What would cause a used car to have 4 mismatched tyres?

Gophur

lukester wrote: »

On the tyres, I should make it clear, I wouldn't walk away from an otherwise decent car because of tyres alone. But it would raise my suspicion level about the previous level of maintenance. If the seller seemed genuine, and everything else was in order, I'd still consider going ahead with the deal.



The V70 isn't a proper premium car, but it's still touted here somewhere between mainstream stuff like Ford and the 'premium' German marques. The car I looked at was the SE model with all the toys and leather, so it jarred a bit to have it on bargain basement mismatched rubber. If there was a non-BS explanation to back it up I'd be less wary, but the whole thing just seemed off.

We've been steadily going off the V50, up close they look pretty small, and they remind me too much of the Focus estate.

Looked at the UK briefly, but the current mess to do with getting a reliable quote from the VRT and lack of free time to go sourcing cars abroad has dampened my enthusiasm. I have imported in the past though.

Bide your time and make sure to get one with a Full Service History. When you get one, verify the FSH and be prepared to spend a little extra to get a good car. A bad one will break your heart (and your wallet)

lukester

Gophur wrote: »

Bide your time and make sure to get one with a Full Service History. When you get one, verify the FSH and be prepared to spend a little extra to get a good car. A bad one will break your heart (and your wallet)

You still haven't said what year your one was.

Boskowski

Boskowski wrote: »

You're either having the puncture fixed or else you buy a new set of tyres for the whole axle and not the cheapest fkn thing you can get your hands on to replace just the one. I mean most of the time the one thats still good is not going to waste anyway. You can use it as a spare wheel refresher.

Good practice would be for instance to buy two new ones, move the new set to the axle thats connected to the drive and the old set to the passive axle (if its not that way anyways) and move the one thats been replaced but is still good into the boot as your new spare one.

Its not so much the brand or whatnot its the wear. It's bad to have a worn but 'still grand sure' tyre on one side and a new one on the other.

Its OK to have a different set on the front wheels to the rear wheels but all 4 tyres being different and especially showing different stages of wear reeks of patchwork/'don't give a ****'.

Tyres are your only connection with the road. Thats rather important I would have thought. Its amazing how many people think 'it'll be grand sure'.

I had 4 new tyres on the car and after 3 months one got damaged and had to get a replacement and couldnt get the same brand, no way was I forking out for two tyres. I'm not made of money.

I also don't think its fair to say cheap tyres always mean poor maintenance. Plenty of people have their cars serviced on schedule but just pull into their local tyre place and ask for a good deal. Personally I put on a cheap set of tyres as I want to sell the car and I'm not in the habit of buying expensive tyres for the next owner, considering what I paid for them and what people say about cheap tyres I haven't found them all that bad, the car hasn't decided to jump over the wall all of a sudden or anything anyway. They are obviously not as good as the Falkens I had on last especially in the wet but for normal driving they are doing the job good enough.

That said if I was intending keeping the car I would have bought good tyres.

BostonB

Anderson Limited Paperweight wrote: »

I had 4 new tyres on the car and after 3 months split one had to get a replacement and couldnt get the same brand, no way was I forking out for two tyres so I have a mismatch on one axle now.

You're kinda missing the point. One or two tyres especially on a budget car you might expect. But 4 different ones is very unusual. It would point to someone who could care less about the car.

BostonB

BostonB wrote: »

You're kinda missing the point. One or two tyres especially on a budget car you might expect. But 4 different ones is very unusual. It would point to someone who could care less about the car.

I agree all four mismatched is strange but my post was in reply to the post above saying you should always replace the two on the axle at the same time.

BostonB

That was still about 4 being different being odd, vs one different not that unusual, especially on a budget car.

BostonB

BostonB wrote: »

That was still about 4 being different being odd, vs one different not that unusual, especially on a budget car.

It was in reply to this which is referring to having two mismatched tyres.

