Reviews on Bridgestone's Ecopia tires

[friendly_jacek]

I got OEM Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 tires in my new Prius. I liked the comfort, quietness and traction of those low rolling resistance tires enough that I chose Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia tires when I needed tires for my RAV4 (269HP V6 non-hybrid mind you). Based on my experience so far I will never buy high rolling resistance tires again.

I reviewed both tires on epinions:

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia

Bridgestone Ecopia EP20

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks!

Good to see that you found EP20's wet performance pretty good, despite their UTQG "B" rating for wet traction. Looks like a good fit for the Prius, considering its purpose and intended use.

Seems to be a niche product with only one size available (195/65/15).

 

[friendly_jacek]

You are absolutely correct, EP20 it's not a high traction tire, but good enough for Prius. In the past, I strived to get the best traction tires possible; but not anymore, as they used to be noisy, harsh and short lived. I guess I'm getting older.

As for the size issue, between Ecopia EP422 (passenger all season), EP100 (passenger summer only), and Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (SUV all season), many sizes are covered. They are not exactly same tires but share a lot of similarities.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
I guess I'm getting older.

Aren't we all, heh.

In the past, I would settle for nothing less but max performance summer tires, regardless of treadlife or noise.
Now I'm down to UHP all-seasons as I don't drive that agressively anymore. Few more years, and I'll probably downgrade even further, although, I drive so little these days, that trying to go for long treadwear or super low MPG doesn't really matter much. The tire will need to be replaced due to age before I wear it out...

Alas, a car like Prius wasn't meant to sit in a garage. It was meant for significant commuting duties, so again, different priorities...

 

[Brons2]

$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.

Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: Brons2
$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.

Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.


Recouping cost is all about how much you use it, and how many miles you drive it. There is a break even point, and that is a real number that you can figure out. Beyond that you are saving money.

BTW recent info regarding HYBRID batteries shows that in general they are lasting much longer than expected.

 

[sciphi]

Glad to hear they're working for you!

If you commute 100 miles a day then a Prius will likely save money vs. commuting in a regular midsize car. Or your commute involves lots of stop and go traffic. Or if one drives a zillion miles a year. Just because a hybrid isn't for everybody doesn't mean it's for nobody. IIRC a guy on here recently ran the numbers and figured out he'd do better with a hybrid than a regular car.

Now if Toyota came out with a Prius that had a little bit of personality I'd gladly buy one as a commuter car.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: Brons2
$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.


I disagree. Do a math. I expect to keep the tires for at least 60,000 miles (easily as it's rated 640AA and OEM tire rated 280BA lasted almost 40,000). My RAV4 fuel consumption is 22 MPG on average (city and hwy). In 60,000 miles I will use 2727 gal of fuel at a cost of at least $8181 (if it stays at $3/gal that I doubt). 4% saving of $8181 is $327, that is $81.81 per tire. That is more than the $30 premium I mentioned. It could be much more if gas is >$3 gal.

Originally Posted By: Brons2
Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.


Wrong again. I purchased Prius for $21,000. Lets say that a comparable car is Matrix that retails for $18,000; even though Matrix is a much lesser car compared to Prius. $3000 premium. But 50 MPG in Prius vs 30 MPG in Matrix. I expect to keep the Prius for lets say 120,000 miles. Gas will cost me $7200 in Prius vs $12,000 in Matrix. That is a $4,800 difference if gas stays at $3 which will most certainly not. That pays and some the initial $3000 premium.

If gas goes parabolic, I can convert my prius to plug in for driving electric only in city.

Please let me know if I made any errors in my calculations.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: sciphi

Now if Toyota came out with a Prius that had a little bit of personality I'd gladly buy one as a commuter car.


I understand that in 2012 there will be Prius Wagon, and later Prius Minivan, Prius Truck, etc. Besides, there are other hybrid cars besides Prius. I just happened to like Prius. If you happen to test drive a Prius, make sure you use the Power mode. You will be surprised by results.

