Mismatching a tire due to back order

[Wadeski]

PH hive mind,

My daily driver needs a new front tyre - it has a big old screw stuck in it an my local tyre shop says it is non-fixable, needs replacing.

However, where I live, Michelin pilot sports are massively on back order - it could be months before they are in stock. I've called the manufacturer, the major tyre chains, and some local shops, and no one has them.

So if I need a tyre, but cannot buy the right tyre, what is the best choice? Is there another name brand tyre that is "similar" to the Michelins and won't result in a dangerous situation?

I've never had any kind of a mismatched tyre situation before (I'm pretty fastidious about tyres, since they are the only thing physically keeping the car on the road) but am in a bit of a bind...I cant just put the car off road until Michelin gets its ass in gear and ships more tyres!

[stevieturbo]

If you drive like a normal person, you could have 4 odd tyres and it really wouldn't matter much 99% of the time

As indeed hundreds of thousands of cars do.

If you want a matching pair of something, then choose another good quality brand of similar performance instead and run them until you can find the specific type you want

[E-bmw]

stevieturbo said:

If you want a matching pair of something, then choose another good quality brand of similar performance instead and run them until you can find the specific type you want

That would be my advice also.

[Smint]

Alternatively, unless the screw mentioned has ripped the inner carcass to shreds, the tyre can probably be repaired by a professional tyre repair outfit, such as Tyre Revivers Islip Nr Thrapston, Northants, who are able to provide major tyre repairs, they may be able to get the tyre collected and redelivered to you if this is an option you might consider, no harm can come from a phone call.
There may be other pro repair outfits closer to where you live you, there is at least one other tyre repair outfit in the Northants area, the county being where this specialised work became associated with last century.

Often its not financially worth doing with car tyres unless a, you live within a reasonable distance as i do, or b the tyre is almost new and/or an expensive size, or c replacement will be an issue for some time.

disclaimer, i used to work in the tyre repair game in my misspent youth, but other than knowing one or two of the chaps at TR now nearing retirement i have no other association.

[E-bmw]

Unfortunately if the screw was within the outer 10% (IIRC) of the tyre width it is unrepairable by law I think.

[Smint]

E-bmw said:

Unfortunately if the screw was within the outer 10% (IIRC) of the tyre width it is unrepairable by law I think.

For a tyre fitting shop, yes, but workshops with staff properly qualified, and the right equipment to do so, can offer major repairs, as always depends on the damage involved and whether the tyre shows evidence of being driven on whilst flat.

[E-bmw]

Smint said:

E-bmw said:

Unfortunately if the screw was within the outer 10% (IIRC) of the tyre width it is unrepairable by law I think.

For a tyre fitting shop, yes, but workshops with staff properly qualified, and the right equipment to do so, can offer major repairs, as always depends on the damage involved and whether the tyre shows evidence of being driven on whilst flat.

Yes, they can offer major repairs, but it is still illegal to repair a tyre within 10% tyre width of the sidewall, no matter who does it.

https://www.national.co.uk/information/puncture-re...

[Wadeski]

Yeah the tyre shop said its non-repairable.

I managed to fit a basic all season so the car is drivable, and I'll back-order the Michelin.

[Louis Balfour]

Wadeski said:

Yeah the tyre shop said its non-repairable.

I managed to fit a basic all season so the car is drivable, and I'll back-order the Michelin.

Here is the British Standards (BS) doc for tyre repairs. https://www.itia.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bri...

Tyre companies sometimes use a different type of BS to sell tyres.

[stevieturbo]

E-bmw said:

Yes, they can offer major repairs, but it is still illegal to repair a tyre within 10% tyre width of the sidewall, no matter who does it.

https://www.national.co.uk/information/puncture-re...

They are deeming it "unsafe"....doesn't state anywhere that it is illegal ?

And a repair is safer than driving for thousands of miles with a screw in it, as many will have done before realising there is a puncture. So there are quite a few variables.
I've DIY plugged a few tyres in that area and never had an issue, although on crappy work vans.

If it's a genuine performance vehicle being used hard.....maybe I'd be less inclined.


but those DIY plugs do work, and TBH, I've never actually heard of one causing a crash or problem ?

[E-bmw]

stevieturbo said:

E-bmw said:

Yes, they can offer major repairs, but it is still illegal to repair a tyre within 10% tyre width of the sidewall, no matter who does it.

https://www.national.co.uk/information/puncture-re...

They are deeming it "unsafe"....doesn't state anywhere that it is illegal ?

Correct, and as yet we don't know whether it falls into this category or not, it was just a suggestion from me that this could be the reason.

I was hoping the OP would have confirmed this one way or another by now, because if that isn't the reason I (and others, I am sure) would have suggested he take it elsewhere for another opinion & a bit more info.