Tyres: Conti v Yoko

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:09 pm

I've just had to replace my rear tyres, which were Conti Vanco. I couldn't get hold of Conti's anywhere so relunctantly had some Yokohama A300's fitted. The only other option at the time was Firestone and I don't get on with them at all.

I do tend to push the van around country bends a bit, and wet or dry I felt safe as houses with the Conti's, but get these Yoko's in the wet, and they're all over the place.

I'm really annoyed with myself for ignoring my own rule.....'always fit Western European tyres'! (OK I know the Conti's are made in South Africa but it's the same longitude) The times I've bought vehicles and replaced Asian or Eastern European tyres with Conti's and in doing so transformed the safety and handling and driving pleasure. Why did I do this???

Has anyone else had experience of these two brands on a Bongo? And are Conti's in Bongo size still available?

Thanks for indulging my internal rant!

Rob

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:19 pm

There were Jap tyres on my Freda when I got her and I thought they were ok...until my garage fitted a full set of Vanco Contis and I'll never go back to using any other sort.

Brilliant handling....good on ice, mud and scree...but also fast cruisig on European motorways....and very hard wearing.

Admittedly expensive compared to some but what price can you put on safety and feeling secure?

H

Rkkibongo · Post by **Rkkibongo** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:07 am

I used Continentals after reading an online review of motorhome tyres (sadly no longer online). The Contis stopped the van, wet or dry, far quicker than any of the competition. They were also good in corners and one of the most hard wearing.

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:37 am

Thanks for the affirmations guys.....I've since found Conti's in both Bongo sizes on mytyres.co.uk at ok prices....how come they have them when not a single tyre dealer in Milton Keynes could get them??

I think I'm going to have to change them.......annoying as the Yoko's weren't cheap.

Anyone want a pair of new (well, 100 miles old) Yokohama A300's 215 65 R15?

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:18 pm

Funny I have used |Nangkang 215's on mine for the last four years now with no problems whatsoever. I have found them to be an excellent buy and as a police trained G1 A driver safety is paramount, what is more it is not compromised by the cost, they were £38.00 each fully fitted. But the main thing whatever works for you do it. happy Happy motoring

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:58 pm

The proper Yokohama C Drive [Extra Load] tyres, are very good.

These are 100h rated, up to 50psi. About £65 each

On the other hand. the A300 is described by Yokohama as: "Choose a family car tyre that scores straight "A"s; the Yokohama A.drive. It's an economical tyre designed to satisfy safety-conscious drivers. The A.drive is the thrifty member of the drive family."

KeithB · Post by **KeithB** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:28 pm

I would call mytyres before ordering. I have had the same trouble getting the 215s, everyone said they were sold out (see my other post "Tyre shortage" I called a number of the internet tyre sites and none of them actually had them (I think I called mytyres but am not 100% sure)

Bestbuy said they could source for tuesday - lets see

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:41 pm

I swear by conti vanco's on the bongo, my work van @ 3.5 tons has always thrived on them even in the wet. They are more expensive than nang ping ding dong tyres but having had lesser tyres on the work van which neither lasted or gripped they're worth every penny. As I've said before use the following company http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ they come to you and fit them at a time convenient for you whether it be your home or work and the service is excellent.

chiefster1976 · Post by **chiefster1976** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:42 pm

Not sure with van tyres but having previously used a range of tyres on my previous cars of some considarable speed yokos all be it very good gripping tyre( on softer compound) dont last well....
I know a fair number of people in the vehicl trade who rate AVON tyres although not personally used these before..
continental contact conti sport on my leon cupra were a fantastic tyre, warms up quickly grips really well in all weathers...As an all round tyre on a similar line to conti sports are michelin pilot energy....so on the van i would go for one of these two!!! end of the day you aint going to be doing fast corner speeds in a Bongo, although i agree with the weight of the vehicle a good quality tyre is needed....

i am no expert just my previoous experience using on performance cars!!!

KeithB · Post by **KeithB** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:36 am

the rears show on the event tyres web site but if you ring them they don't have any available - at least if you call the "southern control" number. regarding the fronts they don't actually list the 195/70/15 97t on the web and I didn't bother asking when they said they couldn't get the rears.

Jefferson · Post by **Jefferson** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:52 pm

Conti Tyres were fitted from new on my main car Vauxhall Zafira 2ltr TDi.
They give fantastic grip ,and came out well in the recent Which report.
Only drawback was they tended to wear rather quickly on the front, mine went after about 14500 miles. Previously I had expected somewhere between 25 aqnd 30 thousand from tyres. Garage fitter was saying that modern tyre compounds seem to be getting softer and that customers were having to change tyres earlier than expected. even with the heavy wear factor I fitted replacement Contis because of their exceptional grip in the wet. It could also be that the new shape Zafira is heavy on tyres similar to the last generation of Vectras.
Since buying the Bongo its becoming quite a dilemma in the mornings deciding whether to Bong or to Zif.