Boskowski wrote: »

You're either having the puncture fixed or else you buy a new set of tyres for the whole axle and not the cheapest fkn thing you can get your hands on to replace just the one. I mean most of the time the one thats still good is not going to waste anyway. You can use it as a spare wheel refresher.

Anan1

BostonB wrote: »

That was still about 4 being different being odd, vs one different not that unusual,

And not just that, but four odd sh1tty ones.

BronsonTB

Yes it's unusual to have 4 different,

Tyres slashed at different times & replaced with the cheapest tyre at the time?
Bad unrepairable punctures at different times replacing with the cheapest tyre at the time?
Tracking off and 1 tyre prematurelly worn and so replaced 1 at a time??
Oringal tyres stolen & replaced with whatever could be got so it had 4 types on it?

Can be loads of reasons really..

BostonB

All of which point to consistently not giving a monkeys.

So you can expect that level of disinterest, applied to the rest of the car, servicing, repairs, avoiding potholes, ramps, driving hard. Etc.

166man

lukester wrote: »

Thanks, will take a look at those.

If I can find the right one, I'd really prefer the V70, I like the 2.0T 5 cylinder engine.

This one looks nice!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/SE/201132203858565/advert?channel=CARS

Drummerboy08

BostonB wrote: »

All of which point to consistently not giving a monkeys.

So you can expect that level of disinterest, applied to the rest of the car, servicing, repairs, avoiding potholes, ramps, driving hard. Etc.

I once came across a Mondeo with well over 200k on the clock. When I asked if it was all motorway, the lad driving it said "Not at all, consistently driven at high RPM, regular tips with other cars, flat out over speedbumps all the time!"

He pulled up outside our house when we reported a break in.

My point is, a car can be well looked after and still dogged at the same time, which is why it's always best to judge each car on its own merits, and on the overall scheme of things. As I said, I wouldnt let the tyres put me off if I was ok with the rest of the car. Good tyres vs cheap tyres won't make the car last any longer, or cause a turbo to blow etc.

Tea 1000

BostonB wrote: »

All of which point to consistently not giving a monkeys.

So you can expect that level of disinterest, applied to the rest of the car, servicing, repairs, avoiding potholes, ramps, driving hard. Etc.

I'd agree with this. Volvo made more than one V50, therefore find one where all the little details add up to a nicer, more well minded car!

dr.fuzzenstein

Gophur wrote: »

4 mismatched tyres = shoddy maintenance.

Exactly.
If they throw on any auld, chaep tire, they will throw in any auld, chaep oil, sparks, filters, brake pads and if it can be fixed with gum, tape, etc... grand.
It smells of neglect, oil changes every five years without even checking the level between changes and only calling the garage if the car expires in a cloud of smoke and complain about it being "a lemon".
Then sell it as "one careful owner", "full service history" and "lovingly cared for" and ask about 20% higher than list price because "this car was not owned by a boyracer" (who would probably have looked after it better).
Just goes to show that to a large extend car culture in Ireland is just buy it, drive the sh*t out of it for a few years, leave it to rot in the drive (while your garage is filled with a hundred quids worht of crap), never service it and sell it for as much as you can get it.
If it smells of Dellboy in that garage, WALK AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

exador

Price is king in the current climate ! From my experience the average joe doesn't have a clue when they need to replace tyres so they are very dependent on the tyre supplier or garage. Just because the particular tyre supplier does not have a matching tyre is not excuse.
I find that like the car salesman that wants to sell you a car they will put the ones they have in stock and most people just see the price and are not aware of any difference in brand, speed rating or load e.t.c.

