Company hire car with funky tyres

Whatwicklow

I got a new (to me) company car about a month ago and today its poor handling took the biscuit. Big uncontrolled no warning slide from the rear.

The tyres are 4 x lucky land, happy gallops (no messing, that's what they are called)

Car is from one of the big hire cars firms.

I am guessing when I complain on Monday I'll be told they are within wear limits and marked as legal for use here... But are sh1t. have I a leg to stand on here demanding a change or has anyone any experience of this ?

DaveyDave

You'll probably be told to sod off by the rental company but maybe your fleet manager/boss would be interested in the safety concerns for the company drivers? Especially as it's your job to drive, it's not worth saving a few quid on dodgy tyres.

I understand higher mileage means tyres are replaced more often but that's the cost of business. Average Joe doesn't care about the tyres on his car going down to the shops but when it's you're job it's a different story.

colm_mcm

We had 2 identical lease cars from the same lease company, tyres included, one serviced by main dealer in Limerick and the other in main dealer in Dublin, Continentals put on the one in Limerick and Nankangs put on the one in Dublin,

Whatwicklow

We deal directly with the hire co so no fleet manager to moan to! I'll try the sob story & safety line or I'll need to off hire it for a week throw the dice and hope when I rehire t will be a different car.

Four Phucs Ache

True your not messing, a colleague said something last year about happy gallop tyres and put his own money on the rims with Firestone tyres.

Neilw

Whatwicklow wrote: »

I got a new (to me) company car about a month ago and today its poor handling took the biscuit. Big uncontrolled no warning slide from the rear.

The tyres are 4 x lucky land, happy gallops (no messing, that's what they are called)

Car is from one of the big hire cars firms.

I am guessing when I complain on Monday I'll be told they are within wear limits and marked as legal for use here... But are sh1t. have I a leg to stand on here demanding a change or has anyone any experience of this ?

And the non believers here say there is no difference between cheap and premium tyres :rolleyes:

Whatwicklow

Neilw wrote: »

And the non believers here say there is no difference between cheap and premium tyres :rolleyes:

These happy gallops definitely qualify as ditch finders..

sunnysoutheast

I was given a service loan car - virtually new - by a main dealer which had chinese steering ace crap on the front and the rear had one summer tyre and one all-season.

They were very apologetic as it was not their policy to fit cheap tyres (kumho minimum). We wondered whether a previous loanee had swapped the originals for part-worns.

CianRyan

colm_mcm wrote: »

We had 2 identical lease cars from the same lease company, tyres included, one serviced by main dealer in Limerick and the other in main dealer in Dublin, Continentals put on the one in Limerick and Nankangs put on the one in Dublin,

Nankang (Korean, not Chinese) have been making some excelleng tyres in the last few years.
Recently took some low end Conti’s off my girlfriends Micra and replaced them with midrange Nankangs and the difference genuinely shocked me.
The car no longer understeers and when it does eventually let go, it’s very predictable and rotated around the centre I’d gravity like you’d expect from a good tyre and suspension set up.


Just a tidbit really, Nankang used to have a bad name but anyone should consider them now. They even have amazing track tyres now.

CJhaughey

I think the better budget brands have stepped up their game, Landsail, Nexen Giti and Jinyu to name a few have all been tested and found to be quite acceptable if not good by many sources.

That said there are still plenty of budget brands that have not been tested and are an unknown quantity, Happy Gallops probably fall into the latter category.

Even big name brands have ****e model tyres that are probably worse than a good budget brand imo,

mickdw

Ya I've been told to look at nankangs for trackday tyre. Seemingly good value for the money.

OldMrBrennan83

CJhaughey wrote: »

I think the better budget brands have stepped up their game, Landsail, Nexen Giti and Jinyu to name a few have all been tested and found to be quite acceptable if not good by many sources.

That said there are still plenty of budget brands that have not been tested and are an unknown quantity, Happy Gallops probably fall into the latter category.

