Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

explorerx4

Happy New Year everyone!
We are going out to dinner tonight with 3 other couples at a converted grist mill.
Scroll over to 'About' and click on 'Gallery' to get a sense of what it looks like.
https://www.millwrightsrestaurant.com/

fintail

If I buy out the wagon, first thing I am changing is the runflats. I'll get a can of tire goo and risk it.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

dino001 said:

That's right. I'd go with all-season touring tires rather than uhp summer, they usually have 450+ treadwear index with very little loss of peak traction.

I put the Z rated Pilot Sport A/S 3+ on the Club Sport; a 500 treadwear rating and more than enough grip for that car.

I don’t like the Perrelli a/s that came on my Mustang. They developed a whine at 10k that I find annoying. Even though there’s not a lot of wear, they are 5 years old. I was thinking of Michelins as a replacement. That Pilot Sport sounds good. Have you had any problem with noise on yours?

abacomike

dino001 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Go to Costco, if you still have the membership. Nobody beats their prices for like models after all is included. If you want runflats, check out Bridgestone Driveguards, if they have the size - that's my go-to tire now. I also had Pirelli runflats, don't remember which model exactly on mine. Driveguards are quieter and more durable in general. I think Costco also offers a Michelin tires, I'd check what they have for you, too. Costco always rotates $70-$100+ rebate for all four tires between Michelin and Bridgestone, usually in two or three month cycles.

I checked with Costco - they do not carry tires that will fit my car.

tjc78

Not a surprise Mike! That's not a common tire for sure!

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Happy New Year everyone!
We are going out to dinner tonight with 3 other couples at a converted grist mill.
Scroll over to 'About' and click on 'Gallery' to get a sense of what it looks like.
https://www.millwrightsrestaurant.com/

New years menu sounds really good.....I'll be dreaming about that as we eat our Costco $5 Bar-B-Q chicken (and I am called the snob). The regular menu sounds great too.....not your ordinary dinners, everything is done creative....enjoy!

qbrozen

we have a crew coming to the house. we're combining NYE with my little one's bday, which is on 1/5. We celebrated it NYE last year and he wanted a repeat performance. We just had 20 people here for Xmas day. Ugh.

dino001

abacomike said:

dino001 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Go to Costco, if you still have the membership. Nobody beats their prices for like models after all is included. If you want runflats, check out Bridgestone Driveguards, if they have the size - that's my go-to tire now. I also had Pirelli runflats, don't remember which model exactly on mine. Driveguards are quieter and more durable in general. I think Costco also offers a Michelin tires, I'd check what they have for you, too. Costco always rotates $70-$100+ rebate for all four tires between Michelin and Bridgestone, usually in two or three month cycles.

I checked with Costco - they do not carry tires that will fit my car.

Online, or in person? By size or by car? I’m asking, because Costco’s website search algorithm by model is very flawed, often returns nothing even though the fitting tires are actually available. To know for sure is to go in person.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

dino001 said:

That's right. I'd go with all-season touring tires rather than uhp summer, they usually have 450+ treadwear index with very little loss of peak traction.

I put the Z rated Pilot Sport A/S 3+ on the Club Sport; a 500 treadwear rating and more than enough grip for that car.

I don’t like the Perrelli a/s that came on my Mustang. They developed a whine at 10k that I find annoying. Even though there’s not a lot of wear, they are 5 years old. I was thinking of Michelins as a replacement. That Pilot Sport sounds good. Have you had any problem with noise on yours?

I have Michelin Pilot Sports on the C250, have gone about 4000 miles on them, and I am perfectly happy so far. I find they ride a bit harder than the Continentals on it before, but it is far more sure footed with better traction on slippery wet roads. Hard to tell what could be better unless you can try them, but, I would buy these again for sure.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

dino001 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Go to Costco, if you still have the membership. Nobody beats their prices for like models after all is included. If you want runflats, check out Bridgestone Driveguards, if they have the size - that's my go-to tire now. I also had Pirelli runflats, don't remember which model exactly on mine. Driveguards are quieter and more durable in general. I think Costco also offers a Michelin tires, I'd check what they have for you, too. Costco always rotates $70-$100+ rebate for all four tires between Michelin and Bridgestone, usually in two or three month cycles.