dr.fuzzenstein

Tyre places are also to blame.
I'd say about 70% of people haven't got a clue about cars, they will just go to a cheap tyre place, mostly Pat Mahoney's (made up, not implying any actual Pat Mahoney's) backyard tire place, a place that boasts the finest of breeze block built shed with a few ancient jacks and tyre machines, maybe something from 1920 to balance tyres on, the tracking machine is from the 1700's and only does the front tyres with the use of string and the guy will say "the front left's a bit worn, better replace it, got a nice cheap one here, sure they're all the same".
He will then replace one tire and balance it by just hammering additional weights onto the rim without removing the old ones first (alloy wheel? just hammer 'em in to fcuk, none of those fancy-schmanzy stick on weights for me, thank you very much), rear wheels don't get balanced at all (sure it's only to stop the steering wheel from shaking, don't need it on the rear wheels) and off you go.
Think I'm joking? I've seen these tyre places, and all those things have happened to me.
Wheels balanced by just hammering more weights over the old ones, weights hammered into the GF's alloy wheels, how often have I specified balance the rear wheels (yeah, yeah, whatever you say) only to have my arse shaken on the drive home (and straight back to complain) and I'd say that's why cars have cheap, mismatched tyres on them.
It's not just cheap. I have relatively low priced tyres on my car, but not the cheapest ones that can be got. And there's four of the same. And if one was beyond repair and the other one was still good, I'd try everywhere to get the same ones again.
And the GF's car has 4 (of the same) expensive tyres on it.
it's not about cheap, it's about can't be arsed, don't care, just throw any old rubbish on there, sure it doesn't matter. And that's the drivers and garages.
This is of course just a sweeping generalisation and may not apply to the car in question, but to me it's an indication to be cautious.

BostonB

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I once came across a Mondeo with well over 200k on the clock. When I asked if it was all motorway, the lad driving it said "Not at all, consistently driven at high RPM, regular tips with other cars, flat out over speedbumps all the time!"

He pulled up outside our house when we reported a break in.

My point is, a car can be well looked after and still dogged at the same time, which is why it's always best to judge each car on its own merits, and on the overall scheme of things. As I said, I wouldnt let the tyres put me off if I was ok with the rest of the car. Good tyres vs cheap tyres won't make the car last any longer, or cause a turbo to blow etc.

The exception doesn't prove the rule.

lukester

166man wrote: »

This one looks nice!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/SE/201132203858565/advert?channel=CARS

That was already posted earlier in the thread. It's sold.

Just so it's patently clear, I wasn't slagging off people who choose cheap tyres, nor implying mismatched tyres on one axle should be avoided always. My last car had 3 tyres from one brand and one different tyre. But they were all quality brand tyres. And when it came time to change the one mismatched tyre I'd have swapped it out to match the other 3.

4 entirely different tyres tells me, at a minimum, that the owner/garage didn't care about such things, which implies a general attitude of not caring.

-Chris-

What happens is someone drives their car lovingly for 3 years, services the car on the button (maybe even a little early), never has a tip, keeps it clean and tidy at all times.

They decide to trade the car in against another car they intend to love and cherish for several years.
The tyres on their car (all matching and high-quality branded - nothing but the best for their pride and joy ) are all nearing the legal limit.

They aren't going to put new tyres on a car they're about to trade in, especially not the quality of rubber they normally go for, so they trade the car in with the existing tyres.

The garage then, as part of their prep for resale, realise they have to change all four tyres, but being cheap-ass b*stards they opt for a set of mismatching part-worns from the local tyre depot.

The car is mint, but the tyres don't match.
The garage give a cock-and-bull story about the tyres because it's preferable (to them) to the alternative of saying "we're cheap-ass b*stards".


I think the only rule of thumb to be applied in this situation is "judge each car on its own merits". Yes, mismatching tyres might make your ears prick up, but if everything else checks out then maybe you're worried about nothing.
Certainly don't walk away just because of the tyres...

BostonB

-Chris- wrote: »

....The garage then, as part of their prep for resale, realise they have to change all four tyres, but being cheap-ass b*stards they opt for a set of mismatching part-worns from the local tyre depot...

That would suggest its not going to be happy experience if you have to go back with something that fails under warranty.

So the warning still applies.

-Chris-

If the car was mint, but I was suspicious about the level of support I'd receive from the dealer, I'd just make sure that was factored into the price I paid and I'd still buy the car.

