tyre advice - high mileage e39

[andy ted]

Hi All

I was after a bit of advice. I have an old E39 tourer at the moment running continentals all round but are at about 2.5 - 3mm so its time for a change... plus I walked past the car yesterday to see that one tyre is now punctured!

the car has done 170k and although mechanically running well I can just see me spending £500 on a new set of Contis only for the auto box to give out or something that makes it uneconomical for repair. We hardly do any miles in it but when we do it is long distances not just round town and are thinking of replacing it in the next 6 months.

So I guess my options are

New set of premiums - will hardly get any use of of them and may end up trading car in soon - this would be my ideal choice but we are moving house at the moment and money is quite tight.

Part worns - would need 4, not sure where to find a decent set? eBay? any of the places I have rang up round me can't guarantee brand or even that they will be matching!

'ditchfinders' - I don't think I can bring myself to do this though am I missing a good reason that I should bung on a cheap set?

a set of winters - potentially on a different set of wheels - may keep the car useful into the new year - then at least I could resell if the worst happened but I think it may be too early to fit them yet?

any other ideas?

Cheers all!

Andy

[HustleRussell]

Depends how soon you're getting rid. at 2-3mm you are still 0.4-1.4mm above the legal minimum.

I'm going to get flamed for this but if I had a low value car which I was going to get rid of within weeks, I'd just rotate the tyres with the most tread to the rear, bung some tyre weld into the one with a puncture and hope that they last the course!

[TinyCappo]

It is cheaper to buy a set of E39 wheels with tyres. There is currently a set of E39 16inch turbines with a near new set of nexens for sale for £100 buy it now on ebay. they will perform fine on a 525i touring. not like your putting them on a 540 touring.

Edited by TinyCappo on Wednesday 11th September 13:09

[andy ted]

Hmm interesting about buying wheels and tyres being cheaper than just tyres... will have a look

I don't think I could just tyre weld it though maybe getting it repaired if possible and rotating them could be the trick for the next few weeks at least - we really only need a smaller car but it is so good for lugging it will be really handy for our move...

Cheers

Andy

[g3org3y]

Agree above re second hand wheels/tyres on ebay. Bargains can be had but need to pay close attention that you aren't getting duff tyres (cracks, bumps, bad repairs etc).

Plenty of midrange options. I'm assuming 16s? Worthwhile looking at Kumho, Hankook etc imo.

[sparks_E39]

An E39 on budgets isn't a nice thing to drive. I know this first hand as my old 528i came with newish Accelras. They were awful and even dangerous in the wet. Grip in the dry was okay, but in the wet I had no confidence in them. With part worns you don't know what your getting but they do have to be inspected. Personally I buy new and get the best, such as Michelin or Goodyear on my 530i. £180 each for the rears but it makes all the difference. Currently it has Falkens on as it came with them, a bit noisy but otherwise all good. I've heard good things about Avon and Khumo.

[CommanderJameson]

My 528i has spent the past couple of years on a set of Avon Ice Touring STs.

And has a new set on which will see it through the next couple of years.

[Patrick Bateman]

What are the tyre sizes?

Might be able to find a good set of tyres without spending a packet.

[Toaster Pilot]

Just fitted "Hifly" ditchfinders to my shed and I'm actually quite impressed - I've driven about 500 miles on them in the wet and dry so far without being killed in a fireball!

[TinyCappo]

500 miles!

[inman999]

If you're seriously considering getting rid soon then personally I wouldn't bother. You'll never see any of it back come resale.

Having said that if its safety concerns with wife etc using it you can't put a price on that.

[Toaster Pilot]

TinyCappo said:

500 miles!

[Blue Oval84]

Get some Nexens, Falkens, Kumhos, anything like that will be cheap and do the job just fine

[Ozzie Osmond]

Blue Oval84 said:

Get some Nexens, Falkens, Kumhos, anything like that will be cheap and do the job just fine

^^^ This. But personally I would never buy "cheap rubbish" tyres. These medium brands should be fine.