New Tyres for Ermintrude

[malcolm]

I've always run R4s on whatever tyres they had on them, very rarely buying any new ones. Ermintrude had been running a mixture of Brilliant, Barum, Michelin Classic and some other fabulous make.

Reidalpine suggested a nice set of Continental Ecocontact 3 tyres in 145/80 13. Finally I've got around to it. In the UK they can only be found on the internet - there's not a lot available from tyre places.

What a difference! Before I was always at the edge of traction, now I can drive twice as fast without sliding the car (though I might have had it on 2 wheels around a roundabout), the brakes don't seem to lock up unexpectedly, and there's none of the loud banging I used to get driving through pot holes.

Thanks Reidar.

 

[reidalpine]

Hi Malcolm-Good for you and Ermintrude!

Glad you find the Contis nice-I have same experience as you They stick well and give good feedback as to when they are on the limit-and easy to control.
-I've found there is no real gain in having fatter tires than original on the 4 as suspension is really good soaking up bumps etc. Fatter tires only gives you higher fuelconsumption and worse driveability,and also have an adverse effect on damping as they give higher undamped weight.
Contis are nice in that they have fairly high content of natural rubber which makes them silent, good grip and gives good traction and as they have round shoulders, they are easy to steer around corners.... -R.

 

[malcolm]

I also bought a set for the Gordini last year but that's not finished yet. I've not tried those yet but decided I might as well buy the same so I can make a good set from the two cars in a few years time.

I noticed the self centring of the steering wheel is a little stronger with these tyres, possibly because they have more grip than the old ones.

 

[pepper]

I've got a lovely set of these off a Twingo I broke, trouble is they are 145/70 R13, so quite a bit lower in profile!!!

Would make the car accelerate like a rat up a drain pipe I suppose

 

[reidalpine]

I also bought a set for the Gordini last year but that's not finished yet. I've not tried those yet but decided I might as well buy the same so I can make a good set from the two cars in a few years time.

I noticed the self centring of the steering wheel is a little stronger with these tyres, possibly because they have more grip than the old ones.

Think you are correct in their self sentering ability Malcolm-Roffen now stays easier in a straight line as before (with half worn Michelins) he was a bit like a sick cow wandering all over the road..

 

[Steve Hennessey]

I can certainly vouch for these Ecocontact 3's. I have them on my Suzuki as original equipment and they certainly feel very safe and the grip is superb. They are an excellent modern tyre that can only be fitted the correct way round and I will bet that any Renault 4 would benefit from a set - and they fit the original rims as well

 

[The_Blacksmith]

Personally I'm a big Michelin fan. I've had Continentals but I had them replaced with Michelin Energy tyres because my car had the tendency to bounce through corners on Continentals. My guess is they needed to be warmed up first. The Michelin Energy tyres are a bit softer but give me a smoother ride than the Continentals.
I think the whole tyre question is all about personal preference though.

 

[angel]

Over here, Michelins are notorious for being excellent for the first year, or a little more, then suddently losing their goos properties due to the rubber "hardening". Maybe it has something to do with our sun and dry climate. Noticed by a number of people and not only on R4s, of course.
I have fitted Continentals (145/80/13) on the Jogging since last summer and I am very happy with them. A friend aldo had them fitted (135/13 ) on her 850 a little earlier, with similar comments.
One thing I noticed on the 135 Michelin Energy were their light weight, which should be fairly important as we don't want excess unsprung mass.

 

[edwardhall]

New Tyres

Hello
Is it possible to fit the 145 80 13 on to rims that have 135 70 13

Thanks

 

[angel]

Yes, you can fit up to 155s on these wheels.