Firsts, seconds and blems
 

I just took my new (2006) S to a very trusted mechanic for evaluation and service. I need rear tires and asked for recommendations. He passed on information I found very illuminating. I would like to hear your feedback. Apparently tire manufacturing is somewhat imprecise. They end up with "firsts" which are round and balanced and go almost exclusively to auto manufacturers. They also get "seconds" which are pretty ok and those go to tire stores. Finally there are "blems" which have to have some grind rework and end up in the discount stores. This may explain some of the buyer reviews I have seen at various sellers.

He said two resellers who are large enough to get "firsts" are Wal-Mart and Sams - they do not buy "seconds" and that their prices are very competitive. This is a bright, honest guy who was not trying to sell me tires. He also said he uses Michelin on his personal vehicles because they "stay round". I'm inclined to listen and interested in your experiences.

OK , where all all the big guns??? I expected someone to share an opinion or tell me I am as full of crap as a Christmas goose. Nothing. Nada. After reading a lot of sorry tire stories I thought this might spark some discussion. Maybe this is a politically incorrect post on a Tire Rack moderated thread??? Am I going to have to replace my rears without a second opinion?

I have never heard of this but I could see it as very possible. But then again the tires I buy are not offered as an oem option on any car that I am aware of (star specs) so I don't know how that would work. I would like to hear jim's opinion on this since he is in the tire business.

Irrelevant side note: sam's is owned/part of the wal-mart corporation.

Thanks for the reply, I'm still pondering, but to support my mechanic's opinion I am collecting data. If I go with his recommendation of Michelin, the Pilot Sport for example:

Discount Tire $192 each $448 out the door, install, disposal, stems, lifetime spin balance for 2 tires. They offer a certificate for replacement at $30 each. If this is their road hazard, they are at $500
Tire Rack $ 216 each will have to add shipping, installation, road hazard, estimate $70 each - total ~$580
Walmart $242 each free shipping to my store. Free installation. Add tax and estimated total ~ $ 520

It is really the out the door price that matters, so Walmart may have some advantage over Tire Rack on shipping and they do their own installs. What I don't understand is how Discount can offer the price they do if those are the same quality tires. Is this a valid comparison?

Buying tires from walmart is one thing, having them mount them is another. I would never let someone from walmart touch my truck- let alone my S. If you were to have walmart do anything I would recommend standing in the bay to watch every move, and then (you) triple check everything before leaving the parking lot. What model of pilot sports (I think there are around 15 variations)

Pilot Sport A/S Plus was the model. I haven't seen that many (15) variations and there seems to be some inconsistency in product description, so that might be a factor. Good point about who installs. The S has Goodyear Eagle GT right now and somebody butchered the wheels already. I am going to try to have them smoothed and polished at mounting. Maybe an equally important question is how to pick a tire servicer. Most of the Tire Rack installers are charging 20-25 a wheel. Any guarantees with that you think?

Tire rack sells 12 different variations of pilot sports (which is just a general name). I found this out after trashing pilot sports on this board- I thought there was only one. I drove a set of pilot sports and did not like them(but I can't remember what variation I drove on)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michel...elin-tires.jsp

Depends on the installer. Check your regional subforum for recommendations.

[quote name='dc2-2-ap1' timestamp='1343083062' post='21883341']
Buying tires from walmart is one thing, having them mount them is another. I would never let someone from walmart touch my truck- let alone my S. If you were to have walmart do anything I would recommend standing in the bay to watch every move, and then (you) triple check everything before leaving the parking lot. What model of pilot sports (I think there are around 15 variations)
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I doubt the tire guys at Wal-Mart are any better or worse than anywhere else; it's not like there is a tire college these guys go to.....lol!! With that being, I agree with you, I wouldn't let Wal-Mart touch shit on my cars, or anything for that matter! Not because I think the guys working in automotive suck, but just because it's Wal-Mart.

Mike

i think the whole first second and blem thing would only apply to standard economy class tires that are used across multiple platforms and manufacturers. Star Specs, Rs-3s etc would be exempt from that line of thinking because they are a niche marketed tire that is not standard on anything and known for performance. Just my $.02