Why are my smaller tyres so much more expensive?

[POIDH]

I fit all season tyres to our cars, living on the edge of the Highlands and travelling rurally for work daily. I also tend to fit decent brands, they being the only contact with the road etc

Both same model of Goodyear Vector 4s, other decent brands within a few quid.

Small car = 215/45/r16 = £179

Big car = 225/45/r17 = £108

Why are the smaller tyres 70% more?

[Krikkit]

It's highly influenced by how common the size is - in my experience 16" are quite unusual, and a 215 is an unusual width.

On the other hand 225/45/17 is one of, if not the most common sizes of tyre in service these days. A bit like 195/50/15 is/was.

[POIDH]

So it is simply a 'lack of stock availability'? Seems a huge increase to cover some extra logistics...

[thebraketester]

205 55 16 are a very common size and will be cheaper

[Dingu]

Surely it’s covering the entire overheads of making them. E.g. having all the equipment to produce them which has to be paid for over much less volume than more common tyres. Logistics is minimal in that.

[r44flyer]

225/45/18 on mine... usually much more expensive than a very closely sized 40 profile. People fit the cheaper one and the speedo isn't out by much.

[kambites]

Dingu said:

Surely it’s covering the entire overheads of making them. E.g. having all the equipment to produce them which has to be paid for over much less volume than more common tyres. Logistics is minimal in that.

It's not logistics, it's economies of scale.

[Krikkit]

kambites said:

Dingu said:

POIDH said:

So it is simply a 'lack of stock availability'? Seems a huge increase to cover some extra logistics...

Surely it’s covering the entire overheads of making them. E.g. having all the equipment to produce them which has to be paid for over much less volume than more common tyres. Logistics is minimal in that.

It's not logistics, it's economies of scale.

This is what I was trying to say...

[Trustmeimadoctor]

What pisses me of is what you have staggered wheels and have a wide selection of one but not the other

[Gigamoons]

thebraketester said:

205 55 16 are a very common size and will be cheaper

Yup, I'd happily flex the tyre size within a couple of % to find the mainstream options.

[POIDH]

I am just trying to work out if it is economically cheaper to buy some smaller second hand alloys and get cheaper tyres ongoing. Ibiza's come in a variety of wheel sizes. Hmm.

[POIDH]

thebraketester said:

205 55 16 are a very common size and will be cheaper

I am not sure how I, and of course my insurer, feel about stretching a tyre / non-standard size on that rim.

[aeropilot]

POIDH said:

So it is simply a 'lack of stock availability'? Seems a huge increase to cover some extra logistics...

Not stock availability, production quantities. Basic economy of scale.

If the demand for a particular size is not great as wheels get ever stupidly bigger, it cost more to make smaller quantities of the less in demand sizes.

[sixor8]

Many moons ago (1990s), I had a series of Lotus Excels. The 15" wheel option had 215/50 x 15 and very expensive! It was an unusual size, only the Audi Quattro I think having the same. Many of them have 205 tyres fitted, now a very common tyre size.

[sixor8]

POIDH said:

thebraketester said:

205 55 16 are a very common size and will be cheaper

I am not sure how I, and of course my insurer, feel about stretching a tyre / non-standard size on that rim.

How wide is the actual wheel? All OE tyre treads exceed the wheel width, some substantially! I doubt 215 down to 205 will be that much of an issue. The front 7" wheels on TVRs have 205 to 225 tyres fitted. They'll be more concerned (if you have a big shunt) in the speed rating and tread depth than the width.

[POIDH]

Just having a nosey - seems that OE are the size I am on, or down to 16" or 15" rim with commensurately narrower tyres.
But none are seriously "cheap".
Oh well, suck up a high tyre cost it seems.

[P-Jay]

Yep, it's all about how common a size they are.

18" Pilot Sport 5 tyres for my Golf R, about £120 fitted.

17" Kumho 'something' tyres for my Wife's Kamiq, £160 fitted.

[thebraketester]

POIDH said:

Just having a nosey - seems that OE are the size I am on, or down to 16" or 15" rim with commensurately narrower tyres.
But none are seriously "cheap".
Oh well, suck up a high tyre cost it seems.

What size alloys are they? 7J 16” ?

[MDMA .]

215/45/16 is not a very popular all season tyre size. Lot more choice in a 55 profile. What does your door sticker say the options are for a winter set up?

[InitialDave]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

What pisses me of is what you have staggered wheels and have a wide selection of one but not the other

I've just been bitten by that, 225/40R18 fronts, plenty of CC2s about, 255/35R18 rears, very limited, and even then were on a two week back order!

Ah well, I should still have it sorted soon enough.