Thanks for the responses, plenty to think about. I have mates who buy part worns and I'd consider it but in this case I just want to go the job right and fit brand new tyres on my refurbished wheels, to finish the job off properly. I think having them refurbished and fitted with new caps then putting part worn tyres on would be like treating myself to an Armarni suit then wearing it with scuffed shoes ;)

I'm keeping the sport wheels for autumn/winter and only intending to use the 20" wheels for summer but I suppose that means considering how they perform in the wet judging by our recent summers. I'll say nothing more and you can view my choice at a meet sometime this year ;)

Thanks Amar.

A perfect example of personal preference, you have every reason to buy premium tyres because you drive cars with phenomenal power and performance, and why not. You think Dunlops are crap but I think they're great, but that's because I've had Falkens......as I said each to their own.

Vredestein tyres have been mentioned a few times now so I'll include them as a possible option, thanks! +++

Hmm, I've always found Falkens pretty good, but then that has been on lightweight performance cars, nothing like an A8 sized uber-cruiser.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s315p...5_18_245_45R18

This is the page I am looking at for selections. I had thought of the Falken Azenis tyres. The Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas and the Continental Contisportcontact5's aren't much more. I'll go with one of those, I think. Never driven on a bad Continental in my time...

Definitely personal preference... I had Nankangs on one of my '8s and found them OK, but I rarely drive at the limit and when I do, I don't mind a bit of controllable slide :)

If I was selling in 3-4 months, I wouldn't be thinking of shelling out for four new 20" tyres. At the upper end (admittedly), 4 Michelin PS3s would cost upward of a grand, which is not far short of 50% of the value of the car. You'd not get half of that investment back again - so that would effectively be costing you c.£200/month for the tyres.

I'd get 4 (good) part-worns from DM tyres (see tyre thread..), and run on them - they wouldn't take much work to look reasonably new - and when you come to sell, I'm not sure the buyer would see much difference.

Sorry if that sounds a bit like a tight Scotsman :D, but I'd be saving my pennies to invest in my next car, which you'll get more of a return on (assuming you keep it for a while).

However, the above is just a personal opinion, and - having just shelled out £3k on my gearbox - I admit that logic doesn't always come into it :o

A few good part worns might be an idea. Will DM Tyres post the tyres or not? Obviously I can't ring and find out as they are closed, and Oldham is a bit far to go for a pickup!

Yes DM will courier tyres to you. http://dmtyres.co.uk/index.html

Just search around for part worns locally. Since making 320 mile round trip to DM tyres in 2011 I have found out that several local places sell part worn tyres at similar prices here. Only thing is that they have a lot less turnaround and therefore less of a choice and harder to get 4 matching tyres. But they are available if you do not mind buying in pairs. Prices are £25 each for 15" tyres and £5 more for each inch of diameter up to £45 for 19" including mounting and balancing. Have not asked about 20" but I assume they would be £50. You get decent tyres with 6-7mm of tread, just need to look at manufacturing dates yourself to make sure you don't get too old tyres.

Considering my RS 6 did 196 MPH (GPS verified) at the last Vmax event on a shortened runway, I can't risk part worns as I'm going back and trying on a full runway soon. I can see the appeal of part worns, you make some massive savings, maybe someone will buy my Dunlop Sport Maxx GT's (275/35/20's) and I can get some more Michelin Pilot Supersports (£1,300ish) eek. I'm a sucker for tyres.

If you are interested in part-worns, and DM turn out to be your best bet in terms of price/range/stock, then let me know, and I may be able to swing round and check out what they've got - some real "tyre kicking" :D - esp if it is early next week, when I've got some time.