The economics of part-worn tyres

jase1

Actually the funny size thing leads me to an observation -- could it be that a lot of the reason people are turning to second-hand tyres is the stupid prices charged for odd sizes? I've noticed that on our two newer cars, which have 195/55/15 and 205/55/16 (the latter is a common size, but is simply a large tyre), the tyres are typically 30-40% more expensive than the old cars that had 175/65/14 and 185/65/15 tyres, and I don't see any particular advantages to these sizes either (plenty of disadvantages though -- rubbish in the snow being one example).

The low-profile, wide tyres are of course much worse. I think I'd almost be tempted to go used if the new tyres were £130 each.....

Flying-High_2

jase1 wrote: »

£95 for a 195/55/15?


How much tread do these £25 tyres have? That is important. As I said, if they only have 4mm of tread, they're a false economy at that price.

But you've noticed hardly any difference between a 4mm Dunlop and an 8mm Khumo...;)

Surely half the tread for half the price makes sense... Like I've said many many people are not Interested or simply cant afford to be paying £50 for a new tyre when they can get a half worn one for half or less than half price... Or a matching pair for the price of One new one...

So its not really false economy at all is it?..

And Bigger tyres cost more than smaller ones?:D:rotfl:...... No !!!!?:rotfl:

jase1

Well it is when that same 4mm tyre becomes radically less safe when it gets below 3mm:

http://www.3mmtyres.co.uk/

4mm is *not* half tread. At the very best, it's 37.5% -- and if you follow the above, it's 20%.

The difference between a 4mm tyre and an 8mm in terms of handling and grip is almost non-existent, whether that tyre be Khumo or Dunlop. But I ain't paying £20 for a tyre with 1mm of safe, usable tread left.

For the way I use tyres, I'd need a tyre with 5.5mm of tread just to break even at half the price of a new tyre.

In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't be asking for my cast-offs back off the fitter rather than paying him £1.50 to take them away, and selling them on ebay, seeing as they seem to fetch £10-15 each at least with that much tread.....

Yes, I think I will do that in future!

> And Bigger tyres cost more than smaller ones?:D:rotfl:...... No !!!!?:rotfl:

The point is more that low-profiles cost so much more. Why can't manufacturers just fit tyres that are reasonably priced in the first place?

Flying-High_2

jase1 wrote: »

For the way I use tyres, I'd need a tyre with 5.5mm of tread just to break even at half the price of a new tyre.

In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't be asking for my cast-offs back off the fitter rather than paying him £1.50 to take them away, and selling them on ebay, seeing as they seem to fetch £10-15 each at least with that much tread.....

Yes, I think I will do that in future!

Do it!! Someone will be glad of a Part worn bargain with a few MM left in it!!...

jase1

Yup.

And take a note of his reg number -- I don't want him tailgating me on a wet motorway

jase1

Here's the maths for anyone interested, assuming you take safety seriously -- and here's an AutoExpress video demonstrating the difference between a 3mm tyre and a 1.6mm one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVMqLmtOIYQ

Tread depth Break-even price

8mm 100%
7mm 80%
6mm 60%
5mm 40%
4mm 20%

So on a tyre that normally costs £60 fitted new, a 4mm part-worn needs to cost £12, fitted, to represent the same value for money. A £25 tyre needs to have just over 5mm of tread to break even.

Of course, if people can find that mythical 7mm tyre for £20, from a reputable supplier, then this is of course a bargain. That's kind of why I asked the question in the first place -- to see how common such purchases are.

Feel free to pull these figures apart, but bear that video in mind when you next run any tyre down to 1.6mm.

BTW this is why I was grumbling about the lower profile tyres -- they encourage people to cut corners (buy cheap, buy second-hand from less scrupulous dealers, run their tyres right down to the legal limit etc). A £30 tyre that normally costs £150 is viable right down to 4mm.

Compare this with the Hyundai Accent I had several years ago at the other extreme (which is still a fairly current car -- lots of them still on the road). The tyres on that were 175/70/13. You can replace these tyres with decent mid-range tyres for under £40 a corner quite easily. These are so cheap that the bottom falls out of the second-hand market completely -- who is going to supply and fit a 4mm tyre for £8?

Flying-High_2

You need to get off the idea that all Part worns have just 4mm of tread:rotfl:... It's not the case and are them figures based on 1.6mm or from the 3mm crusade? Interesting all the same!!


The Stuff coming over from Germany will be 4mm Min and be at the cheaper end of the scale... I wont repeat myself again as you obviously know much better.... but the prices are usually on a sliding scale more tread = more money.... Get it?

So yes while some will have 4mm lots will be 7mm and and lots inbetween...


And like I've said before...:rotfl: A lot of people arent interested in the long term... Its just a quick £25 or so now ro be legal and off to go... Rather than forking out £45/50... Get it?..

Also like I posted up there... ^^ I reckon a good part worn Conti or Mich would last as well or longer than a tyre by at least a couple of the brands you mentioned initially... So different wear rates will skew your figures somewhat... If they all worn the same then hats off your right the figures add up... but they wont will they...

jase1

By the same token, some cheap brands last forever (Nankang especially) -- but this isn't the issue. Each tyre lasts differently and you can't make any statement based on that.

Yes the figures are based on a minimum tread depth of 3mm, because that is the minimum I would ever allow onto one of my cars, simple as that. I am not one of these numpties who thinks that legal=recommended.

And just because some people think short-term doesn't mean that isn't a false economy -- indeed it's the very definition.

I simply want to see the testimonials of people being able to buy in good quality tyres with 6 or 7 mm of tread for £25... because I've not seen it personally.

jase1

I have to say mind reading back on some of your posts... you seem quite happy to have "legal" but near-bald tyres on your cars, and don't see any issue with not having winter tyres in cold Northern winters (and those Contis are pretty much like slicks in snow due to a lack of horizontal tread in the main 75% of the tyre), and prefer tyres that last a long time (which are usually the ones with rubbish grip IME) -- you don't seem to have much time for safety features?

Flying-High_2

jase1 wrote: »

I have to say mind reading back on some of your posts... you seem quite happy to have "legal" but near-bald tyres on your cars, and don't see any issue with not having winter tyres in cold Northern winters (and those Contis are pretty much like slicks in snow due to a lack of horizontal tread in the main 75% of the tyre), and prefer tyres that last a long time (which are usually the ones with rubbish grip IME) -- you don't seem to have much time for safety features?

Point out which threads I have said I have "legal" but bald tyres?...

Hang on.....I think I know the post your on about....the Vectra and the pick up in the field one?....:rotfl: It was tongue in cheek reply to a thread about Winter/Summer tyres...

I Dont run Contis either...:rotfl:No dont run Winter tyres... Never have done in 15 years of driving.. My bad.;)