Cheap Tyres

[Surferjoe007]

Been reading about cheap tyres and have made a decision that cheap tyres are fine basically as in the UK, all tyres have to pass stringent safety tests.
However, depending on how you drive and the condition of any tyre could make an extreme difference on safety aspects. Some drivers think that because they are using Pirelli or Michelins etc, they are invincible I’ve had premium tyres for years and in more recent years budget tyres without incident. I had a BMW 535 at one time and took top of the range run flats off. They were terrible.
I don’t drive that many miles now anyway so am quite happy with budget tyres 😎😎

[anonymous-user]

Sounds pretty non-controversial....

[MikeGTi]

Sir, this is General Gassing. Tyres are this way.

[Lincsls1]

There are many on this forum which would disagree with you, me included.
On a warm dry day, the difference is not so noticeable, on a cold damp or wet day it can be considerable.
Each to their own however, but what I would say, is remember the tyres are the primary thing keeping you on the road. You can have the best brakes and best handling car etc. but of the tyres are ste you could be in trouble.
I'm happy to and do spend £400 on a full set of tyres on my daily shed which is only worth a grand, that's how much I believe in good tyres.
Your budget tyres will be absolutely fine, until they are not!

Edited by Lincsls1 on Wednesday 25th January 21:44

[kambites]

There are some thoroughly decent budget tyres out there; unfortunately there are also some truly awful ones.

[832ark]

Doesn’t really matter how many miles you do or how carefully you drive, that one time you have to do an emergency stop in the wet it could easily be the difference between bent metal or not (or worse). Next, look at wear rate - a family member of mine bought a used Renault from a main dealer who kindly fitted a new pair of Landsails. They lasted 6k miles with even wear. This is one of the most gentle drivers you’ll encounter, I’d expect 20k miles for her out of a decent pair of tyres.

[sherman]

832ark said:

Doesn’t really matter how many miles you do or how carefully you drive, that one time you have to do an emergency stop in the wet it could easily be the difference between bent metal or not (or worse). Next, look at wear rate - a family member of mine bought a used Renault from a main dealer who kindly fitted a new pair of Landsails. They lasted 6k miles with even wear. This is one of the most gentle drivers you’ll encounter, I’d expect 20k miles for her out of a decent pair of tyres.

To be fair though I used to only get 8k out of Toyo proxy T1R's. They were verry grippy but soft compound

[kambites]

832ark said:

Doesn’t really matter how many miles you do or how carefully you drive, that one time you have to do an emergency stop in the wet it could easily be the difference between bent metal or not (or worse).

This isn't really true. If, say, a budget tyre has a stopping distance 10% longer than a premium one, you can 100% mitigate that difference by driving 5% slower than you would on premium tyres. I don't think anyone does, but you could. It's a bit different when it comes to aquaplaning resistance, mind.

I'm also not convinced budget tyres generally wear faster. When we bought our current Skoda it had some awful Yellowsea (I think) tyres on it and initially I intended to wear them down before replacing them with something better but the things simply didn't seem to wear. When I finally threw they out about 10k miles later their tread depth had not measurably (at least by my tread gauge) changed from new.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 25th January 20:29

[_Neal_]

It's not like the choice is between budget ditchfinders or £250 a go Michelins though. I've used mid-priced tyres that get good results in tests and/or are well-liked by owners on forums (Falken, Toyo, Uniroyal etc) and older models of premium tyres (Dunlop Eagle F1) and had good experiences.

[WonkeyDonkey]

I'd be amazed if people really can't tell the difference between good tyres and budgets.

I always put good tyres on my car, Michelin PS4, Goodyear etc. But my car recently suffered a puncture and is reaching its end of life so I put a £60 'Tigar' on the front left corner.

Straight away I'm scrambling for grip wheelspinning pulling out of junctions, generally feeling the tyre washing out more round corners and roundabouts.

I wouldn't mind but the car is citreon sodding cactus, not a Ferrari or anything with more than a asthmatic pensioners level of power.

[Lincsls1]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I'd be amazed if people really can't tell the difference between good tyres and budgets.

I always put good tyres on my car, Michelin PS4, Goodyear etc. But my car recently suffered a puncture and is reaching its end of life so I put a £60 'Tigar' on the front left corner.

