Time for new tires?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Time for new tires?
In March I bought a 2001 C5 Vert with 10,500 miles on it and added another 1500 to it bringing it home. It is on the original set of tires,
but the right rear has developed a slow leak and because of the age they won't repair it. They told me that I need to replace them all or one might de-laminate while I was driving it. So to replace them they want $1200 or so for a set of Kumhos or 1600+ for another set of Goodyear run flats.
The car has been kept in a climate controlled garage for the last 8 years the tires have no visible problems and plenty of tread left. Rubber is not dried out or cracked.
I don't drive this car much so I am in no hurry to do anything.
What are your recommendations on tires?
but the right rear has developed a slow leak and because of the age they won't repair it. They told me that I need to replace them all or one might de-laminate while I was driving it. So to replace them they want $1200 or so for a set of Kumhos or 1600+ for another set of Goodyear run flats.
The car has been kept in a climate controlled garage for the last 8 years the tires have no visible problems and plenty of tread left. Rubber is not dried out or cracked.
I don't drive this car much so I am in no hurry to do anything.
What are your recommendations on tires?
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
newtires
I just replaced my original goodyear runflats at 21k. I put on some BFG All season super sports. Much nicer ride. A little quieter but for the price of 700.00 for all four could not complain, go to discount tire, great prices
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 1,818
I would certainly want to get another opinion. Sounds like a tire shop that smells your wallet............. The G.Y. runflats will certainly be harder that they were when they were new but they are unlikely to be as bad as they try to make them sound.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I have heard that tires actually have an expiration date. I think the date only applies to a tire that has never been installed. I would try to get a second opinion, but your still going to have to deal with the slow leak. Good Luck 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Correct....6 years from date made. Look at the DOT code on the sidewalls.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
I have a set of stock size General exclaims for sale $400 + shipping. I have about 5000 miles on them and they look like new. I bought wider rims so if they sell I will buy wider tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
From: Butler PA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Macedon NY
Check out www.tirerack.com .....I think there's like 27 different sets of tires to choose from ...
Always had good and quick service from them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
6 years is what the tire companies WANT to be the service life of tires, BUT they can NOT agree. Sun, heat, and exposure to ozone are the three things that age tires. Sounds like yours were protected against these. I would not be afraid to do normal driving on them. Now, if you are going to do HPDEs, I would look for new tires.
A lot of people have older tires and are doing fine.
Look for cracks or "checking" in rubber on sidewalls and in between treads. Don't confuse belts in between treads with cracks.
Last year, I wore down a set of tires on 2000 rims. They were 8-9 years old and no problems.
A lot of people have older tires and are doing fine.
Look for cracks or "checking" in rubber on sidewalls and in between treads. Don't confuse belts in between treads with cracks.
Last year, I wore down a set of tires on 2000 rims. They were 8-9 years old and no problems.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Where is the slow leak ? in the tire itself? at the bead/ at the valve stem?
Find another tire shop.
If there are not crack in the sidewalls or in the tread area the tires are still good. Harder than when they were new and thus they will have a lot less grip, but they still have serviceable life.
Be expecially careful on wet roads and cold days.
Find another tire shop.
If there are not crack in the sidewalls or in the tread area the tires are still good. Harder than when they were new and thus they will have a lot less grip, but they still have serviceable life.
Be expecially careful on wet roads and cold days.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Leaking Tire
You might need to find out where the leak is. If it's to close to the edge it is not safe to repair per the Rubber Manufacturers Assoc. If there is minor surface cracking from tire dressing etc.. look and see if its cosmetic if its deep they again agree no repair. It's a liability thing the way it was explained to me is "if you repair the tire you become the manufacturer and get all of the liability" not only the business who performed it but even the tech who did it can get nailed. But sometimes the leaks are from corrosion in the bead seating area the other area to look at now is the seals around the TPMS (tire pressure sensor) if you ever need to replace those, Sam's Clubs sell them cheap, same with plastic and aluminum caps. There special order catalogs are quite impressive also.
Michelin is just now coming out with Pilot Sport PS2 in a zero pressure and these offer substantial performance gains in wet and dry, but it comes with a price damm.
Michelin is just now coming out with Pilot Sport PS2 in a zero pressure and these offer substantial performance gains in wet and dry, but it comes with a price damm.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Reading PA
General UHPs !!!!
There is no better value than General UHPs! I just purchased 4 a month ago. Great grab, very good ability in water/hydro circumstances and super value. TireRack.com has them a set of 4 for $489.00 plus a $50.00 Visa gift card, just an unbelievable deal.
Do yourself a favor and buy these.
Bucky Barbour
Do yourself a favor and buy these.
Bucky Barbour
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,607
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There:
I would remove the wheel from the car & have the tire repaired & balanced.Back in 06 I had a nail go through both liners on the rear tire,had it repaired hot patched both liners. Done by the GY tire people for $36. I have a 01 with GY runflats 01 dated tires. 17k miles on the car. I have no weather cracking or slow leaks.Wheel weight must be polyester coated to prevent corrosion. I don't plan on changing tires any time soon.That rear tire that had the leak is still on the car without any problems. Not my dd & not in the Texas heat.
robsc501
I would remove the wheel from the car & have the tire repaired & balanced.Back in 06 I had a nail go through both liners on the rear tire,had it repaired hot patched both liners. Done by the GY tire people for $36. I have a 01 with GY runflats 01 dated tires. 17k miles on the car. I have no weather cracking or slow leaks.Wheel weight must be polyester coated to prevent corrosion. I don't plan on changing tires any time soon.That rear tire that had the leak is still on the car without any problems. Not my dd & not in the Texas heat.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; May 3, 2009 at 08:46 PM.