I wanted to save £120, but ended up spending £750 🤡

It all started with a simple problem: the TPMS sensor on my rear tire died. Kwik Fit quoted around £120 to replace it. I thought that was too much for a single valve, so I decided to do it myself.

I ordered a special orange bead breaker tool, new sensors, a wrench, and some other small items – I bought tools for about £150. The plan seemed foolproof.

Here's what went wrong:
When using the bead breaker, the tool cut a piece of rubber right down to the metal cord. The tire was ruined and needed to be replaced.
Next, I spent about 2 hours trying to remove the old sensor in the tight space, cursing everything in existence, and eventually gave up.

I had to go to a tire shop. The old tires were from the previous owner (I've had the car for 4 years, and the tires were clearly even older) – they were full of cracks and unevenly worn. Ideally, I was planning to replace them in the fall, but I had to do it sooner.

In the end, I replaced the entire set with Continental PremiumContact 7 tires, got a wheel alignment, and asked them to install all 4 new sensors. I paid another £600 for the tires and the work.

And then I realized that I had overpaid everywhere I possibly could:
The £150 worth of tools are now just sitting in the corner.
I ruined a tire that I could have used for a few more months, maybe even longer.
I bought expensive premium Continental tires, even though a mid-range option would have been sufficient.

The final cost to replace a single sensor: £750. But now I know what not to do.

#life #photo