Xantia S2 Tyres

[isisalar]

Woody
These are the guys you need to get in touch with.
http://www.deanslanetyres.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A small independent outfit a short hop round the north circ. from you. They seem to be able to source quality used tyres no problem. They are always busy.
The problem with trying to buy used tyres is the same as trying to get any exhaust repairs done. In a nutshell, Kwik fit have been taken over by a Large, Japanese I think, corporation.
They have in turn bought up all the previously independent small chains of tyre and exhaust specialists bar one tyre only chain. The previously independent chains have kept their identities but if a place is selling tyres and exhausts it's almost certainly owned by kwik fit.
The staff are expressly forbidden from doing any repair or remedial work at all and no hanger rubbers, repair sleeves, clamps or any parts at all are stocked. Dread to think what their puncture repair policy is. They obviously don't sell used tyres.
Woody, you'll find Deans lane tyres a very helpful bunch, I'd phone them if I were you. Unfortunately they can't balance centerless wheels last time I checked.
Personally I'd favour a good used Michelin over any new budget tyre, got goodyears on at the moment, came on the car, and no complaints so far.
Cheers
Paul

[Timmo]

My mate who runs the refurbing said that the Proper adapter for centreless wheels was something like £800+! Fopr the amount he does, its simply not worth it,

[astramanmazdaman]

http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/par ... nd-the-law" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As an MOT tester I dislike part worn tyres most of the cars that i see fail go away and have "part worn "tyres fitted most of which do not conform to the above. Many get refailed because of cuts bulges and even cords exposed !I sometimes think that the people who sell these do not expect me to get the car up on the ramp and do a full inspection. As for some of these goodride,hifly ,wanli and some of the other chinese brands that seem to copy european branded patterns on road tests they seem to have very poor wet weather grip.Avon seem to do a good range now and the ZV3's were very reasonable and grip very well in the wet on my Xsara. Remember you can have the best brakes,the best suspension but C**p tyres mean they count for nothing.
ps Now too old to be a boy racer

[lankytim]

Hey woody, what's a mercury cougar? I've always fancied a yank!

[Northern_Mike]

A Mercury Cougar is the same as a Ford Cougar. I've had a couple. V6 is a lovely engine, and remarkably economical. If you can do without the space, I'd recommend one. Check it's got decent tyres if the alloys are original as the original tyres are a weird size and ball-breakingly expensive.

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[Northern_Mike]

http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/par ... nd-the-law
As an MOT tester I dislike part worn tyres

Unless every car you test has brand new tyres on, your quote makes no sense.

Don't nearly all cars have "part worn" tyres on?

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[rory_perrett]

As an MOT tester I dislike part worn tyres most of the cars that i see fail go away and have "part worn "tyres fitted most of which do not conform to the above.

Going slightly OT it is not part worn tyres per se but unscrupulous suppliers blessed with unwary/ uninformed customers that is the problem. And I’m afraid it’s not just tyres, we’ve all see reports of work paid for and not done, counterfeit parts, etc, etc.

[Woody260]

Thanks again for the input Gents. To respond to those that have kindly made suggestions or comments.
Peter.N I hear what you say about converting to 195's, but to be honest I'd prefer to remain using the original size tyres, and as I'm only needing to replace the front pair (plus the spare) I'd end up with odd sizes on the car.
Isisalar. Thanks for the info re Deans Lane Tyres at Mill Hill. I'll give them a ring, and ask about wheel balancing for the alloys that are on the car if they have any suitable tyres available. Going that way on Saturday week, so if they have anything will visit them.
AstramanMazdaman. As Northern_Mike commented, aren't all tyres fitted to a vehicle when it's submitted for an MOT part worn, unless it's just had a new set fitted of course. I have in the past had used tyres fitted to other cars I've owned, and always ask to be able to have a good look over and inside them before having them fitted.
Lankytim. The Mercury Cougar. Again, as Northern_Mike says, it is made by the Mercury section of Ford USA. But this is nothing like the Cougar's that were sold in the UK between 1999-2002 which were I believe the 9th generation of the Cougar and pretty much re-worked Ford Probe's. Mine was an early 7th generation, and related most closely to the Ford Thunderbird of the time. Mine was registered in 1984, but was a 1983 model, very similar to 1984 spec, but had a carburetor rather than the EFI on the 84's. The body is a notch back coupe, with electric everything and has a 232cu (3.8L) V6 Essex engine. Sadly, mine's seen better days and needs restoration or would be a good source of parts, shame really as these make good money if in good condition, and I've owned it since 1996