I checked with Costco - they do not carry tires that will fit my car.

Can’t they order them? I know Sam’s Club up here will do that.

tjc78

qbrozen said:

we have a crew coming to the house. we're combining NYE with my little one's bday, which is on 1/5. We celebrated it NYE last year and he wanted a repeat performance. We just had 20 people here for Xmas day. Ugh.

I hear you!! We do Thanksgiving, xmas eve (over 20) and then Xmas day. Glad I’m leaving in a few for a NYE get together that I don’t have to host. I did make two lbs of baked ziti to bring but that is easy!

stickguy

we tried out the new air fryer oven and made home made onion rings. quite tasty. now game time at home. Our tradition. Princess is hanging with us (she is boring too) because her BF is working tonight (he is a cop, fun times!)

imidazol97

Do you have to keep the same tire on for the lease requirements? I.e., do the replacements have to be runflats?

imidazol97

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Lots of used tire places up our way.......

The place @abacomike got the quote. You did notice the sign says $35 and UP. Well these are really up!

houdini1

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

I actually knew that, but one day I did see a lady who went forward, probably didn't know there was a cement block in front of her car, she went up it and it came down on the oil pan......oil was leaking out and her car was stuck up on the block....couldn't move forward or back....but, that was from a standing start.

Either we are hearing about these stories more or they are happening more.....maybe as the boomers get older!

Back around 1985 my dad who was in his mid-60s at the time did exactly that. He didn't realize there was a cement parking curb in front of him and went to drive forward out of the space. It took out the oil pan on his newish Dodge Aries wagon but he quickly realized what had happened and had the car towed so no further damage ensued.

How do places like that handle electric lines, plumbing, etc.? I am sure you know jmonroe.

houdini1

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

dino001 said:

That's right. I'd go with all-season touring tires rather than uhp summer, they usually have 450+ treadwear index with very little loss of peak traction.

I put the Z rated Pilot Sport A/S 3+ on the Club Sport; a 500 treadwear rating and more than enough grip for that car.

I don’t like the Perrelli a/s that came on my Mustang. They developed a whine at 10k that I find annoying. Even though there’s not a lot of wear, they are 5 years old. I was thinking of Michelins as a replacement. That Pilot Sport sounds good. Have you had any problem with noise on yours?

Wow, just seems like yesterday you bought that Mustang !!

Everyone have a Happy, Safe, and Prosperous FIRST YEAR OF THE ROARING 20'S!!

driver100

It is almost 10....time for bed.
Happy New Year everyone.....hopefully I will be sound asleep at midnight

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Lots of used tire places up our way.......

The place @abacomike got the quote. You did notice the sign says $35 and UP. Well these are really up!

He may have to pay a bit more than $35 to get the premium tires he wants...but, they do include a free "mount" and balance...hope it is on the latest equipment.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t like the Perrelli a/s that came on my Mustang. They developed a whine at 10k that I find annoying. Even though there’s not a lot of wear, they are 5 years old. I was thinking of Michelins as a replacement. That Pilot Sport sounds good. Have you had any problem with noise on yours?

Not that I've noticed so far.

Sandman6472

Happy New Year folks! Tired and now at 12:26, time for bed. Was up at 5:30 today as I had to work. Our middle child is up from Miami as she's sick and needs her mom to take care of her. And she really is sick, poor baby. Hoping not to catch anything as we're going to be very busy till the end of the month. Have been told to expect a 4 day work week and don't be surprised if I'm asked to work Sundays to! But best make it when I can, feeling o k so, why not!

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Happy New Year folks! Tired and now at 12:26, time for bed. Was up at 5:30 today as I had to work. Our middle child is up from Miami as she's sick and needs her mom to take care of her. And she really is sick, poor baby. Hoping not to catch anything as we're going to be very busy till the end of the month. Have been told to expect a 4 day work week and don't be surprised if I'm asked to work Sundays to! But best make it when I can, feeling o k so, why not!

