Cheap tyres on M5

[shotoverhill]

I've been looking at the E60 M5, and went to look at one at the weekend, it was a good colour and spec, but I have been put off as the current owner replaced all 4 tyres on the cheap, I couldn't even tell what brand they were. Should this put me off, also if this car was traded in to a BMW garage would they mark it down accordingly?

Would be good to know what you think. Thanks.

[patmahe]

I would take that as an indicator that, either he doesn't know a whole lot about cars or he got in over his head financially and has had to scrimp on the tyres. Either way I'd worry that the car has not been properly cared for (unless there is evidence to the contrary) and for such a high performance car that cannot really be overlooked.

[shotoverhill]

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

[Great Pretender]

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

[Nedz]

Great Pretender said:

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

Very probably the case,done it myself in the past.Find out if you can when the tyres were fitted and if it was just prior to the car going up for sale then its more than likely what hes done.

[Great Pretender]

Nedz said:

Great Pretender said:

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

Very probably the case,done it myself in the past.Find out if you can when the tyres were fitted and if it was just prior to the car going up for sale then its more than likely what hes done.

Although in hindsight, it's likely to prove a counter-productive exercise.

[Neil.D]

Great Pretender said:

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

That's what I had when looking for one. They were cheap federal tyres or something. Yes it was counter productive in the sale but the main reason for leaving it was because it was tatty as anything. The guy was very wealthy but let his cars suffer.

[AC Schnitzer]

If It's at a BMW dealership they may put it back on the OE tyre for you as part of the deal because they are not supposed to sell anything that is not approved. At the very least they may offer a contribution as part of the deal to shift the car.

[Deva Link]

Neil.D said:

They were cheap federal tyres or something.

If they were Federal they're not that bad, and I've seen comments in a Merc forum from owners complaining how they've gone up in price so they aren't that cheap anymore.

[PeterNem]

Nedz said:

Great Pretender said:

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

Very probably the case,done it myself in the past.Find out if you can when the tyres were fitted and if it was just prior to the car going up for sale then its more than likely what hes done.

Always false economy - I'd walk away from a car with ling long tyres on it wondering what else was scrimped on. I'd be much happier buying a car with premium tyres but on the wear markers as I'd then happily go and put my own premium tyres on it rather than throwing away 4 nearly new (but crap) tyres.

[Nedz]

PeterNem said:

Nedz said:

Great Pretender said:

shotoverhill said:

Thanks for the prompt reply, something to think about.

Possibly the tyres were in need of replacement and he fitted cheap ones to shift the car. Worth considering.

Very probably the case,done it myself in the past.Find out if you can when the tyres were fitted and if it was just prior to the car going up for sale then its more than likely what hes done.

Always false economy - I'd walk away from a car with ling long tyres on it wondering what else was scrimped on. I'd be much happier buying a car with premium tyres but on the wear markers as I'd then happily go and put my own premium tyres on it rather than throwing away 4 nearly new (but crap) tyres.

In the case of something like an M5 i totally agree!The time i did this was on a sapphire cosworth about 10 yrs ago as the tyres that were on the car when i decided to sell were down to the wire.I took it to national tyres and said put the cheapest youve got on as im selling it. The young 20ish yr old who bought the car didnt know a nankang from a p zero and was very happy.

I guess your average M5 buyers will be a bit more on the ball!

[Neil.D]

Deva Link said:

Neil.D said:

They were cheap federal tyres or something.

If they were Federal they're not that bad, and I've seen comments in a Merc forum from owners complaining how they've gone up in price so they aren't that cheap anymore.

Maybe, but not what I would call premium rubber. They are all retailed as the economy choice.

For an M5, that's unacceptable to me.

[ArmaghMan]

shotoverhill said:

I've been looking at the E60 M5, and went to look at one at the weekend, it was a good colour and spec, but I have been put off as the current owner replaced all 4 tyres on the cheap, I couldn't even tell what brand they were. Should this put me off, also if this car was traded in to a BMW garage would they mark it down accordingly?

