Tyre Choice - Eye Opening !
Discussion
I have just spent an hour sitting in the waiting area of a busy Kwik Fit.
Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn’t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn’t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
Since running sheds, I have often just gone in and asked the same 'what's the cheapest' - its very liberating, from when I use to research the hell out of tyres for my boring commuter, so its not always a lack of knowledge.
But yes, I agree on the asking for a size smaller
....that is abit bonkers I have to admit, on that ignorance basis.
But yes, I agree on the asking for a size smaller
....that is abit bonkers I have to admit, on that ignorance basis.blueg33 said:
I have just spent an hour sitting in the waiting area of a busy Kwik Fit.
Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
I never skimp on tyres, even when I was younger, always bought the best I could.Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
I’ve instilled the same mindset into my daughter aswell.
I genuinely don’t think a good proportion of the wider general public understand the importance of tyre safety.
blueg33 said:
I have just spent an hour sitting in the waiting area of a busy Kwik Fit.
Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
Having sat in an MOT/Garage twice this year, rather than dropping off and collection. The amount of 'do the bare minimum to get it through' conversations were staggering. Many cars with child seats.Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
blueg33 said:
I have just spent an hour sitting in the waiting area of a busy Kwik Fit.
Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
Good to hear about the advice. I was persuaded to put Davanti on a warm hatch at a local small outfit to replace Michelin Pilot Sport . Saving of around £150 all round. They seem absolutely fine in what might be termed normal brisk use, quiet,too.I m assuming that there is a middle way between ditchfinders and super premium unless you are lucky enough to drive an exotic. What Blueg witnessed was non ‘car people’ buying tyres, quite unlike the inevitable chats on here about tyres. Of course, from their viewpoint, the real cheapies are an improvement on something worn down to the cords, as mentioned.Constant stream of people walking in needing tyres etc. every single one asked for the cheapest available. With one asking for something a bit smaller if it was cheaper. The complete lack of knowledge was scary.
It be fair to KF they were very good at explaining differences between tyres, asking mileage, type of driving and making what I thought were sensible recommendations. They also didn t push unnecessary work.
I get that money is tight so people want cheap, it was the complete lack of giving a damn that troubled me and the number that were down to the cords.
Edited by Lester H on Friday 12th December 15:58
Edited by Lester H on Friday 12th December 16:40
7 5 7 said:
Since running sheds, I have often just gone in and asked the same 'what's the cheapest' - its very liberating, from when I use to research the hell out of tyres for my boring commuter, so its not always a lack of knowledge
Rather you than me, unless you are behind me......There can be quite a difference in stopping distances between cheapest and cheap. One might avoid a crash, the other, maybe not.7 5 7 said:
Since running sheds, I have often just gone in and asked the same 'what's the cheapest' - its very liberating, from when I use to research the hell out of tyres for my boring commuter, so its not always a lack of knowledge.
But yes, I agree on the asking for a size smaller....that is abit bonkers I have to admit, on that ignorance basis.
Unlike Suzuki Swift Sport drivers (like me) who go for the next width up (205 from 195) to get a much bigger choice at a lower priceBut yes, I agree on the asking for a size smaller
....that is abit bonkers I have to admit, on that ignorance basis.
I have a little theory with stuff like this where a lot of people are so focussed on the "monthlies" there's little thought given to the running costs of consumables.
The SUV that is £400/month or whatever might be absolutely affordable but how many people look at the size and cost of tyres before buying then seem surprised when they're faced with £1200 for four tyres etc.
The SUV that is £400/month or whatever might be absolutely affordable but how many people look at the size and cost of tyres before buying then seem surprised when they're faced with £1200 for four tyres etc.
I always go mid-range now I don't have 'sports cars' and don't drive as fast as I did in my 20s.
I have found cheap tyres were a false economy in the past. Would only get 10k miles out of them, but a good mid range tyre would give 20k miles.
Although, some Pirelli (p6000s???) also gave a crap life too and a set of rear Bridgestones on my vx220 only lasted about 5k
I have found cheap tyres were a false economy in the past. Would only get 10k miles out of them, but a good mid range tyre would give 20k miles.
