Wheely good question

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:14 pm

If you look on the sidewall of the tyres, there is a code which when translated (have a look on the web) will reveal when the tyre was made. You may be shocked at how old they might be. If there isnt the code on the tyre, then they are that ancient they pre-date the coded tyres, erm get rid if you want to live

Another tip is to check all the tyres, even if they are branded the same as they may have been made at different times, thats another one that catches people out, even if they look brand new, could be a couple of years between them

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:05 am

Good stuff this!

I have noticed that even new tyres can be several months old before they are fitted, and I've also noticed that even tyres from the same batch can vary quite a lot.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:52 pm

And I'm enjoying the various euphemisms that have cropped up in this thread!

Less grip than a Mr. Sheen polished wood veneer table covered in KY jelly..

slid like turds in treacle

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:17 pm

Right. Finally had a chance to look closer at the tyres. The fronts are early 2004, the rears mid 2005. The offside front is in good condition, with plenty of tread but the nearside looks very ropey - sidewall scrubbed so all the text has gone, small cracks on the tread.

Black circles offer some temptation in the £30-35 range - Yokos or Avons - so I might treat her to a fresh pair. The rears seem ok. Think I'll stick to the standard size as I don't want to buy a full set and therefore don't want a mix of sizes on the car.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:45 pm

try http://www.mytyres.co.uk, I think they are cheaper than black circles. Also give http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk a try as they have customer reviews of lots of tyres.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:53 pm

A quick looks makes Black Circles hard to beat. A touch over £30 for Yokos compared to £40odd on the latter site, while mytyres didn't seem to have any of the brands I wanted.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:05 pm

I have used tyreshopper.co.uk several times, and they give good value.

you pay online, then your 'local' National tyres centre supply & fit them for you.

It costs much less than National normally charge, you simply order and pay online a few days earlier.

Mike

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:24 pm

Well, I visited my local tyre place in the end as I was passing. Two Hankook's for £37 each fitted. I must admit, I was sceptical but then it turned really wet, and I found that the understeer has been banished! Result.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:11 pm

What model are they & what size did you go for in the end?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:37 pm

Um, I'll have to look...

They're 165/70 R14s. Opted for standard size. Still got the Michelins on the rear.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:31 pm

Erm, do you prefer understeer or oversteer? With your new tyres fitted to the front, the rears will have less grip & give you oversteer, which is much more difficult to sort out if you balls up. I'd personally switch the fronts to the rear to ensure you only suffer understeer, much safer imho.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:47 pm

MULLEY wrote:With your new tyres fitted to the front, the rears will have less grip

Wrong! it's the compound of the tyre which dictates the level of grip, not the newness of it, and in fact, as a tyre wears it offers better handling, not worse.

This is given the proviso that the older tyres still have enough tread to deal with wet conditions, but if they haven't that's a completely different issue.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:58 pm

In the wet the understeer & oversteer are certainly justified. I also dont quite accept that worn tyres have more grip, reason being that as the tread is less, the blocks overheat as there is less rubber & therefore offer less grip. Reason why i believe this, is that every tyre i've had on front wheel drive cars, the front as it wears (in the dry) they start squeeling a lot more & at lower speeds, so i can't go faster than when the tyres were much newer. I accept the fact that tyre compounds & tread patterns also have an affect, so it's not an exact science imho, so what i said is correct as that's been my experience to date. If anyone disagrees, then that'll be down to their own personal experience.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:56 pm

MULLEY wrote:In the wet the understeer & oversteer are certainly justified. I also dont quite accept that worn tyres have more grip, reason being that as the tread is less, the blocks overheat as there is less rubber & therefore offer less grip

Nah, it's all down to compound and tread pattern.

My XM has something of a motley collection of tyres, the front having a Nexan and a Dunlop in part-worn state, and a mismatched cheeky pair of chinese offerings on the rear, both almost unworn. Getting used to the car and its handling, I have been pushing the envelope to find out it's limits, and to be aware of any shortcomings. A wet road saw the rear becoming unstuck in a fairly spectacular manner, despite the rear tyres being 'grippier' than the fronts. I suspect that the compound of these Chinese tyres has more in common with plastic than rubber, which will give wonderful wear rates, but afford little grip in adverse conditions. They'd be ideal for skidpan work however...

I will be buying some new tyres soon, I promise! But at least now I know what they are like, I am aware and can drive appropriately.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:19 am

MULLEY wrote:Erm, do you prefer understeer or oversteer? With your new tyres fitted to the front, the rears will have less grip & give you oversteer, which is much more difficult to sort out if you balls up. I'd personally switch the fronts to the rear to ensure you only suffer understeer, much safer imho.

How many accidents have you had? Yep you may see my point you may not.

20 years of BX driving and front wheel drive cars I have always put the newest tyres to the front. Never let me down! Then again I have had a rule of minimum 4mm in winter and 3mm in summer tread depth.

Oh hang on it did once and that was because of loss of grip. Had something to do with a snowy road and 90 degree right hand turn! Overconfidence in the snow chains at the front which did stop the car floating off the road except the back end came around another 90 degrees. Makes little differance no matter what the tread in that situation.

You got more chance of losing the car with low grip at the front. All your braking and power is at the front of a BX.

Anyways I have been told that your better off fitting a older new tyre which has been on the rack for a few months. It lets the compound harden provides less wear apparently, not sure on the truth of that.

Agree with what you have said Jonathan, recently ditched the worse pair of tyres I think I have ever owned. They lasted 10,000km and after reading the reviews I can see why. Now got a set of Firestone Firehawks on and well they have handled well the winter just passed (down under). A bone of contention if nitrogen has made any differance to the tyres either?

Of course next time you want a set of tyres odds are the make you had and like will no longer be in production.