Even big name brands have ****e model tyres that are probably worse than a good budget brand imo,

True. I always think of the Pirelli P6000's I used to have on a car, bought them thinking I was doing the right thing. Had a set of Landsails on a car for a brief period after and I'd rather the latter in the wet any day of the week. The Pirellis were atrocious, so it's always worth checking reviews.

CianRyan

Yeah, I had P6000's for a while, same tyres that sent me straight off a road and into a ditch, writing off my old Almera. Now I'm running 3 Generals and 1 Matador on my RX8 and they can absolutely out perform the P6000's. They're not top class and I will get a better tyre when it comes to changing but they're yet to send me wrong.

sunnysoutheast

CianRyan wrote: »

Yeah, I had P6000's for a while, same tyres that sent me straight off a road and into a ditch, writing off my old Almera. Now I'm running 3 Generals and 1 Matador on my RX8 and they can absolutely out perform the P6000's. They're not top class and I will get a better tyre when it comes to changing but they're yet to send me wrong.

I think they're both owned by Conti too!

I'll never buy Pirelli tyres again.

Neilw

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

I think they're both owned by Conti too!

I'll never buy Pirelli tyres again.

Pirelli and Bridgestone are two brands that I was never impressed with.

pm.

I drive about 60k per year and I am on my third set of Avon ZZ5 and found them better than the Bridgestone that was originally on the car

Pkiernan

Whatwicklow wrote: »

I got a new (to me) company car about a month ago and today its poor handling took the biscuit. Big uncontrolled no warning slide from the rear.

The tyres are 4 x lucky land, happy gallops (no messing, that's what they are called)

Car is from one of the big hire cars firms.

I am guessing when I complain on Monday I'll be told they are within wear limits and marked as legal for use here... But are sh1t. have I a leg to stand on here demanding a change or has anyone any experience of this ?

If they refuse to change them, I'd just change them at my own expense. Put 2 good tyres on the rear axle and you'll be a lot safer.

Andrewf20

The Toyo brand are fairly decent but the proxe cf2 tyre is genuinely amazing in the wet. Super grippy to rival an eagle f1 or Similar that I had in the past. Perfect for winter really.

Anthracite

CianRyan wrote: »

The car no longer understeers and when it does eventually let go, it’s very predictable and rotated around the centre I’d gravity like you’d expect from a good tyre and suspension set up.

Thanks for the info, but I do wonder where people are driving cars to the limits of traction like this. I haven't managed to skid a car for a decade at least.

CianRyan

Private roads of course.

Atlantic Dawn

I suppose every write off gives them a chance to make sh!t loads of cash out of it.

jmreire

Anthracite wrote: »

Thanks for the info, but I do wonder where people are driving cars to the limits of traction like this. I haven't managed to skid a car for a decade at least.

I would not be a fan of pushing a car to it's limit's ( or even close !!! ) But it can happen that even at low speeds you have to jump on the brakes, and that's where good tyres come in. If you have tyres which will slip or slide, then you could be in trouble.

beauf

Anthracite wrote: »

....
Thanks for the info, but I do wonder where people are driving cars to the limits of traction like this. I haven't managed to skid a car for a decade at least.

Even in the snow?

Had a set of Chinese cheap tires on one car 30kph on a wet roundabout it would slide very easily. I had to change the tires as soon as possible. They were lethal. Had to order a decent set in. All the local tire places only had no name tires in stock in the size I needed.

Del2005

Anthracite wrote: »

Thanks for the info, but I do wonder where people are driving cars to the limits of traction like this. I haven't managed to skid a car for a decade at least.

I'd a set of cheap tyres put onto an old car of mine. Was pulling away from some traffic lights to turn left and the car started to skid going around the corner, I was far from pushing the car and since I replaced the tyres it never skidded again.

bazz26

Anthracite wrote: »

Thanks for the info, but I do wonder where people are driving cars to the limits of traction like this. I haven't managed to skid a car for a decade at least.

You seem to be missing the point entirely.

It is not about driving your car to the limit to justify buying good quality tyres, very few people drive outside a track pushing their tyres to their limits. It's about depending on good quality tyres when you need them to get you out of trouble. Them and brakes are all that keep you between the ditches but its very Irish to get better value from a session down the local than spend money on a decent quality tyre for their car.

