Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

I could get regular tires put on today....the place I called doesn't have RFTs in stock. It is tempting to do it....like ab has done.
The reason why I am not going to do it is because I won't have a spare. The Fix-a-Flat stuff won't always work. I'd like to buy a donut but then I need a jack and would have to call The AAA Guy etc. Still easier to try and drive somewhere to get help.
I'll check my Mercedes dealer in the morning....they should have the right tires. What a hassle! :@

If you’re going to replace all 4 I would say this is the best time to switch out of RF tires. With the money you save you can buy a membership to a road service.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

I could get regular tires put on today....the place I called doesn't have RFTs in stock. It is tempting to do it....like ab has done.
The reason why I am not going to do it is because I won't have a spare. The Fix-a-Flat stuff won't always work. I'd like to buy a donut but then I need a jack and would have to call The AAA Guy etc. Still easier to try and drive somewhere to get help.
I'll check my Mercedes dealer in the morning....they should have the right tires. What a hassle! :@

If you’re going to replace all 4 I would say this is the best time to switch out of RF tires. With the money you save you can buy a membership to a road service.

lol.....and I seriously considered doing that. I have a CAA/AAA membership so that isn't a factor. Sometimes AAA can take hours to get there, and you can be stranded on a highway or in the freezing cold. It is a good service and I like having my membership, and it is good for Mrs D100 to have it as well. But, in some cases I prefer having the flexibility to be able to drive 50 miles and figure out what to do it gives me an option. It seems the price of RFTs has really come down, the first ones I had on the 2008 335 cost about $800 each, now I can get god ones for about $350 CDN, probably under $300 USD. Some were only about $225 CDN..........but I don't want to take the chance of getting crappy tires.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Briefly thought I saw a late model Corvette drive by this morning.
The neighbor up the street who used to have a McLaren now has one of these:
https://luxurypulse.com/sales/show/935-ferrari-488-pista-piloti

I wouldn't want to have to look for a tire for that beast.

snakeweasel

@driver100 said:
I don't think it was the roofer guys....they seemed to be extra careful about removing all debris. It is a bit of a coincidence though. Once when we were in another house neighbors had their roof done....about 5 people got flats and it would be hard to improve who did it....even though they were caused by roofing nails.

Well it's good to know that they such a good job giving out flats that it would be hard to improve on it.

abacomike

@carnaught said:
For those who care: UPDATE on my real estate lottery experience. We had our inspection this last Wed. on the house we placed under contract. Needless to say that it was shockingly bad how the hidden parts of it had been maintained in an otherwise upscale home and location. It was so bad that we had to back-out of the purchase. With our present house sold, and the buyer’s earnest money having gone “hard”, we were essentially homeless. No worries though as we live in a resort area with plenty of VRBO’s and rental apartments available during these hot summer months. We located some of these as well as a storage facility. Then….we made another stab at a place we previously had placed an offer on that was rejected by the seller. This time, after compromise on both our sides, we made it happen. In addition, inspection-wise, things checked out well. Among other things it has a new $17k roof, newer HVAC’s and has been beautifully maintained, gorgeous pool, etc. Unless something unexpected comes up, we will be moving in just under 4 weeks. The place is larger, newer and a step-up from our current one, plus we get to pocket some bucks. The downside is that it is more expensive than the rejected place and the location is nice although less convenient.

Good luck with this one, carnaught! Sounds great and the details worked out well.

snakeweasel

Speaking of flats.

Yep that's a bolt, I'm guessing around a 1/4 or so in size. It's on the Sonata so we had the spare to put pn. Getting a new tire.

snakeweasel

Happy Father's day to all you fathers out there. Hoping your kids didn't forget you like mine did.

explorerx4

@snakeweasel,
Don't worry, your kids forgot me.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

Speaking of flats.

Yep that's a bolt, I'm guessing around a 1/4 or so in size. It's on the Sonata so we had the spare to put pn. Getting a new tire.

How many miles on those tires? They still have some tread but look like they have travelled a few miles.

snakeweasel

@driver100 said:
How many miles on those tires? They still have some tread but look like they have travelled a few miles.

I'm thinking there is just under 40k on them, maybe 35k. Speaking of which I do need to replace the back tire of the motorcycle only after 6k or so miles.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

@driver100 said:

How many miles on those tires? They still have some tread but look like they have travelled a few miles.

I'm thinking there is just under 40k on them, maybe 35k. Speaking of which I do need to replace the back tire of the motorcycle only after 6k or so miles.