Would be good to know what you think. Thanks.

Run. Away. As quick as your legs will carry you.
Anyone who runs a beast on crap tyres is not to be trusted.
Went to look at a "FSH" M3 a couple of weeks ago.4 differnt brands of tyre!! Fsh was 3 stamps in 7 years. Supposedly 30k ish miles. My 127k yr2000 M5 is in far far better nick.
As for the original post you know the answer in your heart.
When I got mine there were 4 worn Michelins, and a stack of invoices, for all sorts of stuff.

[manand38]

Remember when I brought my CSL. Official BMW dealer tried to sell me the car with different tyres that they had fitted. Needless to say I made them change the tyres before the sale.

[M5 Russ]

ArmaghMan said:

shotoverhill said:

I've been looking at the E60 M5, and went to look at one at the weekend, it was a good colour and spec, but I have been put off as the current owner replaced all 4 tyres on the cheap, I couldn't even tell what brand they were. Should this put me off, also if this car was traded in to a BMW garage would they mark it down accordingly?

Would be good to know what you think. Thanks.

Run. Away. As quick as your legs will carry you.
Anyone who runs a beast on crap tyres is not to be trusted.
Went to look at a "FSH" M3 a couple of weeks ago.4 differnt brands of tyre!! Fsh was 3 stamps in 7 years. Supposedly 30k ish miles. My 127k yr2000 M5 is in far far better nick.
As for the original post you know the answer in your heart.
When I got mine there were 4 worn Michelins, and a stack of invoices, for all sorts of stuff.

Totally agree with you on that one. Even 2 different makes of tyre on a performance car means its a no no for me when buying. I can understand it on a cheap motor but on a M3 or M5 !

[StreetDragster]

Personally, i'd ignore all the 'cheap tyres = shoddy ownership' and just check the rest of the car over throughly.

If the rest of the car is sound, your happy with it, and the service history/price stacks up, barter down the price using the tyres as leverage, and if you get it, change them as your preferance goes.

My E39 M5 has Falken FK452's on, supposidly a budget tyre, i think they are better than the premium tyres i have had, so i'm sticking with them. My car is not shoddily owned, and tyre choice is a hugely personal preferance anyway.

Matt

[plenty]

StreetDragster said:

Personally, i'd ignore all the 'cheap tyres = shoddy ownership' and just check the rest of the car over throughly.

If the rest of the car is sound, your happy with it, and the service history/price stacks up, barter down the price using the tyres as leverage, and if you get it, change them as your preferance goes.

My E39 M5 has Falken FK452's on, supposidly a budget tyre, i think they are better than the premium tyres i have had, so i'm sticking with them. My car is not shoddily owned, and tyre choice is a hugely personal preferance anyway.

Matt

It all depends on one's definition of "cheap tyres". IMO FK452s communicate "savvy owner who has done his homework and knows what he is buying". If a beast was shod with a Chinese brand that wouldn't be a dealbreaker if the rest of the car was on par, but it would certainly raise my eyebrows. There are no shortage of beasts on the market and a buyer can afford to be choosy.

[DennisCooper]

StreetDragster said:

Personally, i'd ignore all the 'cheap tyres = shoddy ownership' and just check the rest of the car over throughly.

If the rest of the car is sound, your happy with it, and the service history/price stacks up, barter down the price using the tyres as leverage, and if you get it, change them as your preferance goes.

My E39 M5 has Falken FK452's on, supposidly a budget tyre, i think they are better than the premium tyres i have had, so i'm sticking with them. My car is not shoddily owned, and tyre choice is a hugely personal preferance anyway.

Matt

A very sensible post !

Just becuase some car has more budget tyres than what you'd like is not a reason to write off looking at it. E39 M5's should be bought on condition of the drivetrain, engine and have evidence of servicing of these critical components.


