Clio 182 ff
Sorry for the long post. I’ve had my car for 3 weeks now and I really like it. In getting more used to it I thought there was something not quite right with the steering and handling. The best way to describe it is a bit unsettled on bends and vibration through the steering wheel at above 4,000 rpm. I bought the car for a cheaper price with high mileage but full history so I could spend the remainder on getting the cam belt, timing belt, dephaser pulley, new shocks/springs etc…. All of this work was done last week and the car was given 12 months mot. On my request everything was checked for movement in the steering column, inner tie rod, engine mounts etc….They found nothing so I just thought it was down to me coming from a rear wheel drive E class Mercedes to Clio 182 and it was torque steer. It’s a lot of power going through the front wheels so I had to treat it with care and go easy. I read the posts on being too heavy footed. On Saturday when the rain started it felt worse wheels spinning, hardly any traction. I drove my wife 2007 fiesta 1.4 zetec later that day on the same roundabouts with no loss of traction or wheel spin. The only thing that I hadn’t changed was the infinity INF05 tyres but as all 4 had 8mm of tread on I thought they would be ok for a few months. I’ve read the reviews but thought they can’t be that bad. I have always bought decent tyres and these were on the car when I got it. Yesterday, I got 4 Michelin PS3 fitted at a local garage. From the moment I left the garage I felt a difference. I cannot believe that tyres would have such an effect on a car. All vibration through the steering wheel above 4,000rpm has gone and no wheel spin. I now understand how the car should feel and it’s handles amazing. I know that Michelin are good but how can manufacturers produce tyres that are this poor and dangerous.