Tyre Questions

[14k]

Sorry if these are daft questions, but someone's mentioned to me that my tyres are at their legal limit (I'm assuming the front ones, because the rear ones don't look too bad) and should therefore be replaced. I can't afford this but will just get the front ones replaced if I have to. Is it ok to do this?.. to have fresh front tyres and rear tyres nearly on their way out?.. does this affect driving safety, mechanical robustness, etc...?

Also, when I replace the tyres am I just replacing the black rubber bits or the entire thing? (alloy bit in the middle + tyre) if it's just the rubber tyre why does it cost so much!?
I've been quoted:

• 
  £133.63 (inc fitting & vat) for Pirelli p0 rosso
  £125.63 ( inc fitting & vat) for Bridgestone re050a

Which should I go for and should the brand match the rear wheel brands? I have a Leon FR with 18" wheels, and this was a quote from a Seat/VW dealer, is this reasonable value?

I'm sure I've read somewhere about firms who come to your house and replace your tyres for you with new ones on the spot, does anyone have any experience of this service? and surely this won't affect my service history, warranty, etc.?

Many thanks for any comments.

 

[eltawater]

The tyres are the dark rubber things around your pretty alloy rims - it's the rubber which needs replacing

There's plenty of arguments around the interweb about whether new tyres should go on the front or back, the most important thing is the state of your rear tyres right now. If they're close to being on their way out, have the rear wheels swapped to the front and have the new tyres put on the back - appears to be the common advice.

Never buy your tyres from a main dealer - plenty of tyre fitters out there.

Try blackcircles or ringing around some of the local tyre fitter places in your area - try to avoid big chains like kwik fit.

Mobile fitters are fine, I had event mobile tyres come round in a van to fit my winter tyres - guy turns up with small and fits them on your drive / work car park.

Check your tyre tread for legality using a tread depth gauge. Doesn't matter too much if you have different brands front /back, just make sure they're the same brand/model each side.

Why the high cost? Welcome to the world of owning a performance vehicle They're the only things keeping you on the road, don't skimp on them.

 

[2zeroalpha]

Fitting only to the front is fine. As mentioned above, just make sure left and right match up. Those prices seem very high though. I had a brace of p-zeros fitted to the front of my k1 before flogging it. I think I paid just over 200 for the pair and that was without shopping around because it was a last minute job.

 

[14k]

Interestingly, blackcircles prices for those tyres come in £20 - £30 more! However, maybe the SEAT dealer is quoting for 17" rims or a smaller size somehow.. don't know.

Think I'm going to do as eltawater suggests and move the less worn back tyres to the front and put two new ones on the back. I know it's much less safe to have more worn rear tyres... it's just odd that the more worn tyres will go on the front when they will wear out much quicker!

 

[DanGB]

I think there are better choices of tyres and lower costs your could go for but thats a whole different story! Have a search on the forums on which tyres people recommend.

 

[chrisboyle999]

Sorry if these are daft questions, but someone's mentioned to me that my tyres are at their legal limit (I'm assuming the front ones, because the rear ones don't look too bad) and should therefore be replaced. I can't afford this but will just get the front ones replaced if I have to. Is it ok to do this?.. to have fresh front tyres and rear tyres nearly on their way out?.. does this affect driving safety, mechanical robustness, etc...?

Also, when I replace the tyres am I just replacing the black rubber bits or the entire thing? (alloy bit in the middle + tyre) if it's just the rubber tyre why does it cost so much?

Many thanks for any comments.

Pmsl