Help... car just nearly mashed me up...

[Davey182]

To cut a long story short, I've just come home from work and as I approached a left hand turn I braked and the car well just seemed to lock up (I could feel the ABS kicking in)... Odd thing was I wasn't going that fast (40mph in a 60), I didn't brake hard and conditions seemed good. But basically as the car locked it nearly threw me into a spin. Very scary, I wrestled it back and the ABS definately helped but it was extremely unexpected as I was driving like a granny. Scared the living shite out of me...

I'm kinda thinking it's one of three things, firstly either stuff on the road (there's a nearby farm that leaves mud on the road), the tyres or the brakes.

I think the tyres are ok, they have a good amount of tread left but the car will need new fronts soon as I don't expect them to last over winter.

I also had a scary incident with the brakes before on the M25 where they locked up for no reason. The brakes were also seriously fookin hot when I checked after getting home - which was odd because of the granny driving.

Anyway, I'm just wondering what mileages have people changed tyres and brake pads and what do people reccomend.

Thanks peeps...

Davey

 

[Chad]

Might be any combination of things. Greasy roads, crap/worn tyres, ESP cutting in, incorrect tyre pressure etc.

Front tyres normally last me 6K, last set of front disks and pads were proper fucked after 16K. Just had new front tyres again at 20K and the car feels s**t loads better.

 

[Davey182]

Took the car out for a test drive... Brakes definately don't feel as sharp. So to Renault we go tomorrow... Drove past the corner, the road is COVERED in shed loads of mud.

On my little test drive, forgot to turn full beam off at one stage and nearly blinded someone... whoops. A face full of xenons lol...

How much do new brake pads and tyres cost??

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

My car's on about 15k plus a 100 or so. It's still on it's original brakes . Had them tested for her 1st MOT in June and they weren't even half worn. I'm on my second set of tyres though. Would have been just front ones, but I got new and bigger wheels, so had new tyres all round.

 

[Davey182]

Anyone from K-tec on the forum tonight?

 

[Maz]

Tyre and brake pad changing all depends on your driving style imho I am still on standard brakes and on second set of tyres at 30k.. sounds like there could have been something on the road if you were driving slow, maybe best to get it checked out at the dealers though

 

[Davey182]

I think new tyres are defo gonna be a must... what do people reccomend??

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

Well I'm running on Conti Sports Contacts and I think they are pretty darn good. I think it's all down to indivdual preference though to be honest.

 

[Maz]

I think new tyres are defo gonna be a must... what do people reccomend??

PE2s :approve:

 

[Davey182]

Pain in the ass tho... didn't need the expense this month, buying a flat!!

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

It's an expensive time of year to have to be spending lots of dosh on your motor, but I guess these things have to be done. Safety first and all that crap! lol

 

[Maz]

Yep cars are an oncost but not worth comprimising your safety with tyres

 

[Davey182]

I know dammit... they're def still road legal but I don't think they're cutting it...

Where was that tyre survey by the way??

 

[Maz]

God knows exterior maybe ??

I wouldn't put anything else on mine other than PE2s thats what they came out the factory with on and iirc I had around 20k out of my first set, can't grumble at that ..

 

[philmots]

PE2's.... i think its the contis that cause the knockin /. bounching with wheelspin that im getting. i read on another forum thats what they did.

 

[jayxx83]

My pads are still good after 14k miles, mostly sensible driving, probably about 3k left in them I reckon.

 

[Englebert]

Oil/diesel...

Unless you have a slow puncture then low tyre pressures wouldn't throw you into a spin.

 

[BrianR]

I would get that properly checked out.
Fault codes read out for ABS/ESP, checked for sticking piston, seized swinging calliper, faulty/dirty ABS sensors.
Don’t play around with it yourself; brakes are the fine line between living and dying in an emergency. IMHO,.

 

[daviebroon]

my pads and discs last forever. last changed mine about 18k ago, still got some left. i don't drive softly softly either.

i do however go through a set of Eagle F1's in under 3k miles

 

[NOT! gary l]

My tyres have now covered 23k miles, the fronts have 2.8mm tread and the backs have 4mm, im well impressed:approve:

Yokohama S306, been looking for more but they dont seem to make them now, looks as if theyve replaced them with the A539's

 

[clioruss]

just remember though that although the granny drivin the brakes will still get very hot

 

[clioruss]

Even the granny drivin the brakes are giong to get very hot though mate, lots of friction and this gives of high heat levels, not that that explains any of the other happenings, an mot test station will have a brake effieciency tester where they will advise how the brakes are preforming to what renault reccomend they work at, might cost you a pint for them to run it for you.

 

[Davey182]

Thanks for the help peeps.

Took it to a garage today to look at the tyres properly. They are road legal but they only have 2mm of tread left (on the front - the backs are fine). The mechanic reckons they will last a 1000 miles more before they are illegal. However he strongly advised me to change them especially coming up to winter.

I think it was this combined with the excessive mud on the road that caused the sketchy 'moment'... Needless to say that I will be changing the tyres this week. So anyone know a good garage that will do the tyres at a decent price in the Bournemouth area?? lol... I think I'm gonna stick with the PE2s...

It's coming up to service time, for which I'll take it to K-Tec - rather than getting screwed by Renault. So I'll get them to check the brakes...

