Car guys...need some tire help

[BigJim13]

Took my '04 Buick Rainier in to get inspected today and well it won't pass! I was actualy thinking on the way in that its about time for some new tires and sure enough, tread to low to pass inspection.

Anyway, off to tire shop. I have had the car for 7 years. It came with Michelins on it, when I replaced the tires about 4.5 yrs ago, I put Michelins on it again. Both times I have gotten about 60-65K miles out of the tires. They are expensive but I don't mind paying more if I am going to get 4-5 years out of them. So, thinking Michelins again. Any other brands I should consider? Bridgestone? Goodyear?

As always, thanks in advance!

 

[azgreg]

I spent 22 years in the auto repair and tire business and my advice is buy the most tire you can afford. Not only does the tire generally last longer, but the ride quality is more likely to last the entire life of the tire. Ride quality of cheaper tires falls off at a greater rate. with that being said there used to be a big gap between some tire brands but I don't see that anymore.

 

[BigJim13]

I spent 22 years in the auto repair and tire business and my advice is buy the most tire you can afford. Not only does the tire generally last longer, but the ride quality is more likely to last the entire life of the tire. Ride quality of cheaper tires falls off at a greater rate. with that being said there used to be a big gap between some tire brands but I don't see that anymore.

So basically a high end tire from Michelin, Goodyear etc will all be close to each other?

 

[eclark53520]

Stick with what works. If you get 60-65k out of them, and you can afford them, go with it.

 

[azgreg]

So basically a high end tire from Michelin, Goodyear etc will all be close to each other?

Yep, that's my experience.

 

[azgreg]

Stick with what works. If you get 60-65k out of them, and you can afford them, go with it.

Good advice as well.

 

[BigJim13]

Stick with what works. If you get 60-65k out of them, and you can afford them, go with it.

Yeah, guess I kinda knew my answer before I asked.

 

[eclark53520]

The michelins that came on my car lasted 22k and would have cost 206 per tire plus install to replace. **** that.

I know a lot of people that really like them, but that put a real bad taste in my mouth. Really like continental extreme contact DWS. Like i said though, when your spending good money on tires, use what you know works well.

 

[BigJim13]

The michelins that came on my car lasted 22k and would have cost 206 per tire plus install to replace. **** that.

I know a lot of people that really like them, but that put a real bad taste in my mouth. Really like continental extreme contact DWS. Like i said though, when your spending good money on tires, use what you know works well.

It wouldn't have been my first choice, the last time I replaced them it was $1100 for 4 tires, mounting and balancing. But then they lasted 4.5 yrs and I got 63k miles on them. It's hard to argue with that. The ones I am looking at now that are Michelin are 226 per tire with 65k warranty.

Everything just seems like a crapshoot these days!

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

I've always had good luck with Bridgestone. All I have ever owned is trucks though, I'm clueless about car tires.

 

[nututhugame]

Well, if it were me... um nevermind... I got nuthin.

Up the post count though!

 

[Wayneo]

I'd suggest you go to to tirerack . com and check out the tire sizes that fit your car. They have reviews from thousands of users in wear, ride, etc. On my vehicles I've got two sets of Bridgestone's one set of Michelin, and one set of BFGoodrich. I like the Michelin's the least, as I can get tons of Mileage ~65k, but if you just say the words 'rain' or 'dirt' they lose traction on pavement.

 

[BigJim13]

I'd suggest you go to to tirerack . com and check out the tire sizes that fit your car. They have reviews from thousands of users in wear, ride, etc. On my vehicles I've got two sets of Bridgestone's one set of Michelin, and one set of BFGoodrich. I like the Michelin's the least, as I can get tons of Mileage ~65k, but if you just say the words 'rain' or 'dirt' they lose traction on pavement.

That's interesting. I live in Vermont and have had no traction issues with the Michelins, and we get some nasty stuff up here.

Even this winter when apparently my tires were essentially bald I ha no issues.

I have checked out Tirerack though, lots of good info!

 

[Gaijin_Golfer]

Im a big Bridgestone fan. Great tires, IMO. They have great traction, last a long, long time and are very quiet.
I personally wouldnt waste my money on Michelins. IMO, they dont offer the rain/snow traction that Bridgestones do and the quality of Goodyears has never impressed me.