Happy New Year Sandy, sounds like you’re bucking for a promotion with all that extra work.

I’m getting a $.70/hr. raise today thanks to the vote buying politicians who raised the minimum wage. I just passed $1600 in my company 401k and next month I probably get a profit sharing check.

Combine that with the $450/mo I have thanks to paying off my car and I might have to buy a private island somewhere with all this great wealth.🤑🤑🤑 I’m joking of course but when you enjoy your job it’s like making a million dollars.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

It's gotten to the point where I have to replace the front tires on my S450 once again. I've been checking around and the best pricing I can get, so far, including balancing and installation is $750 - that's for two (2) tires only.

Pirelli P-Zero Run Flats - 245/40 R20 99Y XL is the exact tire size. Anyone have a suggestion on how to beat that price?

Lots of used tire places up our way.......

The place @abacomike got the quote. You did notice the sign says $35 and UP. Well these are really up!

Used tires are becoming a big business since the advent of AWD vehicles that scrap three good tires when one is damaged. It was only a matter of time before some enterprising people gathered them all up and started selling them.

driver100

Just me, but I wonder what percentage of used tires actually work very well. It seems that today's cars require tires that are perfect in so many ways...have to match, have the same wear etc. Unless you are buying for a hooptie or a much older car, just to keep it going, I think I would "steer" away from buying used tires.

OTOH, if you have a leased car and have to turn it in, and you can find a few good looking used tires......it may solve a problem.

stickguy

they should be fine if from a reputable outfit. They will do a basic quality inspection. Not like the tires in your car are perfect and pristine! As long as the tread depth matches, no issue. and yes, perfect application is having to put tires on at the end of a lease.

A lot of them are actually new car take-offs anyway I think. so those really are brand new.

qbrozen

I have purchased many used tires. If you keep an eye on ebay, more than occasionally a set will come up that are virtually brand new because someone mounted them and found they didn’t fit Or, as stickguy said, they came off a new vehicle on which someone swapped wheels/tires. I almost never buy less than 8/32nds because it just isn’t worth the effort beyond that. It can take some patience, so it is not a path I recommend if you are in immediate need.

stickguy

not sure if they still do, but the tire store by me (NTB?) always had a board listing take-off specials. I think it was tires that people bought, but exchanged for something else (they offered a 30 day exchange policy, which I used once). Those tires have to go someplace. Effectively brand new, but can't be sold as such. To save enough, I have no problem buying that way.

driver100

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

graphicguy

Mike....my GF has ordered tires from Costco. It took her a week to get them, but Costco did indeed get them. Ask...only thing they can say is “no”.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Just me, but I wonder what percentage of used tires actually work very well. It seems that today's cars require tires that are perfect in so many ways...have to match, have the same wear etc. Unless you are buying for a hooptie or a much older car, just to keep it going, I think I would "steer" away from buying used tires.

OTOH, if you have a leased car and have to turn it in, and you can find a few good looking used tires......it may solve a problem.

I think you answered your own question. Hoopties and soon to be returned leases are probably the major buyers. I once stuck car tires from a vehicle I junked on my farm van to save a few bucks. Made it look like a low rider but worked fine for a few years. I wasn’t worried about handling since the van was such a wreck I had to drive pretty slow anyway.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Often the brand people like isn't available from the manufacturer as in the old days. On my last leSabre I lucked out the and the Celebration model had Michelins on it (they also used some Firestones on the model). But on earlier cars I traded out the junk on them for Michelins.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

roadburner

Back in the 90s I was sick and tired of the awful TRX tires on my E28 5er. A CCA member in Texas had just bought an E34 and had already installed wider tires and wheels. He sold me his take-offs for less than $500 including shipping.

bwia

Happy New Year to all. @jmonroe, sorry to rub it in but it is still sunny with temps in the low 80's and cool trade winds.

Happy 2020.

28firefighter

I bought a set of used tires for the X1 before it went back from a well known used tire site. Picked up a nearly new set of OEM Goodyear Eagle Sport RFTs for $350.

bwia

Would you believe that it is 21 degrees in Nuuk Greenland right now. And in Australia the heat has migrated down to Tasmania.

