Best Tires for the Vauxhall Astra H 1.8

Tires dated from 2013 to 27th week 2015. All have cracked really badly. Wet grip awful. Failed an mot bad. All 4 being replaced tomorrow. My mot man advised never to buy Michelin tires as they crack. Last tire purchased cost £83.50. Waste of money. Totally gutted. I run a merc on continentals. No problem whatsoever. My astra is getting well rated budget tires tomorrow. All 4 for £210 inc fitting. Avoid Michelin at all inflated cost!

fitted these tires to the car the day I bought it as tires are the only thing that keeps you on the road, so having a good set on the car was of high importance to me. Over the last 3 years, I have covered around 35,000 miles on them and have put them through many heat cycles and given them a true torturing. I have a highly spirited driving style and the tires never fail to impress. While I have found that once you build temperature into the tires they become slightly floaty, and they don't load up predictably, this is expected of a tire in this range band. Nevertheless, traction is not lost and overall the tire continues to be predictable. When firm braking the tire is very efficient at slowing the car, however as the tire has a hard compound the tire will slip under high braking. The wet handling characteristics of the tire is very good and the tire can disperse the water effectively. they tire does not aquaplane. The harder rubber compound does, however, mean that in low temperatures the wet handling is lost slightly, but not to the point of being dangerous. The wear factor of the tire is low, and even after high load, high temperature driving the tires don't marble or grain. I have around 4mm of tread left on each tire, which is outstanding given the punishment they have received. The tires transfer information from the road effectively allowing you to feel in control. The only downside to these tires is the fact that they feel floaty when intense rapid steering inputs are made, and they roll a lot before loading up on turn in, and will occasionally understeer under high load. All in all a highly recommended tire for people who are after a comfortable Mid-range premium tire that will handle a sporty drive when possible.

Just an update on my tires after a trip to Cornwall, my overall advice is don't put these on the front of the car, the deflection ( bulge ) is too great this is a straight line tire it does not like sweeping bends at all. It is a very comfy tire its good in the wet its good in the dry but only at low speeds do not push this tire it cant take it. Even my partner has commented are they low on pressure, they are on eco pressures at the mo 36psi and they still look low the sidewall just pushes outwards they are weak. The other tires I have used are of a stiffer side wall and hold themselves on bends and I am not concerned but these on moderate fast roads are a nightmare on the front.
cheers

Tuff Tire to review, its a very soft tire compared to others very soft sidewall I am on 36psi on the front to decrease tire deflection should be 31psi in summer and its still a sponge, dry cornering is noisy because of the tire flexing straight line is fine also its a very comfy ride. In the wet its brill coz its a soft tire and is not a worry at all. One thing because this tire is not sold outside of the UK there are is no information on the sidewall apart from size and speed and load there is no maxx cold psi at all they are not obligated to put any information on the side wall. I spoke to Firestone and they said if you need to know anything about the psi loading you have to phone them to calculate axle weight load rate for them to tell you what air pressure you can inflate the tire to and they will not tell you treadwear at all..I know its pants.

I will not buy this tire again because i like to read the information I require from the sidewall, and not have to contact the manufacturer.

Excellent tires, very comfortable fitted to my Vauxhall 1.8 16v. Estate. Set of four from new - hardly any wear and road noise ! Excellent grip. They are now 3rd year on my car and the wear is consistent and they look exactly the same as on the day of purchase- still new ! It doesn't matter if you driving trough the snow or in a hot summer days, tires are doing great job and giving excellent performance because they are made of rubber and silica compound !!! Simply perfect tire without any doubt !
I personally would recommend these excellent tires

Great tires for the price, Used them for a few years and they have been spot on.