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Location:
adelaide
Registered:
May 2002
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Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Mon, 25 November 2002 12:54
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My celica has had the same set of retreaded 205's for the last year. They are the original tread that i bought the car with and at the time(jan'02) i thought the 2-3mm left in them before the wearers, would disappear in a matter of weeks.. But since i am a cheap bastard i dont want to put good tires on 13" rims when i want bigger rims and the tires for them will cost even more..So i continued to drive probably 5-6 days a week on them and they still have the same amount of tread now and its been nearly 12months! what the?? wat are these retreads made of cos its like rock! i only wrote this post because i noticed today the fronts are getting a little bald now but my rears are still prime! double what the?? its like when i get wheelspin its putting tread back on the back tires, not removing it!! haha.
And also it says around the edge that there "max speed 135 kph". Hmmm. somehow i dont believe this fully as i know my speedo has gone over this speed before (only coming down the freeway) a few times. What is this speed rating meant to tell us? that the tread will peel off after this speed? uhoh. Also why cant V8's get retreads and V6's can?
Just wana know what everyones opinion is of the common retread.
I know im stingy but 500 for decent tires is a lot for me as im 17 and nowhere will hire me because of my injury. But i guess its getting silly and i should at least get some freshies for the fronts  understeer sucks and i dont wana crash.
Peace
holla
______________
BlackRA28
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Mon, 25 November 2002 13:53
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yeah, they're speed rated coz the glue that is used to stick the new tread to the old tyre CAN melt at high temperatures and so the tread will peel off
i think thats y v8's can have em coz of the likelyness of wheelspin, hence, abnormal tyre temperature
i personally wouldnt get them for a high performance car, but prolly would for a daily work driver....maybe
the ones you have may be a very hard compound, hence the lack of loss of tread, and the understeer....maybe
just my 2 cents
Peewee
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Mon, 25 November 2002 23:34
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Stay the hell away from retreads! Never skimp on your tyres! Remember, they're what hold you to the ground. If you ever get into a situation where you really need the grip, you'll wish you spent the money on good tyres....
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Mon, 25 November 2002 23:40
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Tyres are like anything else, you get what you pay for. You have to understand that you are getting a second hand tyre with a bit of new rubber on the face. The tyre walls are by now getting a bit softer, so handling is compromised and there is the possibility of the walls blistering.
When it all boils down to it, they are safe when used appropriatly, otherwise they wouldn't pass the quality standards. I have used them before and like you, my celica came with them when I bought them. I am not going to throw them away until they are stuffed, but I won't be doing laps of a racetrack either. When they wear out, I am putting new tyres on, but I don't plan on spending $500 just cos I don't like the retreads.
If I was you I woulg go for retreads, I have only had problems with 1 tyrewall blistering and the treads never peal. Just remember that they are not designed for a race track.
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Location:
Ipswich
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 00:30
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Like nark said never skimp on safety.
retreads i would stay away from. Although they are tons better than what they used to be.
If u absolutely cant aford anything else then just dont put them on your front wheels. Having a steer wheel blow on the highway is extremely dangerous.
Definately dont go over their max speed rating.
Better yet dont use them.
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Location:
Hornsby, N.S.W
Registered:
September 2002
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 NO NO, to re treads
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Tue, 26 November 2002 00:54
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HEYA GUY, its not a good idea,
you know all that rubber you see from trucjks on the freeway, imagine if that happened to your car, NOT TO GOOD.
PAY THE EXTRA DOLLARS AND STAY SAFE
JUZZO
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I supported Toymods
Location:
I renounced punctuation
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: NO NO, to re treads
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Tue, 26 November 2002 00:56
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Retread = shit.
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 01:15
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It is easy to knock something isn't it.
1. The truck tyres you see on the side of the road are/were carrying about 5 ton per tyre, doing a few thousand k's a week a little more than the 250kg that a celica will put on them.
2. If they weren't safe, you couldn't buy them.
3. Most commercial airliners use retreads and if they are good enough for a couple of hundred million dollars worth of aircraft, then I am sure they are good enough for a couple of thousand dollars worth of aircraft.
4. If you need to drive like an idiot, then you need to prepare the car appropriatly, but if you plan on driving within the law, then retreads are acceptable.
If you want the luxury of having the capability of doing things that you are not allowed to do (speed, drive like an idiot etc) or to show off then get the equipment necessary
If you can't afford the equipment, then drive accordingly.
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Location:
GoldCoast/Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 01:32
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Gold28: that's right the majority of aircraft tyres are retreads!! Hmmmm where is Bill Sherwood when you need him to shed some light on this matter! Hehe whats doing Bill??
Adrian!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 03:31
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Aircraft tyres are a completely different kettle of fish - it's pointless comparing them to car tyres. Have you ever seen an aircraft attempt a high-speed cornering manoeuvre on the runway? Me either!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 03:36
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Aircraft tyres are also X-rayed before the retread is fitted, to ensure that it is not cracking and the original is in good condition.
