Actually, Carve [Robb] was inquiring about tires....

 

Oh I thought this was the driving on only 2 wheels while holding a cupa Tim's coffee & eating Timbits thread.....

 

Mark, where did you get your Zeons? I think I'm going to stick with the S-Heavies so I need to find some 205/45/17 all-seasons, which eliminates the Kumho Ecsta ASX's.

 

I need to start losing some weight or this is the way CHKMINI will soon look when I sit in it

 

Well I think I'm down to 3 choices for replacement tires:

Cooper Zeon Sports A/S - 205/45/17
Kumho Ecsta ASX - 215/45/17
Conti ExtremeContact - 215/45/17

I know that 215/45/17 is bigger then stock, but like the idea of having a little more sidewall in case I do decide to get new 17" wheels down the road. Now I just need to get some price qoutes on the last two options.

 

My new tires arrived today... now just need to install them! I'll let you know the 'verdict' saturday evening...

 

Tire Rack is selling the General Tire Altimax all season in a 215/45/17 for $81 ea.

The Kumho is going for $94 ea., and the Continental, $93 ea. Tire Rack does not handle Cooper, per se, although they DO carry the Avon Tech M550 A/S [made by Cooper], in the size you seek, for $92 ea.

 

I don't know if this matters to you or not Brian. But a 205 size tire is going to work better in the snow that a 215 size tire. Just a thought.

 

I been thinking about that. The other thing that I'm wondering is if I should get the "Road Hazard" plan that everyone seems to offer for an additional price.

 

If I was buying the tires locally I might spring for the road hazard. I did when I bough tires for my son. I've used it 2 times on my son's tires already. It paid for itself the first time I used it.

If I was buying from Tire Rack I wouldn't get it. Being in Columbus it is going to be a pain to do a warranty claim with them. Just my .02 here.

 

I've seen those on Tire Rack, I just can't decide if I want to order through them, have them shipped to one of their recommended installers and then still have to pay for mounting at the installers or just find some locally in-stock and be done with it.

 

If you want to buy from Tire Rack I can point you toward the installer that I use. He's most reasonable & he's TR recommended. PM me for details.

 

I have NEVER had them shipped to their recommended installers, although if you now are running runflats, their installers are best equipped to remove the tires without damaging your rims. THAT'S why I used them, but now that the runflats are long gone, I can take any tires I get from Tire Rack to anyone to get them installed. However, I prefer the installer they recommended, as his pricing is wayyyyyyyy below local installers around here.

 

I was driving by Bob Sumeral Friday night and saw they were having a tire sale thru Saturday. Went up Saturday afternoon and ended up getting $100 off the Zeon Sport A/S. Went out yesterday and got a $20 compressor/slime kit from Target. It is great to have traction again!

 

Congrats Brian!!! I think you will be happy with them.

As your true friend & buddy I'm volunteering to drive your car & break those tires in for ya. Get in line behind me Cooper.

 

Brody and I worked them over pretty good yesterday while we were out. After one corner he told me that I almost threw him out of the window. I told him that is why he wears a 5 point harness!

 

Better bribe him with a toy. He's gonna tell mom & you are going to be doing couch time.

 

He already tells her that "Daddy's car is faster then hers"

 

That is too funny. I was pushing Digby around this weekend and I swear he was smiling whenever we took a turn.

 

Could my new tires (see above) be causing my mpg to drop from an easy 37 to a struggling 35? (Hey, I know it's not much...but still...!) ((I'm also due for Service I...although the drop happened following the tire change...))

 

They might, until they are broken in...usually about 500 miles.

 

I would think you would be disappointed by the loss of torque with the 215/45s. 215/40s or 205/45s really are better and either are more than adequate wheel protection against most potholes. The biggest danger to all wheels is the curb damage.

 

Ah, good to know Welsh...Thanks!

 

I guess all new tires come with some sort of emulsion on them...which is why they look so pretty when they are first on. Anyway, the emulsion needs to wear off on the road surface and then the tires can start settling in for the job ahead....

 

Mold release compound. Yep that stuff is slicker that goose poop.