Car tyres - where is best/cheapest?

JQ.

Wig wrote: »

Bottom line is I always go for cheapest and I always have no problems.

But that's the issue with all safety features - they only make a difference when it really matters. I have lots of airbags in my car, never used them but I'm sure glad they're there.

The issue with budget tyres is not always day to day driving but that one time when you need to do an emergency stop, because a child has run into the road or a car pulls out in front of you from a side road. Personally things like that are not worth scrimping on.

luap2411

Bought two 205x55x16V Firestone TZ300's Addison Tyre Centre near Tipton, West Mids yesterday, £63.99ea. Could not find cheaper on-line or phoning round. Good job too, have used on-line before and some of the grotty tyre bays, poor balancing, and the jacking up on my floor pan didn't impress me.

Have to say I always go branded on tyres. I think all branded manufacturers knock out lower priced non branded versions. But I suspect there are some non branded tyres that do not come from as reputable origins. As a punter do you know the difference ? Though seem to remember Pirelli's non brand is Ceat but don't quote me on this.

My argument is that if you go branded, you have something to trust, the cost difference, when you consider how long they last, and the safety element is marginal. Call me fussy but If I looked at a second hand car with cheap tyres on it I would take this as a sign that the repairs and servicing may have been skimped.

Wig

JQ. wrote: »

But that's the issue with all safety features - they only make a difference when it really matters. I have lots of airbags in my car, never used them but I'm sure glad they're there.

The issue with budget tyres is not always day to day driving but that one time when you need to do an emergency stop, because a child has run into the road or a car pulls out in front of you from a side road. Personally things like that are not worth scrimping on.

I lost my concentration the other day and nearly rear ended someone, my tyres stopped me in a satisfactory manner. The car is fitted with Runway Enduro 656 which are a budget brand costing £34 new (just looked them up) and I got them from a scrap yard for £7.50ea. on the rims.

I've heard it all before, I do have my moments rarely when driving and I have no problems at all. Still got 13 years no claims mind you....

BTW I drive my cars till they die from becoming uneconomical to self repair, so I would never sell a car anyway. And I think I maintain my cars better than anyone who trusts a garage to do it properly.

mollycat

luap2411 wrote: »

Call me fussy but If I looked at a second hand car with cheap tyres on it I would take this as a sign that the repairs and servicing may have been skimped.

And what would premium brand tyres with no tread on them mean?

Your assumption makes no sense, there is no correlation between what type of tyres one chooses and a diligence regarding maintaining a car.

People are allowed to make choices, just as you do when you potentially reject a well maintained car due to assumptions about the owner, based on their choice of tyre.

ailuro2

mollycat wrote: »

Sorry, but ive got to jump in here and correct this advice.

I USED to work in a Michelin tyre factory and know how tyres are made.

A budget tyre is made EXACTLY the same way as a premium tyre.

I always buy budget tyres, sometimes second hand tyres too.

Mollycat, you're right when you say the cheaper tyres are made by the same people as make the original equipment tyres, but did you know the quality limits put on them are different. Also the rubber compounds can be different,as can the tyre's design. I worked there for 21 years before I changed jobs and became aware of the differences. They all looked black and round to me before that.:o

However, budget tyres are a different thing altogether from a top manufacturers' lower level brand. In the same way as cheap clothes from Primark will be sewn together with a sewing machine the same way as a made to order dress from a designer would be, the end product is different, and you pay the price for the difference, some of that extra money you pay will be for better materials and higher quality control.

I bet you didn't put cheap or second hand tyres on your car when you worked for Michelin.;)

mollycat

ailuro2 wrote: »

Mollycat, you're right when you say the cheaper tyres are made by the same people as make the original equipment tyres, but did you know the quality limits put on them are different. Also the rubber compounds can be different,as can the tyre's design. I worked there for 21 years before I changed jobs and became aware of the differences. They all looked black and round to me before that.:o

However, budget tyres are a different thing altogether from a top manufacturers' lower level brand. In the same way as cheap clothes from Primark will be sewn together with a sewing machine the same way as a made to order dress from a designer would be, the end product is different, and you pay the price for the difference, some of that extra money you pay will be for better materials and higher quality control.

I bet you didn't put cheap or second hand tyres on your car when you worked for Michelin.;)

Hi AILURO2,

Yes, there are always differences in tolerances, grade of rubber, design etc in different priced tyres.

Thing that bothered me was, i thought you were suggesting THE PROCESS of making a premium tyre is different from making a budget tyre...we both know it's not.

Which michelin were you in? I was Dundee.

Hintza

Just as a matter of interest I have spent a bit of time pricing up various tyres this weekend and you have to check them all. I have found a tyre that is 30% cheaper at one of the internet sellers whilst another 2 are normally cheaper for most brands.

I will be buying a premium brand but doing the research and finding reviews is tricky. Sure you can find out losts about road holding etc but wear tends to be trickier to figure ouy and effect on mpg is non existant.

Probably of no interest to most of you but for the Jeep I have shortlisted (in my current order of preference):-

Cooper ST (interesting brand from USA which gets very good write ups for handling, noise and wear)

BF Goodrich TA/KO (supposedly fantastic wear rate)

Pirelli Scorpion ST or STR (Good overall tyre and might be a good compromise)

Pirelli Scorpion AT (currently on the 17" rims but unavailable on 16" grr)

Goodyear Wrangler (had them on the Grand Cherokee but need to remember the variant because they wore very well)

Please note these are for a mix of off road and tarmac and getting the compromise right is the real problem.

p1tse

camskill offer braded decent tyres at good prices

luap2411

Mollycat - You miss my point and add another variable !

Variable 1 - Mine, on a personal level, would I be concerned by a prospective car with unbranded tyres, yes. I recently parked next to a 12 month old Mondeo with some horrid front tyres on it. Why, lots of cars about, why take a risk.

Variable 2 - Your addition, would I buy a car with worn out tyres, no. Again why take a risk with plenty of cars about. Worn out and illegal tyres smack of a car that has not been looked after, this would be regardless of brand.

I appreciate you have 'inside knowledge' of one tyre manufacturer. My point is that the average punter does not share this knowledge. Therefore unless you have absolute confidence that the compound, tooling, tolerance etc is exactly the same why take the risk.

I guess most people are trying to save money these days. I would be happy to use NGK spark plugs, QH steering parts, Ferodo brake parts, Castrol oil etc. I think your argument with tyres would stack up in that that quite a few of these parts might be OE, or certainly acceptable as a trusted alternative. The issue with unbranded stuff is that some are undoubtedly fine, but others may not be. With safety critical or high damage risk parts, unless you know the origin and can trust it, why take risks ?

The question is if you could trust non branded tyres. Unless your 'inside knowledge' can categorically state that 'x' tyre is the same (excluding the brand) as 'y' tyre, then it has no value to the average punter. In which case they should surely play safe ?

Wig

luap2411 wrote: »

The question is if you could trust non branded tyres. Unless your 'inside knowledge' can categorically state that 'x' tyre is the same (excluding the brand) as 'y' tyre, then it has no value to the average punter. In which case they should surely play safe ?

All new tyres including remoulds have to pass the same safety tests. End of.