Well, hello there, moneybags. That’s the initial impression that you get, isn’t it? Premium tyres aren’t cheap, (the clue is in the name), and you might scoff at the often plus £200 price tag for a set of four tyres. There’s a common misconception that cheaper tyres are better for your wallet and your car, as you’ll save money and still gain some legal tyres for the long haul. We’re sorry to say that this isn’t always the case. Premium tyres cost that much for a reason, and you’re doing yourself and your car a favour by purchasing them. We’re here to explain why that is, and what you should look for in the first place.
What is a Premium Tyre?
The tyre industry is huge. Bridgestone, one of the largest manufacturers, made more than 28 billion U.S. Dollars in 2018, which is enough to buy close to 500,000 Blizzak LM005 tyres. To further put that into context, more than 2.5 billion tyres are produced annually by every manufacturer. That imaginary 28 billion dollar purchase isn’t even scratching the surface.
Each premium tyre is manufactured to specifications that enhance its capabilities too. You really feel the difference with Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres in the summer for example, as they perform exceptionally well in wet conditions and use a specific tread pattern to increase grip on the road. Premium winter tyres make a difference too, with the Blizzak range a particular highlight for snowy and colder conditions. All-season options are also available, providing a compromise for those that don’t have the time to change their tyres every 6 months.
These tyres last, provided you don’t drive like you’re in an F1 car on a 24/7 basis. With premium rubber, a comprehensive manufacturing process and a billion-dollar research scheme behind them, premium tyres are your best bet, both for your safety and for the safety of other road users.
Budget Tyres and Part-Worn – What’s the Difference?
All that being said, we understand that money can be tight these days. New tyres often come at the bottom of the priority list too, as we all have increasing demands on our daily life. This leads many people to turn to “part-worn” tyres. Or used tyres, as they’re otherwise known. These tyres have been removed from other vehicles and resold for cheaper prices. A lot of these tyres come from countries that have stricter tread requirements than the UK, such as Germany, as motorists there tend to remove their tyres when they hit the 3mm tread mark.
You might think that thinks sounds like a good idea, but we’d implore you to think again. A tyre is made up of many components, and while there are certain regulations in the part-worn tyre industry, they’re not policed very well. A lot of tyre damage occurs within the body of the tyre too, which isn’t visible, even if you inspect it yourself. Choosing part-worn tyres is incredibly risky, and it isn’t something that we’d ever recommend.
If you have to choose a cheaper tyre, choose a budget model from a trusted brand. While the quality of budget tyres can be hit and miss, on most but not all tyres, you’ll receive a maximum of 8mm of tread. A part-worn tyre usually has around 3mm, which isn’t worth the cost or risk that it presents.
Choosing Your New Tyres
Choosing tyres is easy with help from Asda Tyres. Just enter your number plate on our homepage to start your journey. There are several options to choose from, and they’re all organised by category and brand to make things easier. Best of all, we even recommend our favourites too, which could make things easier if you’re not clued up on the latest tyre industry happenings.
If you can’t find the size of your tyres, don’t worry! You’ll be able to find it on the sidewall of your current tyres or in your manufacturer’s handbook. It’s usually arranged like the following: 195/50R15. For more details on tyre sizes and the information on the sidewall, view our comprehensive blog post.