changing only one tyre... whats the worst that can happen?

Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:23 pm

I'm really annoyed because when I got my car up and running I bought 4 new tyres (I have rotated them periodically to even the wear and all have over 4mm left) and today one of them got a metal shard in it.

Its not repairable, and all advice is buy a new pair.... but, as you can imagine money does not abound in Spain right now... so, if I just replace the one damaged tyre what exactly is the problem ?

Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:29 pm

Tyre seller's love to sell two tyres where one will do the job.

If you have an LSD,one worn tyre and one new tyre will not do it any favours,so if this is your situation,I would mount a pair of similar tread depth at the rear,and the other two on the front.

If you are running an open diff,I would mount a matching pair to the front...

Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:42 pm

Well, in theory I have an LSD but after nearly 350,000 kms I doubt a few mm difference of tyre tread will add too much to its woes.

Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:54 pm

i always match tyres per axel.

if there is only 1 or 2 mm difference in tread depth then dont worry about it too much

but as i said first, match the the tyres per axel,

Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:06 pm

How big is the gash if its not repairable? Most tyre places will tell you its not repairable because they can make more money from fitting a tyre rather than repairing one

Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:15 pm

DanThe wrote:How big is the gash if its not repairable? Most tyre places will tell you its not repairable because they can make more money from fitting a tyre rather than repairing one

No gash, but the metal went through at an angle and entered the interior of the tyre just near the corner between the side wall and the rolling surface. Garage wouldn't warranty a safe repair.

They couldn't even offer me a new tyre in E30 14" size so they weren't after business.

Even if I buy a new tyre it will be identical to the others except for the wear obviously...... so that will be the only "mismatch".

Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:58 pm

i'd just buy one and stick it on whatever corner tends to wear quickest. in the uk it's usually the front left as it tends to get scrubbed the most (pesky roundabouts

)

Wed Oct 31, 2012 6:37 am

You need to take into account the difference in circumference with the 'existing' tread depth and any new tyre your putting on. Un equal tread depth means the tyres are spinning at different speeds relative to each other. This put excessive wear into the diff. Not such a problem with modern ones but one with that many miles on the clock then I'd probably be a bit more circumspect.

But maybe you'll be fine, it might not cause any undue problems. But your obviously an e30 lover and not a hater, and if it was me, I'd be sucking it up and doing them both. It's just the done thing really.

Or as above has said . . . . The fronts arn't connected by an axle. Swap the fronts to the rears, and see if you can get away with one new on the front.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:31 am

Do you have part worn tire garages over there if so buy a tire from there or if your lucky you may find a good pair. Seems the ideal solution until you need / can afford a new set. The most important thing to check if you do go down this route is to check the dates on tires as a lot of brand new looking tires are old spare wheels from 1993 and will have gone hard. Anything within last 6 years will be fine.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:39 am

Thanks all.

Yes, there are part worn tyre sales over here, but most of the stocks come from northern Europe due to the tyres changed in winter / summer or from fleet car preventative maintenance. This means that the sizes available are all modern sizes so I stand next to no chance of finding a 195/65-14.

If I buy a single new tyre it will of course go on the front RHS (which is the one that was damaged anyway).

Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:23 am

Fitting a new one will be fine.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:29 am

Fitting a single new tyre to the front will cause a steering pull.......

Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:38 pm

Ideally you should match per axle as mentioned above.

Will you die if you don't? No.

When I bought my E30 it had 4 different tyres: 1x CEAT, 1x Fate-O, 1x Primewall, 1x Goodyear.

Still here to tell the tale!

I'd be happy to put one new one on, especially if it is the same brand/style as the other 3.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:44 pm

How much tread is on the spare?
If it's virtually unused, pair it up with the new one.
If it's got about 4mm on, put the new one in the boot.
Or if it's shagged you might as well buy a pair - funds permitting of course.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:57 pm

i,ve never had matching tyre tread on any bm i,ve owned and no problems.if 1 gets worn stick another on. done.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:22 pm

clipper wrote:
No gash, but the metal went through at an angle and entered the interior of the tyre just near the corner between the side wall and the rolling surface. Garage wouldn't warranty a safe repair.

I had a nail near the shoulder of the tyre on an almost new tyre. Although at first I was told it was in an area that could not be repaired I phoned around and found a place that would do it.

Most of their work was with HGV tyres.

They sent the tyre off to have the work done so I didnt have it for a week but its been fine since and the repair was guaranteed.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:27 pm

Just Googled this, its called a 'major tyre repair' and involves 'using a reinforced internal patch and a Hot Vulcanisation process. More common on Commercial, agricultural and earthmover tyres but also used on some car tyres.'

Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:28 pm

George wrote:Ideally you should match per axle as mentioned above.

Will you die if you don't? No.

When I bought my E30 it had 4 different tyres: 1x CEAT, 1x Fate-O, 1x Primewall, 1x Goodyear.

Still here to tell the tale!

jesus george ! that would bug the hell out of me !

Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:21 am

The spare is a different tyre so will be a mismatch anyway.

The punctured tyre has been binned so a specialist repair is out.

And yes, mismatched tyres will bug the hell out of me too....