Ben
AE86 Trueno 4AGE
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Location:
Southern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 04:05
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I don't think anyone has really addressed the original question.... 'Retreads--Are they good value?
Good Value..... Yes assuming you are using your car for transport reasons only, ie getting from a to b in a law abiding fashion.
They in no way represent a cheap alternative to performance tyres. If you are a car enthusiast (pretty much guaranteed by your use of the forums) and you drive your car more aggressively than the average family car then you should be looking at a good quality new tyre.
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Location:
GoldCoast/Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 04:33
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LoL norbie, your response got my imagination running with a 747 doing "fully sik dorifto". 
But seriously, I would not use them, especially with my spirited driving in a FF car.
Though one question I ask you guys, "do you think they would have their place on the rears of drift cars or not?"
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 04:50
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| Norbie wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 14:31 |
Have you ever seen an aircraft attempt a high-speed cornering manoeuvre on the runway? Me either!
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You have obviously never looked a an aircraft landing in a crosswind
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I supported Toymods
Location:
I renounced punctuation
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 04:59
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| gold28 wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 12:15 |
It is easy to knock something isn't it.
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When they are crap, yep.
| gold28 wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 12:15 |
1. The truck tyres you see on the side of the road are/were carrying about 5 ton per tyre, doing a few thousand k's a week a little more than the 250kg that a celica will put on them.
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Last time I looked, those semis had 18 or so wheels - cars have four. If one of your retreads delaminates, you're left with 3 tyres. I'm not aware of too many cars that retain directional stability with 3 tyres.
| gold28 wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 12:15 |
2. If they weren't safe, you couldn't buy them.
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Ahem....scissors, knives? Also represents a "blame someone else" mentality when retreads delaminate.
| gold28 wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 12:15 |
3. Most commercial airliners use retreads and if they are good enough for a couple of hundred million dollars worth of aircraft, then I am sure they are good enough for a couple of thousand dollars worth of aircraft.
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As above.
| gold28 wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 12:15 |
4. If you need to drive like an idiot, then you need to prepare the car appropriatly, but if you plan on driving within the law, then retreads are acceptable.
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But those semis with delaminated tyres were behaving totally within the law weren't they?
So in summary, retreads = shit.
Are they good value for money? Depends on how much you value your life.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 05:12
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I reckon it all boils down to how u drive
If u hoon around yes its not safe
But my mum in her falcon got retreads every single time she could and not once did the tread come off or anything hectic like that...and she drives normally
on top of that i used to take the car out quite a bit when i didnt have my car yet and i pushed those tyres for everything they have.....and we all know how heavy those falcons are
So IMHO....summary is retreads = good for everyday normal driving
BAD for hooning
Ta
Mani
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 05:18
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| SPEEDCORE wrote on Tue, 26 November 2002 15:33 |
Though one question I ask you guys, "do you think they would have their place on the rears of drift cars or not?"
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I remember when my cousin brought over a series VII RX-7 that came straight off the boat. I took it for a spin, the thing was crazy! I thought that it had some crazy drift setup 'coz the thing would be sideways everywhere (I wasn't driving it nicely).
Anyway, when I parked it, I got out and checked the wheels to see if there was crazy camber or something. To my horror, I realised that I was thrashing the crap out of a car with retreads. Nearly killed my cousin for not telling me...
Anyway, to answer the question, they don't grip too well, which makes you require less balls to "drift" a car. But think about it, would you want it to delaminate while you're seriously sideways?!
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 09:21
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from an ex-tire fitter, retreads are cheap,good value???
well when you have seen the problems first hand I think not!!
lets say you pay around $40 each,1 lets go at 100k's on the freeway (legal speed) with 30 odd psi it is enough to do lots of damage to the guard surrounding that tire then you have to stop without hitting anything.
you may think BULLSHIT but I have seen it first hand and the damage bill was over $2500.
Now you tell me are they good value?? It won't happen every time but do you want to take the chance???? I don't and will not
If you can't afford new look for second hand they aren't that hard to find and in most cases a better way to go
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Location:
Melbourne Eastern Suburbs
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 09:34
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to back up what others have said, retreads are bad.
and i'm sure my company would give you a job.
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Location:
N.S.W
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Tue, 26 November 2002 13:10
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hey guys, I have work casually at beaurepairs for over 2 years now (still at school) So heres my opion on retreads.
Firstly they are shit house. BUT sometimes can be alright. Here is a couple of my experiences with em.
