They are two popular, trusted tyre brands for motorists all over Australia. But what will they cost you, and which offers the best value? These are questions we seek to answer by comparing Bob Jane and Goodyear tyres.
Bob Jane was named after the famed racer inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2000. The tyre brand was founded in Melbourne in 1965, and since then has been a popular choice for motorists wanting a fairly-priced Aussie alternative to all the Asian, European and US giants. Previously Bob Jane had naming rights to the V8 Supercars.
Goodyear has a much more steeped history, founded in the United States in the late 1800s and named after American Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanised rubber. Goodyear is also the one and only tyre supplier to NASCAR and serves as a conglomerate for many other well-known tyre brands. With both manufacturers having a great deal of consumer trust and recognition, which manufacturer comes out on top when their tyres are put head to head?
Bob Jane Car Tyres
For Bob Jane tyres, we headed to none other than Bob Jane for a tyre quote using the size of 205/65/15 – the most common tyre size on Aussie roads. Expect this tyre size to come on popular, small passenger cars such as the Toyota Corolla. Bob Jane does not sell re-tread tyres, as Bob Jane’s eldest daughter died from a re-tread tyre blowout while driving, and this ethical decision is certainly admirable.
- In our latest customer reviews, Bob Jane was rated five stars by Australian motorists for overall tyre-buying satisfaction and the retailer’s website certainly seems to be catering for the average consumer.
- The brand scored four-stars for overall satisfaction for its car tyres.
The company’s monthly offers appear front and centre on the landing page, along with a price-beat guarantee vowing to outdo any competitor by 10 per cent. These are attractive options, but let’s see how the tyres stack up.
| Model | Purpose | Approx Price Per Tyre |
|---|---|---|
| All Rounder Plus | Low rolling resistance, mileage and fuel economy. | $89 |
Source: Bob Jane website April 2018
With only one match for the given tyre size, we hoped that it would be a targeted, all-rounded offering from Bob Jane and we were not wrong. The price is a very appealing prospect, but we wonder what makes the tyre so cheap?
- The tyre compound is for mileage and fuel economy, so that most likely means it’s a harder compound at the potential sacrifice of handling characteristics.
- Keep in mind that different tyres may be available at different tyre sizes, so it pays to enter your own tyre dimensions on the website to see what’s available. Don’t know your tyre dimensions? It’s on the side of your tyre!
Given that this tyre size is mostly for small cars for city-dwellers, a cheap tyre like this can be forgiven for being the only offering. If your car is mostly for short distances around urban areas, then the Bob Jane All Rounder is an attractive option.
Shopping for tyres?
Goodyear Car Tyres
Goodyear’s slogan is “One Revolution Ahead”, and the brand’s website conjures up images of endless touring and hitting the open road for an adventure – something which many Aussies love to do as road trips become increasingly popular. Does this ring true for the everyday driver though?
| Model | Purpose | Approx Price Per Tyre |
|---|---|---|
| Assurance DuraPlus | Kevlar-infused for maximum durability | $115 |
| Assurance TripleMax | Fuel efficiency and wet weather braking | $120 |
| OptoLife | Durability and mileage | $100 |
| Eagle Efficient Grip | Entry-level performance | $125 |
Source: Goodyear website April 2018
With four tyre sizes matching, Goodyear outpaces Bob Jane, but has captured different sectors of the market.
- It seems that Goodyear has taken most desirable characteristics wanted in a tyre and combined them into a targeted ‘jack-of-all-trades’ style with the Assurance TripleMax
- Different corners of the market are also covered – basic performance, long-life and fuel efficiency.
With that comes a marked price difference to Bob Jane’s budget tyre option, with all tyres above the $100 mark – not exactly expensive in the grand scheme of things, but dearer than Bob Jane’s offering.
- However, some of these models are only available through Goodyear stores, or Kmart Tyre and Auto, similar to Bob Jane Tyres being exclusive to Bob Jane T-Marts.
All in all, for the choice alone, Goodyear streaks ahead. However, in terms of price, Bob Jane still has the American giant beat.
Shopping for Goodyear tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto
Bob Jane Vs Goodyear: Which tyre races ahead?
As with most ‘versus’ articles, there is almost never a definite answer as to which is best, and always room for debate about which reigns supreme.
- Both brands have cheap entry-level tyres, but Goodyear has a larger range, while Bob Jane’s sole offering is cheaper.
- For the budget-conscious, Bob Jane looks to be a solid option, but Goodyear affords more choice and entry-level performance.
- It pays to enter your tyre dimensions into each site to see what’s available.
Each has its ‘all-rounder’ tyres, with the TripleMax by Goodyear and the All Rounder Plus by Bob Jane. Despite the similar purposes, the All Rounder Plus and Assurance TripleMax cater towards different sectors of the tyre market, with the All Rounder Plus aimed at absolute budget-oriented city-dwellers, while the Assurance TripleMax claims to be a strong wet-grip performer which comes at a higher price. Overall, it’s up to you, the driver, as your specific needs will dictate which tyre is king for your car.
Original Author: Harrison Astbury
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