Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

roadburner

murphydog said:

Tire update -

In June we put new tires on the X3 - Michelin Primacy MXM4 run flats. The Goodyears were toast (roughly 40,000 miles on them) and had to stick with run flats as there is no spare or jack, nor is the room for them.

Shopped around and went with Costco - they had to order 'em in as they don't stock the run flats. ~$300 a tire, and Costco includes a road hazzard warranty (which I did not even know as my last non repairable flat was 20 years ago). Fast forward to last week and my wife runs over a good size metal clip of some sort that knifed its way into the tire. Pulled it out, and sure enough tire is flat.

Call Costco and they are more than happy to order, but I have to come in, they measure the tread, then actually order the tire. I can't really do that as my wife needs her car and driving a few miles on the fun flat is not too bad, driving it for several more days is out of the question.

So I find the closest discount tire that has the MXM4 in stock, hit them up the next morning and get an new tire. However I kept the old one so I could go back to Costco with time allows.

I visit Saturday and the rookie behind the counter really has no idea how to handle a guy bringing just the tire in. He offers to order another tire for me (which i would have kept as a back up) but for what ever reason there are no MXM4's in their system. He asks me to come back Monday night and talk to Hector as he will know what to do. I head down there last night and Hector is gone for the day and the same rookie is behind the counter - I can see in his eyes he is worried to see me...again he does not know what to do, but promises me he will write it up and put all the details in Hector's locker so he will call me first thing...I am thinking right, I am going to have to run this down...

This morning about 20 minutes before Costco opens I am looking up the number and low and behold Hector calls - to tell me he saw the note and he is looking all over for another tire. I tell him - I would be more that happy with a credit = to the road hazard prorated amount. He pauses for a moment, confirms that I have actually replaced the tire with an identical tire and tells me he is more than happy to do the refund.

I head down there after work and the guys get to work on processing the credit. Measure the tread and basically round it up to 100%! Once they figured out how to process it in the till they gave me 100% back. Discount Tire charged me $335 to mount and balance the new one and Costco gave me $330 back.

Net net it took some patience on my part, but I am super pleased Costco stepped up to the plate.

Quick review on the MXM4 - I love them. The X3 drives like a dream on these new tires - way less harsh that the Goodyears. That said this will be the last car that does not have some sort of spare.

I put those tires on my son's 3er. No complaints.
FYI, BMW is beginning to offering space saver spares and non-run flats across the range. Funny thing, my 1995 3er has a spare and it has only been removed to gain access to the fill plug for the differential.

roadburner

suydam said:

When is the last time anyone had a flat tire? I can’t remember — maybe a nail puncture back in the early 00s? And that was discovered in my own garage. With roadside assistance does it make sense to carry a full size spare anywhere?

My 2er and i3 don't have a spare tire OR runflats. I've survived so far...

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's one that Roadburner should look at.

http://www.metrofordny.com/inventory/new-2017-ford-mustang-shelby-super-snake-rwd-2d-coupe-1fa6p8cf4h5328045

I'd just as soon have a GT350- or an M2...

driver100

suydam said:

When is the last time anyone had a flat tire? I can’t remember — maybe a nail puncture back in the early 00s? And that was discovered in my own garage. With roadside assistance does it make sense to carry a full size spare anywhere?

Not too many people have a fire that burns their home to the ground........but, it is nice to have insurance if it happens to you. Same with a spare.....nice to have it, just in case.
I would gladly have regular tires and a real spare tire, second choice a donut, to RFTs. It is limited how far you can go on them too, hopefully if yoou do get a flat, you get it near a major city.

*Another great business idea.....deliver spare tires via a drone.

murphydog

graphicguy said:

@murphydog ....curious, what kind of mileage are you expecting on the Primacy MXM4s? I have them on my TLX.

I think they warranty them for 40,000 miles? That is my goal at least. Truthfully I am hoping that we get no more punctures!

murphydog

roadburner said:

suydam said:

When is the last time anyone had a flat tire? I can’t remember — maybe a nail puncture back in the early 00s? And that was discovered in my own garage. With roadside assistance does it make sense to carry a full size spare anywhere?

