Conference terri::cars_uk

    Sorry!!
    
    Golf man here again. Can anyone tell me this... I had my wheels trackes
    in january when I had 175/70/13, do I need it tracked again, now I've
    installed 185/55/15?.
    
    thanks
    
    Golf man

Golf man,

Oil man, here.  Don't know how you feel about them, but what about these part 
worn or 'seconds' tyres that evryone is trying to sell ??

I know it is a cheap alternative, but you dont know the tyre's history, and you
risk having duff side walls etc.

Only a suggestion if you are not too fussy.



Warren

    In my day, of Anglias and Cortinas, we did, but nowadays, with the
    speed and handling of modern cars, road conditions etc., you should
    NEVER compromise on safety. Don't be an idiot for the sake of a few
    quid, buy the correct tyres. If you can't afford to run a car
    properly, you shouldn't have one. Save money on things like servicing,
    NEVER on safety.
    
    Laurie.

    Oil Man
    
    Golf man here. I brought the tyres with part worn tyres on them, for
    170 quid. The back two 195/55/15 are almost brand new. the front two
    185's where could but the near-side one has worn quickly on the inner
    edge. I belive this is to do with tracking, so at the weekend its two
    new shoes and a tracking.
    
    I want new tyres, because they do not wear as quick, and you have
    better handling, plus you know they have not been repaired etc.
    
    Whats does anyone think of remoulds for high speed tyres. I have been
    hearing all sort of rumours.
    
    Cheers
    
    
    Golf Man
    

    
    I personally wouldn't touch remoulds....even if you're prepared to
    accept that a quick gettaway could leave leave the tread behind laying
    in the road, they seem to wear very quickly & I would be dubious about
    the grip......but maybe someone out there knows different!
    
    I agree with one of the previous replies....don't try to save on safety
    (would you buy a second grade seatbelt) if you can't afford decent tyres
    to fit the wheel's you've bought why did you buy the wheels?
    
    Richard

    A Golf is FWD so you'd want the wider rubber UP FRONT!!!!!
    Viking tires are about as cheap as they get. Still reasonably good
    though, specially in the wet. 
    Why not opt for the Vikings at the rear and put the present 195's up 
    front?
    
    VR or ZR rated tires are only worth the extar expense if your car can
    reach over the HR speed limit. If not, the VR/ZR tires are just less
    comfortable. If it can, the HR is illegal on that car! You are obliged
    to fit correctly rated tires. There's even a limit to the sizes you are
    allowed to fit.
    Variation in tread width does not ask for re-aligning. Variation in
    overall hight does.
    
    Btw tires are your only interface with the road. Isn't that worth a bit
    of extra attention?
    
    Peter

    Golf Man here.                                        
    
    You are not allowed to have wider tyres at the front than the rear of
    the car. What rating is ZR?.
    
    I only know the following:
    
    VR=140MPH
    HR=130MPH
    TR=119MPH
    SR=113MPH
    Q =100MPH
    N = 87MPH
    
    The tyres I have at the moment are HR all four wheels. Why is it
    illegal to have faster rated tyres on your car?. I would have thought,
    that as long as the car was not capable of exceeding that recommended
    speed it would be safe to use them.
    
    cheers
    
    STEFAN (GOLF MAN)

    Stefan,
    
    Maybe I wasn't clear enough: a faster rate is allowed, a lower NOT.
    
    ZR is above 140MPH, the real supercar tires, pe. 325/40 ZR17. Beautifull
    tires but rather pricey though!
    
    Wider at the front not allowed? I know British authoraties are not at
    the front line of progress but FWD is not such a recent invention is
    it?
    
    Peter

    It's quite surprising how many manufacturers carry several Z-rated 
    sizes, even several types as there is a very limited number of models 
    needing them. Probably the flagship-effect.
    
    Usually Z-rated tyres have high-hysteresis compounds that offer
    Cellotape grip but wear like eraser rubber. 
    Driving these high-tech products at high-adrenelin cornering speeds
    results in high-volume account drainage.
    If realy flogged these tyres will only just last one service
    interval. "One oil and tyre-change please" And 10 seconds later you're 
    off again.
    But then....both the tyres and the cars they're fitted to were not
    aimed at rationalist were they!
    
    Peter

    Re. last
    
    I use Z rated tyres, and it's true they do wear out quicker than your
    average ZX. They also effect the handling once they are 'just' past
    there sell by date. If I weren't in Germany (were you HAVE to have the
    tyres specified on the registration document), I'd settle for ZX rated 
    tyres - cheaper, and in most circumstances (that you're likely to
    encounter on the road) MORE than good enough.
    

    To compensate his, in fact quite sensible rule, cars are over 20%
    cheaper in Germany than they are across the border in the Netherlands.
    Over here you can cheerfully fit a Mag Mopus No Grip Gladial on your
    Porsche as long as the size is about right. 
    I'd rather have the cars were cheaper and "suffer" the tyre-rule. In 
    theory this would make the roads quite a lot safer: better cars and 
    better tyres for the same price!
     
    Btw in Germany you're extra lucky since it's about the only country in
    the world where there is no spedd limit in places.
    
    Peter