Avon ZV3

The Avon ZV3 is a High Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 28 tire reviews averaging 63% over 465,030 miles driven.

Dry Grip 72%
Wet Grip 63%
Road Feedback 65%
Handling 66%
Wear 58%
Comfort 66%
Buy again 52%

The ZV3 is ranked 133rd of 202 Summer High Performance tires.

This tire has been replaced by the Avon ZV5.

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Top 3 Avon ZV3 Reviews

Given 71% while driving a Ford Sierra Azura (185/65 R14 H) on mostly motorways for 8,000 average miles
I bought a full set of 4 Avon ZV3 for my old boy my 1992 rear wheel drive Sierra the tracking is kept in line regularly however the fronts are now wearing quite quickly on the left shoulder mainly due to excessive speed on cornering at roundabouts! These tires were amazing in the Jan/Feb 2010 Snow, at slow speeds the tread pattern dug well into the snow with the solid rib keeping the car straight. (Rear wheel drive in the snow is good fun you must try it!) In the wet there is slight slide at speed but as you can feel the car about to go so you can compensate quickly with your speed. I'd buy the tires again if they were on offer for around ?200 for 4 (fully fitted)
Helpful 45 - tire reviewed on June 22, 2010
Given 96% while driving a Rover (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 25,000 average miles
These were original empty on the rover 75 2.0td I replaced the budget tires with these avon the improvement is fantastic, they grip wet or dry, quite at motorway speeds only down side on the rover putting out 131bhp fronts last about 25 to 30k would have lasted longer due to excessive tire wear on inside caused by square speed humps. The rear tires last again about the same but again the speed humps cause excessive inside wear.
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on February 21, 2014
Given 77% while driving a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI (185/55 R14 H) on mostly motorways for 10 spirited miles
My car has a full set of Avon ZV3, they have been impressive and compare well to premium branded models I have had.

Good points: Good wet grip and compare well to premium tires in that respect. I generally don't hang about and I find that cornering grip in wet conditions is among the best, a real surprise. They provide decent feedback and dry grip also is very good. I have no problems with the drive of these tires, even when pushed.

Bad points: Tire noise seems higher than other brands but not excessive. They appear to be quite a tire with a firm sidewall which doesn't help the ride quality. Wear is average but my front ones are just about bald on the outside shoulders, despite tracking and pressure being ok.

A good tire and I would try another tire from the Avon range again after experiencing these.

I need to replace the front pair now as they are just about on the wear markers. I had considered replacing with some more ZV3s but for the same prices more modern tires can be had, the Avons score poorly on the new classification for rolling resistance (G) so I'm looking for something a bit more 'eco', Hankook Kinergy Eco perhaps.
Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on May 7, 2014
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Latest Avon ZV3 Reviews

Given 67% while driving a Mazda MX5 (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 9,000 spirited miles
Excellent in the dry and good on a nice dry track. Unfortunately unsettled in the wet (even damp) getting very sideways unless driven slowly. Would use on a more basic vehicle because of how cheap they are! wear is good I've got 12,000 miles out of my rear set.
Helpful 27 - tire reviewed on July 28, 2015
Given 64% while driving a Vauxhall Signum 1.9 CDTI (215/50 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 15,000 average miles
I cover 15000 miles per year on rural town and motorway, roughly 30/30/40 split. I only got 10000 miles on the fronts before I swapped to the back, now all four are on the limit after 15000 miles At £110 per tire I expected better, I previously ran Nexen budget tires at £75 a tire, only a minor difference in the wet and lasted longer c 18000 miles on the front.... Definitely not buying again
Helpful 30 - tire reviewed on March 19, 2014
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Given 79% while driving a Citroën C1 (195/45 R15) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
They are very good tire. Good grip in both wet and dry conditions. Nevr had any problems with them so far.

Wee bit road noise at high speed but its not too bad.

Avon tires are not sa bad as people make them out to be.