My 2er and i3 don't have a spare tire OR runflats. I've survived so far...

That had been my experience as well, up until this summer. I cut a tire on the new truck in July and it could not be repaired (full size temporary spare at least) and then cut one of the run flats on the wife's car as well. I hope to go 17 more years without any flats.

The temporary spare on my truck worked fine and got me home from ~ 70 miles away, and I would have been comfortable driving on it for a few days while I sourced a replacement tire.

The run flat also got us back home - from just a few miles away, but it does not give the luxury of time while a replacement is found. My neighbor has a brand new Q5 with the a very compact spare that has to be inflated (there is a built in compressor) before it is installed, not sure that is much better than a run flat, though I suppose you can go further on it. I did read a story on the X3 forum about a guy who got a flat on a Sunday night 200+ miles from home. Had to find a hotel, rent a room, miss a day of work, found a standard tire to get home, then had to buy another run flat, clearly worst case, but I would have been irritated for sure

murphydog

roadburner said:

murphydog said:

Tire update -

I put those tires on my son's 3er. No complaints.
FYI, BMW is beginning to offering space saver spares and non-run flats across the range. Funny thing, my 1995 3er has a spare and it has only been removed to gain access to the fill plug for the differential.

We wont be in the market for a few years, but I do like the 2018 X3 M40i. Hopefully when the time comes I can find another slightly used one...with the space saver spare!

ab348

Speaking of tires, I am shopping for snow tires for the ATS along with a set of winter wheels. Found some interesting things along the way. My dealer of course has disappointed me after promising some really good prices on those items when I was buying the car. It seems to be about the worst place to go for them in fact. Can't say I'm overly surprised.

A lot of cheaper snow tires are made in odd places, like Russia, Malaysia, and of course many from China. I am a bit wary of those. But if you don't go there the price of name-brand snows is stiff, often over twice as much. Makes it hard to decide whether to take the chance.

One odd thing I found in my searching: a local dealer (with the unsettling name of "Cheapy Tire") is offering Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires (non-winter mind you but an OK all-season, I think what I had on my Regal Turbo) in my 225/45R17 size for $100Cdn each. That is a ridiculously low price. Makes me wonder if they are old stock and about to be past their best-before date.

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

Speaking of tires, I am shopping for snow tires for the ATS along with a set of winter wheels. Found some interesting things along the way. My dealer of course has disappointed me after promising some really good prices on those items when I was buying the car. It seems to be about the worst place to go for them in fact. Can't say I'm overly surprised.

A lot of cheaper snow tires are made in odd places, like Russia, Malaysia, and of course many from China. I am a bit wary of those. But if you don't go there the price of name-brand snows is stiff, often over twice as much. Makes it hard to decide whether to take the chance.

One odd thing I found in my searching: a local dealer (with the unsettling name of "Cheapy Tire") is offering Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires (non-winter mind you but an OK all-season, I think what I had on my Regal Turbo) in my 225/45R17 size for $100Cdn each. That is a ridiculously low price. Makes me wonder if they are old stock and about to be past their best-before date.

We all like to shop for the best deals on things, but when it comes to tires I find the ones I like, then shop those specific tires around. In your neck of the woods, with a RWD ATS, I'd make sure you have a set of dedicated winter tires, not just all seasons.

I'd look at Bridgestone Blizzak, Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin, or Nokian. I will see how the Nokians a\fair on my AWD Infiniti Q40. What sold me on them was the guy in the parts department at the Subaru/Ford dealer who told me he lives an hour north of the dealership and uses 2 of these on his RWD, 6-Speed, 2014 Mustang.

28firefighter

I do the same as you @nyccarguy - pick the tire then shop the price.

ab348

Actually I'm zeroing in on a set of Continental Winter Contacts I've found.

