So I finally need a new set of all 4 tires... Dealer is quoting 266/ea to put the same tires I have on there now (16" Dunlop runflats)

I'm not totally tied to having runflats again... I wouldn't mind having something a little lighter. But, I wouldn't mind having runflats again either

What do you guys think? Where is the best place to get good tires, for a good price?

 

It seems that nobody runs the runflats after the initial set, in fact most get rid of them before their lifespan ends. http://www.tirerack.com http://www.discounttire.com

 

It's very easy to find good non-runflats for HALF that price ... just cover yourself with either a AAA-membership or a tire-plug/inflator kit --

 

I'm wondering the same thing, though I don't need tires yet, I've got 15,000 miles on Molly and I know the OEM RF's are not going to last much longer.

I will definitely want a new tire on before the WA/OR rainy season hits, probably by October of this year.

We run approx. 200+ miles a week, will be wanting an All Season, which I did not order on the car, dumb move on my part, something with an aggressive tread pattern, and I'm wondering how wide of a tire I can go with the stock 16" Bridgespoke Wheels??

 

if you are in OC try www.Monarch-Wheels.com ask for Roy

 

Agreed, I run non runflats, but bought the mini mobility kit from MINI in case I get a flat or need to get somewhere to fix it. Yeah okay so I need to get out of the car and inflate it, but it doesnt cost 900 bucks and neither would the wheel and tire in the worst type of flat situation!

Just my .02

 

if you get a FLAT call Triple A

keep the car light and sporty, loose the nasty runflats and forget about putting more crap in the car like a spare tire :D

 

or better yet, call MINI Roadside and get scooped up for free!

 

I buy Street tires from Tire Rack (the best ones that are on sale)
For HPDE tires Vulcan Tires and the now defunct Edge Racing
They have the Best Prices
For flats NAM, Craigslist, and Ebay.

 

TireRack is the only place I go to. Local mounting at DiscountTire or Walmart.

 

This brings up a question I've been mulling for a couple weeks

I scoped out a set of Goodyear F1 All Seasons that seem to be a good fit for me.

I followed the links on Tire Rack to get installed cost and who locally would work with Tire Rack. Did so and when I was talking to the guy at the local tire shop asked what cost would be if I bought the Goodyears directly from him.

The cost he gave me was within about $5 of cost of buying on Tire Rack + Installation costs. No real big suprise. I pointed that out to local tire store mgr and he also pointed out that you have to ship back to Tire Rack or other online resources when a warranty issue comes up.

The question that has popped in my mind is why is everybody on these boards saying they buy from Tire Rack only or other online sources? Am I missing something here. Seems like the cost is about the same and it's more of a pain when you have warranty issues

 

I agree with tgs91.
Many years ago I used to buy from tirerack and have the tires mounted at a local shop. That was before local tire stores could get whatever tire you wanted from a warehouse. However, now many local tire shops can get any tire you want within a few days and you can negotiate a price close to the tirerack, +shipping, +mounting price. I use Big Brand Tires in my local area and they have be great to track down whatever tire I want at a fair price.

 

I've found that its only worth it, if the shipping is free and I get them mounted at walmart. they charge like $5 a tire. discount tire has free shipping. Only then is it worth it.

 

Getting rid of the run-flats is a "no brainer." I know that from first-hand experience. I'm now running Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's in 205-50-16 and love them.

I buy everyting from Tirerack. They have a deal with NTB for low cost mounting.

 

In the past, I've purchased tires online from Discount, Tire Rack, and local shops that have been willing to get close to the online prices.

I've recently been working part time at one of the preferred local installers, and we can sometimes get close to TireRack pricing on some of the tires. Other times, I've actually steered friends to ordering from TireRack and shipping them to our store to be installed. It all depends on the particular tire and what type of discounting can be done. And some shops charge a little less to install their own tires compared to the ones that a customer brings in (or gets from TireRack).

It is a valid point about having the Road Hazard warranty, though... You can get free flat repair and/or an easy exchange direct at our store. It's a bit more of a hassle with Tire Rack, I believe.

Ultimately, buy from whom you feel most comfortable. It helps to develop a rapport with your tire shop/service center as well. I'll go out of my way to take care of enthusiasts that come in (making sure there is no damage to their wheels during the process, giving discounts where I can, ensuring their car is treated respectfully by our staff), especially if they reward me with repeat business or referrals, for example.

 

Sam's Club will price match Tire Rack, but they are limited in the performance tires, although they do have all the one mentioned above. exaltos, F1, most your all-eason type tires.

 

I agree on buying from a dealer you can trust. But make sure the shop you choose to mount your new tires has equipment that will not ding up your wheels in the process.

 

I tried that on a weekend - not so accomodating. Fortunately, I was in my driveway so I ended up fixing the RF myself. 6000 miles and counting on the repair.

 

So your like the rachael starr? Dig your work a lot & a mini driver, nice! Love to forever on tiesto ISOS 7. - sorry off topic