What the 'dismissive' guys must remember is that for every enthusiast owned M5, M3, Porsche 911, Aston DB9, there's 20 others who haven't got a clue what the car is! It only takes one of those to think 'oh I heard on the internet you can get tyres cheap' and then opt for something they see as suitable to then make their M5 or 911 be a 'poor one' in your eyes. The rest of the car may go back to the dealer every required interval and be top notch in it's history!

Over the years, I've known that scenario above happen alot, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out it happens on a much larger scale for those cars that aren't enthusiast owned or known about.

So don't dismiss a car based on it's tyres!

Also, Federal are actually a premium brand tyre manufacturer in other markets and territories of the world. I have a set on my E39 Touring, and they're well known to those in the know, that they are fantastic in terms of tyre life - i've had mine on for 18K miles and I have 5/6mm of tread left! it's just that they aren't so heavily marketed in the UK overall compared to the other big brands. They are at 'Falken' level pricing as well so yes, perhaps not quite as fantastic as Conti sport 3's etc but still very capable too.

lastly, there really is a company called 'ling long' and guess what.. they do make tyres! albeit for trucks ..

here's their booth at the SEMA 2010 show I was at - I saw it and laughed!



I didn't visit their booth though!

cheers, Dennis!

[jon-]

Unfortunately for the rest of the world, Ling Long also make car tyres.

http://en.linglong.cn/newEbiz1/EbizPortalFG/portal...

And they are epically poor.

[Great Pretender]

DennisCooper said:

StreetDragster said:

Personally, i'd ignore all the 'cheap tyres = shoddy ownership' and just check the rest of the car over throughly.

If the rest of the car is sound, your happy with it, and the service history/price stacks up, barter down the price using the tyres as leverage, and if you get it, change them as your preferance goes.

My E39 M5 has Falken FK452's on, supposidly a budget tyre, i think they are better than the premium tyres i have had, so i'm sticking with them. My car is not shoddily owned, and tyre choice is a hugely personal preferance anyway.

Matt

A very sensible post !

Just becuase some car has more budget tyres than what you'd like is not a reason to write off looking at it. E39 M5's should be bought on condition of the drivetrain, engine and have evidence of servicing of these critical components.


What the 'dismissive' guys must remember is that for every enthusiast owned M5, M3, Porsche 911, Aston DB9, there's 20 others who haven't got a clue what the car is! It only takes one of those to think 'oh I heard on the internet you can get tyres cheap' and then opt for something they see as suitable to then make their M5 or 911 be a 'poor one' in your eyes. The rest of the car may go back to the dealer every required interval and be top notch in it's history!

Over the years, I've known that scenario above happen alot, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out it happens on a much larger scale for those cars that aren't enthusiast owned or known about.

So don't dismiss a car based on it's tyres!

Also, Federal are actually a premium brand tyre manufacturer in other markets and territories of the world. I have a set on my E39 Touring, and they're well known to those in the know, that they are fantastic in terms of tyre life - i've had mine on for 18K miles and I have 5/6mm of tread left! it's just that they aren't so heavily marketed in the UK overall compared to the other big brands. They are at 'Falken' level pricing as well so yes, perhaps not quite as fantastic as Conti sport 3's etc but still very capable too.

lastly, there really is a company called 'ling long' and guess what.. they do make tyres! albeit for trucks ..

here's their booth at the SEMA 2010 show I was at - I saw it and laughed!



I didn't visit their booth though!

cheers, Dennis!

They also make tyres for cars.

I had one on the back of my TT when I bought it (I stupidly asked the dealer to replace a worn tyre...) and it made the car dangerous to drive in the wet. At on point I nearly binned it on the exit of a motorway sweeper at 40mph.

Do not underestimate how inadequate cheap tyres can be.

IMO, no owner of a performance car would lack the diligence to appreciate the difference between a cheap tyre and a quality one. We're not talking about the sale of a Vaxhaul Corsa here, after all.

No, cheap tyres are bought for one reason: cost. It's up to any potential buyer to decide whether such fitment is a reflection of the car's overall maintenance, or a means of selling a car that is road legal, where the sole aim of such a sale is cost recovery.