What is the general opinion of when to replace the front tyres?
I

 

I just had mine changed at 17500 - apparently the inside bits had about 1000 miles left, but the backs needed doing, so had them all done at the same time.

Someone on here suggested switching the front tyres - but sounds like you may have left it a little late to bother!!

 

When they wear out.

 

On a serious note however I suggest that all owners swap the tyres after 5000 miles to even out the wear on the fronts and rear. You will therefore maximise the tread across the whole tyre. How many of you have had to change the fronts when the outer edges are 3-4 mm and the inside 1 mm? It is not expensive or time consuming and the handling is transformed.

 

Thanks Rahula,
"It is too late for me now..." !!!

I was thinking of maybe eeking out maybe a few more miles on the fronts.

I certainly dont suffer from a lack of grip on the front..
Im not sure whether the tyres are valid from a legal point of view either though.

The laws states that there should be tread on the main 3/4 across the tread. I believe.

What about the non "front tyre swappers" out there...- what's their take on this one ?

 

If you have less than the 1.6mm on the inside they will be deemed illegal. In any case even if there are not considered illegal why not change them in any case? The law is there for your safety and for

 

You need to check if the inner edges are 1 or 2 mm deep. If they are 2mm they are still legal and I would get them swapped over ASAP. You also might not think anything is wrong with the grip level but trust me when you get them swapped over the car will feel as though you have changed for new tyres again and it is only at this point you will be able to compare grip levels.

I had this problem with my first set of tyres. I had changed the rears and the car was drifting wide on most turns and not stopping from high speeds in a staright line. But this was not the case before the new rear tyres were put on the car therefore I kept thinking that perhaps they had not tightened the nuts properly. I checked this a few times and it was not until I swapped the fronts from left to right did I see the problem. It then became apparent that the inner edges were very worn and the rears now had a lot more grip and the balance was out. You can only try and judge for yourself.

 

my tyres are directional

 

IIRC wasn't it one of the Paul's (UKPaul or PaulUK) who recommended that you changed when the tread got to 3mm?

Changed my 4 at ~14k - rears verging on illegal, fronts had a few more miles on them (slow driver).
BUT
a) wanted the geometry sorted
b) couldn't be @rsed to make two calls to the tyre place.

 

And so are everyone else's. The method of doing swaps in to get the tyres umounted from both the rims and then swap the tyres to the other rims with the inner edges on the outside and vice versa.