2mm tread on a 'premium' tyre -v- brand new budget

[Fun Bus]

I don't know if anyone can confirm if this is, or could be correct but I was recently told by a tyre fitter that a premium brand tyre with 2mm tread on could outperform a brand new budget tyre?

I know there will be differences but could they really be this great?

[snuffle]

depends on the tyre, the vehicle and the road or weather. but yes it could be true.

[nottyash]

So did he sell you a budget tyre?

[Caruso]

Yes the premium one could outperform in a lot of situations. But the tread depth is important for clearing standing water, and going into winter you're likely to be seeing quite a lot of that. Depends what the brand new budget option is.

[Fun Bus]

nottyash said:

So did he sell you a budget tyre?

No chance! I was having new fronts priced up and we got talking after I insisted on only having Michelin Pilot Sports to match my rears.

[otolith]

Not in the wet - 3mm is where you start to really lose performance. In the dry, very likely.

[Tonberry]

I feel a 'Premium' tyre with 2mm of tread would easily out perform Ling Long's lastest, even in the wet.

[Atomic Gibbon]

The premium tyre would likely outperform, until 2mm of water was on the road. Then you'd be piloting a rudderless boat!

[Slashmb]

About 10 years ago I had a Punto with Goodyears on which had about 2 - 3mm of tread on them. Being a student I couldn't afford premium tyres again so bought a full set of Firestones. The Goodyears were better in the wet than the Firestones without a doubt.

[Herman Toothrot]

Premium - Budget is isn't the best way to determine what the best tyre is for a given situation. Pirelli P6000 tyres for example premium and total rubbish. Toyo T1-R budget and not half bad as are Kuhmo KU31's or Falken 452's. In the warm and dry conditions any worn tyre, say 2mm tread will more than likely be more predictable on the limit than any new tyre as there's less flex in the blocks, less likely hood of overheating and a really new tyre maybe quite slippery before the mould release compounds worn off.