Tire costs

[pighead]

I bought my 01 Black VX 3 years ago (3yr 5m to be exact) and last week I went to Sears for oil change and tire rotation, the guy told me that my original Bridgestone tires are running thin now and need to be changed. And he gave me a $760 quote.

First is it about the time? I have 36K miles on it and rarely went off-road ( shame on me ). And second is it too much or just about fair? Where can I find good deals for the wheels?

Thanks so much!!

Jin

P.S. Forget to mention I'm in Seattle (Redmond actually) area.

[Ldub]

P.H.,

At 36k the tires are probably pretty close to done, but that price seems way high to me. I can get a set of 4 255/70x 16's at my local OK Tire store (Sumitomo Htr sport) for $460. mounted, balanced, out tha door. I know they aren't as good as scorpions,
but they have a good allweather tread pattern & cost a lot le$$.
I'd look around some more.
Oh, BTW Welcome!

Ldub

[Mile High EDGe]

I went with 265/70 16 Yokohama Geolander II A/T from Discount I believe I paid around $480 installed. They are my second set and I have been very happy.

[Ron Pfeiffer]

That price is more than I paid for a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers! I would definitely take it elsewhere. Sears has a bad reputation for price gouging and shoddy work. I vaguely recall that in the 1990s they were banned from doing auto work in a number of states after losing a huge lawsuit accusing them of pushing unnecessary repairs and charging for work they didn't even perform.

The guy is probably right about your old tires being shot, though - my Bridgestones were dead by 20K. They don't wear very well.

Being on the other coast, I can't recommend anyplace, but I can say that if you DO want to spend that kind of money, and you go with Nitto TerraGrapplers, you won't be sorry.

Good luck!

Ron

[Joe_Black]

The TireRack. Can't say enough good stuff about these folks. My new tires just came in today: Four Kumho Ecsta STX in 255/55 VR18 and four Yokohama GeoLandar MT+ in 30X9.50 15, all for less than a grand delivered. I'll pop about $50 to get them all mounted and balanced locally, then the Dragon will be ready for street and strip.

Check 'em out, no one could touch their prices locally.

[MrCrowley]

Ditto on The Tire Rack. The only thing i've ever done cheaper is a set of 285/75/16 Dunlop radial mud rovers I just bought from Sams Club @ $117 a piece! I switch them from Trooper to VX as my mood seems fit. Also if you are looking for wheels and tires, this is a deal multiplier for using the tire rack as they mount, balance them. All you do is get out the jack and replace them yourself whem they arrive.

[pighead]

Thank you guys for the info! Where should I check out those mentioned tires? My local dealer or Tires Les Schwab?

Jin

[Mile High EDGe]

Just an idea but you could compare pricing from the online "Tire Rack" against your local tire shops to help find a good deal.

http://www.tirerack.com

[ScottinMA]

After riding my Zeros in the snow last year (285/50/18s) I DON"T want to do that again! T'was like skiing without being able to cut an edge! I'd like to get some plain black steel wheels and a decent (but not too expensive) tire for winter this year. Any suggestions for wheel/tire??

Thanks

Scott

[newthings]

In Oregon, I too have Les Schwab dominating the tire market. They sell their own name on sombody's tire. Some are Cooper. They have no answer when you ask, "Is any performance data available?" The service is great, but Tire Rack has winter tire testing data done in the summer time on an ice rink.
Here is what Schwab quoted me--
Wintercat SST (made by Cooper Tire)
LT245/75R-16 6 ply rated (30.44" dia.) $124.64
9.57" wide
1/16" deeper tread than below
Many sipes molded in
Pinned for studs
Spin balance $9.75
Studs $11
total $583

Wintercat SST
245/70R-16 4 ply rated (29.5" stock dia.) $97.40
9.85" wide
Pinned for studs
Spin balance
Studs
total $474

In Oregon we can run studs for 4 months.
These tires last about 3 years.
Roy

[Joe_Black]

For snow/winter tires check out Nokian. They're from Finland where they know a thing or two about that kind of thing: Nokian Tyres. I had considered using them for a rally tire (only thing big enough) and the prices are pretty good too.

[pighead]

Hey guys, I've been checking out several local stores last week, here is what I got:

1. Discount tires:

Kumho 255/55/18: $593 (everything)

2. Tires Les Schwab:

Toyo Proxys S/T All Seasons Blackwall 255/55VR-18: $723

3. Firestone:

Stock Bridgestone Dueler H/T 245/60/18: $590

4. Big O Tires

255/55/18 Vengence (not sure what brand, maybe Michelen?): $660

Also the Discount Tires guy checked out the TireRack.com and found the Kumho was $101 a piece but $68 shipping for all of them. So I figure I could probably save maybe 50 bucks, but I need to carry the tires to some local shop to get them mounted.

Which one would you choose?

Thanks so much for all the helps!

Jin