Driver feedback on the Avon ZV7 is split: many owners praise it as a great-value mid-range tyre with strong dry and wet grip, low noise and good ride comfort. However, a large portion of reviews report premature cracking/perishing in the tread grooves (often with plenty of tread left), alongside uneven centre wear and shorter-than-expected life. Overall, the Avon ZV7 is often liked for how it drives when new, but is frequently rejected due to durability and wear-pattern concerns.
What owners mention most counted across 141 reviews
I suppose the results of a review are dependent upon when the review is done. Had I reviewed these tyres shortly after purchase, my review might have been 'glowing'. I am however, reviewing my tyres just over one year and about 3500 miles after purchase and in that time my opinion has changed considerably. When looking for a new set of tyres, I did do my research. I opted for the ZV 7 on the basis of good wet and dry braking results, a mid range, trustworthy brand and the fact that I was led to believe the Avons were one of only several tyres still produced in the UK (desire to support the 'home front' etc.).
One year on, while the tyres perform perfectly adequately on a day-to-day basis, I have found that one tyre developed a bulge on the sidewall (out of warranty-of course). I am not aware of having damaged the tyre, but with potholes so prevalent, one hardly notices the number one drives over any more. I am prepared to concede this bulge could therefore have been inadvertent damage. While having this tyre replaced however, the fitter showed me that the tyre had deteriorated considerably with noticeable cracking radially around the tyre in the 'roots' of the treads. Examination showed similar rubber deterioration on the other tyres. This I did not expect after one year and about 3500 miles use. My close inspection also revealed that my (I thought) UK made Avons were in fact made in Serbia!
This has left me with a serious distrust of Avon tyres generally, and a huge question regarding the ongoing safety of these tyres. If a tyre is 'bald', it is obviously at end of life, you've had your money's worth and it's obvious that it must be replaced. With this rubber deterioration and radial cracking, when do I replace these tyres? The tread is obviously barely touched after my low 3500 mile usage and will thus be technically 'legal' for a long time to come, so at what point do I decide that I no longer want to trust these tyres at motorway speeds and replace them having had little wear from them? I have to say, I am now not comfortable at all using these tyres, but want to get some value from them rather than change 1 year old, 3500 mile usage tyres. That is a difficult dilemma to balance.
In summary, I am obviously very disappointed in the poor quality of these tyres, especially from a brand name like Avon, and am now constantly nervous about their safety (especially at speed) every time I drive the car. I expect said nervousness will eventually win over my desire to get at least some use from these tyres and I will have to replace them for peace of mind. That being the case, they will probably prove to be the worst value tyres I have ever bought. In years gone by, I have had many, many more miles from cheaper 'budget' tyres. I will certainly not be buying Avon tyres again, I could also not recommend these tyres to anybody and I would urge anyone who has these tyres to keep the condition of the rubber under close inspection.
3rd time purchasing these tyres and often recommend them to friends.
went around Nürburgring on these tyres and was very impressed. heading back this year on the same tyres.
very good performance and very good in the wet
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
Bought a skoda vrs 230 in september that came with p zeros on which i found great in the dry but shocking in the wet so ordered some Avons zv7s on offer £67.00 per tyre ! Soooo glad i did it transformed my car no horrid wheelspin in wet and after 6000 miles can say the tyres fill you with confidence on wet or dry roads a superb all round tyre will be putting on again as i drive a lot in our ever increasing wet weather , well done Avon !
Which tyres do you drive?
Researching the Avon ZV7? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
The huge plus points are wear rate & price.
Fitted as a set of 4, I rotated the tyres front to back at 15k miles, when the fronts had worn to 5mm of tread remaining, and the rears still had 7mm. I am expecting to get 30k miles out the set at £136 for all 4 tyres.
Dry and wet grip is very acceptable when you take the wear rate into consideration.
I have used Michelin PS3`s & Uniroyal Rainsport 3`s prior to the ZV7`s, and whilst the Avons do not match these for ultimate grip, left on the same axle, the front PS3`S are worn out at 8k miles, & the RS3`s at 5k miles.
Not bad at all if u do say so myself Great dry grip in cornering and is strong in braking performance. Wet weather is a much the same and can really stick it in on the corners but sadly bought new tyres continental premium contact 5's which were a big mistake
£250 for 4 tyres all in fitted at ATS ( £50 off offer) convinced me.
A -rated in the wet and British made. Grip well in the wet, handling very predictable, quiet ride - absorb bumps in the road well. Dry rating very good. I had Goodyear Eagles on before which gave slightly better grip, more precise handling but made the suspension feel harder - presumably thicker sidewalls - but they cost £400 a set. I drive a 2013 diesel E class coupe, I want tyres which grip, handle and give a comfortable ride. For the price these tyres bridge the choice between premium brands at £400 a set (minimum!) and Ting Tong rubber at £200 a set. Pay a bit extra for a decent British tyre that is almost as good as the premium brands. Will feedback on longevity at a later date - the Goodyear's lasted 20k which was impressive.
Bought these for the front of my 08 tdi fiesta 1.6.
On the 5 April covered 7000 miles since then. Went back to get two rear last Friday 20th September, and was told that I needed two front also..even wear across tyre, just wore out...
Had new set of 4 ZV7 to replace set of Continentals. Instantly noticed better handling in dry and in particular in heavy rain. They are more responsive on tight cornering also much quieter on road noise. Have not had them long enough to give opinion on wear. But they were recommended to me by friend who got 29,000 miles return from his set and replaced with new set of ZX7. But the best part is they are British made, and buying them is supporting British jobs.
Fitted a new set of these tyres to my Mondeo 2.5 v6 in early 2017 and have done about 18,000 miles since. Wear - They are just about due for changing on the front but I can't complain at all about the wear as I tend to be a little more heavy footed. Back ones have around 1/2 left.
Handling - Amazing, the turn in is so direct and they grip all day long. In the wet they are fantastic, never had wheel spin or lack of grip even with the high power through the front wheels.
Noise - Well as far as i can say they're pretty much silent, I never hear any tyre roar.
Value for money - Spot on, can't complain when I paid £70 a corner at the time.
All weather - ironically i managed to get up a slope to my house in light snow no problem at all! I'm not for one minute saying they're winter tyres but they got me a small incline from flat standstill!
In the wet, I've read these tyres aren't quite up to the mark but in reality (certainly on my car) they are fantastic and you even feel the confidence through the wheel that they will grip exceptionally through sharp turns and when braking.
Performance off the line - I had some poor landsails on before and the difference was astonishing when I changed, the car felt so much more agile through bends and responsive. Excellent.
Overall I would 100% recommend these tyres and having experienced 'premium' tyres such as Continental or Pirelli, would say the price upgrade is not worth considering as they perform just as well in all conditions.
Member
Alfa Romeo
225/45 R17 W
500 miles
Only 500 miles so far but accurate turn in quiet ride and fuel consumption the same as for previous Pirelli P7 Cints. Driven on dry roads and in heavy rain and they give confidence when pushing in. Will no more about higher speed roadholding and wear as time goes on.
These tyres are very good performing as I would have expected from past experience.
However the tyres I have fitted to my Volvo have only covered 4500 miles and all 4 have around 7mm of tread left so loads of life in them. Except that all four tyres are cracking at the base of the treads. The sort of quality I would not expect unless they were Chinese obscure branded D rated rubbish.
Not happy at all that I now have to look for new tyres which will not be Avons.
Check yours they could be the same. Mine have two different date numbers on but these relate manufacture within a few weeks of fitting.