[lankytim]

PM sent, Woody,

Can Xantias really take 195/65/15's? They look much larger than the 65's when stood next to each other.

[neil123]

Bit of a strange one this.

I know money's tight for most people these days, BUT - Camskill (and no doubt others!) will do you four Michelin Energy fitted and balanced for less than 280 quid - and will do it with a small deposit and a reasonable APR over two years - it works out about 12 quid a months and adds forty quid to the cash price for paying monthly - but you will get what - 30,000 miles as an absolute minimum before you need to think about tyres again and as someone said, there are four bits of rubber the size of a shoe sole in between you and eternity.

All very well saying cheap tyres will do if you aren't a hard driver - until some poor sod steps out in front of you, or ypu have to swerve to save your own life.

Expensive tyres just aren't - they're about thirty quid a corner dearer than "Ditchfinder Golden Cock" type ones, and they give you a warm fuzzy feeling, for less than penny a mile, for four. And they might save your life. Bargain.

[addo]

Of all the accidents I've had (and the list is quite solid these days) tyres only factor in one; that was when I pulled up sharply in response to random braking by a car in front. I stopped (wet road, well-worn but legal Kumho Ecsta on the front), and the Honda behind rear-ended my trailer!

If part-worns weren't so dear in my country I would consider them but I'll take a soft compound (280 or less TWI) Chinese tyre for the extra $20/cnr simply because I'll get another six months out of the added 3mm tread depth. Usually I buy Evergreens.

[Northern_Mike]

The 1998-2002 UK Ford Cougar is identical in every way apart from being RHD, to the American Mercury Cougar of the same time period.

It's basically a Mondeo (not Probe) Coupe with the Duratec V6. Front wheel drive, comfy and well equipped. I'll have another one day.

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[Northern_Mike]

Of all the accidents I've had (and the list is quite solid these days) tyres only factor in one;

Same here. Two accidents both tyre related.

One when when a new Michelin failed on the rear of my first Xantia and I spun through a drystone wall and dropped 6ft into a field.

The other in my first MX-5 when I discovered the expensive, 1000 mile old Pirelli P6000s are lethal in the wet.

Never had a problem on cheap tyres or part worns.

The Matadors on the Berlingo cost me £168 for 4. 20,000 miles later the rears look almost new, the fronts are about half worn, though the left hand one is going on the edge because I never had the tracking redone after rebuilding that side of the suspension.



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[Peter.N.]

Similar experience although not accident related, when I bought my last XM it had two new Firestones on the front, the car always pulled to the right, couldn't find any reason for it until I had to replace one of the front tyres, from that time onwards it drove straight!

Peter

[Old-Guy]

So far as I'm aware, there's no significant difference in suspension between S1 & S2. Various wheel/tyre sizes are specified for both.

I bought a 2.1 VSX estate in June that came with a pair of new cheap Chinese tyres on the back but needed a new pair on the front. Not intending to keep it for more than a couple of months, I put a pair of Nexens (205s) on the front instead of premium tyres. No complaints at all - pretty good all round. Not as quite as quiet as I would like, but better than the 195 Avons that were on the 1.9 last year. I don't drive furiously, but as already been pointed out, just 4 small patches of rubber stand between the car's occupants and oblivion.

For that reason, now that winter is here, and I shan't have the time to put the SX back on the road until the spring, as of yesterday the VSX is wearing the SX's suit of Goodyear UltraGrip winter tyres - expensive, but truly brilliant when the temperature drops below 7C and utterly amazing on snow and ice.