Although, some Pirelli (p6000s???) also gave a crap life too and a set of rear Bridgestones on my vx220 only lasted about 5k
Some bugger will probably put me on the council thread but here we go:
I’ve taken the viewpoint that I’d rather buy decent/better quality tyres, and put them on finance, than pay all in one but get budgets. So that is what I do. I get them fitted on the drive, without dramas. So far I’ve put a set of very good all terrain tyres on the Land Rover, and a decent set of falkens on my bmw (in fact the a/t tyres are falken as well)
I’ve taken the viewpoint that I’d rather buy decent/better quality tyres, and put them on finance, than pay all in one but get budgets. So that is what I do. I get them fitted on the drive, without dramas. So far I’ve put a set of very good all terrain tyres on the Land Rover, and a decent set of falkens on my bmw (in fact the a/t tyres are falken as well)
I wonder how many bumps would be a near miss if better tyres were fitted ?
Have had cars with budgets on that were comically bad, and others to be fair that were adequate.
People would need to try them back to back and experience a graceful slide which is a much shorter slide with decent rubber fitted.
There is obviously a financial issue there but would urge anyone to not buy the absolutely cheapest, you don’t need the dearest either, stuff like Davanti does seem to do ok, loads of choice in the mid range.
And I roll my eyes if anyone says “I don’t drive fast”, oh I suppose you don’t stop quickly either should the need arise ? Some of the worst budgets can be ten metres slower to stop vs the best in the wet.
Have had cars with budgets on that were comically bad, and others to be fair that were adequate.
People would need to try them back to back and experience a graceful slide which is a much shorter slide with decent rubber fitted.
There is obviously a financial issue there but would urge anyone to not buy the absolutely cheapest, you don’t need the dearest either, stuff like Davanti does seem to do ok, loads of choice in the mid range.
And I roll my eyes if anyone says “I don’t drive fast”, oh I suppose you don’t stop quickly either should the need arise ? Some of the worst budgets can be ten metres slower to stop vs the best in the wet.
Deerfoot said:
One of my favourite traffic-jam hobbies is 'expensive car with the cheapest tyres' you'd be amazed at the absolute dross that has been put on some pretty nice cars.
Eye opening indeed.
At the other end of the scale, one of my neighbours drives an Audi A6 with taxi plates which is fitted with Michelin PS4 tyres. He must win a prize for best tyred cab in the land.Eye opening indeed.
butchstewie said:
I have a little theory with stuff like this where a lot of people are so focussed on the "monthlies" there's little thought given to the running costs of consumables.
The SUV that is £400/month or whatever might be absolutely affordable but how many people look at the size and cost of tyres before buying then seem surprised when they're faced with £1200 for four tyres etc.
And maintenance stuff generally. Keeping on top of things properly is expensive, particularly with older 'prestige' brands. Its all fun and games til the ABS pump or something fails, and that is on top of consumables.The SUV that is £400/month or whatever might be absolutely affordable but how many people look at the size and cost of tyres before buying then seem surprised when they're faced with £1200 for four tyres etc.
Its not helped by garages no longer being prepared to fit customer-sourced parts. Savings on things like discs and pads can be considerable, with good brands too.
king arthur said:
Since being bought by Stapletons I've found Kwikfit to be pretty reasonable TBH.
I was really impressed with them. I had 4 new tyres (ordered online because the size and spec isn't that common) and 4 wheel alignment. The lady that did the work was really clued up, she new the torque settings and tyres pressures required she explained (unnecessarily) about toe in, and castor and even how these things are adjusted on my car. Very low profile stiff tyres, but not a mark on the rims, the tyre soap all removed.As good a job as I have had done anywhere for these things - Kwik Fit Stratford Upon Avon. Also its 5 mins walk from the shops and cafes and the river.
blueg33 said:
I was really impressed with them. I had 4 new tyres (ordered online because the size and spec isn't that common) and 4 wheel alignment. The lady that did the work was really clued up, she new the torque settings and tyres pressures required she explained (unnecessarily) about toe in, and castor and even how these things are adjusted on my car. Very low profile stiff tyres, but not a mark on the rims, the tyre soap all removed.
As good a job as I have had done anywhere for these things - Kwik Fit Stratford Upon Avon. Also its 5 mins walk from the shops and cafes and the river.
Stratford is my local one and have used them most years now for tyres and MOTs. Decent service there.As good a job as I have had done anywhere for these things - Kwik Fit Stratford Upon Avon. Also its 5 mins walk from the shops and cafes and the river.
On the thread, I tend to drive with a bit of momentum around corners, generally stick to Conti/Michelin/Goodyear dependent on any offers. Both of mine have Goodyears at the moment.
Edited by WelshPetrolhead on Friday 12th December 17:00
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