Replacing tyres on a lease car

[Benz17]

I must be over sensitive then.

Anyway I’ve got the advice that I needed so thanks to all.

Hang around, it’s good place to be, many knowledgeable and friendly folks on here, hardly get any personal insults flying around, yes some banter, but nothing personal.

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome.

 

[DSM10000]

Why was it shocking? It was a simple question. Not everyone knows the ins and outs of tyres and sites like this are the ideal place to find out. I appreciate the feedback but being called a cheapskate isn’t really my idea of good advice, considering none of you know my circumstances. Thanks for the help.

Firstly do not take comments personally, they are not, you asked for advice and overwhelmingly you pretty much received the same advice from everyone.

The facts are quite straightforward: You have a lease car on which the front tyres need replacing before hand over.

So: you want to find a cheap way of getting 6 months driving out of the car without replacing the tyres with good quality ones.

But, you know the leasing companies requirements as you have stated them as wanting "Premium brand" tyres fitted on handover.

Your suggested "option" is to then buy two used tyres of unknown provenance and of different brands and tread types which is far from ideal and will still result in your lease company charging you for replacing them anyway!

Not only is your option flawed from a financial perspective because you will end up buying tyres twice but fitting mismatched secondhand tyres really is not ideal for your safety or that of others. Have you actually priced a pair of new Hankook tyres for the car?

The fact that virtually all the replies you have received are contrary to your plan should really give you the answer as to the direction to go in

 

[geoffus]

While I agree with fitting matching tyres on the same axle, has anyone had problems with this, what if the odd one is better than the original?
As maybe in the OP’s first choice of plan.

 

[markjay]

While I agree with fitting matching tyres on the same axle, has anyone had problems with this, what if the odd one is better than the original?
As maybe in the OP’s first choice of plan.

Yes, it's good practice, and I always do that on any car I own.

That said... the majority of cars out there do not seem to have matching tyres, and they don't burst into flames.

I had this conversation at the dealer where I bought my W204. After signing the paperwork, I bumped into one of their senior guys, who was working there 20 years ago when I bought my first car from them... we got chatty, and he asked me why did I choose the car I did, when they had a higher-spec one on the forecourt. I explained the reasons (there were several things I didn't like about the other car), and he accepted these, but when I got to the tyres - the car I chose had 4 matching premium tyres with same thread wear, while the other higher-spec car had 3 different makes of budget tyres - that's where I lost him. He just couldn't fathom what was wrong with having different makes of budget tyres on a car. His point was, that if a tyre is damaged, you just go and buy the cheapest tyre you can find, and put it on the car, no?

It seems that most people aren't fussed about tyres... including some in the Trade.

But, again, for me personally, it's always 4 identical premium tyres .

 

[Spider10]

Put the boot on the other foot
If you bought a 3 year old car with mis match tyre's would you change them or run it as is .
I know what id do infact I wouldn't buy a car with mis match tyre's fitted

 

[markjay]

...I’ve now found two decent part worns locally that will see me through. Only one is a Hankook and the other is a Goodyear (which is on their approved list). I’m happy with the price but need to check the speed rating is the same before I commit....

Of you want to go down the minimum-expenditure-at-minimum-risk route, then you have 6 months to find two new or part-worn Hankook tyres of same model and size as the originals, and job done.

The other option would be to ask the finance provider if they are happy with 4 premium tyres even if they are not all the same make and model?

 

[BTB 500]

While I agree with fitting matching tyres on the same axle, has anyone had problems with this, what if the odd one is better than the original?

I suspect in the days before ABS etc. it was more important - in wet braking (for example) you could have significantly more grip on one side than the other if the compound & pattern are different. You will get that to some extent if you have to replace a tyre due to a puncture etc. and the one on the other side is only lightly worn ... not many people would fit two new tyres in that situation (I know some would). Of course an extreme case is a space saver spare, which manufacturers/insurers/police are quite happy for you to drive on (albeit with some speed & distance restrictions).

 

[kam09]

When I handed my golf r back I got very lucky when I came across 1 set off like for like part worn Bridgestones at an absolute steal at a backstreet tyre place! had them put on the front and the existing fronts moved to the rear and this passed the arval collection check (tyre tread measurements).. I then found out via the arval online portal few months later that available car purchased the golf r via bca and had Michelins put on all around at a cost of approx £600!

 

[GeeJayW]

Yes, it's good practice, and I always do that on any car I own.

That said... the majority of cars out there do not seem to have matching tyres, and they don't burst into flames.

I had this conversation at the dealer where I bought my W204. After signing the paperwork, I bumped into one of their senior guys, who was working there 20 years ago when I bought my first car from them... we got chatty, and he asked me why did I choose the car I did, when they had a higher-spec one on the forecourt. I explained the reasons (there were several things I didn't like about the other car), and he accepted these, but when I got to the tyres - the car I chose had 4 matching premium tyres with same thread wear, while the other higher-spec car had 3 different makes of budget tyres - that's where I lost him. He just couldn't fathom what was wrong with having different makes of budget tyres on a car. His point was, that if a tyre is damaged, you just go and buy the cheapest tyre you can find, and put it on the car, no?

It seems that most people aren't fussed about tyres... including some in the Trade.

But, again, for me personally, it's always 4 identical premium tyres .

It can really make a difference under acceleration or braking in the wet where one tyre make/tread pattern gives up before the other. With modern ABS and traction control systems, it may be less important than it used to be, but definitely inadvisable to have different types on the same axle.