28firefighter

To date, the best snow tires I've ever had were Nokian Hakkapelitas. Expensive, but man they could tear through anything I threw at them.

iluvmysephia1

One insurance company is running ads that tout their roadside assistance that portrays a clueless teen stuck with a flat that doesn't know what a lug wrench is.


That one produced an audible lol last time I saw it. Especially when the son turns to his friend and says "this is a lugwrench, isn't it?" The friend says yeah, what's a lug wrench?! That has me glad me American Family Insurance car insurance has the roadside assistance for flats, out of gas incidences, etc. I was taught by my Dad how to change a flat tire out and have had to do that several times in my 40+ years of driving. Everybody that drives should know how to do it, regardless of their tire affinity.

As far as flat tire incidents, that really depends on where we are living. Here in central Washington state, the big thing seems not to be contractor nails, but instead falling rocks from these golden hills and mountains. That A-97 Highway has some gorgeous views above the Columbia River and a co-worker told me that it was also the most dangerous highway to drive in the state.

suydam

I wouldn’t exactly equate house burning down with a flat tire!

fintail

I'd have imagined Russian snow tires might be good, they should know a thing or two about snow But judging by dashcam videos, maybe be careful.

I last had a flat in 2006, slow leak, easily repaired.

stickguy

I had an experience like that BME guy a few years ago. Tuesday night before thanksgiving, around 9. Up in nowhereville north of Scranton on I81, really cold night. Caught some shrapnel. Thankfully right by an exit. By time I limped off, tire was shredded. No run flat would still work. But small town, only tire store was closed. Ended up with donut on so was at least able to get around and find a hotel. Without that, I would have been hosed. I could have donutted home, but it was probably 150 miles so decided to stay over. Got me to hotel, restaurant, then next day into a bigger town with a store that had a matching tire. Not same chain, so took carcass home in a bag, brought it in, and got a check bag.

RFs I don't want, but better than nothing, and I refuse to buy a car with normal tires and just a "mobility kit" and toll free number!

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Come on, you got a problem with a guy making a little profit on a year old car?

Oh, not at all. He just won't be making it off me!

Mr_Shiftright

houdini1 said:

Same here in Kansas. Requires special Drivers License and would have to be titled, insured, etc. My plan is not to ride it, but sell it. Might buy a nice electric bicycle with my profit.

Yeah you might get $2K for it, who knows? Not a great time of year to sell one, though

venture

driver100 said:

suydam said:

When is the last time anyone had a flat tire? I can’t remember — maybe a nail puncture back in the early 00s? And that was discovered in my own garage. With roadside assistance does it make sense to carry a full size spare anywhere?

Not too many people have a fire that burns their home to the ground........but, it is nice to have insurance if it happens to you. Same with a spare.....nice to have it, just in case.
I would gladly have regular tires and a real spare tire, second choice a donut, to RFTs. It is limited how far you can go on them too, hopefully if yoou do get a flat, you get it near a major city.

*Another great business idea.....deliver spare tires via a drone.

...or fire extinguishers.

oldfarmer50

Got a question.

I've got about 33 months left on my 60 month Mustang loan. $450.64/month. Got a call from my CU and they suggested they could give me a lower rate if I refinance through them for the remainder of the term. Rate is a little lower 1.74 vs 1.89% currently. Monthly would go down about $12. One time fee of $25 or about 75 cents a month considered. They said all I need is a 'ten day payoff' letter from my current bank (I guess so they know exactly what I owe) and a letter from the insurance co. acknowledging the CU as the new lien holder.

Can probably get everything done on the phone. Is this worth it? Have any of you refinanced like this?

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Got a question.

I've got about 33 months left on my 60 month Mustang loan. $450.64/month. Got a call from my CU and they suggested they could give me a lower rate if I refinance through them for the remainder of the term. Rate is a little lower 1.74 vs 1.89% currently. Monthly would go down about $12. One time fee of $25 or about 75 cents a month considered. They said all I need is a 'ten day payoff' letter from my current bank (I guess so they know exactly what I owe) and a letter from the insurance co. acknowledging the CU as the new lien holder.

