Replacement Of Oem Tyres

[Cassius]

Well,

I thought I would ring a couple of local tyre suppliers (Bob Jane, Beau's etc) to see what the replacement cost of a Dunlop SP9000 245/40 18"s are. Luckily I was sitting down as when he told me my jaw dropped. Best I could get was $610 for the same tyre. I said you sh*ttin me. I then had to ring another place just to make sure the bloke I spoke to didnt have his hand on it. Anyway, second place I rang quoted was $640.

Given the cost of each tyre, I wonder if ford will allow me to buy another set of mag/wheels for the same price that the upgrade cost me . Be cheaper in the long run.

There was cheaper alternatives but bloody hell, 600 bucks for a tyre???

Your thoughts....

[Falchoon]

I haven't actually priced the tyres myself yet but I've heard (other forums) they are about $550 ea, still pretty exxy. Ford wont sell you the 18s with tyres for $1500, I enquired a while back and was told they are about $2500 WITHOUT tyres. There are cheaper alternate brands such as Falken that are around half the price of Dunlops, I've never used them so I can't comment on their quality.

[blowhard]

Try and find the June '03 Wheels mag, they tested seven different brands of performance tyre - 235/45R17. O.K not the same size but it makes interesting reading, the price per hoop was $320-340. Test vehicle was an XR6T driven by Matt Coleman - Porsche cup champ.

To quote part of the article -

" There are better tyres than we tested, but they all cost more, including Pirelli's P-Zero and Dunlops Sport 9000, but few people throw price to the winds and go for outright performance. Price is relevant"

Outright performance comes at a cost, soft rubber, faster wear, great grip and an even greater price.

Dig deep and enjoy the sound and feel of your hard earned dollars going up in smoke.

Read the section "Performance anxiety" in the same article it'll make you think twice about standard oem tyres on most passenger vehicles, use it to justify the expense of your new tyres. How much is your life and that of your family worth? .

12 metres shorter stopping from 100kmh for the XR6T on 235/45r17 compared to the 205/65r15 on a base model Commodore. That'd be one big hit if it were to happen.

[Cassius]

I have heard they are a premium tyre, the words that come to mind "full on", but I wasnt expecting them to be that expensive.

Looking at my notes, some alternatives were Yokohama ES100 for $450, Falken 451 for $300, Dnlop LM901 $581 and Dunlop 702 $485 which are a little more reasonable.

[DavoWA]

I don't want to sound like a tight @rse, but these prices are exactly why I opted for the 17" deal and not the 18s.

Also if you bang up an 18 on a kerb, much harder to get emergency hoops from country areas.

17" rubber can be had from around $200 each, depending upon how much performance you need or want.

[Guest cul08r]

I believe you will find that the 9000s are expensive mainly because they are the OEM tyre. Don't get me weong, they are a very high performance tyre, but I think things like the Falken 451, ST115 (if made in an 18) and similar are just as good. Also, take into account the km you do and look at your driving style then decide if youy really need a soft high performance tyre.

I think $600+ is too much for this tyre. Where are you based? If in NSW, try calling Australias Best ir Tempe Tyres in Sydne, then get them freighted and fitted locally...

Andrew

[turbotom]

I don't want to sound like a tight @rse, but these prices are exactly why I opted for the 17" deal and not the 18s.

You're not a tight@rse, DAVOWA, you're sensible.

I too opted for the 17's for the same reason.

I also opted for two less doors and no rear seat, but a damn huge boot!

cheapest way I could get into a T. One test drive through the hills and I just had to have one.

test drove on a Friday, picked the car up after looking in Melbourne and Adelaide within 2 weeks!

Blueprint auto ute, with a hard lid. Got 2000km up in 4 weeks, and dropping the oil and filter this weekend.

Damn, but these cars are fun. And I've been a Chevrolet/Expensive Daewoo fanatic ever since I can remember.

How attitudes change!

PS

I'm also worried about Kenny? I'm surprised he hasn't made a ring comment.

Has he got his car yet?

[Cassius]

Im in Ipswich queensland, so prices are sometimes are little dearer up here than down south. My driving style will be the same, calm, cool and collective and an occasional "rush of blood" from time to time. I will soon have our first addition to our family due in December, which will result in sensible driving, not that im not sensible when driving, ill also have to mod the car with some more handles when I get it so that my wife will have more access points to hold on to. :idea: :idea: :idea:

[sdrew]

If you are in Melbourne, give Roba a call at Donnellan's Tyres in Preston, he is a great guy and will give you a great price

[Redhawk]

I don't want to sound like a tight @rse, but these prices are exactly why I opted for the 17" deal and not the 18s.

Ditto Davo,

Just can't see me saving up $2400 for 4 tyres, which would have meant going into hock for bloody tyres, sorry, no way, 17's will do me fine.

Cassius:

I run Yokohamas on my EL XR6 and can't fault them, brilliant. I went for cheaper tyres,Tigerpaws after the first set of Yokies wore out. 1st rainy days of winter the Tigerpaws slipped and slid all over the place, only had about 15k on them. Got Yokies back on and never looked back. Pay the price for good tyres don't let economics be the prime reason for opting for cheapies.

Happy tyre hunting :D