Classic Car Tyres
Discussion
Am I the only one that thinks classic car tyres are unnecessarily overpriced ?
How can it be that there are only two main suppliers of all brands of classic tyres in the UK ?
The prices at each supplier are virtually identical for every brand and model. Doesn't this suggest a level of co-operation or duplicity ?
I'm sure we'll be regaled with tales of small production runs etc. but that doesn't explain the lack of competition.
Thoughts anyone.
How can it be that there are only two main suppliers of all brands of classic tyres in the UK ?
The prices at each supplier are virtually identical for every brand and model. Doesn't this suggest a level of co-operation or duplicity ?
I'm sure we'll be regaled with tales of small production runs etc. but that doesn't explain the lack of competition.
Thoughts anyone.
My car runs the old metric Michelin TRX tyres and they need replacing, only Longstone sell them.
My choices both come out at around £1300:
a) 4 x new metric TRX Tyres
b) 4 x new imperial repro rims + 4 new modern tyres
Even when Michelin sold the tyres they weren't cheap & it's easy to think that the price reflects what the market will bear not the value of the product.
I'm sure Longstone would put up a robust defence regarding maintaining stock levels and the cost of Michelin commissioning small production runs.
I also believe that the rubber compound used in the current TRX tyres has moved with the times, so some money has possibly been spent there.
When I actually get in a position to replace the tyres, I will probably still go with TRX as the shape and tread look 'correct' - you wouldn't put Pirelli P-Zero's on a Le Mans Bentley... - plus I'm not exactly a racing driver so the benefits of the modern tyres (lower profile etc) will be lost on me.
My choices both come out at around £1300:
a) 4 x new metric TRX Tyres
b) 4 x new imperial repro rims + 4 new modern tyres
Even when Michelin sold the tyres they weren't cheap & it's easy to think that the price reflects what the market will bear not the value of the product.
I'm sure Longstone would put up a robust defence regarding maintaining stock levels and the cost of Michelin commissioning small production runs.
I also believe that the rubber compound used in the current TRX tyres has moved with the times, so some money has possibly been spent there.
When I actually get in a position to replace the tyres, I will probably still go with TRX as the shape and tread look 'correct' - you wouldn't put Pirelli P-Zero's on a Le Mans Bentley... - plus I'm not exactly a racing driver so the benefits of the modern tyres (lower profile etc) will be lost on me.
I don' think modern tyres are that much cheaper elsewhere as they're readily available from several online sellers.
There's also a large element of competition from numerous tyre outlets.
A quick search shows your size at around £60 a tyre so not much difference.
There's also a large element of competition from numerous tyre outlets.
A quick search shows your size at around £60 a tyre so not much difference.
Edited by mph on Wednesday 27th January 08:19
lowdrag said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I find that most tyres are cheaper over here. I've just had four new Michelins put on the Mercedes estate at a cost of £230. Only 205/55/16 so small stuff, but if I'm right a lot cheaper than the UK.
That's a current tyre size so well discounted.The really out of date sizes can indeed be expensive, but at least we can get the tyres. Pretty well everything else about an old car can be reconditioned or re-made but you can't make tyres in your workshop and without 'em we are all sunk.
After a quick look round Michelin XWX tyres are about £35/38 cheaper in Germany and France. I was quoted approximately £10 per tyre for shipping from Germany.
They may be available even cheaper I didn't really spend too much time on it.
Still a decent saving if you're buying 5.
The AvonCR6ZZ's have a much bigger differential.
They may be available even cheaper I didn't really spend too much time on it.
Still a decent saving if you're buying 5.
The AvonCR6ZZ's have a much bigger differential.
Don't know if you have looked at this site but it is recommended over here. I buy locally but they don't ship.
http://www.allopneus.com/?utm_source=google&ut...
http://www.allopneus.com/?utm_source=google&ut...
Have you tried Blockley Tyres? They are much more reasonably priced, and by all accounts are easily as good as the named brands in terms of grip, wear etc.
I bought a set of XWX myself but kind of wished I'd gone for the Blockleys now at £100 less per tyre! The fitters I used (A racing outfit at Silverstone) really rated them too, saying they needed next to no balancing compared to the Michelins.
I bought a set of XWX myself but kind of wished I'd gone for the Blockleys now at £100 less per tyre! The fitters I used (A racing outfit at Silverstone) really rated them too, saying they needed next to no balancing compared to the Michelins.
Jorrocks said:
Have you tried Blockley Tyres?
I've got Blockley tyres on my XK150 and like them. When I bought the car it had 15" wheels and Avon cross plies. I got some 16" wheels and a set of the Avons but they disintigrated, I subsiquenly found out that that version they hadn't been made for over 10 years. Various people suggested Blockleys so I tried them. The original crossply version used to "sing" which I quite liked but I know other people found irritating. I've now ended up with their radial version which feels much too modern 
but handles nicely, good fun to slide around, nice and progressive.I have both, Blockley radials on the E-type and crossplies on the XKSS. The crossplies do make quite a bit of noise but over the years I've got used to it and I no longer hear it, just like living next to a train line I suppose. The radials are just as good as the Michelins I had before and better in the wet. with age my mileage has decreased, so I can't speak for their longevity yet.
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