Can probably get everything done on the phone. Is this worth it? Have any of you refinanced like this?

My daughter did, with her first MINI. But, she went the other way, from a CU to a bank. Lowered her payment fractionally, but gained the ability to make the payment electronically.

If I'm figuring this right, you'd save about $400 over the remaining payments. I don't really see a down side to this.

If nothing else, you can use this as leverage with your bank to see if they are willing to reduce the interest rate as well.

isellhondas

fintail said:

Yep, I think it is 50cc or 30mph. I don't disagree with it, but I find it sadly amusing that more dangerous vehicles require nothing but fogging a mirror/getting a license from our newly privatized testing system.

isellhondas said:

I think anything over 50cc requires an endorsement here in WA.

"newly privatized testing system"

???? What have I missed?

berri

Does the loan still end at the original time? If so, lowering the rate makes sense. However, if it is new loan that ends at a later than original loan date, then you have to do the arithmetic.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=soD0orjdjtQ

explorerx4

@oldfarmer0,
For the small reduction in the interest rate, plus all the hoops you have to jump through to refinance, just add a few bucks to your current payment every month instead.

stickguy

I will probably do the same thing. To get all the Hyundai incentives, I will be getting normal tier 1 rate from HMF. I know that other banks or AAA have lower rates for a new buy (dealer could get me lower also easily), but worth it to save a bundle up front. Within a couple of months when I get bored will spend some time shopping around, and do a refi most likely.

speaking of calls, talked to SM today at the dealer. They got the title work in this morning (probably yesterday, I think he was off so got it this AM so I can now actually buy the car. So picking it up tomorrow right after dinner. kill 2 birds. Dealer is in an auto row really close to the airport, and I have to pick my daughter up anyway at 6:45. So will go to dealer, complete deal, go collect princess, then back to dealer to pick up new car and head home (with said princess driving the Sonata. Would have been easier if I was turning that one in, but I paid for it already for 2 more weeks, and she needs a car this weekend.

explorerx4

@stickguy,
So you are buying your current Sonata and leasing a new one?

stickguy

buying a new car and returning the Sonata when the lease is over (on 11/8). Not returning it at the same time so my daughter can use it this weekend. Probably drop it off at a dealer a week from Saturday.

explorerx4

@stickbuy,
So...., I guess I missed what the new car is?

fordfool

suydam said:

When is the last time anyone had a flat tire? I can’t remember — maybe a nail puncture back in the early 00s? And that was discovered in my own garage. With roadside assistance does it make sense to carry a full size spare anywhere?

The last time that I had a puncture, the nail ruined the tire (the puncture was too close to the edge,
had never had that before). I do carry roadside assistance through State Farm and have used it
a few times over the years to repair flats, but I will change the tire myself rather than waiting
for help. I do carry a full-size spare and will buy one for my next car if required. I rotate the
spare along with the other tires.

fintail

The WA DMV only performs the vision test (I think) and issues the physical license. Testing is now handled by private companies, and I am skeptical about the oversight. This happened a couple years ago, maybe more.

It happened with motorcycles many years ago, but I know MSF guys are diehards and won't operate on a pay to play system, as they take themselves and their hobby seriously. For cars, I suspect it isn't as rigid.

isellhondas said:

"newly privatized testing system"

???? What have I missed?

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

@stickbuy,
So...., I guess I missed what the new car is?

supposed to get it tomorrow night, but assuming all guys according to plan (meaning no dealer hi-jinks!) I am getting another Hyundai (an Elantra Sport). Smaller and much more fun for my mid life crisis on a budget!

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@stickbuy,
So...., I guess I missed what the new car is?

supposed to get it tomorrow night, but assuming all guys according to plan (meaning no dealer hi-jinks!) I am getting another Hyundai (an Elantra Sport). Smaller and much more fun for my mid life crisis on a budget!

