retired my bird

[justjon]

The death of a local family on the way to Legoland because of a probable tire failure was the last push and I had my Ford dealer install a new set of Michelin
MXM4's.
Surprise, my dealer was a little cheaper then Costco (even with $70 off for set of four) and Americas Tires. Ford was $937.00 (ouch!) plus tax ($91.41). I negotiated a four wheel alignment for $70 and they threw in an oil change. Dust settled at $1128.85 out the proverbial door. I always have buyers regret after purchase like this but I must say the bird rides quieter and the suspension feels better tuned and more comfortable. The original tires still had reasonable tread at 47,626 miles but one sidewall was gouged pretty deeply.

[texasbird]

Re: retired my bird

Glad to see that retired means NEW SHOES... and NOT parked in a barn for someone to find in 20 or 30 years.

James

[Skozzy]

Re: retired my bird

Is it me or does that seem really steep for those tires? Maybe Commiefornia tires cost more for some enviormentally ill reason.

[texasbird]

Re: retired my bird

I haven't priced tires for the Tbird yet, so I may be in tire sticker shock when the time comes.

James

[Treken]

Re: retired my bird

I payed $1180.00cdn for OEM tires this spring, and that was the best I could find here in Canada, also from a Ford dealer. I have noticed that even the dealerships are giving deals when they can with the economy the way it is. They where the cheapest price in town to get Borlas as well. I have even ordered the cover on the dash that blows air at the side window on the passenger side (second time for some reason) and they gave me a 15% discount on the invoice. Still was about $18.00 though.

[justjon]

Re: retired my bird

The tire price is high and I shopped it.. Tire Rack is $203.00 each which is pretty cheap in comparisn ( and they only had one tire)but they get $53.16 for shipping and the cost to mount and balance with valve stems is 16.50 each, the math equels $931 versus $937 from Ford plus $52.00 to mount and balance. The Califonicate tax is $91.41 plus $1.75 each tire disposal fee. The air must surely be fresher down wind from us..

[Ediron]

Re: retired my bird

When you figure it out I think tires are the cheapest life saving item on our cars.Price sounds OK to me.

[rmarshal]

Re: retired my bird

Considering all, a bargain at twice the price. Just as with insurances, you don't use it until you need it and even then, you wish you had more.
And, the one who took off the old tires, mounted, balanced, and remounted the new shoes can continue to pay his bills, pay his taxes, and keep things humming along.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: retired my bird

I JUST REPLACED THE FOURTH ORGINAL TIRE BECAUSE OF DRY ROT AND THE COST WAS $235.96 WITH MOUNTING, BALANCE, AND NEW STEM. THAT IS IN EAST TENNESSEE. MICHELIN ONLY HELPS IF THE TIRE IS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD. IF YOU HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE SIDEWALLS AND BETWEEN THE TREADS, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME, IT MIGHT SUPRISE YOU.

[justjon]

Re: retired my bird

You guys always make me feel better. Thanks for the sage wisdom. and how much is $1180 Canadian in U.S. curency?

[FEsTbird]

Re: retired my bird

On another thread it seems like some folks have replaced Michelin with Goodyear. Did you give any thought to that?

[V8 Cat]

Re: retired my bird

I have those Michelin MXM4s on our Lexus SC300 - love them. They are expensive but, in my opinion, worth it.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: retired my bird

I have even ordered the cover on the dash that blows air at the side window on the passenger side (second time for some reason) and they gave me a 15% discount on the invoice. Still was about $18.00 though.

This is a common problem, the tabs are too thin and break off.
A small dot or two of Super Glue and they will be there forever!

[justjon]

Re: retired my bird

I looked into Goodyear, Kuhmo, Yokohama, Bridgestones and Hancook. None of these were going to give me 47,000 miles and the "looks' of the MXM4's seemed the appropriate mix of touring agressiveness that most exactly matched the demeanor of a black Bird. If mine was red I would have bought the Goodyears unless I had Borlas and a trunk mat then it would definitly have been those Yokohamas!

[FUN X 3]

Re: retired my bird

When my car needed new tires a few months ago, I took Tire Rack's price to my dealer and they beat the price. We get both cars [02 Bird & 03 Escape] serviced there regularly, so they work with us on stuff like this.