But remember they are budget tires so they will never be perfect.
Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on December 12, 2013
Given 56% while driving a Ford Mondeo (195/60 R15) on mostly country roads for 20 average miles
Have these on the front and back of a Mondeo MK2, 2 litre estate. On my second set of fronts, appear to wear quicker than other makes I have had including budget tires. Neighbour had them on his golf TDI also stated they did not last as long as the Michelins he had previously. Good grip in the dry, not outstanding in the wet, no ABS on the car, quite easy to lock up either of the front wheels in the wet. Would not buy again, not much better than good budget tires fitted in the past.
Helpful 30 - tire reviewed on March 18, 2013
Given 69% while driving a Vauxhall Vectra SRI 1.9 (150) (215/50 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
I had these fitted to my Vectra as a desire to try a medium range tire after running budget tires previously. I enjoy "driving" the car quickly but not insanely fast over some demanding A/B roads and then cruising gently with the flow on the motorway on my longish commute each day. The tires are fine, good, great even, but quite soft, the budget brand was more than a match for each aspect but at 60% of the cost. if you can afford these, I am sure you would be delighted with them.
Would I buy them again? well,,,, NO, I went back to the same budget brand I had prior. I shall review them in their appropriate page.
Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on December 5, 2012
Given 46% while driving a Ford Focus MK1 (195/55 R15 V) on a combination of roads for 5,000 spirited miles
Pretty useless unless the road was straight and dry. In the wet, i felt really unsure of what was going to happen. No such issues with the Bridgestone Turanza's that were on previous. Look the part but dont live up to the expectations.

Wear rate was high,fell off a cliff when cornering with a hint of speed and were really noisey at any speed. Would not reccomend.
Helpful 28 - tire reviewed on September 1, 2012
Given 49% while driving a Fiat Stilo (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 18,000 average miles
These were fitted on the front of one of our two Fiat Stilo 1.6 MultiWagons, fitted as first replacement at 36K miles, but needed to be replaced after 18K miles use.
Good points: Quiet controlled road noise at even motorway speeds.
Bad Points: Performance on country roads and grip in dry and wet conditions not as good as it should be. Car feels as if it's floating/wandering and doesn't inspire confidence near limits. Tire life has only been half that of the previous front tires on this car (Dunlop SP Sport tires - 36K) and the Eagle NCT5s (41K) fitted on our other Stilo.
Helpful 31 - tire reviewed on February 17, 2011
Given 80% while driving a Skoda Octavia (205/55 R16 V) on a combination of roads for 18,000 average miles
I own a skoda octavia TDi 130hp estate. In Feb 2008 I fitted a set of these on both axles. I don't do excessive mileage. Journeys are a mix of motorways and local commuting.
At motorway speeds in heavy rain I have always felt confident, and almost never experienced aquaplaning. The octavia is pretty quick of the mark and the front wheels can be made to slip when accelerating up on damp roads. Simple solution ease off on the go pedal. Its not a dangerous feature. Braking has always been a reliable experience.

I have just replaced the fronts after 17,600 miles, the tread wear indicators have just gone level with the top of the tread. I live at the bottom of a crescent that goes up to a T junction and up again to the main road. In the recent cold spell (dec 10) I have managed to get up and onto the main road on fresh snow. Neighbours have asked if I have 4wd!... They obviously have lead boots!!

I have just purchases 2 new ZV5's for £117 inc VAT (from setires) (205/55/16/V's) The ZV3's cost me £255 for 4 - so I would say that they represent good value for money.

I have had Continental Raintires in the past, grip in wet probably better but wear appalling..
Helpful 28 - tire reviewed on December 29, 2010
Given 34% while driving a Volkswagen Golf GTI (205/50 R15 V) on mostly town for 5,000 average miles
Previously I had Goodyear F1 on the front of my Golf GTi MkIII they were superb, I was advised to fit these as they were British and it would be good for the economy. After a couple of months the ABS would kick in at slow speeds as I went around corners, went to my local garage who checked the steering pump and steering assembly, they could not find anything wrong the mechanics of the car and they checked the tires which had 7mm of tread, the fault persisted and I eventually had a new steering pump fitted. This did not solve the problem, I asked for the garage to swap the Avons on the front with the Goodyear NCT5 on the back which have 3mm of tread, much better grip instantly.
Helpful 28 - tire reviewed on October 22, 2010
Given 46% while driving a Ford Sierra Azura (185/65 R14 H) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Following on from my previous review the shoulder wear on front tires has increased dramatically over the last few months. The rear are also wearing down to near the wear indicators. Don't think these tires are designed for rear wheel drive machines as they arer wearing down far too fast. I've now replaced the fronts with two serbian trayal tires to see if they can outperform the Avon! Note to AVON your tires should last over 10,000 miles 1 year without signs of high wear. And yes the tracking is true!
Helpful 38 - tire reviewed on August 19, 2010
Given 34% while driving a Fiat Bravo (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
No recommended!!!
Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on March 20, 2010
Given 87% while driving a Vauxhall Corsa Sxi (185/55 R15 W) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
These were the only tires that i could get one day so i bought them. And i found out straight away the grip i got was like night and day to the goodyears i previously had on my car. In the wet i had lost the back end a few times in corners and roundabouts, which i found out was a common fault on the corsa's. Since fitting these tires no such problems and can accelerate round corners with confidence. Buy them you will be surprised. i got 12k out the front set so lasted ok!
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on November 6, 2009