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Tyre wear: normal?

Rickster

Rickster

New member
Hi guys,
i went to the tyre place today (National) fully expecting to need 2 rears but the guy also pointed out that the fronts have 5mm left in the middle sections but only about 2mm on the 'shoulders' which is the outside band of rubber from what i can see.

Anyway the front tyres are at the correct 29psi which makes me think its a normal thing for them to be less treaded on the outside? I dont have a new one to compare to! My lotus used to have very little tread from new in this area of the tyre.

It seems like they have a lot of life left in all the sections except the outside edges but is this legal / ok to drive with?

Or is this another 'you need new tyres sir......' ploy?

Quoted £400 for the rears and same for fronts fitted for Mich PS N rated or £750 for Pirelli x4 or £775 for Conti x4.

What do i do??

Thanks

Rick
 
Some brands have less tread on the outers anyway, making it look like they are worn - it's not that is it?

Otherwise I'd expect even wear at 29lbs, if not it indicates the camber settings are out.

Personally I'd spend the tiny extra money and go for the Michelins. Next the Pirelli.
I didn't get on with Continentals personally - hated them in fact.
 
Thanks Mark,
i agree i like the Michelins they have been grippy and predictable (until the last 100 miles... [:)].)

As the front tyre pressues are currently correct and both shoulders (L&R) are worn the same on each front tyre, do you think that this initial wear was caused by incorrect pressures by previous owner before i bought the car (5k miles ago) and i just didnt notice / check for uneven wear as i was buying from OPC?

Or you think the camber is out?

If the camber is out would that not just be on one side of each tyre?

Just dont want to change the fronts if it doesnt need them or fit new ones just for this to happen again half way through the tyres life!

Thanks for the quick response

Rick

 
A variance of 2 to 5mm sounds excessive to me, I'd start with a 4 wheel alignment check. I also dislike Contientals, think Pirellis OK and Michelins rather expensive. My '07 3.4S came with Bridgestones and I am pleased with their grip, road noise and (so far) grip. A pair of fronts (19") cost £350, a puncture!
 
My Michelin's had less tread on the edges compared with center but when I got new ones I found they were the same right from the first day.

I guess the theory is when its dry and you can get better grip, go faster round corners and create more lateral G that results in the tyres using the shoulders more. Under these dry conditions grip is more important than water clearing and therefore you want lots of rubber and not much grove for max grip. In the wet you cant get enough cornering force to get the tyres onto the shoulders and what you want is as much water clearing thread as possible down the center of the tyre.

I'd ask to see a new front tyre to make sure its not just that before you part with your hard earned.
 
ORIGINAL: Rickster

If the camber is out would that not just be on one side of each tyre?
Click to expand...

Yes it would - I read your initial post to be that just the outer of each tyre was worn - not both sides of each tyre (sorry!)

I'm not venturing out to the garage at the moment - just getting over flu [:'(], but I think my Michelins have markedly shallower sipes on the outer edges as well.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/auto-utilitaires/zoom/20070312100307/20070208152319_08022007152359.html


 
This is just a ploy to get you to buy two more tyres than you need. First the legal minium is 1.6mm across 75% of the width - so measuring at the shoulder is probably irrelevant. Second, and more significantly, the Michelin PS have a more shallow tread on the shoulder in the first place, and so if you measure between the tread blocks will always come out with apparently less depth. Get the guy to show you a new one, and measure in the same two places; there will be a difference.
 
ORIGINAL: JCB..

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett
I didn't get on with Continentals personally - hated them in fact.
Click to expand...

They are Drivers tyre Mark! [;)]

Happy New Year to you both....
Click to expand...

So it says on the annual tyre tests...[:)]

To me it just felt like driving on wood compared to the Pirelli or Michelin. I'm quite prepared to accept that I'm not good enough to get the best from them.

Happy New year to Jane and yourself [:)]

 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the comments. I have ordered 2 rears as they needed changing anyway and will ask to look at a new front to see the difference as suggested. I think i got a great price: £400 fitted for both.

I will also take a much closer look myself at the wear on the front ot see if it gives any clues (camber etc) but i think it may just be how they wear........

I like the Michelins and despite being a few quid more i think most people tend to agree they are the best overall tyre.

Thanks again i will post the outcome in a couple of days !

Rick
 
986 series cars use the original Michelin Pilot Sport pattern , which is based om the old MXM pattern - a non assymetric design with uniform tread depth across the width of the tyre. Its nothing like the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 of the 987 series cars which have an almost slick outer 2 inches.

Your description of tyre wear is completely indicative of under inflation, so check your gauge against another from a neighbour.
 
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