Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevelad_83]

Hey,

Any idea how much car tyres should cost in Korea? I'm getting new tyres for an old ('92?) Avante.

Thanks.

[Jove]

Went to Costco a few weeks ago and got a set of 4 tires for 210,000 won. I believe that they were Kumhos.

I would suggest getting tires from Costco because they have a great return policy, plus you get free rotation for the life of the tires.

[stevelad_83]

Thanks,

I've been quoted 300,000 for a set of Michelins, by my local back woods garage. 210,000 sounds more like it.

[madoka]

I wouldn't skimp on the tires - it's a safety thing. Imagine the only thing connecting your car to the ground as you whiz around at 60 MPH is a contact patch the size of four chun won bills. Crappy tires wear faster, are noiser, more prone to blowouts and hydroplaning, and brake much worse. There were times I panic-braked and knew that the few extra feet saved from good tires helped prevent a collusion.

Check out tirerack.com for comprehensive reviews of the tires you plan on purchasing.

[wesharris]

Tire my friend.
Tire.
When in Korea, spell it the American way.

[stevelad_83]

Ha ha,

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice my crazy British spelling! Thanks for your help guys.

[air76]

We paid 200,000 for ours, just at a regular side of the road tire place, and they are nothing fancy but good enough...I agree that you shouldn't skimp on tires, but it's one thing to put nice tires on a newer car that you plan on driving for 5 years and another thing to put nice tires on a car worth $500 that you will be selling in a year or two.

[atomicdeathmonkey]

just get a good all weather tyre witer here can be fun for driving conditions

[TheMeerkatLover]

I actually paid 96,000 per tire on my car. My size is 185/55/r15 which is not a common size in Korea, so it's a little more expensive. Generally, my rule of thumb is to toss the tires within 3 years of purchase. Usually I wear out my front tires in about 1 - 1.5 years and run a new set of rubber under the engine, then change the set the next go around.

Any larger tire shop will sell you the tires and installation, balance included and most are more or less the same. The key is the avoid retailers who sell tires that are literally years old and have been sitting on the shelves for too long that they dry out and get rock hard.

When that happens, your grip goes, water grip is horrific and your tires will start to crack too early. As an earlier poster said, tires are not something that you should skimp on. They are your best insurance policy to keep you upright and to your location on time and safely.

This goes triple with motorcycle tires, which I change religiously after no more than 2 years have passed.

Meerkat

[SeoulnPepe]

Costco is the way to go...Kumho tires are reliable...they're sold the world over...

As another poster said you get tire rotation/adjustment and inflation at no cost at Costco. You leave your car with them, and then do your shopping. An hour later you go and get your car.