The Bishop Basher

I ended up facing the wrong way on a set of triangles once..

Never again..

Last set I bought were Nankang midrange and I’m very happy with them..

Wishbone Ash

bazz26 wrote: »

You seem to be missing the point entirely.

It is not about driving your car to the limit to justify buying good quality tyres, very few people drive outside a track pushing their tyres to their limits. It's about depending on good quality tyres when you need them to get you out of trouble. Them and brakes are all that keep you between the ditches but its very Irish to get better value from a session down the local than spend money on a decent quality tyre for their car.

In fairness I think the previous poster has a point. I'd be in the same boat. Apart from snow/ice I've never had any car lose traction that I'm aware of. I can't remember the last time I had to brake suddenly and, if it's wet I adjust my speed accordingly. I have zero interest in a car's performance and generally drive quite conservatively so perhaps that's why. I always use high quality tyres also.

bazz26

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

In fairness I think the previous poster has a point. I'd be in the same boat. Apart from snow/ice I've never had any car lose traction that I'm aware of. I can't remember the last time I had to brake suddenly and, if it's wet I adjust my speed accordingly. I have zero interest in a car's performance and generally drive quite conservatively so perhaps that's why. I always use high quality tyres also.

My home has never been broken into either thankfully but I still have a security system.

Wishbone Ash

bazz26 wrote: »

My home has never been broken into either thankfully but I still have a security system.

Yea, I take the point but a lot of drivers seem to push their tyre limits quite a bit. My brother being a case in point - always chopping and changing tyres trying to get maximum performance so he can shave a tenth of a second of a particular bend when it would be a lot easier and a lot less expensive just to slow down a little.

Technique

Judging by what the local tyre places have in stock, most people seem to be going for the cheapest option available.

beauf

I'm not convinced it's people asking for cheap tires or theres more margin in it. That said it was really bad a few years ago, these days they are more willing to order something in.

ED E

Whatwicklow report it to your boss. Then any injury you incur would leave the CEO of your company criminally liable.

If they don't act a quick email the HSA will kick start things.

CianRyan

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

In fairness I think the previous poster has a point. I'd be in the same boat. Apart from snow/ice I've never had any car lose traction that I'm aware of. I can't remember the last time I had to brake suddenly and, if it's wet I adjust my speed accordingly. I have zero interest in a car's performance and generally drive quite conservatively so perhaps that's why. I always use high quality tyres also.

If you’re doing a conservative 120kph on a wet motor way and there’s an accident in front of you, you’re gonna believe your tyres will be pushed beyond their limit.

You don’t have to drive hard to find the cars limits, it’s just a risk you take everyday when you turn the key, that’s why no one should ever buy cheap tyres.

OldMrBrennan83

Technique wrote: »

Judging by what the local tyre places have in stock, most people seem to be going for the cheapest option available.

I've never seen a place that didn't have options at either end of the scale or in between.

Wishbone Ash

CianRyan wrote: »

If you’re doing a conservative 120kph on a wet motor way....

I wouldn't do 120km/h on a dry motorway on a sunny day never mind a wet one!

XsApollo

.

CianRyan

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I wouldn't do 120km/h on a dry motorway on a sunny day never mind a wet one!

Even 80, you can’t over come physics.

gk5000

Car rental companies seem to put on garbage replacement tyres.
Go back directly to them or through your company and simply state the car is unsafe and demand it be changed. Make sure and get a fresh car with low miles.

CrankyHaus

gk5000 wrote: »

Car rental companies seem to put on garbage replacement tyres.
Go back directly to them or through your company and simply state the car is unsafe and demand it be changed. Make sure and get a fresh car with low miles.

I'd do this as well. Negotiate hard and rent from someone else if you don't get satisfaction.

Interesting what people are saying about Pirelli tyres here. My car came with P Zero Neros, which are apparently their all weather tyre, with 4 - 5 mm tread left and it's as dodgy a ride as I can remember in any car I've owned. I feel a lot less safe, especially in the wet. I can't be sure it's the tyres fault as the car and tyre profile are new to me too but I've ordered in Bridgestone A005s just to be safe.

