Tyre dilema - please help asap!

Booner! · 11 May 2008 at 23:52

Managed to kerb my front left tyre (alloy is suprisingly ok) today and it has split a chunk which doesn't look very safe at all. The rubber peels back and goes pretty deep, but I don't think it has damaged the webbing, just the side wall. The tyre hasn't deflated and I am taking the car to the tyre fitters first thing tomorrow.

Dilema:
I am selling the alloys ex tyres after the summer so was hoping to get by on the tyres on them. The front right and back tyres are fine and have loads of tread left. I don't want to spend money on 2 new front tyres for this very reason.

Can I just buy a cheap front left tyre which is a different make to keep me going for 2-3 months? As the person interested in buying the alloys will be sticking on a fresh set of tyres so it doesn't matter to them.

The_Dark_Side · 12 May 2008 at 00:15

No, go buy a part worn tyre.

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2008 at 00:17

This is the one time where part worn tyres make sense.

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 00:27

I am a noob at this, would the tyre place that I am going to stock part worn that I could buy? how much should I expect to pay + fitting and disposal etc etc

The_Dark_Side · 12 May 2008 at 00:46

Booner! said:
I am a noob at this, would the tyre place that I am going to stock part worn that I could buy? how much should I expect to pay + fitting and disposal etc etc

Some do some don't, so check their advertising boards.
PW tyres are as cheap as, and you should (unless you're after a weird size) pickup a premium tyre for little money.
Don't bother with anywhere corporate as they're too interested in selling you brand new tyres at over-inflated prices.

Did you see what I did there?

Begbie · 12 May 2008 at 00:55

If your after part worn cheapness, you can try the scrappies. I got two there with stellies attached for £20, the car was been sold in a few weeks

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 01:03

I am after 225/40/18.... and going to an independent local

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 07:55

What are the implications of driving with 3 tyres of one make/manufacturer and 1 x of another?

The Edge · 12 May 2008 at 08:26

Booner! said:
What are the implications of driving with 3 tyres of one make/manufacturer and 1 x of another?

none as long as the tread pattern is similar and the size is right.

Dogbreath · 12 May 2008 at 09:36

The Edge said:
none as long as the tread pattern is similar and the size is right.

Tread patterns mean jack to be honest.

If the new tyre has similar wet and dry grip then you are unlikely to notice anything. If you fit a ditchmaster from the Happy Chicken Rubber Co. with three premium brand tyres, you can expect that wheel to lock up early under hard braking (esp. in wet) and break away more quickly under hard cornering (and usualy make a lot of noise when doing it).

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 09:49

Ok, I got two Yokohama tyres with lots of tread on but second hand. Paid £99 for both fitted and tracking checked. They told me the tracking was out and offered to fix it for £25...... I didn't get it done cause I thought this was expensive?

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2008 at 10:55

You paid £100 for second hand tyres? Seems a bit steep to me? What model of Yoko are they?

Toker · 12 May 2008 at 11:10

you could've got 2 brand new for that price

crap ones though.

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 11:47

[TW]Fox;11670527 said:
You paid £100 for second hand tires? Seems a bit steep to me? What model of Yoko are they?

I will get a pick to show the amount of tread (loads!).

Yokohama Advan sport's. 225/40/18 start at £115-140 per tire online I believe? So it was a pretty good deal for the following:

2 x Yokohama Advan sport 225/40/18
Fitting
Balancing
Alignment check
Disposal of previous tires
£99

Gaygle · 12 May 2008 at 12:32

Not bad i guess. Considering you are basically getting a new condition tyre for less than half of the normal price.

And alignment is around £20-£25 everywhere. I thought it was a bit steep too, when they told me how much it was, but then i went and checked at 2 other garages and they were all the same.

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2008 at 12:38

Allignment prices depend on the car. Proper laser allignment is usually about £40 unless the car is a tad more complex - mine was £90.

Toker · 12 May 2008 at 13:44

most places charge a flat rate for the alignment and toe, then they will add on extra fees for additional camber and caster adjustments if necessary

Booner! · 12 May 2008 at 13:48

Is it worth getting it done considering I am selling up the alloys in like 3 months?

Toker · 12 May 2008 at 13:51

definitely get them aligned or you'll most likely totally mess your tyres up in no time at all if the cambers out enough

I know local garages that will do traditional (non laser) alignment for a tenner...something like that would probably suit you best if you can find it where you live

jamoor · 12 May 2008 at 13:51

Booner! said:
Ok, I got two Yokohama tyres with lots of tread on but second hand. Paid £99 for both fitted and tracking checked. They told me the tracking was out and offered to fix it for £25...... I didn't get it done cause I thought this was expensive?

£25 is reasonable, but it probbably wasn't out.