I see some tires have 20k mile warranties, some 40k, some 50k. I am just guessing but it seems to me the warranties are probably going to be hard to collect on....probably don't cover punctures. And what good is a pro-rated warranty, they probably pro-rate it to make it a small discount off of the overblown full MSRP, and won't offer any discounts in force. The warranty would have little influence on me buying a particular tire.

explorerx4

I remember one time having a slow leak in a tire in my '04 Focus, so went to a tire store to see if I could get it fixed.
They said, no you need a new tire, so I asked how much?
Guy is on the phone with the wholesaler, and finally says to the person on the other end of the phone, "78? ok got it".
Scribbles on his paper, then looks at me and says, $119. Some quick math in my head said 50% markup, so no thanks.
Got it patched at another place for something like $5. Of course, they put the unidirectional tire on wrong way, so I had to have them remount it.

mjfloyd1

I had Michelin premier tires on a MB GL350. The tires had 70k mile warranty and were bald at 14 K miles even with rotations every 5k miles. Michelin refunded like 97% of wholesale price. The lady was super nice and offered 90% and I said ok. I had been nice to her so she said that this was a negotiation and I did not have to accept the 90%. Being nice paid off.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

explorerx4 said:

Briefly thought I saw a late model Corvette drive by this morning.
The neighbor up the street who used to have a McLaren now has one of these:
https://luxurypulse.com/sales/show/935-ferrari-488-pista-piloti

I wouldn't want to have to look for a tire for that beast.

He has “a guy” for that.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

snakeweasel said:

Speaking of flats.

Yep that's a bolt, I'm guessing around a 1/4 or so in size. It's on the Sonata so we had the spare to put pn. Getting a new tire.

That looks like it was hand hammered in there.

jmonroe

henryn

jmonroe1 said:

snakeweasel said:

Speaking of flats.

Yep that's a bolt, I'm guessing around a 1/4 or so in size. It's on the Sonata so we had the spare to put pn. Getting a new tire.

That looks like it was hand hammered in there.

jmonroe

Nah, looks like a nail gun to me.

imidazol97

Roofing nail.

Has someone been hanging out on the streets near @driver100 residence?

snakeweasel

OK real quick, we areat Oakkbrook mall in Oakbrook, IL and I saw this. Sorry for the picture quality but the store was closed and I took the picture through the window.

qbrozen

@snakeweasel said:
OK real quick, we areat Oakkbrook mall in Oakbrook, IL and I saw this. Sorry for the picture quality but the store was closed and I took the picture through the window.

I didn’t know they actually produced a car yet

snakeweasel

better picture.

stickguy

never heard of that one.

driver100

stickguy said:

never heard of that one.

Funny tires!

henryn

"LUCID" does not ring a bell. But I don't keep up with the car world the way I did as a kid or even as a young man. I can remember my two brothers and I, on a summer afternoon, hiking about a mile down to the nearest highway, sitting up on a hillside, and playing a game where we tried to identify every car that drove by.

28firefighter

Happy Father’s Day, you mothers.

henryn

Here's how I spent my afternoon, doing the DJ thing for a group of (mostly) seniors in a Meetup group. We had a good turnout, and a fair number of dancers. This was in a public park with no alcohol allowed, and it's much harder to get people up and dancing without a little alcohol to loosen them up.



And did I mention it was pouring rain a good part of the afternoon?

[Deleted User]

Happy Father’s Day as well, I enjoyed a little trip to Lowe’s.

jmonroe1

@carnaught, congrats on the your new house. From what you said this was an early choice that you circled back to. Just curious but what was lurking behind the lipstick on the one that didn’t pass the inspection?

jmonroe

stickguy

that's why I need a pickup!

snakeweasel

@qbrozen said:

@snakeweasel said:
OK real quick, we areat Oakkbrook mall in Oakbrook, IL and I saw this. Sorry for the picture quality but the store was closed and I took the picture through the window.

I didn’t know they actually produced a car yet

I don't think they are delivering cars yet but taking preproduction orders.

stickguy

got the wife really on board with actually trying to find a new house and start the move process. But she is convinced that we have way too much stuff to ever deal with, but we shouldn't just pack it all and bring the problem with us! Well, I could take care of it in a week. Her, not so much!

Had a nice chat about the best way to do it since we would be looking 4 hours away. Especially in this crazy market of having to move quickly, so sight unseen. Best option is probably finding a new development, putting deposit down, then having 6-9 months to get the house ready to sell. Either that, or do a big remodel after selling this place and moving where we want to be and renting while we find/update someplace. Or combine the 2. order a new build, and sell this place quicker and rent temporarily to be there.

going to be a bumpy ride though! But at least she does want to go so has some incentive to start thinning out the collection of stuff. maybe if she starts seeing some process it will get her motivated.

stickguy

oh, car related, I would have to decide to get a car down here to have the convenience, just to turn around and reregister it in the new state. Or try to live with one until we moved but I don't think that is workable. But this plan does make a short lease on a PU (or buying something cheaper) look like a real practical idea, with the amount of stuff I would be buying/selling/donate/generally moving around!

oldfarmer50

mjfloyd1 said:

I had Michelin premier tires on a MB GL350. The tires had 70k mile warranty and were bald at 14 K miles even with rotations every 5k miles. Michelin refunded like 97% of wholesale price. The lady was super nice and offered 90% and I said ok. I had been nice to her so she said that this was a negotiation and I did not have to accept the 90%. Being nice paid off.

