(27-03-2012 05:32pm)XFullFatTim Wrote:  The Craptinentals 20" tyres are not that easy to find. I found today that I have to scrap one of my 20's that has only covered 3800 miles as it has 2 very fine but very deep concentric slashes on the INNER sidewall (i.e. the bit of tyre on the inside of the wheel arch. This tyre came off the front nearside wheel (I marked them when I took them off in case the TPMS was coded to a certain wheel/tyre). Good job I have two sets of wheels and tyres for the car as when I took the wheel to my usual tyre guys for inspection their MOT guy looked at it and immediately declared it a write-off, too dangerous to run on as when he put his screwdriver into one of the scores it opened up right down to the steel belting! Also he noticed that I had one block of tread missing.
Problem is there isn't much stock of Craptinental 245/45V20 tyres in the country.................... thank goodness I wasn't stuck at the other end of the UK with no spare and 4 days earliest delivery from the Continental Warehouse. I will be running on the winter 19's for a few days more until the new tyre comes in! Also the cost is wallet numbing £271 before my usual discount. I'm glad I don't have the Michelin Latitude equivalent as they would have been more than £300 a piece although they are available "next day". No Pirelli equivalent ws available at less than 7 days lead in time either. I've ordered two tyres, one to put on the car and the other I will keep as an "insurance" policy that hopefully I won't need to use. First claim coming on my wheel and tyre insurance I think, thats the premium covered in the first claim! Another 4 claims left over the next 4 years too, and 10 wheel refurbs remaining