Part-worn tyres from eBay
Discussion
So perhaps I'm going to get shot down for this one, but it seemed like a very good idea to me - can't believe I didn't think of it before!
I'm looking at buying a set of used alloys for the Audi, the period RS4 ones, which usually use 225/40 R18s. The problem is that the vast majority of sets of these alloys for sale either have two knackered tyres from chavs in Golfs burning them from the lights, or are shod in Wanlis or some other such Chinese fly-by-night special.
My problem is that I'm on a budget and my current tyres are in need of replacement anyway, so I thought now is a sensible time to buy the alloys I want with good tyres and solve both issues.
But how wise do you think I'd be to replace any worn/crap tyres with part-worns sourced on eBay? Obviously I'd only look at anything without any damage and with decent wear left on it, but things like this shop make it look like it could work quite well - get good rubber without spending a hundred quid a corner, which I would love to do, but unfortunately cannot right now.
My logic is that I'm surely far better off getting premium tyres, even part-worn ones - and after all, six months down the line new ones would be part-worn and I'd have no qualms using those, would I?
Thoughts?
I'm looking at buying a set of used alloys for the Audi, the period RS4 ones, which usually use 225/40 R18s. The problem is that the vast majority of sets of these alloys for sale either have two knackered tyres from chavs in Golfs burning them from the lights, or are shod in Wanlis or some other such Chinese fly-by-night special.
My problem is that I'm on a budget and my current tyres are in need of replacement anyway, so I thought now is a sensible time to buy the alloys I want with good tyres and solve both issues.
But how wise do you think I'd be to replace any worn/crap tyres with part-worns sourced on eBay? Obviously I'd only look at anything without any damage and with decent wear left on it, but things like this shop make it look like it could work quite well - get good rubber without spending a hundred quid a corner, which I would love to do, but unfortunately cannot right now.
My logic is that I'm surely far better off getting premium tyres, even part-worn ones - and after all, six months down the line new ones would be part-worn and I'd have no qualms using those, would I?
Thoughts?
Just what I wanted to hear, I hoped there weren't any scare stories going around! Thanks guys.
Now, to add to it, which tyres should I be looking for for a 1280kg 150bhp front-wheel-drive A4 that's driven enthusiastically every now and then?
I wanted Conti Sport Contact 3s but these seem pretty rare. I see a lot of Bridgestone RE050As and Potenzas, Dunlop Sportmaxx, P-Zeroes..
ETA - The age of the tyres is a good point. At least with a modern line I can know that they're quite new, but I'll make a mental note to quiz any seller on that before going ahead! Cheers doogz.
Now, to add to it, which tyres should I be looking for for a 1280kg 150bhp front-wheel-drive A4 that's driven enthusiastically every now and then?
I wanted Conti Sport Contact 3s but these seem pretty rare. I see a lot of Bridgestone RE050As and Potenzas, Dunlop Sportmaxx, P-Zeroes..
ETA - The age of the tyres is a good point. At least with a modern line I can know that they're quite new, but I'll make a mental note to quiz any seller on that before going ahead! Cheers doogz.
doogz said:
Dunno, but check your current tyres, and the cars manual for the appropriate speed and load ratings.
When i bought tyres for my A4, i ended up paying nearly £30 a corner more than i could get that size tyre in, because the dimensions were the same, but the load rating was very different, compared to the Golf that also used that size of tyre.
Hmm, also a good point. I'll have a look, but it seems quite a safe bet that most cars using 18" tyres are gonna be loading both axles much more heavily than my (surprisingly light) baby does.When i bought tyres for my A4, i ended up paying nearly £30 a corner more than i could get that size tyre in, because the dimensions were the same, but the load rating was very different, compared to the Golf that also used that size of tyre.
I done a very similar thing recently.
My wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine
) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November.
I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
My wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine
) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November. I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
Edited by kentmotorcompany on Thursday 10th March 17:15
Thanks for that. You actually did pretty much exactly as I am - the RS4 18s will eventually all be on great summer rubber, and the old 15s will get winter tyres to be used when the time comes.
I did also see that good wheels and good rubber makes the best-value combination, but the problem I have is that these wheels are mostly old and mostly badly kerbed, plus mostly kept running on the cheap with crap tyres, so choice is sadly limited. I've only seen one good set with good tyres anything like within budget, and they were gone before I got a chance to call the guy
Very much appreciate the advice, just having trouble applying it to these wheels
I did also see that good wheels and good rubber makes the best-value combination, but the problem I have is that these wheels are mostly old and mostly badly kerbed, plus mostly kept running on the cheap with crap tyres, so choice is sadly limited. I've only seen one good set with good tyres anything like within budget, and they were gone before I got a chance to call the guy
Very much appreciate the advice, just having trouble applying it to these wheels
Why bother with Ebay?
I get part worns for my smoker from one of the many part worn tyre outlets that seem to have sprung up in the last couple of years.
The advantage of doing that is you get to see the tyres first, plus they will fit and balance them for you and dispose of your old one, all for about £15 - £20 a tyre. The last couple I got were very obviously unused spares, presumably from written off cars.
I get part worns for my smoker from one of the many part worn tyre outlets that seem to have sprung up in the last couple of years.
The advantage of doing that is you get to see the tyres first, plus they will fit and balance them for you and dispose of your old one, all for about £15 - £20 a tyre. The last couple I got were very obviously unused spares, presumably from written off cars.
kentmotorcompany said:
I done a very similar thing recently.
My wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine ) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November.
I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
Also unlike a car, the winter tyres wont have depreciated and you should get back a reasonable a someMy wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine
) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November. I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
Edited by kentmotorcompany on Thursday 10th March 17:15
T16OLE said:
kentmotorcompany said:
I done a very similar thing recently.
My wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine ) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November.
I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
Also unlike a car, the winter tyres wont have depreciated and you should get back a reasonable a someMy wife's Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro Avant S Line (the imagine
) has 17's on it, I put winter tyres on last November. I had her other 17" summer tyres in the garage, so rather than pay someone to swap the tyres on the same wheels twice a year, I thought I would buy a second hand set of 18" RS4 wheels, which most have been specced with anyway. That way I could swap the wheels over myself, and have the better looking wheels for most of the year.
I paid £200 for genuine wheels with bald tyres, another £600 for a set of new tyres. The wheels have been previously refurbed, they look ok, but not perfect, and if I want them done properly it will be another £200.
All in all a very expensive exercise. When I was searching for wheels I wish I had looked more at the perfect wheels with nearly new tyres which I could have bought for similar or less money than I have.
To offset this I have sold her old tyres, and when we change her car, I will have another set of wheels to sell, probably winters with plenty left. If we don't change her car for a while, I wont have to spend any more money on tyres for some time.
Anyway, based on my experience I would advise you that the best value is in good wheels with with good tyres already on them. I know you are on a budget but buy the best you can.
Edited by kentmotorcompany on Thursday 10th March 17:15
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff