Premium Tyres: Are They Worth It?

• Premium Tyres: Offer superior quality and performance, made by renowned brands, but are more expensive.
• Benefits of Premium Tyres: Provide better grip, fuel efficiency, and are long-lasting, offering long-term cost-effectiveness.
• Mid-Range and Budget Tyres: Mid-range offer a balance of price and performance; budget tyres are affordable but less durable.
• Tyre Selection: Choice depends on budget and performance needs; avoid part-worn tyres for safety reasons.

The tyres we choose can hugely affect the performance of our car. 

And when it comes to replacing tyres, usually our choices fall within three price ranges: premium tyres, mid-range tyres and budget tyres. From this, you may be wondering if premium tyres are worth the extra cost and what they can offer above their mid-range and budget counterparts. 

To help you choose, we’ll be asking the questions: are premium tyres worth it? And how are premium tyres different from budget tyres and mid-range tyres? 

What are premium tyres? 

Premium tyres are considered to be akin to luxury car tyres, but they are actually manufactured by trusted and well-known brands. Common names that fall within the premium category include Bridgestone, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental and Pirelli. 

Known for their high quality and innovative designs, they carry a higher cost which may lead some people to consider whether they’re worth the extra money. 

Should you buy premium tyres over budget? 

Everybody wants to save money, but it’s also important not to skimp on the safety and performance of your vehicle. Since tyres are always in contact with the road they impact the comfort, safety, handling and fuel efficiency of your vehicle – making this a choice that’s worth thinking about.

It’s important to note if your car is a performance model then some cars are designed specifically for certain types of performance tyres, so fitting them with anything other could compromise safety. 

Once you’ve established how flexible you can be with your choices, it’s time to choose between your three options. 

The benefits of premium tyres

Premium tyre brands are known for investing large sums of money into research, testing, development and innovation. This means that when you purchase a premium tyre, you’re benefitting from the very best in quality, fuel efficiency and driving comfort available on the market. Due to this inherent quality, premium tyres are often factory fitted to cars, meaning they’re the first tyre you will drive on after purchasing a brand new car. In this respect, they could be considered manufacturer approved.  

Better grip and improved rolling resistance are qualities you can expect from a premium tyre, making it an overall smoother driving experience. This also improves the fuel economy of your vehicle, which is kinder to your pocket and the planet. 

Premium tyres are also hard-wearing and long-lasting, and so while they are initially more expensive to purchase, premium tyres will turn out to be more cost-effective in the long term as they will not require replacing as often as mid-range and budget tyres. 

The benefits of mid-range tyres 

Despite the fact that mid-range brand names may not be as familiar, many of them are of a decent quality for your car. 

Mid-range tyres can be a good way to balance price with performance, as long as you choose the right one. The best way to select a mid-range tyre that’s right for your vehicle and driving needs is to read the tyre labels for noise and wet weather braking performance, check professional reviews and also get the opinion of your local garage. 

The benefits of budget tyres

Budget tyres are the cheapest option available to you and are ideal for when you have less to spend or perhaps want a short-term replacement. 

Budget tyres are safe to drive on, but they will not have the same high-performance benefits or longevity as premium or mid-range options. This could mean slightly lower fuel economy, a less comfortable driving experience and reduced longevity. As they are less hard-wearing, you will likely find you need to invest in budget tyres more frequently, making them less cost-effective than purchasing a longer lasting mid or premium range alternative. 

It’s worth saying that we recommend you always avoid part-worn tyres, as these are often dangerous and illegal. 

So, which should you choose? 

Ultimately, the choice is yours, based on your personal budget and performance expectations for your vehicle. If you’re still having trouble deciding, then ask your local tyre centre who will guide you in the right direction. 

Here at Mr Tyre, we’re the leading chain of autocentres for Central England and beyond. We supply and fit a wide range of tyres from leading brands, able to cater to a variety of budgets and performance needs. To find out more, just drop by one of our branches or give us a call.