What do you refuse to get generic versions of?

  • CADmonkey@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    16
    ·
    1 year ago

    Tires. Every time I've tried to save money by purchasing some PrimeWell or Sentury or other no-name tire I've worn them out in no time flat or they burst when I hit any bump that stands more than 1cm above the road surface. If they are that weak then they aren't safe.

    • MetricIsRight@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      I work in the rim and tire industry so I find this really interesting. Haven't seen either of those two brands before where I am, but most cheaper brands nowadays are all made at the same two or three locations and just get a different name stamped into the sidewall.

      • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        1 year ago

        It's been a while but I think primewell is Firestones bargain brand. They're shit but compared to anything wal-mart was selling they were tolerable. I never saw as many broken belts as when I was working there starting out.

      • CADmonkey@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        My information may also be out of date, it's been years since I was so broke that I had to just buy whatever cheap tires I could afford.

        I had a set of "Sentury" tires I put on a Mitsubishi Mirage, and they were worn to the wear bars in 9,000 miles. They were carrying a 1,900 pound/860 kilogram car, and that was heavy enough to wear all four tires down in less than 1/4 the tread warranty period.

        • MetricIsRight@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          1 year ago

          That's really bad, sounds like a winter compound tire was sold as an all-season or something. That sounds like the typical treadwear for a winter tire that gets run in the wrong season.

          Also for anyone reading this, If you ever need cheap tires try your local independent mechanics or to a lesser extent franchise mechanics shop, lots of people swap tires when they have 35%+ tread life left. Lots of shops will let these tires go for cheap if you get them put on at their shop. I would gladly take a good quality tire at 40% tread life vs a cheapo crap set at 100%