Hello,

Got a 1986 240DL wagon. Rear tire sprung a leak and is flat, shop won't patch it because it's too worn. I think I need to replace at least the two rear tires. Don't wanna sink too much money into this car; I'll probably only have it another 3-4 months, maybe.

Tire reads 185/70r14. Every shop around ($an Franci$co) that's open on a Sunday (today) quotes pretty high for a tire, but online I see they can be obtained at $40 or so before shipping. Why the huge disparity? Is it safe to order tires online?

Can anyone offer some tips on how to get cheap tires, I'm pretty new to on-the-cheap tire buying thing. Def don't want to spend over 200 bucks to replace my two rear tires. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

well, tire prices are definitely up, as are labor costs, especially in the SFBA (I'm in Santa Cruz).

I'm a lousy person to give tire recommendations, I like the michelins, which are about as expensive as they get, running Michelin Primacy MXV4 H rated on my 745T, 205-55-16, have had them 2 years now, they are barely half worn at about 33,000 miles of hard driving, still work great in wet or dry conditions, quiet, smooth, and plenty sticky.

I'd expect shipping to kill the deals on those internet order tires, and you'll still need to find someone to mount and balance them.

 

I'm with Pierce, I always did Michelin's on my red block.

You can drive to the HOOD on your spare and get 2 used tires for $50. They will outlast the 3 months you plan to keep the car.

 

the 'hood' in san francisco is now full of artist lofts and hipster coffee shops.

SF is very much NOT a car town. more than half the people I've known who've moved there got rid of their cars, or left them at relatives in Suburbia for those occasional road trips out of town.

 

Go used. Go to Craiglist and just type your tire size, many listing will pop up. You should be able to pay $20-25 for your size mounted and balanced.

 

Or go to Firestone - they will get a new tire installed for about $53. I had to get a new tire before I could drive my 240 back home after I had bought it - they arent the best so be warned. But if you can live with a bit more tire noise and arent too good in the snow (but looks like you are in CA and that shouldnt be a problem) then I would definitely recommend looking at Firestone for a quote.