Tires on a budget

[exander]

On my previous cars (Camaro SS), I always bought the Pep Boys el cheapo tires. They were about $100 each. I don't know if they were any good. They were just reasonably priced and had a decent warranty. Well, now I have a 2000 540 and it's time for some tires. I'm looking for a tire that will last a little while ( I don't need to stick to the road). Any suggestions of good moderately priced tires?

Thanks,

Alex

 

[brahtw8]

If you are looking for high performance, summer tires, I highly recommend the Yokohama AVS ES 100. I don't think you can buy a better tire for the price.

You can find them at www.tirerack.com

If you want all-seasons, a lot of people like the Pirelli P-Zero Nero A/S. Check the surveys on tirerack for other highly rated tires.

For snows, I like Michelin Pilot Alpin and Blizzak LM 22.

 

[Average Jae]

( I don't need to stick to the road). Any suggestions of good moderately priced tires?

wth?? why did you pick up a bimmer?

why would you get a nice handling car, then pretty much turn it into a plain jane by getting cheapo tires?

if you wanna go cheap, try cooper or kelley.. but yer 540 would be crying.. i got conti extreme contact a/s tires on my other car and i was impressed w/ winter handling. rather cheap, but that's in a 16 inch 205 size.

 

[Abdoman]

I know a lot of people don't like ebay, but I started searching 4 months in advance of needing new tires and found a set of Dunlop FM9090 (Z-rated) with 3k mi on them for $265. These tires run $150 each on tirerack.com.

 

[exander]

Don't get me wrong Jae, I bought the bimmer to drive not just to get to point B. I've purchased really expensive "sticky" tires in the past only to have them burn off in no time. I still drive like a maniac but I'd like to get some wear out of the things this time.

And I don't want to go cheap. I just said reasonable. I don't have the luxury of buying the best right now. If I could, believe me, I would!

I'm looking for all season.

I'll check out tirerack.com

Any idea what most garages charge to put the tires on if I order online?

x

 

[exander]

Also, I currently have 235/45 17s on the front and 255/40 17s on the rear. Is there any different size that provides a better look, feel or less noise?

Thanks,

x

 

[Average Jae]

k, i guess i misunderstood. sorry ^^;;

tirerack is a good source when doing research on tires. i picked up my conti extreme contacts after reading the reviews on that site. they were relatively cheap, is excellent all year around and has much better tread life than the good years and dunlops i had in the past.

best ways to get good deals on tires are to call around and ask the first shop to give you the best price. then shop around asking other shops to not just match, but beat the price. you'll pay a bit more than the i-net price, but you ahve to add shipping and mounting, so just add that to the equation. mounting is usually about 10 to 15 per tire, at least around here..

 

[exander]

Thanks. I've decided on the Conti Extreme Contacts. I read all the reviews and they look pretty decent. Unfortunately, I haven't found anyone around here (PGH) that sells them. Still looking tho.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[exander]

Found a place. They want $262 per tire, mounted and balanced for the fronts (don't even have the backs). Doesn't sound like too good of a deal.

 

[wood_e]

I'd go with some kuhmos from tirerack. They're pretty cheap and a great tire for the price