Tyre Purchase Advice When Only Two Are Required (buy two or four?)

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  hell0 on 12/10/2016 - 16:50

  Hello.

  I noticed that every few months there is that deal going around for Bridgestone tyres (which I use) but it actually might be worthwhile for you to buy the 4 and ask the tyre place if they can put on the other 2 a while down the track, and you just have to keep them at home until that time.

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  abovethelimit on 12/10/2016 - 16:54

  Op, you need to know how much tread is left in the front tyres first then make the call. I was in similar situation with the wifey's car (75% tread left on the good tyres) ended up going with buy 3 get 1 free as they were able to do a better deal than just the 2 for another $130 more. It also came with Tyre maintenance package that is thrown in for free when you buy 4 tyres as opposed to 2. I put the 2 new tyres in storage and used it when the old tyres worn out. This cycle continues until you change all 4 at the same time and then if rotated regularly they will wear out evenly.

  Mate of mine being the true ozb rotated the good tyres to the back, swapped the almost new spare tyre for the worn out one and bought just the one tyre. Lucky for him that the brand & model of tyre was still in production and readily available. Could have done this but my spare was a shitty space saver :-(

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  Euphemistic on 12/10/2016 - 20:34

  There was a place recently advertising buy one, get one half price, same discount as buy four get one free. Can't remember where it was though.

  Think about how long since you bought tyres last. Would you hang on to two spares for that long, or waste two good tyres on the front? Not a good way to save money.

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  Geewhizz on 13/10/2016 - 06:41

  Do you get your car regularly serviced? I'd have thought they should have been rotating them.

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    bargain_knight on 13/10/2016 - 10:49

    My guy doesn't rotate my tyres. Not sure which mechanics do.

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  Gunther on 13/10/2016 - 09:37

  Tyres definitely do not wear evenly.

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  Adz81 on 13/10/2016 - 09:48

  I guess a third option would be to buy the 4 tyres for the price of three option, then store the other two tyres until such time as the remaining two tyres need to be replaced. But then you've got the pain in the tits of storing the extra tyres, arranging just the fitting of them (rather than supply and fit) and a higher initial outlay.
  Last time I had to replace my tyres (2 fronts on a front wheel drive), the mechanics took a look at the old ones on the back and were comfortable leaving them as they were- that was a month or so ago (I've done about 7,000 km's since then) and when I had my car serviced this week, they recommended replacing the older tyres- effectively I've gotten another 2 months out of the rear tyres- which given I got roughly 12 months out of the last set, I'm pretty happy with.

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    bargain_knight on 13/10/2016 - 10:50

    You must drive a lot! My tyres will last 5 years, as we don't drive too much. Hence, leaving new tyres in storage is not a great idea as they will deteriorate over time.

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      Euphemistic on 13/10/2016 - 11:03

      There you go. Is your car front, rear or all wheel drive?

      Put the old tyres on the drive wheels and the new ones on the others, then rotate regularly. If it is a subaru all wheel drive, get four so you don't wear out the centre diff prematurely.

      Make sure you get a proper alignment if you get new tyres. I though our car got one when we got new tyres then about 5000km later noticed the outer edge of both tyres badly worn. Needed another alignment, and almost wore out a pair of $200 tyres in a few thousand kms.

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        bargain_knight on 13/10/2016 - 12:03

        It's a Subaru AWD. However, the front tyres wear out quicker as those are the turning wheels. When I bought it they had replaced the front two tyres, but the rear tyres were older.

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        Euphemistic on 13/10/2016 - 12:41

        @bargain_knight: You really need to ensure the tyres are rotated regularly then and keep the wheel alignment in check to ensure most even wear. Putting on differently worn tyres can prematurely wear your centre diff. Got a quote for my diff to be repaired at about $1400.

        You might be better to buy all 4 if you are keeping the car for the long term.

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      Adz81 on 13/10/2016 - 11:32

      In the last 12 months, I've done around 40,000km's… The car's done 119,000kms in total (2007 model), when I purchased it 5 years ago, it had done 55k (ish), the first 4 years I had it, I barely drove it (only every other weekend), then I started driving it, "full time" this year… Ah, well… Cars are made to be driven, I guess :D

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      Adz81 on 14/10/2016 - 09:14

      Just had the extra two new tyres fitted, the mechanic commented in the two months since they fit the first two, I'd done exactly 8,000kms.