That's why Europe is ramping up their EV production and effectuation.

Michaell

bwia said:

Would you believe that it is 21 degrees in Nuuk Greenland right now. And in Australia the heat has migrated down to Tasmania.

That's why Europe is ramping up their EV production and effectuation.

I was reading an article about Australia recently. One day a couple of weeks ago, the average temperature for the entire country was over 107 F.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

I am wondering if I can get nice OEM floor mats for the C250. Mrs D likes to use the carpeted ones they give you, she thinks it is OCD to have to put in rubber ones.....to save mats that came with the car. The only thing is, the beige floor mats do get a little tacky looking after 5 years. Can you order used floor mats....if not, anyone want to go into business?

driver100

Is 2020 the beginning of a new decade, or is 2021 the beginning?

Wikipedia:
2020s
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2020s (pronounced "twenty-twenties" or "two-thousand-(and)-twenties"; shortened to the '20s[1][2]) is the current decade in the Gregorian calendar that began on 1 January 2020 and will end on 31 December 2029

There are good arguments to be made that it should start in 2021, but, most people like it to begin on Jan 1, 2020.
https://youtu.be/TVUSNbSX9oE

imidazol97

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

I am wondering if I can get nice OEM floor mats for the C250. Mrs D likes to use the carpeted ones they give you, she thinks it is OCD to have to put in rubber ones.....to save mats that came with the car. The only thing is, the beige floor mats do get a little tacky looking after 5 years. Can you order used floor mats....if not, anyone want to go into business?

Doesn't your Mercedes dealer have replacement mats that are OEM available? Stop in for some bagels, cream cheese, and caviar and pick up a set. Or they might have to order them from a warehouse...

I prefer the original mats. I bought replacement OEM mats for the Cruze when we got it. The driver's heel leaves an impression on the mat, so we replaced them. Now it's due for another single mat, but have to buy a whole set. An advantage to having a regular car is I can buy them on ebay...

laurasdada

Happy New Year's all! This is the 6th NYE in a row that I did not buy a new car. I'm not proud of that, I just had to share.
Explorer: that beautiful restaurant reminds me of the (former, last I knew) Cobb's Mill Inn in Weston, CT.

laurasdada

Boston Int'l Auto Show in 3 weeks, just checked. No Audi, BMW, Jag, MB, Porsche, Tesla.
Nor Olds, Pontiac, Saab, Yugo, Bricklin, Delorean, Studebaker, Packard, Cord, Auburn, Tucker, Duesenberg or Amphicar. Oh, well. Guess I'll have to wait for Greenwich Concours in June!

jmonroe

bwia said:

Happy New Year to all. @jmonroe, sorry to rub it in but it is still sunny with temps in the low 80's and cool trade winds.

Happy 2020.

Hey guys, the New Year is barely upon us and he's at it already. :@

jmonroe

abacomike

graphicguy said:

Mike....my GF has ordered tires from Costco. It took her a week to get them, but Costco did indeed get them. Ask...only thing they can say is “no”.

I was at Costco - they checked and told me their suppliers do not handle that size run-flat tire. Only Pirelli and Goodyear make that tire and most places charge $400+ per tire + balancing and installation. Trust me - the next car I buy will have the same sized tires all around. My fronts wear out so quickly because I can't rotate them. The rear tires are the original tires (18,600 miles on them) and still have lots of tread left.

I am going to have to bite the bullet and replace the fronts again (will be the 3rd set) - pathetic! 😕

abacomike

Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈to everyone.

jmonroe

laurasdada said:

Happy New Year's all! This is the 6th NYE in a row that I did not buy a new car. I'm not proud of that, I just had to share.
Explorer: that beautiful restaurant reminds me of the (former, last I knew) Cobb's Mill Inn in Weston, CT.