But it can do at least 150, right? Right?

berri

In kilometers

oldfarmer50

berri said:

Does the loan still end at the original time? If so, lowering the rate makes sense. However, if it is new loan that ends at a later than original loan date, then you have to do the arithmetic.

No they'd match it month by month for the remainder of the 33 months. One thing I wonder is that since the CU would be the new lien holder and since in NY you get the title with a lien holder listed, would I have to pay $50 to get a new title. Nickle and dime stuff but it doesn't take much to knock off the economics.

stickguy

I actually checked. topspeed (good place to look) tested and said 6.3 0-60 (for the stick, I think the DSG is a tick quicker or right about the same), and top speed of 125. So I should be covered there. Enough speed for me. and cheap. which is important.

driver100

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@stickbuy,
So...., I guess I missed what the new car is?

supposed to get it tomorrow night, but assuming all guys according to plan (meaning no dealer hi-jinks!) I am getting another Hyundai (an Elantra Sport). Smaller and much more fun for my mid life crisis on a budget!

Congratulations....I think! Did we even know you were in the market for a car this soon? Did we know what you tested or what you were thinking? Can't go wrong with a Hyundai....had an Elantra rental a little while ago, amazing content and solid as a rock.

ab348

Only if driven off a tall cliff.

driver100

Finally made it to the Florida ranch. The limo got a flat tire, had to send another one over.
We got a ride to the airport in a friends 2008 Buick LaCrosse. It had almost 80k miles on it, rode really nice, smooth, quiet, yet didn't lose the feel of the road.....a bit firm but easy going over bumps. My wife liked the huge back seat.
One real negative to me is the instrument panel rises and you can't see any of the hood. I really like to see the hood and the sides if at all possible.
But, inside was nice....drove like a new car. This friend said no matter how much money he had, he would only by a Buick...he says it is the perfect car.

stickguy

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@stickbuy,
So...., I guess I missed what the new car is?

supposed to get it tomorrow night, but assuming all guys according to plan (meaning no dealer hi-jinks!) I am getting another Hyundai (an Elantra Sport). Smaller and much more fun for my mid life crisis on a budget!

Congratulations....I think! Did we even know you were in the market for a car this soon? Did we know what you tested or what you were thinking? Can't go wrong with a Hyundai....had an Elantra rental a little while ago, amazing content and solid as a rock.

I have been looking (heck, I am always looking). was thinking about waiting, but figured that trying to go with one car was not going to last long before the wife had enough. So we did a bit of testing and looking, and really both liked the Sport. after comparing around, we came back to it and decided to see about a deal. Turned out there were some serious incentives this month. Got a price quote through truecar that was even better, so decided to go with doing a deal now. Have 2 weeks exactly before the Sonata has to go back, so not really much overlap, and who knows if the deals get better or worse next month. Already pretty cheap.

Another Hyundai also saves money on the lease turn in fees. Car was really nice too (well, to us!). pretty cheap, and you get a lot for the money. Has all the goodies I want at the price point (plus plenty of power and fun to drive).

With the minimal investment, I should be able to flip it in a couple of years if I feel like it for no more cost than if I got another lease. Plus, the daughter really likes it, so if I get bored by next June, I can just sell it to her! Hopefully though we like it enough to keep as a cheaper 2nd car, paid off pretty quick, and can invest the rest of the car budget in a nice family truckster.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

Finally made it to the Florida ranch. The limo got a flat tire, had to send another one over.
We got a ride to the airport in a friends 2008 Buick LaCrosse. It had almost 80k miles on it, rode really nice, smooth, quiet, yet didn't lose the feel of the road.....a bit firm but easy going over bumps. My wife liked the huge back seat.
One real negative to me is the instrument panel rises and you can't see any of the hood. I really like to see the hood and the sides if at all possible.
But, inside was nice....drove like a new car. This friend said no matter how much money he had, he would only by a Buick...he says it is the perfect car.

Why didn't you tell us before hand that @imidazol97 was going to be your chauffeur.