Horses for courses I guess...

Tea 1000

-Chris- wrote: »

What happens is someone drives their car lovingly for 3 years, services the car on the button (maybe even a little early), never has a tip, keeps it clean and tidy at all times.

They decide to trade the car in against another car they intend to love and cherish for several years.
The tyres on their car (all matching and high-quality branded - nothing but the best for their pride and joy ) are all nearing the legal limit.

They aren't going to put new tyres on a car they're about to trade in, especially not the quality of rubber they normally go for, so they trade the car in with the existing tyres.

The garage then, as part of their prep for resale, realise they have to change all four tyres, but being cheap-ass b*stards they opt for a set of mismatching part-worns from the local tyre depot.

The car is mint, but the tyres don't match.
The garage give a cock-and-bull story about the tyres because it's preferable (to them) to the alternative of saying "we're cheap-ass b*stards".


I think the only rule of thumb to be applied in this situation is "judge each car on its own merits". Yes, mismatching tyres might make your ears prick up, but if everything else checks out then maybe you're worried about nothing.
Certainly don't walk away just because of the tyres...

Honestly now... do you really think this happens regularly? If the above scenario has happend more than once ever in this country I'd be surprised.
Besides, a dealer like that wouldn't have anything that a really caring owner would be interested in buying. In my travels around the country for various cars for various people, by and large a good dealer who sells good cars tends to take in good trade-ins. There are exceptions all the time, but I've rarely seen a gem in a dodgy hole of a place.
If you're looking for a good clean car, unless it's a rare car then keep looking if you're in no rush. If something doesn't meet your expectations and bothers you, no matter how slightly, walk away. Might be a fine car, but you may as well be properly happy. As I said, Volvo made more than 1 V50.

Gophur

Given the difference in price between the proper, high quality, oil that such a car needs, and the cheapest brands, there's no way on Earth you could trust such a car, on four spurious tyres, to have been serviced properly.

@-Chris-, I can only admire your optimism.

Throwing 4 part worn but matching premium brand tyres on a car must be a great (yet still cheap) selling aid reading this thread, if folks read so much into a car having crap rubber can we presume the opposite applies?

Tea 1000

RoverJames wrote: »

Throwing 4 part worn but matching premium brand tyres on a car must be a great (yet still cheap) selling aid reading this thread, if folks read so much into a car having crap rubber can we presume the opposite applies?

I was waiting for a comment like this!
Yep, If I see a bag of crap with 4 fantastic nice new good brand tyres, I'll buy it straight away.


Happy now?

Tea 1000

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I was waiting for a comment like this!
Yep, If I see a bag of crap with 4 fantastic nice new good brand tyres, I'll buy it straight away.


Happy now?

That's the point folks are making here, too much is being read into the crap tyres.

De Hipster

I also walked away from two cars lately with completely mismatched tyres with different wear levels - one private & one dealer.

I also got the feeling of shoddy maintenance, coupled with the fact that the adverts were slightly less than honest & the cars not what they claimed to be;

Privateer advertised with FSH when there was none & engine oil leak in a mercedes could be bad news.

Dealer's vehicle had clearly been shunted up the rear with very bad repair job suggesting there may be chasis damage.

Both had mismatched tyres...not the worst of their crimes but certainly set off alarm bells & made me take a much closer look to uncover the rest of the issues.

BostonB

RoverJames wrote: »

That's the point folks are making here, too much is being read into the crap tyres.

Seems to me people are just saying its not an encouraging sign. I don't think anyone is going to see 4 odd tyres and run screaming from the garage, like you're suggesting. Well not unless its a R.... (joke).