H3llR4iser

CianRyan wrote: »

Yeah, I had P6000's for a while, same tyres that sent me straight off a road and into a ditch, writing off my old Almera. Now I'm running 3 Generals and 1 Matador on my RX8 and they can absolutely out perform the P6000's. They're not top class and I will get a better tyre when it comes to changing but they're yet to send me wrong.

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

I think they're both owned by Conti too!

I'll never buy Pirelli tyres again.

The PZero Rosso I have had for a few years are quite good in truth - basically stuck to the road on lateral loads and very progressive; A bit less impressive with longitudinal loads, I've felt the ABS kick in a few times, yet in no way worse than other brands (Michelin, Continental, Goodyear) I've used before. I guess it depends also on the tyre type and even how it suits the car.
If I have to find a defect, it's the rolling noise they produce.

Patww79 wrote: »

I've never seen a place that didn't have options at either end of the scale or in between.

Depends - I too find that most places only stock cheap sh1t and try aggressively to push it on customers, due to higher margins I suspect. Those who have some midrange or premium options tend to ask extortionate prices for them.

galwaytt

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I wouldn't do 120km/h on a dry motorway on a sunny day never mind a wet one!

You're doing it wrong

fancy pigeon

Ah the Lucky Lands... In the wet you'll be lucky if you don't land in the ditch!

They are absolutely dreadful in the wet; the car was a right handful when the road was marginally damp with them on. They were changed about a month after I started driving my car

Interestingly though, to protect my alloys in the snow I whacked on the Lucky Lands and deflated them to about 10 psi... I never got stuck... And I helped plenty who were stuck

Cee-Jay-Cee

Put it up on Twitter or their Facebook page, that usually gets their attention much quicker than a verbal complaint or email.

uncle-mofo

bazz26 wrote: »

You seem to be missing the point entirely.

It is not about driving your car to the limit to justify buying good quality tyres, very few people drive outside a track pushing their tyres to their limits. It's about depending on good quality tyres when you need them to get you out of trouble. Them and brakes are all that keep you between the ditches but its very Irish to get better value from a session down the local than spend money on a decent quality tyre for their car.

This. Premium tyres have a shorter stopping distance than cheaper ones, that's not up for debate. Sorting out a potential fender bender because of a skid is a lot more hassle than forking out the price difference for some quality tyres.

lawred2

CianRyan wrote: »

Nankang (Korean, not Chinese) have been making some excelleng tyres in the last few years.
Recently took some low end Conti’s off my girlfriends Micra and replaced them with midrange Nankangs and the difference genuinely shocked me.
The car no longer understeers and when it does eventually let go, it’s very predictable and rotated around the centre I’d gravity like you’d expect from a good tyre and suspension set up.


Just a tidbit really, Nankang used to have a bad name but anyone should consider them now. They even have amazing track tyres now.

Sounds like you're driving that poor Micra in a manner not exactly suited to it..

TeaBagMania

put it in the hedge

CianRyan

lawred2 wrote: »

Sounds like you're driving that poor Micra in a manner not exactly suited to it..

It’s a car, cars are to be driven.

lawred2

CianRyan wrote: »

It’s a car, cars are to be driven.

Micras!? Just no

Whatwicklow

It's booked for tyres in the morning, I'll see what advanced say, they cover the hire company's rubber needs so will have the final say. If they say it has legal thread and is OK I'll just leave it back with the hire co or leave it in a ditch!

magentis

Whatwicklow wrote: »

It's booked for tyres in the morning, I'll see what advanced say, they cover the hire company's rubber needs so will have the final say. If they say it has legal thread and is OK I'll just leave it back with the hire co or leave it in a ditch!

Probably barum if it's going into advance.Not a bad tyre.Miles better than what's on it anyway.

CianRyan

lawred2 wrote: »

Micras!? Just no

So then, why are there entire race series dedicated to Micras?
If I had mentioned a dier, rep spec 320d you’d probably have nothing to say.


Anyway, I’ll go cry about your opinion as I test the limits of the tyres on my RX8.