One new tyre or two?

[sxmwht]

I have a sidewall bubble on a tyre that is only 5000 miles old, pretty regular usage, driven slightly harder than average. Offside front, on a Golf GTI.

A lot of people only change a pair of tyres all the time, but I really don't want to. Will there be that noticeable a difference?

I might end up changing the other tyre anyway, as there is a slow leak, but if it turns out to be the valve, I don't really want to change the tyre out at £170 a pop.

Ideally, I'd get the dodgy tyre checked, and then order one or two tyres as appropriate. I could save 10% then from BlackCircles. I could alternatively do them both separately, but lose out on the offer.

[Davie]

As per a similar thread yesterday, describing wear in miles is pretty pointless. Could be at 1mm or 8mm and anything in between.

[bluezedd]

sxmwht said:

I have a sidewall bubble on a tyre that is only 5000 miles old, pretty regular usage, driven slightly harder than average. Offside front, on a Golf GTI.

A lot of people only change a pair of tyres all the time, but I really don't want to. Will there be that noticeable a difference?

I might end up changing the other tyre anyway, as there is a slow leak, but if it turns out to be the valve, I don't really want to change the tyre out at £170 a pop.

Ideally, I'd get the dodgy tyre checked, and then order one or two tyres as appropriate. I could save 10% then from BlackCircles. I could alternatively do them both separately, but lose out on the offer.

I'd personally only change the tyre with the bubble. That's assuming the other tyre is in a decent condition. I'd definitely find out if the leak from the other tyre is at the rim or valve though before buying 2 tyres. You can fill a spray water with a washing up liquid/water mix and spray it on the tyre and valve after you've removed it to find the leak.

A part worn might be an option too if you want it to be of similar tread depth as the one on the other side. I don't know how viable an option this is though because I have the luxury of being able to buy part worns myself and inspect them properly/select a good one before I fit them myself. Not sure I'd trust a part worn place to fit a suitable tyre, and if I did go to one I'd be checking the date code, inspecting for cracks, bulges on the inside and outside etc after they have fitted it.

If you buy a specific part worn privately, I'm also not sure how willing garages would be to fit it for you, so that's something to be aware of.

[Mr E]

I’d change both, and sling the part work in the shed as a spare.

That way you guarantee you won’t ever need it and the wife moans at you about the wasted space.

[bluezedd]

Mr E said:

I’d change both, and sling the part work in the shed as a spare.

That way you guarantee you won’t ever need it and the wife moans at you about the wasted space.

This is definitely a good option too. I should warn it's a slippery slope because eventually you end up with 15 alloys with tyres (EDIT 8 are on 2x cars), random loose tyres and some manual tyre fitting equipment in the garage.

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Do you have a full size spare ? how old is that ?

In similar circumstances, I usually end up buying 2 new ones and the good one from the car becomes my new spare and the old spare gets thrown away (or sold on eBay)

[996TT02]

Put the rears on the front, and replace only one.

Unevenly worn fronts will pull to one side.

[Pica-Pica]

Just get the one tyre, but match exactly. I assume that the OK tyre is not below 5mm. If the other tyre is lower than 4mm, or alternatively, you could get two new fronts and make them all-seasons especially at this time of year, and keep the good tyre as a spare.

[sxmwht]

996TT02 said:

Put the rears on the front, and replace only one.

Unevenly worn fronts will pull to one side.

Both rears to the front? Is the pulling that noticeable?

I don't have a full size spare and I've don't have room for tyre fitting equipment!

[HustleRussell]

A tyre which has only done 5,000 miles should still have a chunk of tread. Just replace the damaged one.

That said, if the other tyre has been driven on when underinflated it might be toast anyway.

ETA: I presume the replacement tyre will be the same brand etc as the one on the other side?

[sxmwht]

Yep, same as the other side

The other tyre has never been that low, juuuust low enough to ping the sensors when the others have all been fine

[wyson]

I’d echo the others, if the difference in tread depth between old and new will be a couple of mm, then just buy 1 new one. If the old is almost on its way out anyway, like has 3.5mm tread left, buy two. Just match them, same brand, speed rating, model etc. Assuming of course the existing tyre checks out, was a simple fix for a slow puncture, or a valve problem as mentioned etc.

Edited by wyson on Sunday 21st November 23:32

[paddy1970]

another option is to buy a used one on ebay that match the other one.

[stevieturbo]

Buy a pair, keep the old as a spare.

Or just buy one