The Lotus Grand Tourers

bash wrote:https://www.tyretradenews.co.uk/news/vr ... n-classics

https://www.vintagetyres.com/shop/tyres ... ein-sprint
https://www.tyres-outlet.co.uk/product/ ... 5/r-385834


!!!!!!!!

That was exciting - until I saw the price

Are you sure you arnt from yorkshire too.

Bash

they are not cheap but there are also pirelli. they are really beautiful.

https://www.longstonegomme.it/pirelli-c ... ngstone_fr

https://www.gomme-auto.it/pneumatici/es ... me&tags=ao

on the official website of the pirelli there are not

£1177.50 for 5 Sprint+

vs

£292.72 for 4 Vredstein Sporttrac 5

For me, no contest really.

All relative when you consider the £50K+ values for very good Quattro Turbos. ie A set of 215/50/15 Pirelli's fully fitted work out at just 2% of the car's value.

So, applying the 2% of car value rule for a set of tyres:

• a) it should cost just £100 /set for ours if £5k Excel values are typical - so £292 per set seems expensive!
  
  or more reasonably,
  
  b) because the typical Excel owner wants to pay no more than £200 - £400 /SET(<-edit), values should be more like £10K - £20K.
  
  

At over £200 for a 15" tyre I suspect they are taking the mickey. I'd love to know what their profit margin would be at that price. It's not a question of whether an owner can afford it rather do we object to be ripped off? It's a bit like if I was asked to pay a tenner for a Mars Bar, can I afford to? - yes, will I pay it? - no.

Whilst we have better value, safe options in slightly different sizes let's hope these new tyres sell so slowly market forces encourage them to reduce the price.

I estimate my current OE size tyres should last me another 18 months and then I'll seriously consider switching to 16" Konig Rewind wheels which will probably be more viable long term.

KevW wrote: Whilst we have better value, safe options in slightly different sizes let's hope these new tyres sell so slowly market forces encourage them to reduce the price.

i hope, it will be the other way round with such a great demand, that they produce more for less costs. Yes the are pricey but at the end, there are finally some tires in the correct size and spec. Hopefully more will produce actual variants and with the competition the price will drop. fingers crossed

Low volume = higher costs. The Dunlops weren't cheap.

alanmoss wrote:Low volume = higher costs. The Dunlops weren't cheap.

I paid £122 each fitted for some of the last SP9000s in 2014 - that would be my maximum guide price for any replacements now.

Having said that, the 215s on the rear look noticeably "chunkier" than my 205 Bridgestones on the front, when viewed from the side, they are much more pleasing to look at.

Guys, tyres make or break a car in my view, both in looks, comfort and performance! Excels running slightly different sizes look pants TBH. Aftermarket wheels rarely look right either unless they are in extreme sizes to make a statement which will then also be expensive (sorry Kev).

Given the lightness and average light use of our cars a new set of boots should last 10 years, certainly my Uniroyals are barely worn, I checked mine last week and had to look back in my service book to see they went on as a complete set in 2009! They will be binned due to suspected degradation before they ever succumb to visible wear.

If you really are tight a ducks arse plan ahead and buy one every couple of months! Or just give the family a Ringtons biscuit box for Christmas...

I know I'm talking about 205/50 ZR 15 tyres made by Accelera Alpha someone suggested down my local garage as a low cost tyre to use when only doing low yearly mileage, at only about £40 a corner fitted ( valve and balanced ) seems good value. Yes they are made in China but he showed me a picture and they look quite good to me.

Ian.

Simpatico wrote:Or just give the family a Ringtons biscuit box for Christmas...

Good plan... Or if you're a real tightwad how about a McVities selection box for a quarter of the price...

I have Goodyear on my car, I was just making a point that you don't have to pay hundreds of pounds for tyres, if your limited on budget.

I don't care what I pay for parts for my classic cars as long as I get the correct part.