Cheers,

Dave

 

[edde]

My car's on about 15k plus a 100 or so. It's still on it's original brakes . Had them tested for her 1st MOT in June and they weren't even half worn. I'm on my second set of tyres though. Would have been just front ones, but I got new and bigger wheels, so had new tyres all round.

It all depends on your driving my fronts last 15k same alamost for the pads. I get though stock pads as fast as yres realy it depends hwo yuo drive.

Well I'm running on Conti Sports Contacts and I think they are pretty darn good. I think it's all down to indivdual preference though to be honest.

Your one of the few people along with me who actually think there any good.

It's coming up to service time, for which I'll take it to K-Tec - rather than getting screwed by Renault. So I'll get them to check the brakes...

You can just check/chnage them yourself not difficult.

 

[Davey182]

What should I look for then mate?

I'm gonna have to ask this question though...

What should I go for, two new front PE2s or a whole set of TOYO Proxes... ??

 

[edde]

What should I look for then mate?

I'm gonna have to ask this question though...

What should I go for, two new front PE2s or a whole set of TOYO Proxes... ??

Forget Toyos I don't like them in 15 in 16 they seem better but they still arn't excellent IMO. Personaly I'd always rempalce all 4 tyres with the same type but there no need. Best tyres should always be on the back so rotate them round front to back and new ones on the back.

Just lookto see how thick the pad material is.

 

[Davey182]

Toyo's get good ratings though... should I consider a different tyre or stick with the PE2s??

 

[edde]

Toyo's get good ratings though... should I consider a different tyre or stick with the PE2s??

Stick with the PE2's personally if your happy with them.

 

[Martin_172]

nothing grips like a set of Yokohama A539s, thats my next tyres after having a shot of a mates clio with them.

Eagle F1s are apparently good, getting a set from evil john hopefully tomorrow when i buy his old dynamique wheels with them fitted. seemed fine on gibsons 172, he always uses them.

im currently using Hankook's there better than a lot of tyres ive used but dont really do the job when your on the limit in a good handling car. great in the wet tho ive found

 

[daviebroon]

nothing grips like a set of Yokohama A539s, thats my next tyres after having a shot of a mates clio with them.

Eagle F1s are apparently good, getting a set from evil john hopefully tomorrow when i buy his old dynamique wheels with them fitted. seemed fine on gibsons 172, he always uses them.

im currently using Hankook's there better than a lot of tyres ive used but dont really do the job when your on the limit in a good handling car. great in the wet tho ive found

A539's are terrible. far too soft, and just nothing in the damp stuff.

F1's are good but don't last anywhere near what they should.

after pissing about with tyres for the last year, i'm going back to what i know... PE2's.

 

[Davey182]

I would agree with the A539 comment Dan. They are crap. Had them on my old car and had some very scary incidents in the wet with them. Only really sticky I found when it was hot weather...

 

[Darren S]

Well I'm running on Conti Sports Contacts and I think they are pretty darn good. I think it's all down to indivdual preference though to be honest.

Good choice Debz - they worked brilliantly on my Punto GTT. Much harder wearing and more grip than the factory-fit Pirellis.

Davey - from what you've said, it definitely sounds quite worrying m8 - especially the brakes getting mad hot went you pulled up. Could it be a binding caliper or something? Jain's rear caliper seized on her MCS after it got hot. Previous to that, the rear had felt twitchy - almost like it was way down on tyre pressure at one side...

D.

 

[Kneel]

I would agree with the A539 comment Dan. They are crap. Had them on my old car and had some very scary incidents in the wet with them. Only really sticky I found when it was hot weather...

I disagree, I have A539s and they gripped surprisingly well, in the wet they are only slightly less than in the dry. I've never not felt confident with them on...

 

[Davey182]

No, I REALLY disagree with that...

The A539s were good in the dry but nearly put me through several roundabouts in the wet and also left me red faced sat in the middle of traffic junctions. They were simply appalling in the wet.

 

[Davey182]

Davey - from what you've said, it definitely sounds quite worrying m8 - especially the brakes getting mad hot went you pulled up. Could it be a binding caliper or something? Jain's rear caliper seized on her MCS after it got hot. Previous to that, the rear had felt twitchy - almost like it was way down on tyre pressure at one side...

D.

I had a mental incident with my brakes locking on the M25 a while back... AA man said they were binding. Not happened since. But like I said I'll get them properly checked out soon. Think they will need new pads at least... They have been a bit 'fadey' at times... Especially when a bit wet.

 

[daviebroon]

not trying to deliberately go off on a tangent... but A539's really are appauling in the damp. they were very very good in deep snow, but s**t in the wet.

 

[Revels]

It's coming up to service time, for which I'll take it to K-Tec - rather than getting screwed by Renault. So I'll get them to check the brakes...

Cheers,

Dave

I wouldnt take my car there. Make the little trip along the south coast and go to Rentech!

 

[Davey182]

I might do that too... not sure yet. Either is better than getting screwed by Renault...

 

[G_F]

i havnt read the replys, but have you checked if the front calipers are binding?

 

[Davey182]

braking problem is intermittent... like I say. Will get them properly checked out. It still seems to break well though. Maybe I'm just expecting them to be better... lol