I think she said the lower tread tyres still had 3mm (i.e. double the legal limit), which I do let my tyres get down to on the front for the reasons I mentioned. I feel that this also helps me get the most out of my tyres with the proviso that I can't drive as fast in the rain (which I don't tend to do anyway). Dry grip isn't affected as much/at all by low tread depth in my experience.

Through lack of proper checking I even spent half of last winter driving my Leon through the snow on 2mm summer tyres with no problems, just adjusted my driving to suit the equipment and conditions. Again, this is another situation where I'd much rather the front tyres went first than the rear, but driving sensibly I never once lost control of the car and was doing a better job of getting around than some of the 4x4s in my area.

ESP is a good point, I didn't realise all Mk2 vRSs came with ESP, I drive a Mk1 where it's an option which I don't have, and haven't had on any of my other cars. So yeah, ESP may well make all my opinions/advice above invalid for you guys anyway

I have a 57 Fabia II level 3 with ESP. I swapped my tyres around after about 20k. I'm still on the same tyres after 45k. The front tyres were worn more than the rears which looked new. I've now got about 3mm remaining on them and will probably get 4 new tyres before winter.

As strange as this sounds, I could swear the grip almost feels doubled after swapping the tyres over. It might just be in my head, but it feels a lot more planted with the decent rear tyres now on the front.

Costco refused to sell me a pair of tyres on the basis I didn't want the part worn rears moving to the front. I mentioned this point to a number of other tyre dealers (both national dealers and independants) and most laughed at the idea. One dealer did acknowledge the theory that it's to stop the back end shifting when braking and asked the question, "how many times have you been in this situation" and "if you do encounter it on a regular basis, perhaps you need to check your speed the way you're driving"

Anyway, Costco taking this stance saved me about 20 quid. I bought two identical tyres from a local independant dealer who shoved them on the front without any issue.

I believe this is not a Costco decision as such, as when I questioned it before I was led to believe that the new on the rears was a michelin instruction as 90% of people wouldn't know what was going on if it oversteered. Welcome to the modern litigous arse covering was of doing business.

Just my two penneth...I believe for normal road driving you really want the best (least worn) tyres on the front. These are the ones that do the most work, suffer the most weight and stress with braking, acceleration, sideways force etc. If you get a blowout or puncture on the move in the front, then control will likely be an issue. If the rear punctures or blows out it will normally not be so much of a problem to control unless you are driving like a looney. The more worn a tyre becomes the more likely it is to suffer a puncture. The arguments some of you guys are putting forward are fine but are really relating to how you would normally drive on the track I would have thought. I don't like replacing all my tyres at the same time though which inevitably you end up doing if you rotate. I rarely ever let my front tyres get down to the lower legal limit either. I replace them in good time and have often had them put on the back so I always have good up front. That's just me though.

The debete on where the best tyres go is an age old one. Yes I know research has been done by Michelin that say the best should be on the rear, but IMHO I still say the best should be on the front. The front ones on a FWD car, clear most of the water, put down the power, steer, and do most of the breaking. The rear tyres are only there as casters.

I rotate tyres when replacing them, if I need too. but that's all. I prefer (and can only afford) to replace 2 rather than 4. The only time I would rotate them without replacing is if I had 4wd and a pair was wearing faster than the other. It is always best to replace all 4 on a AWD car.

Edited 27 July, 201114 yr by Jim H

Also if the original tyres are left on the back until replacement is needed while the fronts are replaced a couple of times and particularly if the car is low mileage they will be old. I have always had new tyres put on the rear and moved rear tyres to the front.

If I find the reports about how the Bridgestone ER300's loose grip once half worn are right I'll be changing them long before the tread is down to 2mm probably for either Uniroyal or Barum. Expensive but better to be safe.

Indeed actually I'd have preferred if there was an option to downgrade to the SE wheels and so got Continental 195/55/15 tyres instead of the Bridgestone 205/45/16's. Also with taller sidewalls less likely to catch the wheels on kerbs when parking plus I guess a softer ride.

Just hate with passion the Bridgestone ER300's. Can't wait till September comes and get myself a new set of proper tyres.