4 month waiting period to "make" these tires by hand. (away from the normal production proccess) Most dealers, even PAX dealers, would not even touch a car that expensive. They would politely decline service. I know I would.
Posted on 01/20/2010 11:39:21 AM PST by envisio
Ever wondered what the most expensive passenger car tires in the world are?
According to a report published on the Autocar Web site, Bugatti Veyron rubber must be a prime contender with a set of four new tires costing $38,482.
And if you were wondering which tire manufacturer won the OE contract to supply these products, a quick look at tyrepress.com’s online archive reveals that the 406 km/h car, which is capable of 0-300 km/h in under 14 seconds, fits Michelin Pilot Sport Pax System 245-690R520 A (front) and 365-710R540 A (rear) tires.
The main reason for the great expense, Autocar explains, is the fact that they have to be capable of 253 mph: “over 100 mph faster than Concorde’s landing speed.” However, according to the report, what’s worse is that every fourth tire change (assuming you can afford to run the car that long) the Veyron’s wheels have to be stress tested for cracks. The replacement cost for these 20-inch forged wheels is said to be another $11,544 each.
According to Autocar, a standard service for the Bugatti Veyron costs $21,069. So when you factor in a set of four new tires and one replacement wheel, a complete service could realistically cost a whopping $71,092.
No one mentioned if that is before or after VAT.
Little wonder then that one Veyron owner has reportedly taken to the comparatively more economical option of having his car trailed to wherever he wants to drive it, while he follows in his private jet. (Tyres & Accessories)
This clearly falls into the, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it,” category.
That is one nice-looking car.
Well, face it, most Veyrons sit in a garage like a jewel or a trophy.
Not all of them! This guy drives his everywhere... even to the lake.
Except for one guy in Galveston who prefers to keep his in a lake...
Best place for them.
Hey, if you’re gonna pay 2.1 million for a car....
http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2010/01/19/does-owning-a-bugatti-veyron-cost-as-much-as-a-private-jet/
....what’s 38 grand for tires??
Oh. and that website says you change tires every 2,500 miles.
Sheesh!
“””rear tires....365/710/540””””
According to my calculations, this tire is 365mm = 14.89 inches wide
>>>>14.89 inches wide<<<<
365 is the same width you would see on a super-single like a cement truck or super-single trailer rigs. Thats a wide dang tire.
May have been for Charlie Crist’s pal Scott Rothstein of $1.2 billion ponzi scheme fame. He had one.
Top Gear had the funny James May driving one at VW’s test track with a 5 mile + straightaway. VW owns Bugatti. May got it up over 250 mph. At that speed it would run out of gas in 15 minutes and the tires would probably burn up too. 4 turbos on a V-12 or something. I think it puts out 1,000 bhp.
Texan who swamped Bugatti buys another
Posted on January 20, 2010 at 8:44 AM
http://www.khou.com/news/Texan-who-swamped-Bugatti-buys-another—82157512.html
Keep in mind also that, although those tires are capable of 250+ mph, they can only handle that for a few minutes, and then they degrade and have to be replaced, so a few laps around the Nurburgring (or 6 hours at a local track day, should you be so bourgeoise), or two or three top-speed blasts means a new set of tires.
Top Gear also did an episode with Jeremy in the Veyron, racing across Europe against James and Richard - who were in a single-engine plane.
Relatively speaking putting a $38000 set of tires on a million dollar car is similar to putting a $600 set on a $20,000 car.
The technology allows them to hold up to the centrifugal forces, but they can’t stand the heat.
Every time a car goes down the road, the tires heat up. They cool back down when parked. These hot-cold cycles cures the rubber a little more everytime. over thousands of miles the tire gets harder and harder. Thats why an old tire that still has tread loses grip.
At these extreme speeds, the technology is not far enough along to make the tires stay soft. They are over-soft to start with and harden very quickly at those extreme heat levels. A drawback to the softness is treadlife. They would rather the tread wear off that for the tire to harden, lose structural integrity and fail at 200mph.
They had their entire inventory in doors. Most of their inventory of cars were pre-owned. Some of the cars had 100 miles or less on them. I ask, why so low and was told these guys that buy them bring them home, take them out once and are scared to death of the cars. They turn around and sell them back.
The other 99% of population settle for Douglas Trac II.
:)
I see that all the time in the motorcycle business.
$40,000 choppers that are 2 years old with less than 500 miles. Those are impulse buys by rich mid-life-crisis people.
Tell me you don’t ride around on those......
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