 

[Bruce T]

Jacek, my 2009 Civic Hybrid had stock Dunlop SP31 A/S tires, which developed deep tread cracks by 22k miles. Two excellent hybrid tires for mpg are the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and Bridgestone Ecopia EP100:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=121

The Michelin Energy Saver is chosen more often, although my dealer claims they've seen wear and out-of-round issues. The Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 is considered a summer touring tire, but I've seen very good snow and ice traction with it for the past two winters. Granted, that's during an Oklahoma winter, not in a Northern state.

 

[friendly_jacek]

If I had to replace passenger tires right now I would have a hard choice between Ecopia EP100, Ecopia EP422 and Sumitomo HTR200.

Sumitomo are also LLR tires, summer high performance:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...832#Post2158832

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: Brons2
$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.

Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.


LOL, interesting how much happened in such short time. New Prius is practically unavailable and used jumped $5000 in price. I could sell my 6 months old one for a profit if I wanted to.

 

[Bruce T]

The earthquake/tsunami/Fukushima disaster in Japan was bad news for Prius buyers. Dealers in OKC price gouged already. Part of it was the Gulf States Distributor. I've also heard bad things about Southeast Toyota Distributors. The last two independent US distributors.

Also, when the 2010 Prius came out here, NC owner Sonic Automotive was forcing dealerships to tack on a mandatory $4,000 premium on every Prius sold.

 

[odie]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: Brons2
$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.

Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.


LOL, interesting how much happened in such short time. New Prius is practically unavailable and used jumped $5000 in price. I could sell my 6 months old one for a profit if I wanted to.
We traded in a 2006 PRIUS during the first spike of gas due to the hurricanes toward the base model 2008 YARIS sedan w/ auto and got top dollar as a trade because PRIUS were so hard to find . The YARIS trade in value has jumped nearly a $1,000 in a month due to gas prices and the quake . The '06 PRIUS was sold the day we brought it in to pick up the '08 sedan . Even got a discount on the YARIS and payed off another car loan we had at that time . Only had to pay the tax on the YARIS . Also got mud guards for free .

 

[Bruce T]

Yes, small cars are now getting very good mileage: Chevy Cruze Eco, Hyundai Elantra, 2012 Honda Civic and Ford Focus, etc. It's nice to see hybrid cars finally getting some serious competition from the conventional sector. Even hybrid owners can't feel entirely secure from high gas prices, since small cars are easily totalled in wrecks. I should know, since I drive a 2009 Civic Hybrid, and I have near-death experiences driving on a daily basis.

 

[odie]

We've been driving small cars since '87 . 2 cars were totaled thanks to being rear ended . Small is a state of mind . Could never go back to larger cars . The money we save with gas mileage helps cover other expenses .

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: Brons2
$30 more per tire? You'll never recoup the cost. Now if you just want to be more environmentally friendly that's one thing.

Come to think of it, you'll never recoup the cost of a Prius vs a non-hybrid economy car either. The Prius is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one, which is not so much different than other cars IMO.


LOL, interesting how much happened in such short time. New Prius is practically unavailable and used jumped $5000 in price. I could sell my 6 months old one for a profit if I wanted to.

Funny, my local Toyota dealers have Prii ready to buy and deal.

Going back on topic, I told my neighbor to get the Ecopia EP422s for her daughter's Civic Hybrid after a bad compliance bushing in the back chewed up two of her Dunflop SP31AS OEM tires. So far, so good. And a $70 Costco cash back didn't hurt either.

 

[4x4chevydude]

Ya i am getting the Ecopia 422's after my buddy who is tire manager at costco highly reccomended them. I am getting an extra 30 off because they are on 4-6 week back order so in total I am getting 100 off a set of 4. It came out to be the cheapest tire for my sonata.

 

[odie]

Please keep us informed on your experience with the 422s'. We're thinking of those for the '11 FIT when the time arives . Not too crazy about the Dunlop SP31s'. I think the 422s' are on the HONDA Insight .

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: odie
Please keep us informed on your experience with the 422s'. We're thinking of those for the '11 FIT when the time arives . Not too crazy about the Dunlop SP31s'. I think the 422s' are on the HONDA Insight .


+1

Though on a Fit I'd just do a +0 and get the Michelin Hydroedge Green X since those last nearly forever and their fuel efficiency is comparable to most OE LRR tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=121