Cheap Tyres? Any Recommendations on Brand and Companies to Buy from?

1ys23 on 11/08/2025 - 23:33
Last edited 11/08/2025 - 23:34

Hi!

I wanted to buy some new tyres, but I would like something more budget-friendly. I was looking at the Bridgestone Supercats. Anyone know how the supercats handle in the winter and superficially in the wet. Mostly city driving but I want to be safe if taking a corner a bit fast in the wet lol.

I can't really afford Pilot Sports or even Toyo Proxes at the moment lol. Something close to $150 a tyre would be my budget lol.
Any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated.
I know that I should look into something better for tyres but I literally can't afford much more than $150 per tyre xD.

Cheers guys :D

ooo Also tyre size is 215/45R18

So 18" rims lmao a bit pricey for tryes xD

General Discussion

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  • nzoutdoors on 12/08/2025 - 07:46
    +2

    Consider buying "almost new" good quality tyres. There are number of tyre shops selling second hand good quality tyres. They often come from brand new cars that had mags fitted.

    • Jizah on 13/08/2025 - 09:20

      I thought brand new vehicles come with lower quality OEM tyres?

      • nzoutdoors on 14/08/2025 - 07:54

        if you're after ultra-high-performance tyre, then yes, maybe… I've never seen Supercats or Linglongs fitted to a brand new car. Mind you, I did see a Farroad on a Skoda, so yes, for sure - just go with a good brand and you should be laughing all the way to the bank.

  • Tmurder91 on 12/08/2025 - 06:15
    +1

    One of the cheapest options might be to look out for the cheapest tyres on sale at somewhere like hyperdrive. Then ask Tony’s tyres to do a price beat on them

    Then check some reviews of whatever they suggest

  • papa1701 on 12/08/2025 - 07:06
    +1

    Try tradetyres.co.nz and get hyperdrive to pricebeat it.However, within your budget, I think Accelera Phi from Hyperdrive or GT Radial Champion from tradetyres seem to be the best option.

  • ace310 on 12/08/2025 - 07:40
    +1

    If you are in Auckland, Costco is one of the best options. They do have deals most of the times.

    Also, fitting and punture repair are included in the price

    • ABCDEFG on 13/08/2025 - 17:01

      Seconding this wholeheartedly. They were cheaper than Hyper by over $100 per tyre on PS5s, and $150 per tyre on Potenza Sports (after rebate). Service was as good as or better than I've received anywhere else.

      Support buying locally where I can but I can't justify ignoring that big a price difference at the moment.

  • metz on 12/08/2025 - 08:05
    +1

    Lincoln Tyres on Lincoln Rd are brilliant if you are in Auckland. They beat Tony's and Costco's on price and service.

  • justaddwater on 12/08/2025 - 08:27

    do the listed prices include install and aligment?

  • Lieutenantdave on 12/08/2025 - 09:05

    Auckland Tyres in Onehunga maybe a good option

  • FiveFeetUnder on 12/08/2025 - 10:22

    I usually just ring around 5 local tyre shops and get them to give me a couple of options around my price range. Then use Google/Chat GPT to choose the best value/reviewed ones.

  • Plusultra556 on 12/08/2025 - 12:55

    Small sample size of one but I have supercats and they slip during wet conditions when i go from a full stop and enter the roundabout.

    It's old though and needing to be replaced.

  • scott on 12/08/2025 - 21:23

    Supercat's have a reputation for being super slippery in the wet.

    If possible to get into some mid range touring tires, the grip gains will be substantial. No need to go ultra high performance (like Pilot Sports).

    Worth calling costco if you are in Auckland. 09 870 4700 extension 4. (can be hard to get through, but I had good luck near closing time). Note they only stock Bridgestone, Michelin & B F Goodrich, so while prices are great, they don't offer economy tires.

    Otherwise Get a bunch of online / phone quotes and take your pick. Hyperdrive / bridgestone / beau repairs etc.

