Need tire advice

[Jay 535i]

I'm the proud new owner of a set of 17" Style 5 rims (yay -- thanks Bruno!).

Two of the rims have nice Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 rubber on them. The other two rims need new rubber.

Any advice at all about these ebay auctions would be appreciated:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[joe maniqz]

I'm the proud new owner of a set of 17" Style 5 rims (yay -- thanks Bruno!).

Two of the rims have nice Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 rubber on them. The other two rims need new rubber.

Any advice at all about these ebay auctions would be appreciated:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

i would match them with what you have.

[Jay 535i]

i would match them with what you have.

Wasn't sure how important that was. That's why I'm floatin' it out there.

I would make them match side to side, of course, but fronts would differ from the backs.

[Paul in NZ]

make em ALL the same

[uscharalph]

I'm the proud new owner of a set of 17" Style 5 rims (yay -- thanks Bruno!).

Two of the rims have nice Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 rubber on them. The other two rims need new rubber.

Any advice at all about these ebay auctions would be appreciated:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

You're buying used tires? I just bought 2 brand new Falken Tires online at www.discounttire.com for $100 shipped including hazard. They were 15" though, but I just could see putting used tires on my car.

[Gayle]

I'm the proud new owner of a set of 17" Style 5 rims (yay -- thanks Bruno!).

Two of the rims have nice Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 rubber on them. The other two rims need new rubber.

Any advice at all about these ebay auctions would be appreciated:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I have no opinion about the tires, but if you buy ebay, use bidnip. Computered generated sniping. Place you max bid, forget about it, and it bids for you in the last 10 secs. First 5 snipes free. No rants if you lose.

http://www.bidnip.com

[tim s]

i am extremly happy with my xgt z4's.
tim s.

[Jay 535i]

Thanks for the replies.

Cost of one new tire in the size I need: ~CDN$250
Cost of four of the same tire with 70% tread left: ~CDN$250

That's why used tires are appealing to me.

I really appreciate all opinions, but an irrational aversion to scuffed rubber isn't a good enough reason to ignore the bargain of used tires, IMHO. What are your experiences with used tires? I have trouble seeing the harm, but I'm open to being talked in to or out of anything.

Tim, how are those tires in snow? I expect to get a dedicated set of snows, but I'm curious what your experience is with the XGTs. Tire Rack's users rate it quite highly for snow traction, which I'm a bit skeptical about.

[tim s]

i purchased them just after this past winter. i have a set of blizzaks for winter. i have not decided if i will swap them this winter yet. i do know that these tires have not shown near the wear as my previous 2 sets of dunlops.
i have 5000miles on these with very good results in rain & dry.
i am still running 225/60/15's though. my blizzaks are 205/60/15's.
i still can't believe how good this car has been in bad weather.
tim s.

[Kalevera]

After buying one set of used tires myself and knowing of others who've done the same, I wouldn't do it again.

There are two reasons:

1) Tires, especially high performance ones, wear "into" specific cars. It's quite hard to get them to work on a different car.

2) Regardless of what the seller claims, used tires invariably carry the risk of having been mounted on a car that had suspension issues, resulting in uneven wear, fluttering, flat spots, you name it. Unless I knew that they came off of an E34 with a decent suspension, I wouldn't buy them for my own car.

best, whit