Retread car tyres

[Covenant]

I do a lot of miles in my Lexus, took it in for a service on Saturday and got presented with a list of things that need attention shortly. One of the items is that the two rear tyres have only 2mm tread depth so need replacing very soon.
As usual I trawled the web and they were mostly £60-£80 each for a mid range tyre. Just out of interest I tried ebay and found a company that offer retreaded tyres much cheaper. These are not remoulds but complete new treads. So I can have two Michelin pattern for £84 including delivery.
Here is a link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-tyres-Michelin-pattern-PROFIL-PROSPORT3-205-55-R16-91V-New-Retread-/330640214432?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&hash=item4cfbb149a0#ht_2066wt_942

What do you reckon?

[Stratmangler]

I wouldn't touch a retread with a ten foot pole.
I value my existance more highly than to fit retreads.

[Welder]

NO! :doh:

[Thing Fish]

Its like buying a cheap crash helmet. False economy.

[Vinyleyes]

As a general rule ... retreads are more susceptible to delamination than regular tyres if the tyre is not kept at the corrrect pressure or they run too hot.
They are generally not rated at the higher speeds and if you do a lot of motorway miles around 70/90 mph this could make them a candidate for overheating and possible failure.
They are used mainly on aircraft tyres and the trucking industry for the massive cost savings. But remember that trucks can have 18 tyres so one failure is not likely to be a problem .. and aircraft tyres only do the first and last mile of their journeys :-)
If you really must use them then do not put them on the steering axle .. use as rear tyres only and keep them correctly inflated and do not exceed their speed rating.
I used them as a student ... but I was invulnerable then .... :lolsign:

[Tim]

Absolutely and equivocally no way!

You have four points of contact with the road that contribute hugely to the handling and safety of your car. You may never need them to perform at their best depending on the circumstances, your driving style and the road/weather conditions. BUT, step outside those areas with tyres that are less than 100% efficient and you are gambling with your life and whoever you may be carrying.

IMO there's one thing you should never skimp on with car ownership and that's tyres - I could (but won't) relate some pretty gruesome stories about people who got this badly wrong, just to try and save a few pounds. These people are no longer amongst the living.

[Covenant]

Well you have put me right off retreads!
Two Pirelli P6000's for £104 sound better?

[StanleyB]

I always look at the ability of the tyres to provide good grip and long life time, versus their cost. At £104 for two P6000's I would fall well short of the purchase price of even one tyre on my car... And you wouldn't get me to fit Pirelli's even if you gave them too me. I had problems with the P6000 speed of wear and lack of cornering grip. Binned them before they were even 4000 miles old after a couple of near death experiences during fast cornering.
Have a look at the Michelin offers in Costco. I recommend them highly.

[Stratmangler]

I used these chaps last time my car needed new boots http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search
Had the tyres fitted at my nearest National Tyres Depot (fitting was in the price, so I didn't pay extra).

[Covenant]

I am not a fast driver Stan and my Lexus has the acceleration of a milk float, in fact it is dangerously slow. Now that you mention it I think I have had Pirelli in the past which didn't last long.

[Tim]

Tyres really are a good example of you get what you pay for. Maybe take a trip to the Library and read some Which reports on car tyres?

[YNWaN]

I use blackcircles who are very good on choice and price. I agree with everything above, and wouldn't dream of choosing re-treads. However, I do like to drive 'vigorously'.

I use Toyo Proxes at present - much beloved of boy-racers but they are actually excellent.

[Alex_UK]

Now that you mention it I think I have had Pirelli in the past which didn't last long.

As always - YMMV (:lol:) - I have Pirelli P7's on my car, which were on it from new - they are now due replacement (£160 EACH!) but I have got 50,000 miles out of them - needless to say, I'm sticking with the same tyres.

Avoiding retreads is definitely a good idea, though...

[Reid Malenfant]

:lolsign: You car drivers have no idea about how expensive tyres can be :doh:

I was looking for a rear tyre for my Yamaha 1000 about every 1000 miles, maybe 1500 if I was lucky. At £120 a pop it wasn't a cheap hobby. Front tyres lasted longer, say 2500 miles & only cost £70 :eyebrows:

[worthingpagan]

No way, don't do it, never use remoulds or retreads, especially on a car capable of high performance, jesus, it's the only thing that keeps you attached to the road :stalks:

A cheaper solution would be to trade in the car and get a decent motorbike, then your trye bill will be halved and you'll have much more fun ;)

[Reid Malenfant]