    Last fitment of tyres to my car I got luck, and there was a set of used high end tyres with 7 of 8mm tread remaining and fairly young age stamp on trade me, but you need the starts to align for that to work. (and make sure you check the age stamp)

    • justaddwater on 13/08/2025 - 07:01

      Where did you get the tyres fitted and aligned?

      • scott on 13/08/2025 - 09:35

        For the used set for our SUV, I had my regular mechanic mount and balance them. I think I had just had an alignment done due to replacing the front lower control arm's, (mechanic took the car to Bridgestone to have that done) so didn't have it re-done.

        For our hatchback, I had costco fit a new set. they don't do alignment which is annoying. Went to my local Bridgestone to have that done. They sold me a 5 pack of alignments for $250 (valid 2 years). Did both cars on purchase of the pack. SUV had another when (more) suspension bushings needed changed, and the Hatchback another when my spouse slid it into a kerb. One remaining.

        If one is in a smaller town, good to check that your regular mechanic or tire shop will fit owner supplied tires before ordering. Some are shitty and territorial, and will refuse, or charge crazy money to spite you for buying tires online…

        • justaddwater on 13/08/2025 - 11:19

          do you even need to alignment? or just balancing, i've never even had alignment before.

          • scott on 13/08/2025 - 11:38
            +1

            @justaddwater: Balancing is kind of essential with new tires. Alignment is more of a nice to have.

            I generally have an alignment done when I fit new tires. My logic being that I have just spent $800+ on a nice set, and I want to ensure that my alignment isn't off in a way means my tires will be rapidly work (say excessive toe in).

            Alignment is essential after after many kinds of suspension work.

  • 1ys23 on 13/08/2025 - 06:11

    Thanks everyone for the recommendations!! I'm going to have to find some rims now ahaha :D

    • scott on 13/08/2025 - 09:52

      Swapping rims is something seriously worth considering yeah.

      Not sure why, as the rolling diameter is the same, but tyres to suit larger rims seem to carry a steep premium.

      Wheel sizes have got to a point where they are basically just for aesthetics, and larger wheel sizes are largely detrimental otherwise (More weight / rotational inertia, lesser tire side wall means harsher ride, tires, tires more prone to damage etc).

      Don't know what car you have, but if is is something people like to put aftermarket rims on (or is just older and a bunch are getting wrecked), there can be good pickings in terms of used rim sets.

      https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/whe…
      https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/whe…
      https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/whe…
      https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/whe…

      Sometimes they even have tires fitted….

      And of course, some people want to upgrade to larger wheels for looks, so you might be able to sell you existing wheels for similar money.

      Need to make sure any new rims fit your stud pattern, and clear the brakes.

      • 1ys23 on 13/08/2025 - 18:12

        Thank you so much for the detailed advice! Ahhah I have a 2.4l Toyota blade. Was looking more for asthetic at the moment as I have stock Toyota blade 16" rims with hifly ahahha.
        I was looking at 245/45r18 but they are really expensive lol.
        235/40r18 might be good as well or 245/45r17 but they are all expensive lol.
        I was wanting a wider tyre xD.
        Offset as well for me I think 45 or below is ok apparently lol.

        • scott on 13/08/2025 - 19:53

          Ah. Wrongly assumed the priority was not aesthetics.

          I don't think upgrading to 18" rims and $150 a tire (that don't suck) are likely to work together.

          Same offset and stud pattern on my Nissan leaf (but Nissan has a larger center bore so you will need some hub centric rungs if you want to use such rims).

          Not sure what style of rims you are looking for, but the value option would be to find an ex OEM tire & wheel combo. I think the below should fit with some nissan to Toyota concentric rings:

          https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/whe…

          • 1ys23 on 14/08/2025 - 00:08

            @scott: ahaha algs xD.
            Thanks for the advice as well xD
            I don't mind too much just a rim that's easy to clean like a straight spoke. Yea I will probably need the hubcentric adapter as well for some. :)

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