Help Please! First MOT coming up and I need to be prepared! Tyres etc!

[sallyjc]

Thanks very much for excellent advice!

On the subject of tyres, my builder mentioned I should think of buying used tyres which are much cheaper. I had never thought of it. He bought two front tyres for his car (small car not 4x4) for £40 including balancing etc from a shop on the highstreet, not ebay.

Should I consider this or is is it a big no no for X5s?

Thanks!

[X5Sport]

Used, or part worn, should always be looked at with great care as you don't really know how they have been used.  I would also think it might be difficult to find the size and weight rating that the E53 needs.

TBH you will quite likely find yourself with 3-4mm again anyway, so no real advantage over the 9mm of new, or the 2-3mm you now have.  That means you'll be changing them again soon.  You don't have to buy Diamaris as there are cheaper options available from suppliers.

Personally, and with a young family now more so, I would never buy part worn.  I do a lot of high speed/motorway driving and our local roads are poor too.  To me it's a risk too far, but each to their own and it will depend upon your usage of the vehicle, driving style etc.

Richard

[Jayx5]

I wouldn't use part worns on an x5 but ive been using them on my van for years and never had a problem, not even a puncture. My local part worn place told me they rarely get part worns for an x5 anyway, especially the rears. Hth.

[pvr]

How long are you going to keep the car? If it is 2 years or so, then buying new makes a lot more sense anyway as otherwise you have to do the same again in a couple of years (and pay for fitting again etc). Obviously depends on mileage.

What size are the tyres you need?

[Reusch]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying part worn tyres which are fitted correctly are the correct rating, and the obvious  in 100% condition as once said on here we do buy second hand cars with tyres already on.

[pvr]

True to some extend. However, if you just buy a tyre you can not be sure it was not removed from a totalled car.

[AW8]

Shouldn't make any difference. If someone's car totalled in a rear end smash and tyres were okay before they will still be okay afterwards in absence of collision related damage. 

I have bought new tyres as well as part worns....one pair thus far have been returned as unsuitable due to a non disclosed sidewall cut .... Distance selling regs and decent return policies can help but do confirm returns policies with sellers 1st if not used before - also consider return postage fees in event of unsuitable or misdescribed items as most should re any online purchase. Worth mentioning that some tyre shops refuse to fit customer supplied tyres whether new or second hand.

Every car driving on roads is using part worn tyres albeit of varying quality - thus earlier advice is good re ensuring condition ok. That said OP indicates little knowledge re tyres and buying same so perhaps not best solution.

Bottom line  - pay for quality and convenience or do some legwork and invest time to save some cash but you can seldom have it both ways

[j2d]

I have just replaced all 4 tyres on my 2004 X5 3.0d with Nankang's, standard sizes (255/50/19 front & 285/45/19 rear) they came highly recommended and at £450 fitted I couldnt really complain, have a nice looking tread too - very similar to the Michelins (pic below).

Obviously I would have prefered to have Michelins, but at £200+ a corner they were abit too pricey for me

Could anybody recommend the correct pressure to be running these tyres at? Mainly used by the wife locally with a light load

John

[X5Sport]

2.2bar.....32psi ought to be fine.

Richard

[Lummox]

J2d are you sure you have the right size tyres fitted? I thought with a staggered set up the wider tyres should have a lower profile.

[Johnny-p]

+1


Fronts should be 255/50/19.......

[j2d]

[quote="Lummox"]
J2d are you sure you have the right size tyres fitted? I thought with a staggered set up the wider tyres should have a lower profile.
[/quote]

Your right, and the fronts are 255/50/19!  my mistake

John