The OEM Pirellis that came with the Ford developed a noticeable whine at 10k miles. I replaced them at 13k and discovered that they were more than half worn. Disappointing milage as well as annoying.

explorerx4

@stickguy,
You should look up Homelight, they contacted me about buying my home.
I've read they also do bridge loans.
The house up the street sold for 10% over asking, only on the market for a few days, and all offers were over asking.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

mjfloyd1 said:

I had Michelin premier tires on a MB GL350. The tires had 70k mile warranty and were bald at 14 K miles even with rotations every 5k miles. Michelin refunded like 97% of wholesale price. The lady was super nice and offered 90% and I said ok. I had been nice to her so she said that this was a negotiation and I did not have to accept the 90%. Being nice paid off.

The OEM Pirellis that came with the Ford developed a noticeable whine at 10k miles. I replaced them at 13k and discovered that they were more than half worn. Disappointing milage as well as annoying.

Now you tell me. I left the E400 at the dealers yesterday and dropped off the keys. They called this morning and gave me two choices, the same Goodyear Eagle Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros. I went with the Pirellis.....one site rated them in the top 3.....not the Goodyears.
Everyone has to order tires....a good business model would be a building the size of a Walmart that held 4 of every tire....be like an Iffy Lube place.....line up and drive through, 30 minutes and you have new tires.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

Everyone has to order tires....a good business model would be a building the size of a Walmart that held 4 of every tire....be like an Iffy Lube place.....line up and drive through, 30 minutes and you have new tires.

We have that. The regional tire store/servicing and mechanical work garage I use has that. It's their supplier which somewhere in the region has a huge wearhouse and they deliver whatever tires the store needs within an hour or so. I have never heard the guys/gal at the desk tell someone they can't get the tire until tomorrow.

I've watched when I've been in the for the all-important rotation and rebalancing that's part of the plan I purchased. Within 40 minutes or less a pickup or a transit van pulls up with the tires for someone's car. Zip. Zip. Bang. Bang. The car was on the rack and the old tires already off. New ones on. Thank you. And out the door.

The guys/gals delivering the tires may work for a service rather than being part of the distributor. Used to be Rush Delivery in this area years ago.

snakeweasel

henryn said:

"LUCID" does not ring a bell. But I don't keep up with the car world the way I did as a kid or even as a young man. I can remember my two brothers and I, on a summer afternoon, hiking about a mile down to the nearest highway, sitting up on a hillside, and playing a game where we tried to identify every car that drove by.

Lucid used to make components for electric cars and decided to go all out and start making EV's. They are claiming a 500 mile range, a 0 - 60 times in under 3 seconds and the ability to charge up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes. If the range and recharge capabilities are correct this could be a good EV for longer trips.

explorerx4

Every set of Pirelli's I have owned developed flat spots when sitting overnight, which do go away once they warm up. More noticeable in cooler weather.
They don't have a long life, either.
They seem to grip and ride fine, though.

mjfloyd1

@snakeweasel said:
Speaking of flats.

Yep that's a bolt, I'm guessing around a 1/4 or so in size. It's on the Sonata so we had the spare to put pn. Getting a new tire.

You really got screwed on that one

ab348

driver100 said:

Now you tell me. I left the E400 at the dealers yesterday and dropped off the keys. They called this morning and gave me two choices, the same Goodyear Eagle Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros. I went with the Pirellis.....one site rated them in the top 3.....not the Goodyears.

Hope you have better luck with Pirellis than Max did:

https://twitter.com/ESPNF1/status/1401536163148701696

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Now you tell me. I left the E400 at the dealers yesterday and dropped off the keys. They called this morning and gave me two choices, the same Goodyear Eagle Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros. I went with the Pirellis.....one site rated them in the top 3.....not the Goodyears.

Hope you have better luck with Pirellis than Max did:

I don't expect to be going over 200 mph

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Every set of Pirelli's I have owned developed flat spots when sitting overnight, which do go away once they warm up. More noticeable in cooler weather.
They don't have a long life, either.
They seem to grip and ride fine, though.

