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Need new tyres? Here's why it pays to shop around in SA

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<i>Image: iStock</i>
<i>Image: iStock</i>

Annually Lightstone Consumer look at the real 'street pricing' for tyres available at tyre fitment specialists around South Africa. The results are revealing and enlightening...

Lightstone researchers used a 'mystery shopping' technique where tyre fitment specialists were called and asked for the 'best price' on a specific tyre size. Lightstone said: "While this is how most consumers shop for tyres it’s not necessarily the right approach.

"Tyres are safety critical. And while the price is always important it shouldn’t be the first consideration."

READ: What do the numbers on tyre sidewalls mean?

Lightstone Consumer MD, Paul De Vantier, said: "Buyers should consider tyre wear too – on face value a tyre quoted may seem cheaper but may only last 30 000km while a slightly more expensive tyre may last 90 000km." 

One of the interesting survey findings was the plethora of tyre brands available in South Africa. Across almost 2500 recommendations received 81 different brands were encountered.

tyres stacked

                                                                        Image: iStock

"Many of these tyres, including the brand names you may have never heard of, are actually of fairly good quality, however, consumers should be cautious and take the advice of a trusted tyre specialist," he adds.

The Lightstone survey was conducted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape, with the focus being on the major metro areas.

24 popular tyre sizes

24 of the most commonly used tyre sizes – across the spectrum for passenger and light commercial vehicles were targeted. These were:

155/70R13
185/65R14
205/60R16
225/45R17
245/70R16
155/80R12
195/65R15
205/R16R16
235/35R19
245/75R15
175/65R14
195/80R14
215/65R16
235/40R18
255/60R17
175/70R14
195/R15C 80R15
215/70R16
245/35R20
265/65R17
185/60R15
205/55R16
225/40R18
245/45R19

Understanding tyre size

Here is a guide on how to read Tyre sizes correctly. Using a 205/60 R16 as an example:

205: Section Width – this is the width in millimetres.
60: Aspect Ratio – this is the percentage of the tyre’s sidewall height compared to the tyre’s width.
R: means the tyre has a radial-ply construction
16: Rim diameter – the diameter of the rim in inches.

Prices vary by brand and by area

Take for example a 185/60R15: Prices quoted ranged from significantly, depending on the brand or region; The average price of a Continental tyre in this size could range from R874 in the Eastern Cape to R1 065 in Gauteng. But the permutations don’t end there; within Gauteng, the price for the same tyre can range from R650 to R2 475.

If you are not fussy about the brand you can find the same size tyre for R518.

Prices by Branded Retailer

Surveyed prices from the major branded retailers; Best Drive (455); Dunlop (137); Hi Q (258); Independent Retailers (215); Speedy (246); SupaQuick (241); Tiger Wheel & Tyre (316); TrenTyre (81) and Tyres & More (435). Using the same tyre – a Continental 185/60R15 we found that prices within the same franchise could typically vary from R820 to R1 200.

Prices by Region

Lightstone said: "It was found that although prices by region varied within different tyre sizes and brands but remained comparatively similar; we couldn’t say that on average any region is more expensive than another although it was noted that the market is particularly competitive in KZN and Gauteng."

Low Profiles

While bigger rims and low-profile tyres look great and offer improved handling, think twice before selecting this option. When it comes to replacing the tyres, a low profile 17" tyre can sometimes cost twice as much as a standard profile 16".

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