Flat Tires, Yikes!

[edevlin]

I was suprised at how good a price I could get Michellin's through my Porsche dealer was. My local Porsche dealer chages 200.00 more for 4 Michellin's (mounted and balanced) than I can get them for from tire rack. But that extra 200.00 includes shipping, mounting and balancing.

That sounds like a pretty good price to me, especially because I normally hang around when they are doing any work on my car to pick the brains of the mechanic.

I am close to the wear markers at several spots on the rear tires these days and its suprising how much easier it is to get the rear wheels to slide around on corners compared to when I had some tread on the suckers. I am very interested to see how much quieter, if at all, and how the ride compares with the Michellin's I am getting and my current Pirelli's.

Ed

[Ronzi]

Pete: A "boatload" compared to what?

A couple of yrs. ago I needed to replace two of the four Conti 17"ers and checked Tire Rack vs the shop I typically deal with in Boulder. After including shipping and the cost of mounting and balancing, there was virtually no savings whatever over what I paid the local shop for two tires, with no shipping cost and mtng/bal "included".

I know a lot of folks think Tire Rack is the greatest thing since canned beer, but that just hasn't been my experience. Not cost-wise anyway.

Originally Posted by Ronzi

Pete: A "boatload" compared to what?

A couple of yrs. ago I needed to replace two of the four Conti 17"ers and checked Tire Rack vs the shop I typically deal with in Boulder. After including shipping and the cost of mounting and balancing, there was virtually no savings whatever over what I paid the local shop for two tires, with no shipping cost and mtng/bal "included".

I know a lot of folks think Tire Rack is the greatest thing since canned beer, but that just hasn't been my experience. Not cost-wise anyway.

Good point, Ronzi! People should use the pricing knowledge gained from places like Tire Rack, and use that to negotiate a better price with the dealership or local area tire shop. Lots of local tire places do price matching of other advertised pricing (sometimes regardless of the other price not being local).

[SD987]

My experience has been similar to Ed and Ronzi's, in that when I replaced tires I found that Pioneer Porsche pricing was on par with Tire Rack for PS2s, when taking shipping, balancing etc. into account.

This would seem to make sense as when you're dealing with a commodity like Porsche parts you can jack up the price, but for goods that are readily available, like tires, the dealers have to be somewhat competitive.

[xavier405]

There is a brochure probably at your dealer that lists Porsche approved tire selections for the Boxster. On the back of the brochure is a statement that any plugs or repairs on the tire nullify the speed rating on the tire. But there is no comment on whether you have to go out and replace the tire altogether.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Before anyone gets the wrong impression, a nail/screw through the tread and into the carcass of a Tire does a lot more than simply nulify a Speed Rating. The Tire is compromised - period.

At speed, the plug/patch can work loose causing the carcass to disintergrate. And the extra mass which the plug/patch adds produces a Hot Spot in that area of the tire further raising the possibility of a Blowout and loss of control. The only way I would put a repaired Tire back on a performance car is only to buy enough time (read 1-2 weeks) 'til I could afford to replace it.

Considering the cost of repair and accelerated depreciation to the car should it sustain body/frame damage, the cost of the Tire pales in comparison, and we haven't even mentioned the possibility of injury or worse.

Be Safe , and think of the others you share your car and the road with and replace the tire. It's too bad that tires can be struck down in their prime with lots of tread left, but that's just the way it is sometimes...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Adam]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

Before anyone gets the wrong impression, a nail/screw through the tread and into the carcass of a Tire does a lot more than simply nulify a Speed Rating. The Tire is compromised - period.



Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

So, what your saying is it wasn't such a good idea for me to be doing 150+ mph on a plugged rear tire a few months back. I guess it's a good thing I'm replacing those things soon. A blow out at those speeds wouldn't be pretty.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by SD987

My experience has been similar to Ed and Ronzi's, in that when I replaced tires I found that Pioneer Porsche pricing was on par with Tire Rack for PS2s, when taking shipping, balancing etc. into account.

This would seem to make sense as when you're dealing with a commodity like Porsche parts you can jack up the price, but for goods that are readily available, like tires, the dealers have to be somewhat competitive.

Ahhh, Pioneer - great shop! If you run into Matt Bang, please tell him that his New Jersey customer says hi.

[Rail26]

I had the same experience as Ronzi...I went to Discount Tire and they beat tire rack by a few dollars. The only problem is I mistakenly got the Potenza Re050 instead of the Re050a that is approved by Porsche. Does that make a difference? I highly doubt it because they use the 050 on the MB SLR. Anyway, definately go to your discount tire dealers and price the rubber so you can make an informed decision.

Originally Posted by Ronzi

Pete: A "boatload" compared to what?

A couple of yrs. ago I needed to replace two of the four Conti 17"ers and checked Tire Rack vs the shop I typically deal with in Boulder. After including shipping and the cost of mounting and balancing, there was virtually no savings whatever over what I paid the local shop for two tires, with no shipping cost and mtng/bal "included".

I know a lot of folks think Tire Rack is the greatest thing since canned beer, but that just hasn't been my experience. Not cost-wise anyway.