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View Full Version : Tires - B381's vs. aftermarket...


highflyer_i469
07-21-2007, 12:15 PM
currently the car is running the following tires:

Rear - Michellin X-Radials - 185/70/14 - approx 13K miles on them and they look new
Front Drivers Side - Pirelli P300 - 185/70/14 - approx 5 months old (~6K miles) looks new
Front Passenger Side - Bridgeston B381 - 185/70/14 - 68,000+ miles, worn, needs replacing

i talked to a local tire shop about my situation and told him that was looking for tires that would get me good gas milage without to much of a hit in the ride comfort/road noise area, i mentioned the OEM B381's and he seemed to think that the amount of FE i would gain over the pirelli's would be quite small, especially given, according to him, the better ride quality/low road noise of the pirelli's, plus the pirelli's would be a good bit cheaper than the 381's and would last longer as well.

My plan from that was to replace the one 381 with a new pirelli P300 and air all the tires up to the high 30s'.....now, good idea, bad idea, what is the feeling of the group about the tradeoff in ride/noise from a FE tire (381's) vs. another kind?

I am concerned about FE, however, confort is also fairly high on my list. i guess i would rather sacrifice an 1-2 MPG if it meant that the car would ride nice, comfy (for a civic), and quite over freeways, expansion joints, pot holes, varying roads, ect., now, if there is a FE tire (381??) that would give me that and have the added benefit of being a LRR FE type of tire, then i'd be all for it,
i did look on tirerack and the reviews of the 381 were fairly mixed, but a fair number did call out the road noise/somewhat harsh ride. if anyone has these tires or more percisely has bought another set for their car i would be interested in hearing some reviews, opinions, ect.

honestly, i'd perfer to go with the OEM 381's to get the best MPG, but i just don't want to rupture my spleen or burst an eardrum from the way they ride on the road...any feedback i could get would be greatly appreciated...thanks

PaleMelanesian
07-23-2007, 09:09 AM
In that situation, I'd get another P300. You have 3 almost new tires. When those wear down, THEN I'd think about low RR replacements.

highflyer_i469
07-23-2007, 12:53 PM
yeah, already got the P300, the old 381 was starting to leak air as well, so it had to go, anyway, put all the tires up to 40 psi, we'll see how that goes, rides, feels, and then work up from there...

xcel
07-23-2007, 03:55 PM
Hi Highflyer i469:

___If it were not a lean-burn capable automobile, the P3000’s might be an OK choice but the B381’s are the lowest RRc tires on the road other then the Insight specific RE92’s. Using anything other then the 381’s or a set of SP20’s for example is going to cost you huge in the FE department. The tire guy is way off in this regard because he doesn’t know how much a small change in RRC can effect the FE of a lean-burn capable automobile is all. I wish I had better news but if I owned an HCH-I, the B381’s would be my only choice and recommendation.

___Good Luck

___Wayne



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