Given
47%
while driving a
Renault Clio IV TCe 90
(195/55 R16 H) on
a combination of roads
for 4,000
average miles
Fitted from new on a Scandinavian spec Renault Clio 0.9Tce Sport Tourer (estate).
Have now covered just over 4000mi / 6000km.
To summarise; these tires have been good for fuel economy and reasonably grippy, but the steering and handling characteristics are not confidence inspiring or enjoyable, in my opinion. Can also be noisy on some surfaces.
These tires might be ok if you want something for low speed city / town use, or if economy is your only major concern.
For me personally, I like a car to handle in a positive and responsive way. These tires don't strike the balance I'm looking for, so they will soon be changed out for something more responsive.
Positive:
- Grip quite well in the dry
- Grip quite well in the wet too (no unexpected ABS / sliding / wheelspin to date)
- Low rolling resistance, hence good fuel economy.
- Seem to wear reasonably well (so far)
Negative:
- Slow / soggy steering response, seemingly due to soft sidewalls.
- Lack of steering feel or feedback. Numb around the dead-ahead.
- Car slops / wobbles around laterally on these tires following a sudden steering input (e.g. if swerving to avoiding a pothole or something in the road). Seems to take a while for these tires to settle following such a manoeuvre.
- Unexpectedly noisy on some road surfaces, though reasonably quiet on others.
- Not the most comfortable, despite apparent soft sidewalls. Can feel harsh / jittery over road imperfections such as drain covers and bridge expansion joints.
- Went out of balance within the first 3000km (2000mi).
Other Notes
Increasing the tire pressures (above recommended for the Clio, but well within specification for tire) helped to improve the steering response and feel, but the basic characteristics described above are still present.
Driving another Clio 0,9tce on a different brand of tires (a dealer courtesy car) made me realise how lively the steering and handling on my car can / should be.