New tyres or Part worn?

Jeff · Unread post by **Jeff** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:05

Having a C5 that goes through front tyres was wondering about renewing the front ones (budget tyres start at £40/each fitted) or partworn with about 5mm of tread for £30 the pair fitted.

Any thoughts on the pro's and cons of fitting part worn?

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:13

Yes. Don't!

You're better off buying new budget than part worns. You will see no end of used tyres on Ebay and the like.

Some have had repairs, some haven't.

Personally, I would get to the bottom of why the car is going through front tyres first.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:29

I've frequently fitted part worns when a good opportunity for the right type arises and never had a problem.
Most of them come from Europe where tyre wear limits are much stricter so apart from wear the tyres are fine.
Just make sure the supplier vets tyres for damage before sale.

den169 · Unread post by **den169** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:32

My c5 estate goes through tyres fast only wear on the outer edge though.And iv'e had the tracking done.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:37

Does that happen regardless of the tyre type or is it one in particular ?

Jeff · Unread post by **Jeff** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:48

I should point out i had the tracking done when the tyres were renewed but later an MOT threw up a lower arm ball joint (o/side) that had excessive play so that could be at fault but I think C5 diesels do go through front tyres.

The last front set which were budget tyres did 14000 miles but the last few months I did run them whilst they were very borderline legally.

Another thing, my C5 2.0 HDI recommended tyre pressure's are 30 back and 32 front. The front ones seem to go on the outer edges so someone told me he always puts a few pounds extra in his tryes as you rarely see the middle of tyres wearing out before the edges.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 16 Jan 2011, 11:55

Xantia's are also hard on tyres, some more than others. Mine destroys budget tyres on the edges, even if they have the correct load rating.
This is one reason why it's sometimes wise to go with the manufacturers tyre fitment recommendations.

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 16 Jan 2011, 12:08

I have this question come up quite a bit, should I use part worn?

Not realy an issue, as when you buy a second hand car, you are after all getting 4 part worn tyres and we never think about changing them all unless of course they are bald.

The issue with the Xantia and C5 wearing through the fronts quicker, is in my opinion the fact that the car handles so nice and smooth with it's hydraulics working well, the driver is just going to fast around the corners.

I allways refer to the front N/S wear as the roundabout syndrome, those who frequent Milton Keynes will know what I mean as they will wear out the outer edge of the front N/S tyre quicker than most.

Regards
Martin.

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 16 Jan 2011, 12:09

Hi Jeff, it is worth checking that the tyres you are fitting have the correct speed rating and load factor, as these are significant factors in tyre wear. Budget tyres are Ok, as long as they meet these requirements. They rarely give the same mileage as a branded make.

Part worn tyres can be OK as long as you accept that you have no idea as to their previous use. They may have come off a car that had been driven well, but equally they may have come off a car that was involved in a bad accident. You do not know.

Personally, when I use a tyre with an unknown history, I fit them to the rear of the car. If they blow, it is easier to control than a tyre deflating on the front, even on Citroens.

As for the tyre scrub you are getting, it may be something to do with your driving habits. Worth checking to see if you regularly use the car on full lock like driving into a drive, etc.

I would be wary of increasing tyre pressures beyond the recommended rate, as you will lose the size of the contact patch of the tyre and it will also affect the braking distances, especially in the wet.

Handyman

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 16 Jan 2011, 12:19

HDI wrote:Just make sure the supplier has vets tyres for damage before sale.

HDI makes a good point here.

Some suppliers don't not have the required technology to check tyres properly and rely solely on visual checks.

You are also relying maybe on the tyre suppliers honesty. New tyres, even budgets, erase this doubt.

I found a good webiste at the beginning of December, not sure if we are supposed to post links but:-

www.mytyres.co.uk

The prices were excellent and they ship them to one of their approved suppliers near to you. You can select an appropriate station based on cost or distance using your postcode.

I was looking for winter tyres for my drive to Austria.

Once it snowed in England, they put their prices up £22 a corner so I ended up not using them anyway but I liked the idea.

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 16 Jan 2011, 12:46

You can do both, more or less.
Keep an eye on eBay, and you'll find that unused spare tyres come up quite frequently, including Michelin and other quality brands. If it's not stated, ask what the date code is, though, and don't go for any over about five years old (although they'd probably be OK shut away from light for all their lives).
I recently purchased a pair of Energys, dated last year and unused, from a firm which does taxi conversions, very cheaply.

imperial21 · Unread post by **imperial21** » 16 Jan 2011, 14:48

My Xantia has 205 60 15 tyres
I have been running used tyres as thought i could nt afford new, The used i buy must be like new though ! i have been paying about £20 each they are from scrap cars, i have noticed i can buy budget new tyres for £32.
Worst thing with my wheels are lots of people cant balance them due to no centre hole !!

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 16 Jan 2011, 15:32

Toyo Proexes or Uniroyal Rain Expert cost just less then 50 quid a corner, fitted. Both are excellent tyres and are very safe in the wet. To me, it seems odd not to spend a few quid more to get a new tyre, with more tread so will last longer and covered by the garage if there's a problem. Work it out as pound per mm of tread you get. It's better value. If you want a tyre that lasts longer, look for the treadwear number on the sidewall. The lower the number, the softer the tyre.

I figure that a car is only as good as the bits that touch the road. I've seen some terrible budget tyres recently, some from Eastern Europe look awful. Bad tread pattern and poor quality.

Go on, treat your car to some good rubber. It could well save your life.

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 16 Jan 2011, 16:19

Stepto1 wrote:Go on, treat your car to some good rubber. It could well save your life.

And equally importantly that of others!

amjake · Unread post by **amjake** » 16 Jan 2011, 18:46

I've used part worns in past gone for Pirrellis or well known make but tend to view as stepto1 and feel false economy. Now run with Toyo proxes on each corner as with other cars good wear and excellent in wet.

Mind you did save some real money years ago and put re-moulds on a peugeot 305. One wet night coming home through the cambridge fens lost grip and spun off into drainage dyke, car half full of water and lived to tell the tale.

Putting cheap tyres on your car is like making your wife wear cheap shoes, it takes a very brave man!!!!