Have a great stay in Florida. The weather started to break for the worse here in the Burgh today. When did you say my 3 week reservation at your joint started this Winter? I think it was before @oldfarmer50 crashed your place but I forget.

jmonroe

venture

Mercedes must be having a sale or incredible lease terms going on. C classes are popping up like mushrooms here. Many regular E class people now are driving C's. Of course, the S people are still driving their S's.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I actually checked. topspeed (good place to look) tested and said 6.3 0-60 (for the stick, I think the DSG is a tick quicker or right about the same), and top speed of 125. So I should be covered there. Enough speed for me. and cheap. which is important.

That's pretty quick, turbo?

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Finally made it to the Florida ranch. The limo got a flat tire, had to send another one over.
We got a ride to the airport in a friends 2008 Buick LaCrosse. It had almost 80k miles on it, rode really nice, smooth, quiet, yet didn't lose the feel of the road.....a bit firm but easy going over bumps. My wife liked the huge back seat.
One real negative to me is the instrument panel rises and you can't see any of the hood. I really like to see the hood and the sides if at all possible.
But, inside was nice....drove like a new car. This friend said no matter how much money he had, he would only by a Buick...he says it is the perfect car.

Why didn't you tell us before hand that @imidazol97 was going to be your chauffeur.

Have a great stay in Florida. The weather started to break for the worse here in the Burgh today. When did you say my 3 week reservation at your joint started this Winter? I think it was before @oldfarmer50 crashed your place but I forget.

jmonroe

I didn't stay long, the couch was lumpy and I couldn't find the car keys.

abacomike

Finally got a break from the hot weather.  Cold front made it through yesterday and now it’s 58 degrees this morning with highs expected in the upper 70’s today.  Won’t last long, but was able to turn off the AC for the first time since March.

abacomike

Plumber was here yesterday and put new wax seals in the floors for both toilets.  Hopefully that will solve the problems. 

fintail

With the $299 320i lease subtle screamer ads constantly on TV in my area, I am sure MB has an offer to compete. That along with the new C appearing close in size to an E from 25 years ago, I am sure it works for many.

I've noticed more new E wagons on the road lately, that's a nice car.

venture said:

Mercedes must be having a sale or incredible lease terms going on. C classes are popping up like mushrooms here. Many regular E class people now are driving C's. Of course, the S people are still driving their S's.

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Finally made it to the Florida ranch. The limo got a flat tire, had to send another one over.
We got a ride to the airport in a friends 2008 Buick LaCrosse. It had almost 80k miles on it, rode really nice, smooth, quiet, yet didn't lose the feel of the road.....a bit firm but easy going over bumps. My wife liked the huge back seat.
One real negative to me is the instrument panel rises and you can't see any of the hood. I really like to see the hood and the sides if at all possible.
But, inside was nice....drove like a new car. This friend said no matter how much money he had, he would only by a Buick...he says it is the perfect car.

Why didn't you tell us before hand that @imidazol97 was going to be your chauffeur.

Have a great stay in Florida. The weather started to break for the worse here in the Burgh today. When did you say my 3 week reservation at your joint started this Winter? I think it was before @oldfarmer50 crashed your place but I forget.

jmonroe

We had a warm October back home too, until yesterday when the high was 54F. That gave me the incentive to want to come down here, where it will be 77 today. I love it here, bright sun, lots of bright green, and real Palm Trees.

Your room is already JM, Bed w/o Breakfast, $500 a night!
With breakfast, if I make it, $450.

driver100

abacomike said:

Plumber was here yesterday and put new wax seals in the floors for both toilets.  Hopefully that will solve the problems. 

How long did those seals last? I am thinking, maybe seals should be replaced every so many years...or after so many flushes!

driver100

Stick, thanks for the update. So what color are you getting or did you tell them to surprise you? What does it come with....rear view camera? You don't get blind spot warning do you?
Choosing the right time to buy is like picking stocks....you try your best, almost impossible to choose the optimum time, but, if there was a blip and the price looked good you will probably be happy you bought when you did.