driver....

 

[dave]

Are crazed sides an MOT fail?

not in the reason to fail as far as i can see, http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4_int.zip

but i cant see bulge in side wall either but people have posted they failed on them before.

 

[Palio]

not in the reason to fail as far as i can see, http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4_int.zip

but i cant see bulge in side wall either but people have posted they failed on them before.

Couldn't open your link Dave but it's 4.1 D 1b below

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s04000105.htm

The crazing on sidewalls should fail if it exposes the ply or cord. Also had this confirmed by my Mot chap when he passed tyres that I was just about to replace - VmanC will confirm the 4x4 tyres he replaced looked quite bad even though the tread was unworn!! :bang:

Also covers bulges (in tyres! ) Dave.

 

[dave]

Also covers bulges (in tyres! ) Dave.

it says some are normal on radial tyres and should be passed :chin: