Expensive Tires!!!!

[paulbuck]

Anyone have the Michelin Energy MXV4's? I ran over a piece of metal yesterday, slitting my rear tire beyond repair. Replacement cost: $275 !!!!

I've never paid that much for a car tire before; have come close with tires for my Yamaha, but this? Wow!

[akirby]

Anyone have the Michelin Energy MXV4's? I ran over a piece of metal yesterday, slitting my rear tire beyond repair. Replacement cost: $275 !!!!

I've never paid that much for a car tire before; have come close with tires for my Yamaha, but this? Wow!

 

That sounds high - what size and which model/year Fusion?

[FFHdriver]

Anyone have the Michelin Energy MXV4's? I ran over a piece of metal yesterday, slitting my rear tire beyond repair. Replacement cost: $275 !!!!

I've never paid that much for a car tire before; have come close with tires for my Yamaha, but this? Wow!

Tire rack lists them for $181.

[Dave Statler]

Anyone have the Michelin Energy MXV4's? I ran over a piece of metal yesterday, slitting my rear tire beyond repair. Replacement cost: $275 !!!!

I've never paid that much for a car tire before; have come close with tires for my Yamaha, but this? Wow!

Google the size/ model and IF you have Costco- go there- Prices can not be beat IMHO

[akirby]

Tire rack lists them for $181.

 

Correct!

 

Michelin Energy MXV4 S8

 

$650 after $70 rebate for a set of 4. Plus installation but that should only be $15/tire.

 

Edit: Costco is $221 each. Tirerack price is a SPECIAL.

Edited December 14, 2010 by akirby

[bbf2530]

Hi paulbuck. :D Just to add to the good information everyone has already provided in this thread: In the future, if you have a Costco membership (or for others who do) keep in mind that the current Costco per tire price of $227.99 for the Michelin - Energy™ MXV4® S8 ($212.99 per tire + $15 per tire installation and disposal) already includes all initial mounting and balancing charges along with lifetime balancing, lifetime rotations, lifetime flat repairs. lifetime inflation/pressure checks, nitrogen fills and refills (for those who consider that a selling point) and a comprehensive Road Hazard Warranty.

 

You will need to add those extra costs to the per tire price from the Tire Rack, Discount Tire etc., as they are not included in the listed price (if desired, the Road Hazard Warranty alone is an added $21.72). Throw in mounting balancing, valves etc., and it is just about a wash with non-special pricing. With the current special that akirby mentioned, Tire Rack may still be the best current deal, but that will/does change from time to time as each seller runs their own specials.

 

So while Costco's initial per tire price is higher than the discount sellers, for those with a Costco membership it can be a good deal when all pricing factors are taken into consideration over the life of the tires.

 

At the very least, it is certainly better than $275. Just curious, you don't mention where you purchased that $275 tire? Ford Dealer? Tire Shop? And did that price include all associated costs (mounting, balancing, valves etc.) etc.)?

 

In the end, it never hurts to have multiple sources for good tire prices (as you found out the hard way, unfortunately). So check them all for the best all-inclusive/comprehensive pricing, take convenience into consideration and go with the best deal.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited December 14, 2010 by bbf2530

[mirak]

Uggg... I didn't pay much attention when I bought the car, but I sort of assumed Ford would use super expensive tires. Seems like the manufacturers especially like to put "low rolling resistance" tires on hybrids to jack up the MPG as much as possible. Low rolling resistance = expensive and short tread life.

 

When I go to replace mine, I'm switching to a cheaper tire with longer tread life. A tiny boost in MPG isn't worth the extra money. When I replaced my Highlander Hybrid's tires a few years ago, I went with Cooper at less than half the cost of whatever brand was on there, and I've had no regrets.

[bbf2530]

Uggg... I didn't pay much attention when I bought the car, but I sort of assumed Ford would use super expensive tires. Seems like the manufacturers especially like to put "low rolling resistance" tires on hybrids to jack up the MPG as much as possible. Low rolling resistance = expensive and short tread life.

 

When I go to replace mine, I'm switching to a cheaper tire with longer tread life. A tiny boost in MPG isn't worth the extra money. When I replaced my Highlander Hybrid's tires a few years ago, I went with Cooper at less than half the cost of whatever brand was on there, and I've had no regrets.

