Replace tyres or waste of money? Yeah

[AudiMan9000]

So after 11 months and 17k miles, my new Q5’s tyres have worn down to 2.5mm (front) and 3.0mm (back). Should I replace them now or wait until they’re at minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm?

[Scrump]

Given the weather I would wait a few more months and fit new tyres ready for the rain in the Autumn/Winter.

[Pica-Pica]

Scrump said:

Given the weather I would wait a few more months and fit new tyres ready for the rain in the Autumn/Winter.

I would tend to leave them, but keep a weather-eye open.

[Fusion777]

Personally I'd change them.

[GreenV8S]

I wouldnt be chasing the last millimeter of legal use. The wet performance in particular drops off significantly well before you reach the legal limit.

[Tony1963]

Op,

How many miles are you doing? What sort of roads in general? Can you easily afford to replace them all?

[AudiMan9000]

Mainly sedate driving on local dual carriageways. Mileage about 18k pa. Audi quoted me £580 for four new tyres. I’ll shop around. It’s a big hole in my monthly pay check but I can afford it. Just paid £520 for a year’s tax though.

[QJumper]

Given that you've got a bit of leeway timewise, and the weather's largely dry, then personally I'd hang on whilst keeping an eye out for deals. As soon as a good deal for a set of four appears then make the leap.

[Smint]

I agree with the two posters who suggest leaving them for another few months, see most of the Autumn out.

However during that time i would keep an eye on Camskill Tyreleader and possibly Oponeo, in case an umissable bargain appears, if it does get them delivered to your home and fitted when it suits you, might also be worth asking your local good tyre indy to keep their eyes and ears open in case something juicy crops up, particularly if you are considering winter rated all season tyres, cheapest in the hot weather.

Current set on the Forester, not a cheap size by any means, were near enough half price just by keeping an eye open.

[Mr Tidy]

No need to rush but it would make sense to get new ones before Autumn as it can often be pretty wet.

In the past I have spread the cost by doing 2 one month and the other 2 a month later!

[E-bmw]

Smint said:

I agree with the two posters who suggest leaving them for another few months, see most of the Autumn out.

However during that time i would keep an eye on Camskill Tyreleader and possibly Oponeo, in case an umissable bargain appears, if it does get them delivered to your home and fitted when it suits you, might also be worth asking your local good tyre indy to keep their eyes and ears open in case something juicy crops up, particularly if you are considering winter rated all season tyres, cheapest in the hot weather.

Current set on the Forester, not a cheap size by any means, were near enough half price just by keeping an eye open.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

A few years ago, I wouldn't have thought it possible until I sent myself a screenshot of tyres I would be needing soon to remind myself to check.

I promptly forgot until I looked again 2 weeks later & the price had changed on some of them by as much as 40%, that was on tyresguru, but I have since done the same on ASDAtyres, which included local fitting, ended up basically getting 4 for the price of 3.

[Smint]

^^^ just checked, those tyres i nabbed @ £53 each 2 or maybe 3 years ago are now approaching £120, doubt i'll ever repeat that steal again.

Scary when friends tell me they're being quoted £300 a corner, tyre prices are one of the things i check out before buying a car.

[MakaveliX]

Personally I replace at about 3mm, especially if on the front. No way would I go lower than that.

When I rotated a 3mm tyre for a 5.5mm one, I noticed a big difference in grip when pulling out of junctions.
I do run budget tyres though

[E-bmw]

Smint said:

tyre prices are one of the things i check out before buying a car.

^^^^100% this, do it every time.

[E-bmw]

MakaveliX said:

Personally I replace at about 3mm, especially if on the front. No way would I go lower than that.

When I rotated a 3mm tyre for a 5.5mm one, I noticed a big difference in grip when pulling out of junctions.
I do run budget tyres though

Me too, although I only ever use the best tyres I can get and as a result when I am getting near to needing them I spend hours over in tyrereviews/asdatyres/tyresguru etc....... How those long winter evenings fly by.

[TedStriker]

MakaveliX said:

Personally I replace at about 3mm, especially if on the front. No way would I go lower than that.

When I rotated a 3mm tyre for a 5.5mm one, I noticed a big difference in grip when pulling out of junctions.
I do run budget tyres though

Budget tyres with more tread on the front than rear is a recipe for disaster in a panic situation, or wet cornering near the limit.

But let's not get into the 'always put best tyres on the rear' thing!

[E-bmw]

TedStriker said:

MakaveliX said:

Personally I replace at about 3mm, especially if on the front. No way would I go lower than that.

When I rotated a 3mm tyre for a 5.5mm one, I noticed a big difference in grip when pulling out of junctions.
I do run budget tyres though

Budget tyres with more tread on the front than rear is a recipe for disaster in a panic situation, or wet cornering near the limit.

But let's not get into the 'always put best tyres on the rear' thing!

So why did you?

[Red9zero]

Just replaced my tyres at 7mm. Mind you they were Massimo's that the garage put on for the MoT before we bought the car. With that and a 4 wheel alignment, it's like a new car. I normally look at replacing at 3mm.

[QJumper]

Smint said:

tyre prices are one of the things i check out before buying a car.

Me too, and then I buy it anyway if I like it, and find another, convoluted way of justiifying it

[MakaveliX]

TedStriker said:

Budget tyres with more tread on the front than rear is a recipe for disaster in a panic situation, or wet cornering near the limit.

But let's not get into the 'always put best tyres on the rear' thing!

I've heard that theory before " have the tyres with most tread on the rear "
Does that apply for front wheel drive too? I'd be interested to hear as to why that's the case ?

I currently have a 7mm and 4mm on the rear due to one being a new tyre, and a 5mm and 5mm on the front.
When getting my next tyre replaced I was considering putting the two 7s on the front, but I've heard that's not a good idea

Thanks

Edited by MakaveliX on Wednesday 3rd August 07:39