Mismatched tyres, what do do?

[dougmcdonald]

Hi guys,

Just a quick one on tyres here really. My new cupra has, how should I put it, an 'interesting' selecting of existing tyres! They're all 205/55/16's but there is quite some variation!

Front two are two brand new Event WL905's which whilst aren't the nicest looking or performing tyres, do at least match!

Back left, is an almost new Continental SportContact2 and back right, is a slightly older Pirelli P6000.

I'm not really sure what I should do about this mismatch, or if it's a major problem or not, I understand the wear and i guess grip with be a bit sporadic but is it a massive no-no to have such a random selection of rubber underneath?

Anyway, that's the background and here's what I've been thinking of.

a) Buy two new nice front tyres, move the budget Events to the back and in a few thousand miles replace events in favour of the new fronts and get new new fronts. (could maybe see if I can get a couple of quid for the Continental and P6000 secondhand to offsett new front costs)

b) Buy one new P6000 and one new Continental to match the two I already have, ditch/sell the events. This may still leave me with crazy uneven wear and might not be advised.

c) replace all 4, ditch the lot!

I'm not really sure the best way to approach this one, any ideas?

 

[LEE69]

Replace all 4 with hankook k110 evo v12

2 for £110 on ebay at the mo.

 

[CupraTurbo81]

Mismatched tyres are not a problem unless you taking it on a track. If there all the same size and legal then they are fine for domestic use.

 

[Slimy]

First of all, I would ask what you plan to do with your car? Are you a motorway mile muncher, or an B road racer? That sort of spread wouldn't bother me on the motorway, but I wouldn't push it on a twistie.

The Conti and the P6000 are decent tyres, if you were going to keep two I'd keep those two.

What's on your spare wheel? With a 205 55 16 wheel I'm guessing you're on standard wheels, so you could always include the spare on the swap if it's a usable wheel?

 

[dougmcdonald]

My usage is probably 20% A, 70% B roads, and 10% motorway - the disadvantages (and benefits) of living in rural Wiltshire! So I do need a bit of confidence in the windy bits for those times when you round a corner only to find a 10 foot tree branch in the road!...or a cow...(true story!)

Tonight i took it for a little spin on the way back from footy and was expecting to notice big differences between my old one which had p6000's all around. Luckily didn't brick it too badly, but may have been driving like a nun in certain areas due to concerns on the tyres!

I think I will make do for the time being whilst looking out for some good deals for maybe 2 next payday and 2 at christmas.

Is bought and fitted in garage the way to go? or should I be buying online and paying for fitting in your guys opinions? or would that depend on how good the quote from a garage is compared to online prices?

 

[Dyscontinued]

Mine has two brand new Falken 452s on the front and 2.2mm different tread patterns on the back, both premium though.

Roundabouts no understeer or back end swining out, just 4 wheel slides. Very enthusiastic B-road drive the other day in the wet (in places actual river) and no problem at all.

 

[rsmith]

I would ditch the load, your car is only as good as it's worst tyre, that's just my opinion, you will probably be fine with what u have on, if I had to make a choice I would go for option A.

 

[Slimy]

Is bought and fitted in garage the way to go? or should I be buying online and paying for fitting in your guys opinions? or would that depend on how good the quote from a garage is compared to online prices?

Online seems to be the way to go for decent tyres. I've found the average tyre shop near me like to put a huge premium even on midrange tyres, whereas an online purchase and local fitting can work out cheaper.

You also seem to get more of a range online.

 

[traumapat]

Mismatched tyres are not a problem unless you taking it on a track. If there all the same size and legal then they are fine for domestic use.

Except they offer different levels of grip. even normal driving causes you to brake hard or stop and theres a good chance the car wont stay true. Youll also get a snatchy ride due to esp/tc constantly changing.

If you cant change all four, stick the new rubber on the back not the front.

 

[CupraTurbo81]

Except they offer different levels of grip. even normal driving causes you to brake hard or stop and theres a good chance the car wont stay true. Youll also get a snatchy ride due to esp/tc constantly changing.

If you cant change all four, stick the new rubber on the back not the front.

The difference is marginal, on a leon cupra on standard 16's he will hardly notice any difference. The roads are for safe considerate driving so so if your having issues with the esp and tc then your driving like a idiot and everyone knows the brakes on our cars are very good. If they are legal and in good condition and matched side to side they will do the job.