Buying 2nd Hand Tyres Without Knowing Brand Or Model

[writeoff]

Hi All,

From this group buy - http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/ha...es-t221459.html - I'm getting a set of 275/35/18 for my R32 GTR which runs 18"x10" BBS LM rims.

I'm in a difficult position of having to commit $ without even knowing what I'm getting. I have to put trust in someone I've only had 1 phone conversation with. The only info I have been given is that the tyres will either be Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, BFG, Continental etc, around 70% tread & probably around 2yrs old.

Ultimately I'm strapped for cash atm which is why I'm buying 2nd hand tyres rather than brand new. So I'll commit but will state these preferences.

I want tyres with a speed rating of either Y, VR or ZR (I have a 350rwkW GTR after all)

My tyre preferences are:

1. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup

2. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

3. Michelin Pilot Sport

4. Pirelli P Zero Corsa System (although I don't know if these are made in 275/35/18)

5. Continental ContiSport Contact 2, 2 VMAX or 3

6. Federal 595RS-R (I know these are track tyres)

7. Bridgestone RE050A

8. Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001 (which is Speed rated at W)

9. BFGoodrich g-Force Profiler

I don't know heaps about tyres but have read through the sticky at the top of this page to get an idea. Have I got these preferences about right or have I overlooked a tyre?

Cheers

David aka writeoff

[MBS206]

Buy brand new!

2 year old tyres dry out, and go hard, especially once the first initial bit is worn down!

No matter how good these tyres WERE, they'll now be hard, and shit. Might as well just get them for burnouts!

[nisskid]

wait, he cant just look at the tyre and tell u what they are?

[MANWHORE]

To answer your question, any of those tyres on your preference list are ok and the order is also ok (personal preference).

The question does come to mind though, if you are driving a 350 rwkw gtr, why are you being povo on tyres? Ultimately, I'd much rather save up and not drive the car for a few weeks than buy 2nd hand tyres.

As said above, while they may have some tread left, and may not be completely dried out, they will still be 'drier' to some extent and have less grip - on a 350rwkw gtr in the rain, would you really want that?

Over the past few years, numerous high powered (and even near standard) skylines on here have been written off because of poor tyres.

[Munkyb0y]

You dont need to worry about age till they're about 5-6 years old. 2 years isnt a big issue.

As for getting hard and dry after their initial use, once you get them back on the road, they'll heat and soften again.

the most important thing is that there is good tread on them, and no cracks etc.

Edited July 25, 2008 by Munkyb0y

[Duncan]

personally I wouldn't do it. For a gtr you need 4 tyres the same and with similar levels of wear. And same brand and model front and rear to keep balance right.

It looks like they are about 150ea delivered, for 250 you can buy brand new falken fk452 in 245/45/17 from tempe tyres, or those federal 595rs are also good and cheap. much better deal I think

everything you've listed are top models (say $500ea new) they are unlikely to have matching 4 in good condition, cheap.

[DECIM8]

You've said it.. Your strapped for cash hence your interest.

If you have plans for track use/performance you wont get much/any.. I currently use used tyres so I could put aside more for mods. Now that its done Im going to put some great tyres on to give me maximum grip.

Up to you, but if you want any performance from the tyre the only type you'll get is longevity as they've gone hard.

FYI I picked up mine for $150 for x2 so pretty good steal.. Cant turn that down. yours seems costly

Edited July 25, 2008 by DECIM8

[writeoff]

Thanks for your replies guys. I am taking all of your opinions on board. To answer some of your questions:

wait, he cant just look at the tyre and tell u what they are?

From the PM I received: "All the tyres are sitting in tight 8ft+ stacks & the guys literally won't pull the stacks apart 'til they are ready to ship because they basically don't have the room to constantly break stacks down & the stock can get mixed up pretty easily which becomes a real headache real fast." So the answer I got from the same question you asked is no, hence my OP.

The question does come to mind though, if you are driving a 350 rwkw gtr, why are you being povo on tyres? Ultimately, I'd much rather save up and not drive the car for a few weeks than buy 2nd hand tyres.

As said above, while they may have some tread left, and may not be completely dried out, they will still be 'drier' to some extent and have less grip - on a 350rwkw gtr in the rain, would you really want that?

Over the past few years, numerous high powered (and even near standard) skylines on here have been written off because of poor tyres.

I have spent a silly amount of $ on the GTR over the past 2 years and am struggling to find room in the budget to spend more. Not working atm, have a mortgage, & have bald tyres that are already dangerous in the rain. A set a second hand tyres for the price of 1 new tyre of decent brand & quality seemed a reasonable stop gap solution. Nothing I intend to do permanently but $220 a week from uncle Kevin isn't much to pay a mortgage, run a house, run a French car that breaks a lot & run a GTR that breaks even more often. Saving up the $2000+ for new tyres would take longer than a few weeks.

personally I wouldn't do it. For a gtr you need 4 tyres the same and with similar levels of wear. And same brand and model front and rear to keep balance right.

It looks like they are about 150ea delivered, for 250 you can buy brand new falken fk452 in 245/45/17 from tempe tyres, or those federal 595rs are also good and cheap. much better deal I think

everything you've listed are top models (say $500ea new) they are unlikely to have matching 4 in good condition, cheap.

The price for a complete set delivered to my door is $540 - about the same price as one tyre of the brands and models that I've listed . The new Falken FK452 in 245/45/17s you mention won't stretch over my 18"x10" BBS rims, but you make a good point about the unlikelihood of 4 quality matching tyres in good condition.

You've said it.. Your strapped for cash hence your interest.

If you have plans for track use/performance you wont get much/any.. I currently use used tyres so I could put aside more for mods. Now that its done Im going to put some great tyres on to give me maximum grip.

Up to you, but if you want any performance from the tyre the only type you'll get is longevity as they've gone hard.

FYI I picked up mine for $150 for x2 so pretty good steal.. Cant turn that down. yours seems costly

Mine work out at $110 + $25 delivery per tyre. They won't be for track days and are not a permanent solution but I hope would be better than the bald tyres I have atm. $135 per corner seems a reasonable short term solution.

My difficulty is that I don't know what I'm getting and giving someone $540 on the basis of "they [the supplier] don't want to bring in stock they can't sell (the boss literally flies over to inspect & load each shipment himself) nor do they want to sell stock to people who aren't happy & won't come back. Having said that there is still some good 275/18's to choose from so when the time comes I should still be able to get you something decent & good value-for-money."

This is why I stated in the OP a requirement of a speed rating of either Y, VR or ZR as it seemed the easiest way to ensure a decent tyre to begin with. As for condition... that's the risk.

Edited July 25, 2008 by writeoff

[nisskid]

nah thats bs, as the buyer ur entitled to know exactly what ur buying before u transfer the $$.