Struggling to buy tires online

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cnor152

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#270002 19-Apr-2020 10:23

I am a total noob when it comes to buying tires. Never done it before in my life.
I have some horrific run flats, which I want to replace

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Sport+Maxx+050+DSST+CTT&partnum=44WR9SMDSSTNRT

People online (most likely from US) have recommended:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS+06

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS+3%2B+%28W-+or+Y-Speed+Rated%29

After searching online this morning, I haven't had any luck.

1. Can't find these anywhere in NZ

2. Do I need all season tires? Or do we mainly get Summer - which is why I can't find them? I'm planning to go on a road trip around the country, but in Spring/Autumn. Not winter.

3. Where is the best place to get them online? Most sites have limited range or god awful search functions. Am I better going into a store, if so which one?

sidefx

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#2465264 19-Apr-2020 10:29

When I needed new tyres a while back I just asked for a quote using the online forms of a few places and compared them. In the end I went with:

https://www.discounttyres.co.nz/

No idea if they will have what you are wanting, but the online request quote form seemed to route to the owner and he was good to deal with and very happy to make recommendations, negotiate on price based on what other tyre places quoted, etc.

The problem with recommendations from overseas based forums is that they will recommend things they can easily get at a good price, but sometimes finding things locally can be more difficult.

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mudguard

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#2465317 19-Apr-2020 11:05

From memory Michelin Pilots tend to come on fairly high end cars. I know what you mean about pricing though, I tend to replace my work vehicle with the same tires, from the same place. Unfortunately almost once a year, but the work car has different requirements from my little track car.

I'd honestly call the nearest Michelin dealer, or call the dealership and ask what others have replaced them with? Pricing is always blurry, I've used Bridgestone frequently and the seem to have a four for the price of three deal twice a year.

Inphinity

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#2465320 19-Apr-2020 11:09

imo the only decent online tyre shop for NZ is HyperDrive. They use independent installers to actually install the tyres, so check if there's one near you or that you're 'in zone' for one of their mobile fitters. Or just find your local Michelin dealer - https://www.michelin.co.nz/ - and go there.

Jase2985

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#2465332 19-Apr-2020 11:29

1. what car do you have?

2. what size tires do you run?

3. how man km per year do you normally do?

4. how do you drive your car?

Nate001

677 posts

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#2465347 19-Apr-2020 11:36

Buying tyres has to be one of the most frustrating processes, IMO they're a bunch of crooks. Every dealer is hesitant to give you an honest price without haggling. Its like trying to play poker with them.

The previous time tried HyperDrive I found it good, but you should wait for a sale. Buy and pay online, choose your location, time and show up.

If you're not so concerned about price then just go in to any of the larger shops and ask around for prices. Price will really depend on what brand you want and what size they are.

On the topic of which tyre this has been my experience:

Previous car came from factory with Conti Sports Contacts (205/55 R16) and they were really good, got close to 40k KM out of the back set and were quiet. The front set were replaced at 20k KM with Michelins (can't remember which type) but they were also good. Low road noise and good grip.

The new car has Bridgestone potenzas (225/40 R18) and you really notice the road noise, but great grip.

JWR

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#2465394 19-Apr-2020 12:54

These guys might be worth a look too.

https://www.tyroola.co.nz/

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Senecio

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#2465412 19-Apr-2020 13:43

Firstly, the reason why you can't find them in NZ anywhere is we don't really use all season tyres. Unless you're living in high alpine regions they just aren't required and even then for less than 6 months of they year.

A couple of questions and we might be bale to help.

Year/make and model of car
What size tyre is on the car now. (eg. 245/45r19)
What is it about the run flat ts you don't like? Do you have room to carry a spare if your car was delivered with run flats

From my experience, replacing run flats with standard tyres doesn't make much of a difference to handling. It may have done when run flat technology was new but the latest run flat tyres have improved significantly over the earlier versions

cnor152

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#2465428 19-Apr-2020 14:33

Senecio:

Firstly, the reason why you can't find them in NZ anywhere is we don't really use all season tyres. Unless you're living in high alpine regions they just aren't required and even then for less than 6 months of they year.

A couple of questions and we might be bale to help.

Year/make and model of car
What size tyre is on the car now. (eg. 245/45r19)
What is it about the run flat ts you don't like? Do you have room to carry a spare if your car was delivered with run flats

From my experience, replacing run flats with standard tyres doesn't make much of a difference to handling. It may have done when run flat technology was new but the latest run flat tyres have improved significantly over the earlier versions

1. It's an Infiniti Q50
2. 245/40/19 94W
3. The run flats are terrible. Slightly raining, it's hydroplaning and slipping/sliding. Very unsafe (even at low/moderate speeds, they are crazy).
4. The car is fun to drive, has ~400hp. So the tires need to survive a workout here and there.