A cheaper solution would be to trade in the car and get a decent motorbike, then your trye bill will be halved and you'll have much more fun ;)
You obviously didn't read my previous post did you :lolsign:

Maybe a Suzuki GS500 might be cheap to run but a supersports 1000 most certainly isn't. It'd be cheaper to run a Porche by a good margin :doh:

[Covenant]

I would like to see the bike that could take the equipment I have in my boot-including two ladders, equipment bag, hi viz jacket, boots etc :lol:

[worthingpagan]

You obviously didn't read my previous post did you :lolsign:

Maybe a Suzuki GS500 might be cheap to run but a supersports 1000 most certainly isn't. It'd be cheaper to run a Porche by a good margin :doh:


Yeah, saw your previous post, but you didn't go as far as advising throwing the 4 wheels away though ;) So far as the difference between between a gs500 and ss1000, i'm not arguing, but i assumed the op wanted to get from a-b alive :lol:

[worthingpagan]

I would like to see the bike that could take the equipment I have in my boot-including two ladders, equipment bag, hi viz jacket, boots etc :lol:


it's one with a trailer :eyebrows:

[Reid Malenfant]

So far as the difference between between a gs500 and ss1000, i'm not arguing, but i assumed the op wanted to get from a-b alive :lol:
:D Good point, though I am & have never broken a bone in my life (& hopefully won't touchwood) ;)

[Tim]

. . . though I am & have never broken a bone in my life
. . . doh, that's your Christmas screwed then :doh:

:lol:

[Reid Malenfant]

Nooooo, I touched wood :eyebrows:

[Puffin]

I have jsut recently replaced the front tyres on my Megane. I had a full set of Bridgestones last time, the rears are still ok after about 45,000. So what did I buy for the front.......

[Covenant]

Bridgestones?

[Rare Bird]

I don't drive but if id did i think the best tyres would be of the upmost importance to me.

[MartinT]

I use blackcircles who are very good on choice and price. I agree with everything above, and wouldn't dream of choosing re-treads. However, I do like to drive 'vigorously'.

I use Toyo Proxes at present - much beloved of boy-racers but they are actually excellent.

Another vote for Black Circles here, I've been using them for years. I like Proxes and have used them before but my current favourites are Avon ZZ3. At £150 each, they are not cheap but I value my life in the rain and snow and they stick like glue.

[MartinT]

:lolsign: You car drivers have no idea about how expensive tyres can be :doh:

I was looking for a rear tyre for my Yamaha 1000 about every 1000 miles, maybe 1500 if I was lucky. At £120 a pop it wasn't a cheap hobby. Front tyres lasted longer, say 2500 miles & only cost £70 :eyebrows:

Well, my car came specified for run-flats at £1000 a set. The rears last no more than 10,000 miles. I now use non-run-flats for the superior grip and at almost half the price. Bridgestone run-flats may as well be polished mirrors in the snow :eek:

[Covenant]

I don't drive but if id did i think the best tyres would be of the upmost importance to me.

Tyres are just another consumable. Also to be replaced are the rear brake calipers, pads and the front discs. All are important but you have to shop around a bit otherwise you would never be able to buy hifi!

[Reid Malenfant]

Well, my car came specified for run-flats at £1000 a set. The rears last no more than 10,000 miles. I now use non-run-flats for the superior grip and at almost half the price. Bridgestone run-flats may as well be polished mirrors in the snow :eek:
So it's still cheaper on tyres than a 1000cc supersports motorbike even if you kept to the £1000 run flats ;)

I always used to burn out the sides of the tyres before the middle, but then I liked twisty roads :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

but then I liked twisty roads :eyebrows:

Me too, the centre of my tread always lasts longer than the edges!

[cellistic]

Ok everyone:

-No run flats
-No bridgestones
-NO RETREADS (yes I'm shouting)

RETREADS=RETARDS (just a handy mnemonic)

Lord, I've met a half dozen nearly-dead-but-very-nice people that had a retread delam or explode while they were on a three lane road.

I'm going to go do something productive now, like retrieve another pint in my non-retread slippers (not to be confused with non-retard slippers).

[Reid Malenfant]

no idea why I'm posting this, but
You might just save someones life, I think that's a pretty good idea myself ;)

Have a good weekend Rob, you have done your bit for humanity :)

Whether they take heed or not is another thing entirely :D

[Covenant]

Well I did take heed! I bought two new mid-range tyres, supplied, fitted , valves and balanced for £131.
Not a bad price for a local garage I thought.

[Tim]

Phew, glad you got new tyres there Jerry.