tyres - again!

[CliveRothwell]

OK, so who has bought some tyres suitable for Kent alloys recently? 205 70/15 I assume?

First choice of Pirelli P4000 seem to be unavailable: what are the recommended options please?

Many thanks

Clive

[PaulE]

Looks like you may have a problem as even Black Circles do not show any stock in that size.

[richardpierce]

Vredestein 205 70 VR15 £153.10

www.camskill.co.uk

[CliveRothwell]

Thanks Richard!

[moggybrian]

I have just had 215 P6 fitted to my series 3!
and they are the best ride since I could
not get P4's any more,
had Bridgestones on, and they ruined the ride,
rode like a truck on them!!
First time on the messageboard,
so,howdy
MogB

[mike020150]

An interesting assessment of brands. With most of these cars only doing summer mileages these days, a wrong decision on tyre choice can leave you lots of time to regret it! Mike.

[NATONEIL]

Mike
While I agree that with limited summer mileage tyres last much longer than on the day to day thrash it car. But be warned, some insurance companies look at the age of the tyres fitted to cars involved in accidents and if older than 10 years they say the car was not maintained and do not pay up.

[PaulE]

Hello Neil,

Have dates of manuf been on tyres for 10 years already>

[NATONEIL]

Paul

I do not know. But I have heard of insurers inspecting tyres and saying that the tyres look old and in the insurance business you are often, (but not always) guilty unless you can prove your self innocent.
However, it is probably a good call. The compound which we call rubber degrades with age and even though the tread might still be legal the compound gets hard and old tyres are not going to give you the grip of new tyres. To write off a £70000 car as a result of saving £500 on its boots is a poor investment.

[PaulE]

I feel that the main reason for putting manuf date on tyres is that it will soon become a MOT issue - (when our EU Masters say so ) - guidance on max age for safety should be given by manufacturers as there must be thousands of tyres on caravans and hobby cars which are well over the limit.

Have you actually come across cases of insurance companies not paying up?

[NATONEIL]

I do not personally know of an incident where the insurers have not paid up but when I was living in Belgium was told by Norwich Union that the use of tyres older than 10 years old would invalidate my insurance.

[oldtimer]

Hi All,
Where as I will "herang" anybody when it comes to down right bloody minded bureaucracy, I believe a bit of common sense has to be applied here and ere on the side of safety.

The Caravan club have recommended tyre change at five / seven year intervals for years.
Sadly caravans stand unused for months on end , come summer and winter. I NEED TO QUALIFY THAT THIS IS MY OPINION - I don't want any hassle but would suggest that tyres selected are exceptionally close to their weight limitation. This is evident when the tyre max load (embossed on the tyre) X2 is compared with the all up weight of the van appears not to have much/ any margin for overloading.

With Caravan tyres not covering many miles per year they will display plenty of thread. Until I had a caravan tyre blow out at 60mph plus I was fairly cavalier about such things. The Bang was tremendous and it managed to take the wheel arch liner out too. Fortunately I had tyre on bands fitted which kept the tyre on the rim.

So, now I replace caravan tyres strictly every 5 years regardless.

Sadly, less attentive car owners travel on the same roads as us using defective tyres that could involve us, that would be sad , that we get involved in some body else's stupidity, so perhaps a little more legislation on this occasion may not be a bad idea

Oldtimer

[moggybrian]

Update on pirrelli P6's?
use jag every day, and now, p's are bedded in,
they are performing well on the rear,
(better ride when really warm)!
cannot wait to get rid of bridgestones on front
make steering like a tank.........rubbish!
should only be fitted to trucks
mogB

[CliveRothwell]

Thanks - what is the exact size of the P6s that you fitted please?

[vernon]

Hi, my xk120 replica is running on vintage Avon radial tyres, I don't know when they were made, but they have only done 20000 miles, the walls and tread look like new.
Would be very difficult for the insurers and mot inspectors to date my tires.
My 2005 Stype runs on Pirreli p6000, they give a good ride with plenty of grip in the wet, but don't last as long as some other makes. Also not cheap, but if you have had to do an emergency stop from well over 70mph then there can be no compromise on tyre quality.
If the EU has its way no cars over 10 years old would be allowed on the road.