The way you were talking for a while there, I thought this was going to be your year. How can you live with that kind of disappointment year after year?

jmonroe

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

I am wondering if I can get nice OEM floor mats for the C250. Mrs D likes to use the carpeted ones they give you, she thinks it is OCD to have to put in rubber ones.....to save mats that came with the car. The only thing is, the beige floor mats do get a little tacky looking after 5 years. Can you order used floor mats....if not, anyone want to go into business?

Doesn't your Mercedes dealer have replacement mats that are OEM available? Stop in for some bagels, cream cheese, and caviar and pick up a set. Or they might have to order them from a warehouse...

I prefer the original mats. I bought replacement OEM mats for the Cruze when we got it. The driver's heel leaves an impression on the mat, so we replaced them. Now it's due for another single mat, but have to buy a whole set. An advantage to having a regular car is I can buy them on ebay...

I just need front mats, back are like new. I'd prefer real Mercedes mats, but, I could opt for nice knock offs. It seems ideal type of thing for a used auto parts place to sell.

driver100

laurasdada said:

Happy New Year's all! This is the 6th NYE in a row that I did not buy a new car. I'm not proud of that, I just had to share.

What do you call someone who is the opposite of Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous?

Just Can't Bring Myself to Buy a New Car Anonymous maybe

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

bwia said:

Would you believe that it is 21 degrees in Nuuk Greenland right now. And in Australia the heat has migrated down to Tasmania.

That's why Europe is ramping up their EV production and effectuation.

I was reading an article about Australia recently. One day a couple of weeks ago, the average temperature for the entire country was over 107 F.

You have to remember that Australia is mainly a hot dry country so hot temperatures are usually well within the mean. If you can believe the official sources, average temperatures in major cities have seen a decline over the last 130 years.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

I am wondering if I can get nice OEM floor mats for the C250. Mrs D likes to use the carpeted ones they give you, she thinks it is OCD to have to put in rubber ones.....to save mats that came with the car. The only thing is, the beige floor mats do get a little tacky looking after 5 years. Can you order used floor mats....if not, anyone want to go into business?

I agree with your wife. Not using the mats that came with the car is like putting plastic on your couch cushions. Taken to the extreme you get those nutty car collectors who buy a brand new car and store it for 50 years so it won’t get worn out.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

laurasdada said:

Happy New Year's all! This is the 6th NYE in a row that I did not buy a new car. I'm not proud of that, I just had to share.
Explorer: that beautiful restaurant reminds me of the (former, last I knew) Cobb's Mill Inn in Weston, CT.

The way you were talking for a while there, I thought this was going to be your year. How can you live with that kind of disappointment year after year?

jmonroe

He must have incredible will power.

I haven’t bought a car since March and it’s already eating at me. Going through cars listings and plotting out the shortest route to a car dealer 3 states over can only suffice so long.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks for the info......I didn't realize people might buy a car and then want to replace the tires. Kind of works like our book biz....remainders and overprints.
I pictured most of these would be in pretty bad shape....but, I suppose there could be good tires removed from a car that had been in an accident even.

Another source of good used tires is a recycling yard. A friend bought 4 tires for his Saturn from a nearby yard. Probably a car that died of miles and age but all of its wheels were intact and fairly new good shape. Often in a wreck at least one wheel and tire are damaged.

I am wondering if I can get nice OEM floor mats for the C250. Mrs D likes to use the carpeted ones they give you, she thinks it is OCD to have to put in rubber ones.....to save mats that came with the car. The only thing is, the beige floor mats do get a little tacky looking after 5 years. Can you order used floor mats....if not, anyone want to go into business?

Doesn't your Mercedes dealer have replacement mats that are OEM available? Stop in for some bagels, cream cheese, and caviar and pick up a set. Or they might have to order them from a warehouse...

I prefer the original mats. I bought replacement OEM mats for the Cruze when we got it. The driver's heel leaves an impression on the mat, so we replaced them. Now it's due for another single mat, but have to buy a whole set. An advantage to having a regular car is I can buy them on ebay...

I just need front mats, back are like new. I'd prefer real Mercedes mats, but, I could opt for nice knock offs. It seems ideal type of thing for a used auto parts place to sell.

Try eBay. I found an owner’s manual for my Lincoln that way.