My Disappointing Experience with These Tires - A Cautionary Tale
I spent a ton of time researching tires before making a purchase, pouring over reviews and comparing fuel efficiency ratings. I finally settled on these tires, thinking they offered a great balance of price and performance. I decided to start with just the front tires (since they're the ones that steer) and let my old ones wear out on the back over the next couple of seasons. They cost me around $53 per tire.
I'm driving a 2010 Honda Fit, with 185/55 R16 tires. I've had my fair share of driving experiences, but I've never been too particular about tires until now. I figured it was time to upgrade and see if I could notice a difference in performance.
These tires are made in Hungary, and I bought them last year. When I first got them, I noticed they were significantly lighter than my old Dunlop SP Sport 7000s. That was a bit concerning, but I figured a reputable brand like this one would know what they're doing, so I went with it.
I installed them after the winter season, since my old summer tires had been sitting idle for about six months. I'm not exactly an expert on tires, so I didn't notice any significant difference in performance. Of course, these new tires should handle wet roads better, and I'm not driving too fast (usually under 100 km/h), so I didn't expect any issues. Fuel efficiency seemed about the same.
Just a month after installation (around 1600 km), I hit a pothole and a bulge appeared on the tire. I was driving on a relatively smooth road, but I guess I wasn't paying enough attention. The bulge was quite noticeable, and I knew I had to get it checked out as soon as possible.
Driving with a bulge like that can lead to a blowout, which is a serious safety issue. Some people recommend swapping in a spare and then replacing the damaged tire, while others suggest repairing it. Some folks even just swap the front and back tires to see if that helps. I've read that a repair isn't necessarily a guaranteed fix, and it's not covered under warranty. I decided to try and repair it instead of buying a new tire.
The shop owner told me it was no big deal and that they could reinforce the tire with a patch and I'd be good to go. The price for the repair, including balancing, was around $8 - a tiny fraction of what a new tire would cost. I was a bit skeptical at first, but they assured me it was a common issue with these tires.
They took the tire off the rim and found that the damage was just some minor wear on the inside. They also checked the rim and found a small imperfection, but the shop owner said it wasn't worth fixing. Apparently, Honda makes pretty good rims.
After the repair, the tire still sticks out a bit. I mentioned to the shop owner that I saw a Mercedes nearby with the same tire model, but a different size (around 45-50). I warned him to be more careful with potholes, and he told me he's been happy with the tire's performance - it's much softer than his old one, and he finds it more comfortable to drive.
If you don't drive on rough roads, these tires might be okay for you. But if you do, I'd say steer clear. I've been driving on these tires for a while now, and I've had my fair share of issues. I'm not saying they're the worst tires out there, but they're definitely not the best.
I've tried to be as objective as possible in this review, but I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed with these tires. I thought they would be a great choice for my Honda Fit, but it seems like they're not as durable as I thought. If you're in the market for new tires, I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
I'd give these tires 2 out of 5 stars. They're not the worst tires I've ever had, but they're definitely not the best. I'd recommend them to someone who drives on smooth roads and doesn't mind a bit of vibration, but if you drive on rough roads, I'd say look elsewhere.
Update: I've had a few people ask me about the repair process, so I thought I'd add a bit more detail. The shop owner told me that the repair is a common issue with these tires, and that it's not a guarantee that it will happen. However, if it does happen, it's usually a relatively simple fix. They just need to clean the area around the damage, apply a special adhesive, and then apply a patch. It's a bit of a process, but it's not too complicated.
One thing to keep in mind is that the repair is not covered under warranty. I'm not sure why that is, but it's something to keep in mind if you're considering buying these tires. I'd recommend reading up on the warranty and seeing what's covered before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 2: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's performance in wet conditions. I've driven on these tires in the rain a few times, and I have to say that they're not the best. They seem to handle okay, but they don't seem to grip the road as well as my old Dunlop SP Sport 7000s did. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've noticed a bit of a difference in handling.
One thing to note is that these tires are made in Hungary, and I'm not sure if that's a factor in their performance. I've heard that some tires made in Hungary can be a bit more prone to issues, but I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 3: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's durability. I've had these tires for a while now, and I have to say that they're not as durable as I thought. I've noticed a bit of wear on the inside of the tire, and I'm not sure if that's normal. I'd recommend keeping an eye on your tire's condition and replacing it if you notice any issues.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 4: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's warranty. I've checked the manufacturer's website, and it seems like they offer a 5-year warranty on these tires. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend reading up on the warranty and seeing what's covered before making a decision.
One thing to note is that the warranty only covers defects in materials and workmanship. If you damage the tire yourself, you won't be covered under warranty. I'd recommend being careful when driving and avoiding potholes and other hazards.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 5: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's price. I paid around $53 per tire, which is a bit more than I was expecting. However, I've heard that these tires are a bit more expensive than some other brands. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 6: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's performance in cold weather. I've driven on these tires in the snow a few times, and I have to say that they're not the best. They seem to handle okay, but they don't seem to grip the road as well as my old Dunlop SP Sport 7000s did. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've noticed a bit of a difference in handling.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 7: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's noise level. I've driven on these tires for a while now, and I have to say that they're not as quiet as I thought. They seem to make a bit of a humming noise, especially when I'm driving on the highway. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've noticed a bit of a difference in noise level.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 8: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's warranty on used tires. I've checked the manufacturer's website, and it seems like they offer a 2-year warranty on used tires. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend reading up on the warranty and seeing what's covered before making a decision.
One thing to note is that the warranty only covers defects in materials and workmanship. If you damage the tire yourself, you won't be covered under warranty. I'd recommend being careful when driving and avoiding potholes and other hazards.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 9: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's price on used tires. I've seen prices ranging from $20 to $50 per tire, depending on the seller and the condition of the tire. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.
Update 10: I've had a few people ask me about the tire's performance in extreme temperatures. I've driven on these tires in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C, and I have to say that they're not the best. They seem to handle okay, but they don't seem to grip the road as well as my old Dunlop SP Sport 7000s did. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've noticed a bit of a difference in handling.
One thing to note is that these tires are made with a special rubber compound that's designed to be more durable. However, I'm not sure if that's true. I'd recommend doing some more research and reading up on other reviews before making a decision.
Overall, I'd still say that these tires aren't worth the trouble. While they might be okay for someone who drives on smooth roads, they're not the best choice for someone who drives on rough roads. I've had a few issues with them, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them to anyone.