I'm getting new Bridgestone tyre's for the front,the rear tyres are down to 2mm thread but to save money i've been offered 2 cheap tyres which are nearly new.Would it be wise to get the cheaper tyre's ? (i've seen the tyre 's but not heard of the make,i've forgotten what they are called).

thanks

I nearly died due to this combination on my Primera GT... Yokohama 888s on the front and "GT Radial" Champiros on the back. What happened: went into a roundabout at normal (well, for a 19 year old) speeds and it was one of those large motorway roundabouts, and a slow car was going round it, which I couldn't see upon entering the roundabout, backed off abruptly and the ar*e end came out, leaving me fighting with the wheel. I have never been so scared in a car and scared my missus so much she didn't speak to me for a week! now would only put the grippiest tyres on the front axle.. which you're supposed to do I think.

I wouldn't personallgy do it.. you never know when you're gonna have to swerve etc... ESP works to an extent but it's never a substitute for mechanical grip.

Someone posted a video link for 5th gear showing the dangers of worn tyres, and surprise ,the MOST dangerous is your new tyres on the front surprisingly, the back end just flipped round. So I would put your budgets up front

EDIT found it---- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

Edited 18 January, 201115 yr by bluvrs2

First question is history of the cheaper tyres and why they were taken off so soon?

Relatively poor handling / grip?

Does you only go around town at 30-40mph or do faster / longer runs and what is your milage?

A cheap tyre that lasts for fewer miles could work out more expensive.

When you know what brand and version the tyres are run a search.

There are some good cheaper brands eg

Barum Bravuris 2 and Barum are part of Continental Group

Khumo KH31 or KU31 - I can't remember which

Uniroyal Rainsport reported to have good handling and be good in the wet but by some reports wear faster, the same applies to some Avons.

A matched set of mid-range tyres could work out the same cost as two Bridgestones and two cheapies and give you overall better and safer handling.

Look at current offers on Tyre Shopper too.

I use the best tyres i can get all round the car.

Always put your best tyres on the back.

Always put your best tyres on the back.

My friends dad is traffic engineer(he done a phd in car and tour bus behavior in bad road conditions under different load and extreme maneuvers) and he also says the same, good tires on the rear wheels. So I would do that.

I'll say this, tires are the last point of contact before the road and the difference between premium and budget could be your life. Dont skimp on something so important. Also you'll have more front end grip than rear which could mean your back end oversteers without warning when the rear gives in before the front.

Dont do it..

My friends dad is traffic engineer(he done a phd in car and tour bus behavior in bad road conditions under different load and extreme maneuvers) and he also says the same, good tires on the rear wheels. So I would do that.

I believe that's because it goves more predictable handling.

While better tyres on the front can lead the back to swing round, which is harder to control and more unpredictable.

Either way, I would only use matching sets because I'm a bit funny like that when it comes to safety.

As previously posted. Its your life.

Budget tyres can be killers. Still to a premium brand that is suitable for the car and use on all 4 wheels

Another one here for using the best tyres you can afford. It's always said, if you buy just 2 new tyres they should be fit on the back. This is to stop the front grabbing and the back trying to overtake you!! Personally is it just me or are others the same, I love my car to have the same tyres all round and just HATE to see tyre brands mixed on a car, I think it makes the car look naff!

???????Why would you put cheap tyres on a car that probably you carry friends and family,spend so much on a vehicle and then shod it with crap shoes?,you would get thousands of miles on a good set of tyres,years of motoring never buy cheap it will come back and bite you on the arse

Depends what you want, on my old polo tdi i had poor tyres on the back and good on the front (how i bought it). In the dry it had good driving characteristics ie no understeer.

In the wet though it liked to oversteer a lot, but once you get used to it it was fine.

If you have the money good tyres all round.