The model of tire is a big factor too. The Goodyear Eagle Sport tires the dealer offered weren't on the best list I read....but Goodyear Eagle LS-2s were number 2. Pirelli P-Zeros were number 3. For the record Bridgestone Turanzas were #1, but the dealer can only get the Eagle or Pirelli. These tires lasted 4 years, so if I can get 3 or 4 years out of them that would be good.

driver100

A friend sent me a Scotty video about what he thinks about EVs. He is saying what my gut feelings tell me. I know what you think about Scotty but sometimes he has good common sense, and he is a bright guy, in spite of the way he talks. The video is 10 minutes but the EV part is in the first 5 minutes...well worth watching!
https://youtu.be/kua9I49rcCQ

henryn

RE: The Scotty video, and electric cars.

My thoughts: Things can change, dramatically, and in a short period of time. We have seen this, in our lifetimes. Think about the microprocessor, and what changes that wrought. And, oh yeah, the internet. My belief is that electric cars are coming, it is unstoppable.

Anyone who understands the internal workings of an internal combustion engine, versus that of an electric motor, already knows the inherent superiority of the electric motor. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound of a big throaty V8 engine in a Mustang GT. But those days are numbered, you can bet on it.

Hey, just thinking about this gives me the urge to run out and buy a Mustang GT before it’s too late. But of course you can’t right now, none to be bought.

driver100

@henryn I agree mostly, gas engines are pretty crude compared to an EV.
But, I don't know if the current system is the one that we will end up with.
First they put record players in cars, then 8 tracks, then cassettes', then CDs, now phones - sticks - satellite.
Todays EV could be tomorrows 8 track.
I grew up loving gas powered cars....EVs seem like fancy computers to me, but I know the change is coming.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Now you tell me. I left the E400 at the dealers yesterday and dropped off the keys. They called this morning and gave me two choices, the same Goodyear Eagle Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros. I went with the Pirellis.....one site rated them in the top 3.....not the Goodyears.

Hope you have better luck with Pirellis than Max did:

I don't expect to be going over 200 mph

Finally, something you can’t expect from a Benz owner.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

explorerx4 said:

Every set of Pirelli's I have owned developed flat spots when sitting overnight, which do go away once they warm up. More noticeable in cooler weather.
They don't have a long life, either.
They seem to grip and ride fine, though.

The model of tire is a big factor too. The Goodyear Eagle Sport tires the dealer offered weren't on the best list I read....but Goodyear Eagle LS-2s were number 2. Pirelli P-Zeros were number 3. For the record Bridgestone Turanzas were #1, but the dealer can only get the Eagle or Pirelli. These tires lasted 4 years, so if I can get 3 or 4 years out of them that would be good.

Why lock yourself into buying tires from the dealer? If I could get what I thought was better elsewhere, that’s where I’d go.

jmonroe

qbrozen

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Now you tell me. I left the E400 at the dealers yesterday and dropped off the keys. They called this morning and gave me two choices, the same Goodyear Eagle Sports or Pirelli P-Zeros. I went with the Pirellis.....one site rated them in the top 3.....not the Goodyears.

Hope you have better luck with Pirellis than Max did:

https://twitter.com/ESPNF1/status/1401536163148701696

Is there a real report on that anywhere? I'm just curious if they determined a tire was at fault. Can't tell in the video (the front tire damage was a result of hitting the wall).

carnaught

@driver100, proceed with caution - I was not crazy about the ride and noise from the Pirellis I had on my GLC plus @oldfarmer50 mentioned their poor lifespan. @jmonroe1 might have something there about your approach to your tire issue.

henryn

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

explorerx4 said:

Every set of Pirelli's I have owned developed flat spots when sitting overnight, which do go away once they warm up. More noticeable in cooler weather.
They don't have a long life, either.
They seem to grip and ride fine, though.

The model of tire is a big factor too. The Goodyear Eagle Sport tires the dealer offered weren't on the best list I read....but Goodyear Eagle LS-2s were number 2. Pirelli P-Zeros were number 3. For the record Bridgestone Turanzas were #1, but the dealer can only get the Eagle or Pirelli. These tires lasted 4 years, so if I can get 3 or 4 years out of them that would be good.

Why lock yourself into buying tires from the dealer? If I could get what I thought was better elsewhere, that’s where I’d go.

jmonroe

Years ago, I mostly used Sam's Club for tires. But for the last 10 years or so, Discount Tire is my go to. They have a really wide range of tires available, their prices are unbeatable (you might equal, but I haven't seen anyone beat them), and their work has always been high quality, at least for me.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

@henryn I agree mostly, gas engines are pretty crude compared to an EV.
But, I don't know if the current system is the one that we will end up with.
First they put record players in cars, then 8 tracks, then cassettes', then CDs, now phones - sticks - satellite.
Todays EV could be tomorrows 8 track.
I grew up loving gas powered cars....EVs seem like fancy computers to me, but I know the change is coming.

We have to start somewhere. It’s not who does it first, it’s who improves on the design the best. If that didn’t happen in the past, we’d still be driving on square wheels.

jmonroe