Vredestein Tyres (Vredestein Banden B.V.) in trouble

[Ron Miel]

Had decided to replace my present Japanese 215/70 R15 98H Dunlops with Vredestein Quatrac 2 all seasons tyres before next winter - not yet though, as the Dunlops have definitely got this season left in wear terms. However, I have just seen that Netherlands-based/Russian-owned Vredestein is bankrupt, and may be acquired by Apollo Tyres of India. Hopefully, the 215/70 R15 98T Vredesteins I wanted will remain available (no space to store any, meanwhile) but, in case not, I've now started looking at other options.

Ours is a winter spec Bongo, presumably originally fitted with 195/80 R15 96s tyres on the front (and, presumably, chunky winter treads all round), as per the plate - and also see http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 5&start=30.

Long before it was exported though, I know that the motor had moved to temperate southern Japan, and I assume that whoever fitted the Dunlops ("Le Man RV502s" - see http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/TyreDetai ... m=nPerPage) did so to get rid of the noisy winter treads on the originals - but perhaps couldn't find suitable 195/80 R15 street tyres.

As far as I can see, that's also the case here, or does anybody know of a 195/80 R15 96S or better street tyre - with matching 215/70 R15 98S or better.

As the more usual Bongo summer tyre sizes, (195/70-15 and 215/65-15) would produce a 3.2% speedo reading shift, I'm going to stick with the 70s on the back.The winter tyre spec must have included a 70-matching speedo, and ours is spot on at present versus the sat nav, for example.

If I can't get the all-round 215/70 R15 Vredesteins (no Vredestein 195/80, or even 195/70, available) in the autumn though, I would instead very much like to restore the original balance/steering response with another brand 195/80s on the front - but not if only 4x4/SUV chunky 195/80s are available.

[David Edwards]

Well Ron, cant help with the matching but I switched to 215's all round five years ago and feel its a lot better, at present I am using accelera 215's 100v rated at £35.00 fitted, I dare say other sizes are available and at around the same price, they are a damn good tyre too and certainly worth looking at even in the combination you need, incidentally I find the speedo difference really helpful re any cameras.

[wishmaster]

Spot on there David i've done the exact same thing with exactly the same tyres and sizes and find the ride and handling much better,£168 all round fitted etc. I have a difference of 4mph and its reassuring if you go past a camera.

[Ron Miel]

In what way did changing to 215's all round improve things, David? What was wrong with the original fit tyres - presumably 195/70, 215/65?

I have high grade 215/70's all-round, and there is marginal understeer at present, albeit not that serious, when pushing on hard. Steering geometry is fine.

I don't have a speedo problem.

If I can't get the Vredesteins but can get the big 195's (195/80's) in a street tyre format instead, I think I would keep the ride benefit of 215/70's that way, and should also sharpen up the steering just that little bit. However, the all round reputation of the Vredesteins is such that I will stay with 215s all-round, if they remain available after the present hiatus in Holland

Cheers

[David Edwards]

Well I find it gives better handling especially at speed, the excellent bongo mechanic who originally suggested the swap said it was fitted with diffenernt tyres for some strange reason in Japan but would be better suited to 215's all round on our roads, I swapped straight away and on the accelera tyres find it so much better, steering is better etc. May be just syco..psycho...all in the mind lol but I feel safer.

[Ron Miel]

Well I find it gives better handling especially at speed, the excellent bongo mechanic who originally suggested the swap said it was fitted with diffenernt tyres for some strange reason in Japan but would be better suited to 215's all round on our roads, I swapped straight away and on the accelera tyres find it so much better, steering is better etc. May be just syco..psycho...all in the mind lol but I feel safer.

Thanks David. I definitely accepted that the Accelera tyres were a great deal, and excellent summer tyres, when you first told us about them, back in the early part of the year. However, at about the same time, we were having a heavy snow and icy roads episode around the country, and a number of Bongoists started reporting serious problems they had experienced with traction and, in one or two cases, even difficulty in keeping their Bongos on the road.

That got me thinking hard, and I even wondered whether some winter tyres and a twice yearly swap might be worthwhile - but, of course, just like in F1 with wet vs dry tyres, with our unpredictable weather, I would always be sure to have the wrong ones on. That led me to Vredestein Quatrac 2 all-seasons tyres, and if I can get them that's where I'm going next. Of course, as with 98% of cars sold in the UK, with summer tyres on all year round, I know there is still a perfectly good alternative solution - drive extra carefully in winter conditions, and don't drive at all in the worst winter conditions - so I'm not knocking them at all, I would just like a slight extra edge whatever the conditions.

As far as the mechanic who attributed Mazda's original spec to "something strange in Japan" is concerned, I see that in the same light as all the excellent Bongo mechanics who recommend go-faster low profiles on alloys as necessary on Bongos. I'm sure your Acceleras are good - not because Mazda were wrong though but because, like Vredesteins, they're good tyres.

[David Edwards]

Hmm got me thinking now Ron, gonna have to look into those all season tyres, especially with our winters here in wales.

[Ron Miel]

Hmm got me thinking now Ron, gonna have to look into those all season tyres, especially with our winters here in wales.

Yes, it can get a bit fierce up in the valleys, can't it David - but it's still highly variable, week by week even in winter, just like the rest of the UK, so full-on winter tyres aren't a very practical solution.

With your Acceleras as well though, you could get an even better set up with some Vredesteins by just swapping to them for the winter, then saving (more expensive) wear on them by putting the Acceleras back on for the rest of the year. That way, "feeling safer" would be more than just "in the mind".

[Dillion Dog]

Hi

As a Bongo owner for three years I have been looking at another new set of tyres for the old beast. I have decided on Accelera 215 x 65 R15 as the comments seem positive. The only problem is where can I get them in South Devon - or even Devon. I phoned 5 local tyer dealers this afternoon and nearly all tried to sell me a different brand and at much greater expense than the £35.00 fitted I have read about on here. Can anybody help?

Although this is my first posting I have found the the forum to be an excelent source of information from changing the coolent, water pump, fitting a leisure battery, brakshoes, |Anti roll bar bushes, dropping the sump on the gearbox and cleaning it and the filter... Amazing what you can do with a few spare minutes.

Thank you for your help

[David Edwards]

Well Dill if you can't get em in Devon why not combine a day trip up here..or elswhere..with getting em, if you do I can give you the number of Sardis Road Tyres at Pontypridd who sell em at £36.00 fitted, or my local at £35.00. If I knew when we were going to Dawlish Warren next, I could even bring em but aint got a clue so far.

[mikexgough]

Translated fro Autoblog nl.........

Vredestein Tires (from Enschede) is in Indian hands. Apollo Vredestein Tires from India has taken over as the band group announced yesterday. The acquisition is beneficial for both companies, Vredestein Apollo provides access to non-European markets and the Indian company can benefit from the knowledge of Vredestein.

VBBV was a 100% subsidiary of Russia's tire manufacturer Amtel-Vredestein NV early April was known that Vredestein deferred payment had after Amtel-Vredestein was declared bankrupt.

Vredestein has about 1500 people in Europe and the United States, the vast majority work in manufacturing in Enschede.

Read what you want from the above script.........but I would think that Vredestein will still make/sell in Europe to their current standards and then provide a means for Apollo to make/sell Budget tyres using the Vredestein name and dealer network