Budget vs Premium Tyres: Why a few more pence makes a lot more sense
For many car owners, buying new car tyres is a straightforward decision, starting with one simple question: “How much?!”. The cost of new tyres is usually a top priority, but there are other important benefits of premium tyres which is where we will take you through the differences ready for your next car tyre purchase.
When deciding what the best tyres to buy are, especially considering the total cost of running a car, we understand at Tyre Spot it is important to customers to way up buying cheap car tyres or a more expensive branded tyre.
Essentially what you are paying for with premium tyres is the quality of materials compared to a budget tyre. With premium tyre technology designed to keep you safe on roads more than ever, our reply would be: ‘A few more pence makes a lot more sense.’
Difference between budget and premium tyres
Fitting a budget tyre is a false economy, as the saving you make at the point of purchase will usually end up becoming a deficit once you have to replace that same tyre miles sooner than you would with a premium tyre. If you want long lasting tyres buy premium quality, it is proven that the overall lifespan of premium quality tyres is much greater compared to that of a normal budget tyre, the result is that cheap rubber just doesn’t last as long or perform as well.
And while all tyres might look the same. technologically, there is way more difference than meets the eye:
- Bridgestone, for example, uses 3D Virtual Design software to analyse and fine-tune the tyre shape and pressure distribution. This method also allowed wet and dry grip to be perfected.
- Bridgestone tyres also combine a high-silica compound and Nano Pro-Technology polymer to ensure superior grip – with many products earning ‘best-in-class’ ratings
- Bridgestone’s B-Silent technology also minimises in-vehicle noise; the hollow spaces within such tyres are filled to reduce echo, while the tyre walls and structure are reinforced to minimise vibration and reverberation from the movement of the tyres on the road surface.
Low rolling resistance tyres
The less rolling resistance a tyre has the more fuel efficient it will be because less fuel is needed to power the tyre. Premium quality tyres are tested and proven to be more fuel efficient. If you choose to buy premium tyres you will certainly visit the petrol pump less (when coupled with economic driving style).
Many of Bridgestone’s tyres have higher silica content (Nano Pro Tech technology) to shorten stopping distances and improve handling in the wet, coupled with futuristic tread designs.
Tyre Ratings & EU Tyre Labelling
The EU tyre label information is a good place to start if you need a guide on what tyre performs best. It doesn’t cover all criteria, but tyre ratings are given for performance, offering ratings from A to E on wet grip and rolling resistance (fuel economy) and A to C on external noise. Striking a balance between fuel savings and how long a tyre lasts, as well as understanding the tyre rating will help you to make a more informed buying decision.
The premium brands are generally rated at A through to C, while Chinese tyres tend to be D or E. When you add all this together, premium brands last longer, save more fuel, stop quicker and perform better in tougher driving conditions.
Are budget tyres worth it?
- They are cheaper tyres which can be the biggest factor when a tyre replacement is needed out of the blue and you haven’t budgeted for the expense.
- Better Than Part-Worn Tyres: Part-worn tyres should be avoided because in simple terms, you don’t know where they have come from. Often, they’ve been removed from a written-off car for a reason and they’re part safe. There are often all manner of unforeseen issues with a part-worn tyre and they usually have an average tread depth of 3mm, so however poorly a budget tyre performs, it is still a better choice than a part-worn.
Advantages of premium tyres
Visually you will notice a big difference with premium quality tyres, you do not have to be a car expert to see the quality of design and engineering invested. It goes without saying that premium tyres perform better in a wider variety of conditions. The technical specification which has been developed over a longer period of time and engineered to provide the best possible driving experience for you.
For example, Bridgestone’s state-of-the-art testing ground in Rome (EUPG) allows new-generation tyres for passenger cars, commercial vans, trucks, buses, agricultural vehicles and motorcycles to be put through their paces in ways that budget brands can’t match.
EUPG’s size and constantly-monitored asphalt conditions offer Bridgestone and its vehicle-manufacturing customers an infinite number of possible manoeuvers and tests in full safety and controllable conditions.
And its new €3 million wet handling track results in a number of benefits, including:
- Dynamic transient conditions with combined inputs and more on/off throttle operation
- The possibility to perform slalom tests using the fast chicane and the ability to drive in either direction
- More combined accelerations than the original layout
- More evident longitudinal accelerations than the original layout (acceleration & braking)
Combined, these results allow Bridgestone to develop and test premium tyres that match the requirements and demands of customers.
Premium tyres worth the money?
You will benefit from:
- Shorter stopping distances
- Longer life (tyres that last a lot longer than budget brands)
- Reduced rolling resistance
- Lower noise emissions
- Reduced C02 emissions / better for the environment
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Superior wet braking
- Better wet braking
- Improved dry handling
- Run flat technology (RFT) which allows you to keep driving after a puncture
- Visually, aesthetically look like premium quality
Best all weather tyres
Premium tyre manufacturers design tyres to perform in harsher weather conditions.
Bridgestone’s Weather Control A005 EVO is designed drivers who want to stay in control, with the same tyres all year round regardless of sun, rain or occasional snow. In other words, typical British weather conditions!
Independently tested and certified by TÜV SÜD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, Bridgestone Weather Control A005 outperforms the leading competitor on the market for braking in both wet and snowy conditions . The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 has also been awarded the best-in-class, EU label A-grade for wet grip and C-grade for rolling resistance (with some selected sizes even achieving the B-grade in rolling resistance).
This type of tyre quality and technology just can’t be matched by budget tyre brands.
Buying new tyres near me
Most car owners go for local tyre suppliers, near where they live for convenience, Tyre Spot have many tyre shop locations take a look
If you want to aim for greater performance, and enjoy a better driver experience all round, opt for premium quality tyres, the cost of running your car could be minimised over a longer period of time. “A few more pence makes a lot more sense”!