I was low on cash so i got some for me rolla once (14's) ran em into the ground, burnouts every 5 secs. lasted me fu*king ages. Not untill they were slicks did i notice that one had a huge sepo in it i had been wondering why it was vibrating abit at high speed So yeh severe heat from burnouts and high speed will make the seperate. Oh yeh i got my 140 rated ones up to 180 a couple of times, no probs. 
also I borrowed my bros 17's for the summernats, 2 tyres were balded so i didnt wanna get a fine. so i got retreads 205/45 it is now almost summernats again and they are on the back of my bros car (slicks, huge flat spots from hand brakies) but still going strong
anyways to the point. I only get em if im am strapped for cash. They may last, they may not. Its really up to you if you wanna put yourself at risk to save a few $$$. If i were you i would get second handys, a little cheaper but alot safer!!!!!
Oh and if a retread fails then you will usually get a new one for free (called a 'claim'). But yeh a blow out could cost you shit loads like toyrota said, could even cost you your life!!!
[Updated on: Tue, 26 November 2002 13:16]
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Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Wed, 27 November 2002 01:59
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Hey, Retreads aren't too bad, just thing of them (when used in a rear-wheel application) as smoke in a can, just add doughnuts...makes me want to change my signature...
tim.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Thu, 28 November 2002 06:49
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I've had retreads on the old JB Camira and one day I went to The Entrance from Syd and half way thru it, the tyre decided to start growing another tyre right on the tread. Basically it was a bumpy drive back to Sydney. Never again would I use retreads for any car.
I'd rather be riding on El Cheapo Roadstone or something than to drive on retread.
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Location:
Balranald
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Fri, 29 November 2002 07:52
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My old man LOVES his re-treads. He only goes 2-3 k's to work and back again and doesn't get over 50km/h so they are good enoguh for that. He went to get some new ones about 12 onths ago and there were 2nd hand light truck tyres there cheaper than re-treads so he got them. He put them on his 1975 Corolla (the car is now sold...poor thing) They would not grip at all in the dry and were like ice in the wet and in 12 months didn't look like they had wore at all.
So retreads are better than truck tires
ha ha
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Location:
Brisbane - Chapel Hill
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Sun, 08 December 2002 09:35
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On my daily driver I plan on using retreads on the back, coz I drive to work at 3am, and the handbrake is often over-utilized. The fronts will be a no no. But then, I dont plan on wearing them out too quickly I have 8 rims, so I will probably get a set of each, and seeing as the back seat is out, I might tie 2 spare tyres in the back if the retreads turn out to be unreliable.
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Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Fri, 13 December 2002 15:08
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personally I would not save a cent on brakes, suspension and tyres..
I never bought retreads, but had retreads on one of my car becoz it came with it, I wouldn't suggest driving over 70 with them, they are rated at 140km/h, but I bet they'll go over that 140km/h easily, (but they have to rate it at 140km/h to protect themselve from getting sued in case of accident) in theory 70km/h produces 4 times less heat than the rated 140km/h so it should be very safe, I've heard some bad accidents with retreads, but it doesn't mean the same accident wouldn't have occurred with new or second hand tyres..
the grip of the tyres would depend on the rubber, but you can do a simple test, find a quiet road, and drive to 60km/h or 70km/h, and step on the brakes hard, I bet on most stock cars, the wheels won't lock up too bad, if it didn't lock up, then it's good news, but basically, experiment to see how many metres it takes to get to a complete stop, that should give you a rough estimate on how you should use your tyres..
overall, nothing beats the value of retreads, and there's nothing to say that more accident occurs with retreads, it all goes back to common sense, smooth braking and cornering, no "showing off" while driving, the best driver is the one that can drive "SAFELY", not the one who can step on the gas tailgating and screeching tyres..
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Sat, 14 December 2002 03:04
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Hmm, I use retreads for the simple fact there arn't too many decent tyres out there for 13" wheels.. and I'm upgrading as soon as I can..
the speed limit thing, I dunno.. I (accidently!) had my car upto somewhere off the speedo (stops at about 190). and they were fine, though that wasn't for very long and I really suggest not doing that, especially on public streets..
I had two bad experiences with retreads falling apart while driving (1st and 2nd day i got the car).. but it seems there are varied quality in retreads (from what i've experienced)..
However, I've also did handbrakeys/burnouts on one retread till it turned to metal, and limped to the tyre factory for a new tyre, ha.
I do a teensy bit of hard driving, which isn't that "hard" as I'm not much of a good driver (ask mic how slow I am..).. but they seem to hold out fine, I can feel the limit of them..
Ontop of all of that, if you can afford good tyres get them, ofcrouse, but if you can't well then, you can't.
Grant.
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Location:
Central Coast, NSW
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Retreads--Are they good value? opinions...
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Sat, 14 December 2002 04:04
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Retreads--Are they good value?
Simple one word answer question. No.
Never skimp on your tyres, shockies, brakes or even your supsension. They are what keep you stuck to the road. Tyres may be pretty costly, but tough. Such is life in the fast lane. I have Pirelli's on my little Corolla. They don't make me go much faster (they're so grippy though), but I got 'em purely for wet weather protection. $420 for set of four and a wheel alignment.
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