KenP

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a set of cheap tires in the NW that I can come and pick-up

I need (2) 255 ZR40 17's & (2) 225/ZR45/17

Any ideas? I live in Portland Oregon.

Ken

dme

I guess Texas is a little far to drive?

KenP

Not if it is nice day. I think I could make it in a few hours. You're talking Texas, Oregon...right?

cortez

Try tirerack.com. Kuhmo is a good deal for the $$ and there are plenty of other options if you like. It may turn out to be comparable to buying used. Just my $.02

OriginalSterm

Kumhos are fine if you don't do any competitive or aggresive driving. Or if you don't mind a little noise.

Mine (Ecsta Supra 712) didn't last long (1 DE, 1 AutoX) and about 5,000 miles and they are starting to scallop.

But they sure were cheap to buy from tirerack

KenP

I am not going ot be tracking or autocrossing.

Just a good set of daily drivers. Any suggestions?

rpm's S2

The answer to this question just sorta depends on what you want to spend. The Kumho Ecsta 712 is a good daily driver with decent performance characteristics at a usually low price. Dunlop SP 8000s are also a good tire for a good price.
There are no secrets to getting really cheap Z rated performance tires - particulalry with 17" rims. Even a set of Kumhos in your sizes are going to cost you at least $450-600.
The best way to get either one is from Tire Rack. I have often used the Tire Rack price (including shipping and mounting/balancing) to bargain with a local tire store to save an extra $20-50 bucks. It always works as there is tremendous mark up on tires.

David Floyd

Check out Yokohama's AVS ES100, these will replace my Kumho 712's

Matt H

It always works as there is tremendous mark up on tires.

You have no clue what you are talking about. There is tremendous markup in furniture and jewelery, there damn sure isnt in tires. There is some, like any product, but not a whole bunch.

Anyone price matching tire rack (like Discount Tire, Goodyear, Firestone, etc.) is losing money on the sale or making somewhere in the 5% range. The only money made on the transaction is in the mount/balance/install (why do you think people charge you install if you buy from Tire Rack but it is free if you but from them?)
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rpm's S2

Jeez - must already be hot down in Texas.

I guess that I really don't care why tire stores match or beat advertised prices from Tire Rack or anywhere else. They will, and that is all that matters. Recently I got a local chain shop to drop the price on a pair of SP 8000s by over $80 - far above the cost of mounting and balancing. I assume that, being good capitalists, they maintained some profit margin. The store does seem to still be in business.

I am curious as to where you get tires mounted and balanced for free. Some stores have simple pricing strategies that combine all of the costs, but, trust me here, the m&b is not free!

Matt H

RPM - let me put this to you differently. I am an expert in this field. I am paid highly to be an expert in this field. Just because they sell you a set a cost plus a dollar doesnt mean they didnt make margin on everything else they sell or that they dont make margin on the other 25-30 tires they sell that day. To make someone a customer it sometimes make sense to lose a little on one sale in hopes they will purchase something else from you. Trust me they didnt make much if anything.

Everyone mounts tires for free if you buy from them (unless you are using mom and pop shops). I know of no one that balances for free however, as cheap as some placs (like Discount) do it it is really almost free to you. I will tell you this, the typical margin on a tire sale, including all the services is somewhere in the 30% range. A retailer may be making 15% on a tire (only the tire, not the total; like Michelin, which is almost no margin product) or 40% if is a generic. Even still neither would be a large margin if you consider 600% for furniture and even more in clothing.

Oh yeah, FWIW, I am in Chicago right now (but it is warm in Texas). I just hate when people perpetuate myths they heard from someone.
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KenP

So are you saying that I should get my tires from the tire rack?

Pronounced "Pore-Sha"

Falken Ziex 512. Exceptionally comfy for daily driving. I had someone comment my 968 rides smoother than their S-class. Darn sure looks better too!

Mighty Shilling

Yeah. ever since tire rack started, we've bought ALL of our tires from them. and it's like a $20.00 install if ya take em somewhere.

Kevin Baker

The best tire on the market, in a stock size, is the Potenza G009. It is priced right. In south Texas they are listed around $85.