 

[geoffus]

When I handed my golf r back I got very lucky when I came across 1 set off like for like part worn Bridgestones at an absolute steal at a backstreet tyre place! had them put on the front and the existing fronts moved to the rear and this passed the arval collection check (tyre tread measurements).. I then found out via the arval online portal few months later that available car purchased the golf r via bca and had Michelins put on all around at a cost of approx £600!

Exactly, most of these cars go to auction, sold to dealers and refitted with new tyres before sold or fitted as a condition of sale.
I still think no harm done by fitting premium tyres even if mismatched, you will never reach the limits of adhesion in normal conditions.
Or do people think they will spin out on the first roundabout at 30 mph.

 

[Eddy77]

All of us should remember that the way we view cars and associated maintenance is very much in the minority. I’m the only ‘car guy’ amongst my peer group (mid 40s). Nobody gives a fig about maintenance, tyres or anything else to do with their cars. The car is simply an appliance. Budget tyres fitted on most of their cars. Nobody gives it a second thought. And they don’t all end up spontaneously combusting. I’m not having a go at anyone for saying we should all fit the best. I do myself and I am militant about maintenance. But to get some perspective, 95% of the population are totally unaware or simply don’t give it a second thought. That doesn’t mean your lease company won’t care, but sticking some cheaper tyres on or using part worms is something that many many people do every day without a second thought.

 

[T800]

Not only is your option flawed from a financial perspective because you will end up buying tyres twice but fitting mismatched secondhand tyres really is not ideal for your safety or that of others. Have you actually priced a pair of new Hankook tyres for the car?

The fact that virtually all the replies you have received are contrary to your plan should really give you the answer as to the direction to go in

Flawed how, exactly? If I bought two part worns that had suitable tread depth and were a match to the original tyre class then I don’t see an issue. Mixing and matching different brands may not be ideal but it’s an option. Nowhere does it say you can’t have multiple different branded tyres on the car - just says to fit premium. If they want four identical tyres then there should be more guidance around it.

I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done my homework on pricing. I get that the majority of people here, including yourself, are against buying part worn. That’s fine, each to their own. Personally, I’m comfortable with buying them providing its from a reputable company. Done the right way, there’s no issue.

 

[DSM10000]

Flawed how, exactly? If I bought two part worns that had suitable tread depth and were a match to the original tyre class then I don’t see an issue. Mixing and matching different brands may not be ideal but it’s an option. Nowhere does it say you can’t have multiple different branded tyres on the car - just says to fit premium. If they want four identical tyres then there should be more guidance around it.

I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done my homework on pricing. I get that the majority of people here, including yourself, are against buying part worn. That’s fine, each to their own. Personally, I’m comfortable with buying them providing its from a reputable company. Done the right way, there’s no issue.

If you have done so much homework and knew the lease companies requirement why ask the questions?

Re part worn :How do you know how they have been treated.? Why are they being discarded and sold on when not worn out? Am I fussy about tyres?

Yes, I discard them at 3mm and never have an unmatched set of tyres unless an emergency forced me to fit something suitable but diffeent to the others. I would then change it to match ASAP.

Please do not quote the "" but people buy second hand cars with tyres and don't know how they have been treated " because you can assess the car, the owner and make a judgement.

If you are so determined to buy someone's cast off tyres then at least get the same brand, tread pattern etc.

 

[DSM10000]

Put the boot on the other foot
If you bought a 3 year old car with mis match tyre's would you change them or run it as is .
I know what id do infact I wouldn't buy a car with mis match tyre's fitted

Probably walk away as it shows little interest in maintenance but if the car had good history and was otherwise OK then I would change them.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Change them.

It costs more to change the tyres than the admin fee you said you’d not pay.

 

[DSM10000]

As long as you pay the admin fee.

This will run and run!

 

[T800]

If you have done so much homework and knew the lease companies requirement why ask the questions?

Re part worn :How do you know how they have been treated.? Why are they being discarded and sold on when not worn out? Am I fussy about tyres?

Yes, I discard them at 3mm and never have an unmatched set of tyres unless an emergency forced me to fit something suitable but diffeent to the others. I would then change it to match ASAP.

Please do not quote the "" but people buy second hand cars with tyres and don't know how they have been treated " because you can assess the car, the owner and make a judgement.

If you are so determined to buy someone's cast off tyres then at least get the same brand, tread pattern etc.

Yes I did my homework but I came here to get some feedback and to find out if anyone had experienced anything similar with a lease company as there are a few options that I’m considering.

Like I said, I would only buy part worns from a reputable company, not some back/side street garage who may be more likely to sell something defective. As you said - with a second hand car, you assess what you see and then make a judgment. Same analogy with tyres really. (You won’t agree I’m sure but I’m bored of trading opinions now).

 

[DSM10000]

Yes I did my homework but I came here to get some feedback and to find out if anyone had experienced anything similar with a lease company as there are a few options that I’m considering.

Like I said, I would only buy part worns from a reputable company, not some back/side street garage who may be more likely to sell something defective. As you said - with a second hand car, you assess what you see and then make a judgment. Same analogy with tyres really. (You won’t agree I’m sure but I’m bored of trading opinions now).

Not a case of agreeing or disagreeing.

I and others have just clearly stated that, (possibly because of being part of a motoring forum and being more technically aware in some instances) that we would prefer matching tyres.

Whatever you chose to do will hopefully work out well for you.

 

[Wagon]

Don't know what lease co you are dealing with but a lot of them wont accept Hankook as a premium tyre even if its fitted from new from the factory.
My Sportage had Hankooks from new , Arval will only let me fit Mitchelin or similar , its now had 4 PS4's.
VW leasing were the same on my old Skud Superb and Passat CC , Hankooks were a no..no
Good luck