Straight away I'm scrambling for grip wheelspinning pulling out of junctions, generally feeling the tyre washing out more round corners and roundabouts.

I wouldn't mind but the car is citreon sodding cactus, not a Ferrari or anything with more than a asthmatic pensioners level of power.

Exactly right. My mk5 Astra came with ditch finders all round. It was dangerous around bends even at moderate speed. I genuinely just thought it was because the car is crap. I changed them out for Michelins and the transformation was remarkable. My Astra actually holds the road well now.

[CraigyMc]

Surferjoe007 said:

Been reading about cheap tyres and have made a decision that cheap tyres are fine basically as in the UK, all tyres have to pass stringent safety tests.
However, depending on how you drive and the condition of any tyre could make an extreme difference on safety aspects. Some drivers think that because they are using Pirelli or Michelins etc, they are invincible I’ve had premium tyres for years and in more recent years budget tyres without incident. I had a BMW 535 at one time and took top of the range run flats off. They were terrible.
I don’t drive that many miles now anyway so am quite happy with budget tyres ????

Quoted for inevitable flounce.

[CG2020UK]

Just joined the forum and that’s your first post.

Seems someone is trolling.

[832ark]

kambites said:

This isn't really true. If, say, a budget tyre has a stopping distance 10% longer than a premium one, you can 100% mitigate that difference by driving 5% slower than you would on premium tyres. I don't think anyone does, but you could. It's a bit different when it comes to aquaplaning resistance, mind.

I'm also not convinced budget tyres generally wear faster. When we bought our current Skoda it had some awful Yellowsea (I think) tyres on it and initially I intended to wear them down before replacing them with something better but the things simply didn't seem to wear. When I finally threw they out about 10k miles later their tread depth had not measurably (at least by my tread gauge) changed from new.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 25th January 20:29

Yeah, I see your point. I doubt that most budget tyre users give it a second thought though.

[shtu]

CG2020UK said:

Just joined the forum and that’s your first post.

Seems someone is trolling.

Shame. I was quite looking forward to the 15-page anorakathon.

[Heathwood]

https://youtu.be/xTcxNw3raNE

[Demelitia]

Nobody asked, but thanks anyway.

No one ‘needs’ the best tyres money can buy, right up until they do.

[Tommie38]

Lincsls1 said:

I'm happy to and do spend £400 on a full set of tyres on my daily shed which is only worth a grand, that's how much I believe in good tyres.
Your budget tyres will be absolutely fine, until they are not!

Edited by Lincsls1 on Wednesday 25th January 21:44

Are there any safety compromises that you have to make driving a car worth £1,000 compared to one worth more?

I guess it just comes down to cost.

[Lincsls1]

Tommie38 said:

Lincsls1 said:

I'm happy to and do spend £400 on a full set of tyres on my daily shed which is only worth a grand, that's how much I believe in good tyres.
Your budget tyres will be absolutely fine, until they are not!

Edited by Lincsls1 on Wednesday 25th January 21:44

Are there any safety compromises that you have to make driving a car worth £1,000 compared to one worth more?

I guess it just comes down to cost.

Relatively speaking no, not really. It is still considered a modern car, it has ABS, traction control, front and side airbags.
Although its a cheap car, its not a crap car. I maintain it really well and its in great shape.
In fact I've just checked the Euro NCAP rating and its 5 stars. Never the less, having excellent tyres will very much help me not put that to the test.

[E63eeeeee...]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I'd be amazed if people really can't tell the difference between good tyres and budgets.

I always put good tyres on my car, Michelin PS4, Goodyear etc. But my car recently suffered a puncture and is reaching its end of life so I put a £60 'Tigar' on the front left corner.

Straight away I'm scrambling for grip wheelspinning pulling out of junctions, generally feeling the tyre washing out more round corners and roundabouts.

I wouldn't mind but the car is citreon sodding cactus, not a Ferrari or anything with more than a asthmatic pensioners level of power.

If you've got a half worn PS4 on one side and a brand new Tigar on the other, on your driven wheels, I'm not surprised your car's handling has gone a bit odd.