Wheels and Tires

Used Barum Polaris 3, thread depth

  • Last Updated:
  • Nov 16th, 2016 3:11 pm
Banned
Mar 12, 2010
1281 posts
53 upvotes
Aurora

Used Barum Polaris 3, thread depth

I'm looking at purchasing a winter tire which has been used for two seasons for $250. There is no thread depth specifics, but what should I be looking for. I read 6/32" (5mm) should be looking for a replacement, does this also apply to the Barum's? Anyone know thread depth of new Barums for comparison when I do go and check them out?
4 replies
Banned
Mar 12, 2010
1281 posts
53 upvotes
Aurora
Okay just learned there is 6.5mm left on the tire. Could this tire be resold after 3 seasons, with lets say 6 mm on it for $200? Or would it be a a better idea to buy slightly used General Altimax Arctic (driven 1000km) for $500 and sell after 1 year for $400?
Deal Fanatic
May 4, 2014
5217 posts
7141 upvotes
Toronto, ON
tido88 wrote: Okay just learned there is 6.5mm left on the tire. Could this tire be resold after 3 seasons, with lets say 6 mm on it for $200? Or would it be a a better idea to buy slightly used General Altimax Arctic (driven 1000km) for $500 and sell after 1 year for $400?
3 seasons, and you expect the tread to go from 6.5 to 6mm? Are you only driving 1000km per season?

No one in their right mind would pay $200 for well-used/aged winter tires, especially Barums.
Banned
Mar 12, 2010
1281 posts
53 upvotes
Aurora
er34er34 wrote: 3 seasons, and you expect the tread to go from 6.5 to 6mm? Are you only driving 1000km per season?

No one in their right mind would pay $200 for well-used/aged winter tires, especially Barums.
Read on review board the guy drove the Barums for 7500 miles (12 000 km), and thread went from original 8mm to 6.5mm so I assumed .75 mm per winter season. Anyway if the last one season for me, it be good enough. Perhaps I should have gotten more expensive tires, get better performance and resale value.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Oct 5, 2008
18182 posts
14186 upvotes
Toronto
tido88 wrote: Read on review board the guy drove the Barums for 7500 miles (12 000 km), and thread went from original 8mm to 6.5mm so I assumed .75 mm per winter season. Anyway if the last one season for me, it be good enough. Perhaps I should have gotten more expensive tires, get better performance and resale value.
winter tire tread is usually about 11/32 of an inch when new, so approx 8.75 mm.

Keep in mind you replace them at about 5/32 or about 4 mm, so your tires are half used already, and the "better" half is gone.

Don't expect any resale value if you use them another 3 years and do "normal" mileage.

I had Barum's on my previous car and they were fine, but I bought them new

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