2nd Hand Winter Tyre Advice

[Storm 911]

Peeps,

I'm looking at getting a set of winter tyres. I've already got some rears and just need the front corners sorting.

I've scanned eBay and found a set which are very reasonably priced. However, there is some damage to the rim protector.

The damage is shown on the photos here - would that be enough to put you off? My understanding is that the rim protector is sacrificial anyway.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121464484636?_trksid=p20...

Cheers,

[Fleckers]

Mmm fitting a damaged 2nd hand tyre to your car

Not a chance in hell would I do that

[nickfrog]

Also, try and find out what the date stamp says. Winter softer rubber doesn't survive more than 5/6 years irrespective of mileage.

[TooMany2cvs]

Apart from the subtle detail that they're only 1mm above the tread depth at which they cease to be counted as winters in many countries, that is NOT "slight" damage in my book...

[Snollygoster]

Considering tyres are probably one of the most important things for a car, why people risk rubbish tyres is beyond me.

Just stump up some more money and buy some new winter tyres on steel wheels.

[jcelee]

I realise the OP maybe somewhat committed but 20" wheels on 35 profile tyres for winter? Sounds like a recipe for damage... Generally best and cheapest to fit the smallest possible wheel for fitment on that car.

[Storm 911]

Ok, the collective has spoken. A resounding 'no' it is then.

I honestly didn't think it would be an issue as it was just run protector damage, but I take the point.

Cheers

[BIGYIN1314]

TooMany2cvs said:

Apart from the subtle detail that they're only 1mm above the tread depth at which they cease to be counted as winters in many countries, that is NOT "slight" damage in my book...

I agree that once the tread depth is below 4mm the the effectiveness as a SNOW tyre is lost, however thats not to say that it couldnt cope with wet/cold weather thereafter.

I'm not advocating using tyres down the the limit, but given that we in this country dont get the snow that other countries may get, its unfair to use them as a comparison. I'd suggest you'd probably still be safer driving around in winter with 4mm of tread on winter tyres than 7mm with Summer tyres.

These tyres have 6mm tread on them, given that most tyres will give around 2-2.5k per 1mm of tread, thats still about 4-5k before the effectiveness in snow becomes inert. Obviously depending on your mileage will determine whether that is any good for you or not. The chunk out of the tyres would certainly put me off buying this particular set, but I see nothing wrong with buying winter tyres with 6mm on them to get you through a winter.

[andy-xr]

I buy second hand winters, but at the moment there's quite a lot of them on the market, and you can afford to be picky against ones that have bits missing. I dont think it's a massive safety issue, but it'd still niggle away at me each time I saw it.

[Matttracker]

Same here, I know the well I've always been fine and I'm an awesome driver doesn't wash here!
I've had partworn winters on my car for a couple of years, just for the worst dec-march. They've been fine.
I did go down to 17s you can pick up a used set of alloys for around £100, much cheaper than a set of new steels and look much better.
The winters were a big improvement over my summer 19s

[dfen5]

No chance would I touch that damaged tyre.

£100 + £25 postage seems a bit steep by the time you've paid to have them fitted? How much is that these days?

[TooMany2cvs]

dfen5 said:

No chance would I touch that damaged tyre.

£100 + £25 postage seems a bit steep by the time you've paid to have them fitted? How much is that these days?

For rubber like those, I'd say no chance for less than £20/tyre. So you're up to at least £165 for the pair, fitted. OK, they ain't cheap new - Camskill say £266, or £200-210 for Dunlops in the same size, albeit down as Audi or BMW-specific.

Unless whatever these are for has serious monster brakes that restrict fitting smaller diameter rims, that HAS to be the sensible way to go. And, if it does, just put it in the damn garage when the weather gets bad...

[ATM]

Smaller wheels are better at everything except appearance and ultimate cornering grip. In the winter you just don't get cornering grip anyway. If you really want to keep you 20 inch wheels - do you drive an audi? - then you're going to get stung for tyres. I switched from 19 run flats to 17 go flats and the difference was amazing.

[jagracer]

I wouldn't entertain sh tyres on my old Corsa let alone one with that amount of damage going on a high performance car. The photo is conveniently out of focus and it looks like it may be down to the chord.

[BIGYIN1314]

I have an Audi with 19" rims. I've just bought the car and although I really wanted a winter set of wheels (like all other previous cars), finding them has proven to be very difficult in the time frame. I can only go down to 18" wheels as anything smaller wont fit over my calipers. Cheapest set of 18's with winter tyres was £1700, my part worn winters (Dunlop 3d's with 7mm)on 19's came in at £350 delivered. Whilst not ideal, I figured running around on 19" winters was still better than 19" summers.

I'll try and source a set of spare 18's for next winter but for this winter I've got what I've got. Sometimes you gotta just make do.

[BIGYIN1314]

I have an Audi with 19" rims. I've just bought the car and although I really wanted a winter set of wheels (like all other previous cars), finding them has proven to be very difficult in the time frame. I can only go down to 18" wheels as anything smaller wont fit over my calipers. Cheapest set of 18's with winter tyres was £1700, my part worn winters (Dunlop 3d's with 7mm)on 19's came in at £350 delivered. Whilst not ideal, I figured running around on 19" winters was still better than 19" summers.

I'll try and source a set of spare 18's for next winter but for this winter I've got what I've got. Sometimes you gotta just make do.