 

Hi mirak. :D Just as an FYI: While you are correct that low rolling resistance tires are often more expensive than a comparable non-LRR tire, they generally have a longer tread life due to a generally "harder" tread compound.

 

Also, the Energy MXV4 S8 has been used on the Lincoln MKZ since 2006 (I have them on my 2007), so they are not a Hybrid exclusive tire, although different models can have different specs.

 

Not trying to talk you out of purchasing a cheaper tire, just setting the record straight on tire compounds and tread life.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited December 14, 2010 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

Ford dealers will generally meet any price on tires. Give it a shot.

[mirak]

Hi mirak. :D Just as an FYI: While you are correct that low rolling resistance tires are often more expensive than a comparable non-LRR tire, they generally have a longer tread life due to a generally "harder" tread compound.

 

Also, the Energy MXV4 S8 has been used on the Lincoln MKZ since 2006 (I have them on my 2007), so they are not a Hybrid exclusive tire, although different models can have different specs.

 

Not trying to talk you out of purchasing a cheaper tire, just setting the record straight on tire compounds and tread life.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

What's the tread life of the tires on the FFH? I thought it was something like 30k.

[CometFlash]

What's the tread life of the tires on the FFH? I thought it was something like 30k.

 

Damn! I hope not. I usually drive a good 5 years on my stock tires every time I buy a new 4x4 F-150. That's at least 10-12k miles a year x5. 30k... that'd suck.

[jeff_h]

What's the tread life of the tires on the FFH? I thought it was something like 30k.

 

My FFH will hit 60k miles next week and is on the original tires (obviously much highway miles) and all would still easily pass inspection. I have a new set of Goodyear Assurance Fuelmax that I got from tirerack, I doubt that I will get 60k miles from this next set but they were $141 each instead of the over $200 each as the OP noted. If I only get 30k miles from this new set then "you get what you pay for" will be the case.

[CometFlash]

Do you guys buy snow tires for the winter months? If it comes stock with LRR tires, they must be particularly terrible in the winter with no traction at all. I'd probably buy the best set of winter tires money could buy for the 3 bad months of the year if I pick up an FFH/MKZH.

[lolder]

One of the U.S. D.O.E. Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA http://avt.inl.gov/hev.shtml ) FFHs changed 4 tires at 60,500 miles for $530. They changed 1 tire at 33,000 miles probably for a mishap. The second program FFH replaced 2 tires at 34,000 miles for $432 and now has 53,000 miles. It's tires were rotated less frequently. These vehicles are used in the valley of Phoenix by a document messenger service and the AVTA is using them in long term tests. Here we see the future of our cars which is really neat.

Edited December 15, 2010 by lolder

[bbf2530]

What's the tread life of the tires on the FFH? I thought it was something like 30k.

 

Hi mirak. No, that is incorrect. The Energy MXV4 S8 is a Grand Touring All Season class tire. It was classified as that before it qualified as an LRR tire, and it is still classified as such now. It has a UTQG Treadwear rating of 420. In addition, I can personally vouch for the fact that my tires now have over 24,000 miles on them with more than half of the usable tread remaining. And no problems in snow, including several blizzards. :shift:

 

It all comes down to the fact that very general statements normally turn out to be incorrect as often as they are correct. The best advice I can give to anyone is to do some basic research on sites such as The Tire Rack or Discount Tire. All of the comparison and tire-tech information is readily available there to dispel the common myths and misconceptions concerning tire technology.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck.

[paulbuck]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

 

I bought it from a local chain here in Connecticut, Town Fair Tire; I did call around to other Michelin dealers, all quoted me the same price, more or less. I've dealt with Town Fair for a while now, so I went to them. That was the out-the-door price, including mounting, balancing, tax, etc.

 

I don't belong to Costco as the nearest one is 3/4 hour drive away and I was anxious to get this resolved in a hurry anyway, as I'm doing a lot of Christmas driving next week.

 

Hopefully the next time I have to go thru this will be for high-mileage replacement and I will be able to take my time shopping around with better options.