BostonB

My experience of cars with obvious signs of concern turning into gems isn't an experience I have had that often (or ever tbh). Usually its the tip of the iceberg.

lukester

Tangent, but this thread has been a bit tangential anyway. :pac:

How can 2 similar cars differ so much in price (by 3 grand)?:

The only difference in the more expensive one is that it has 15k less miles on the clock, is auto, and is the 7 seater version. Both 2007 cars in SE trim.
3 grand seems a big difference.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201130203549044

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=13115994833593

Drummerboy08

lukester wrote: »

The only difference in the more expensive one is that it has 15k less miles on the clock, is auto, and is the 7 seater version. Both 2007 cars in SE trim.

The ONLY difference!? Auto and two extra seats mean that is a completely different car.

lukester

lukester wrote: »

Tangent, but this thread has been a bit tangential anyway. :pac:

How can 2 similar cars differ so much in price (by 3 grand)?:

......................................
3 grand seems a big difference.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201130203549044

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=13115994833593

At a guess, the cheaper one has 4 cheap mismatched tyres and is therefore priced accordingly.

lukester

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

The ONLY difference!? Auto and two extra seats mean that is a completely different car.

My point is that the autos generally don't fetch any more than the manual cars used. The 2 extra seats are in the boot, and the conversion can be done for under a grand.

Drummerboy08

lukester wrote: »

My point is that the autos generally don't fetch any more than the manual cars used. The 2 extra seats are in the boot, and the conversion can be done for under a grand.

Auto's have always been worth more than the manual option, and always will be, dunno where you've gotten that idea from.

In general for a car like this, and Auto can be worth at least a thousand euro more than a manual. It makes the car so much more desireable.

Add the fact that the car is a 7 seater (OK, suitable for small kids only) makes it even more desireable. Yes the conversion can be done, but it doesn't have to be done on this car which is why people will go for it over the standard 5 seater.

Maybe a 3 grand difference is a bit much, but the difference is certainly 2k.

Gophur

lukester wrote: »

Tangent, but this thread has been a bit tangential anyway. :pac:

How can 2 similar cars differ so much in price (by 3 grand)?:

The only difference in the more expensive one is that it has 15k less miles on the clock, is auto, and is the 7 seater version. Both 2007 cars in SE trim.
3 grand seems a big difference.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201130203549044

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=13115994833593

I would guess that it is such a rare car that some dealers will not have anything to base their judgement on, there is no such thing as a "market price", in the same way as there is for a high volume seller, like a Ford Focus, for example.

(The lower price is closer to the mark, I'd guess)

The 2 extra seats were about €1,000 to add on the first day. As an extra, they would still be worth that on such a used car.

lukester

Interesting. I said what I did about the auto based on what I've seen this car selling for, i.e. no noticeable premium for auto. I can see that the extra 2 seats in the back are worth about a grand.

Still seems overpriced to me however.

Gophur

lukester wrote: »

Interesting. I said what I did about the auto based on what I've seen this car selling for, i.e. no noticeable premium for auto. I can see that the extra 2 seats in the back are worth about a grand.

Still seems overpriced to me however.

Yep. I would say €12k max.

Eric Cartman

YouTookMyName wrote: »

I've seen Mercs,Bmw's and non felt spec Audis rolling on Sunnys, Triangles and Fullruns

I've seen Fords,Toyotas and Nissans Rolling on Bridgestones,Goodyears and Michelin.

Tyres wouldn't bother me if i got enough discount on the car to go towards a new set.

if somebodys willing to use dirt cheap tyres that may not be safe , the chances are they thought the same about servicing , brake pads, filters, oil.

id just walk away

-Corkie-

Eric Cartman wrote: »

if somebodys willing to use dirt cheap tyres that may not be safe , the chances are they thought the same about servicing , brake pads, filters, oil.

id just walk away

+1 in my younger day I used to purchase all my tyres of a local breakers yard. Needless to say they were all different makes etc but it meant more beer money..:cool:

Eric Cartman

-Corkie- wrote: »

+1 in my younger day I used to purchase all my tyres of a local breakers yard. Needless to say they were all different makes etc but it meant more beer money..:cool:

even my first car had to have decent tyres on it , and at 200 a corner those pirellis were not cheap