Technofreak

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#2465429 19-Apr-2020 14:34

Nate001:

On the topic of which tyre this has been my experience:

Previous car came from factory with Conti Sports Contacts (205/55 R16) and they were really good, got close to 40k KM out of the back set and were quiet. The front set were replaced at 20k KM with Michelins (can't remember which type) but they were also good. Low road noise and good grip.

The new car has Bridgestone potenzas (225/40 R18) and you really notice the road noise, but great grip.

I've got Conti Sport Contact245/45 R18's on my new car. I'd be shocked/bloody disappointed/annoyed if I only got 20k out of the front and pretty disappointed with only 40k on the rear. Still at 10k so too early to tell, but they seem to be wearing better than in your case. I'm guessing yours was a front wheel drive. Mine is AWD with all the 100 % of the drive to the front under normal conditions.

On my old RWD car I had either Bridgestone or Firestone 225/50 R16's (can't remember as it was nearly 16 years ago) when I first got it near new second hand. They were an eye watering price to replace and I put Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's on for a fraction of the price. I was very happy with those, they gave good grip and mileage. At the next change I had Toyo Proxes T1R recommended to me and this is all I have ever fitted since. Excellent grip, especially in the wet and good mileage, about 50,000k per set. I have done around 300,000k's on these tyres and highly recommend them.

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Technofreak

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#2465431 19-Apr-2020 14:40

cnor152:

1. It's an Infiniti Q50
2. 245/40/19 94W
3. The run flats are terrible. Slightly raining, it's hydroplaning and slipping/sliding. Very unsafe (even at low/moderate speeds, they are crazy).
4. The car is fun to drive, has ~400hp. So the tires need to survive a workout here and there.

I'd venture to suggest it's not the run flat feature that's your problem but the rubber compound the tyre is made of and/or the tread pattern.

Speaking of tread patterns, I think you'll find tyre grip and road noise go together, better grip more noise, though probably in the really expensive tyres the noise ratio to grip may be better.

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Nate001

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#2465434 19-Apr-2020 14:53

Technofreak:

Nate001:

On the topic of which tyre this has been my experience:

Previous car came from factory with Conti Sports Contacts (205/55 R16) and they were really good, got close to 40k KM out of the back set and were quiet. The front set were replaced at 20k KM with Michelins (can't remember which type) but they were also good. Low road noise and good grip.

The new car has Bridgestone potenzas (225/40 R18) and you really notice the road noise, but great grip.

I've got Conti Sport Contact245/45 R18's on my new car. I'd be shocked/bloody disappointed/annoyed if I only got 20k out of the front and pretty disappointed with only 40k on the rear. Still at 10k so too early to tell, but they seem to be wearing better than in your case. I'm guessing yours was a front wheel drive. Mine is AWD with all the 100 % of the drive to the front under normal conditions.

On my old RWD car I had either Bridgestone or Firestone 225/50 R16's (can't remember as it was nearly 16 years ago) when I first got it near new second hand. They were an eye watering price to replace and I put Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's on for a fraction of the price. I was very happy with those, they gave good grip and mileage. At the next change I had Toyo Proxes T1R recommended to me and this is all I have ever fitted since. Excellent grip, especially in the wet and good mileage, about 50,000k per set. I have done around 300,000k's on these tyres and highly recommend them.

Yes was a FWD Golf. Thinking about it they probably lasted longer, more like 50k. Came with 4x Conti, front 2 replaced at 20k with the Michellins then all 4 replaced at 50k. Driven on hilly streets and city driving so wasn't too disappointed with the milage.

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Yoban

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#2465461 19-Apr-2020 15:43

Hi there

Just done this same exercise on wifes wagon. Michelin currently have a deal (buy one get one 1/2 price) on of which beaurepairs and herb morgan tyres quoted on. Herb offered the P4 SUV for $290 each fitted and aligned (not sure if that included Tax). Beaurepairs slightly higher and minus the alignment. Haggle, haggle.

We had bridgestones and both front tyre edges worn smooth preventing next warrant and decided to pay a bit more for certainly a great tyre - especially the Pilot Sport 4. Taking a bit of a gamble with the longevity against a reasonable price as they are not the firmest tyre (UTQG in the 300's).

dolsen

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#2465668 19-Apr-2020 19:28

Inphinity:

imo the only decent online tyre shop for NZ is HyperDrive. They use independent installers to actually install the tyres, so check if there's one near you or that you're 'in zone' for one of their mobile fitters.

I recently brought 4 new tyres on there for my Dad. Process was quite easy and hassle free. Paid the money, tyres were sent to the installer and put on by them. No hassle.

Slight negative, the tyres were approx 2 years old (by date code on side of tyre), but, they were buy one, get one free so that might explain that.

Also - the installer didn't paint the tyres black like they usually do.