Tire Rack experiences
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,462
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Tire Rack experiences
I am looking at a set of new tires and was thinking of ordering from the tire rack? However, I've heard horror stories about them selling factory seconds without notifying customers and using out of spec tires the factory would normally discard.
has anyone here had any experiences with the tire rack? (good or bad) ??
has anyone here had any experiences with the tire rack? (good or bad) ??
Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 73
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From: West Tx
Hey Nathan,
I work for Goodyear, here is what I have understand: Tire Rack sells tires which are OE rejects. In order for a tire to be an OE approval(original equip. on a specific car), it must pass VERY strict uniformity constraints, etc. Those which do not pass are sold as replacements. In most cases, these replacement tires are fine for everyday use, as well as on our trucks. Tire Rack tires are more or less the same as those sold at tire stores nationwide...
Sorry for the long post
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Brad Lynskey
99.5 SVT Lightning
Oxford White
#1791, born 6/1/99, delivery taken 6/29/99
CD changer, tow package
Lund Premier soft tonneau
Lumar window tint, rubber bed mat
K&N Filter, Soon to be chipped
I work for Goodyear, here is what I have understand: Tire Rack sells tires which are OE rejects. In order for a tire to be an OE approval(original equip. on a specific car), it must pass VERY strict uniformity constraints, etc. Those which do not pass are sold as replacements. In most cases, these replacement tires are fine for everyday use, as well as on our trucks. Tire Rack tires are more or less the same as those sold at tire stores nationwide...
Sorry for the long post
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Brad Lynskey
99.5 SVT Lightning
Oxford White
#1791, born 6/1/99, delivery taken 6/29/99
CD changer, tow package
Lund Premier soft tonneau
Lumar window tint, rubber bed mat
K&N Filter, Soon to be chipped
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Prescott AZ
Tire Rack has been highly praised by many users on the BMW bulletin board. Most of the One Lap competitors purchase their tires through Tire Rack and they are not "rejects". Tire Rack will also heat-cycle the tires for a fee, highly desirable if you plan to use them on a track. I have purchased several tires through them and been very pleased.
My two-cents.
Zonaman
My two-cents.
Zonaman
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 326
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From: NJ
Zonaman what does heat-cycling do for the tires. I noticed the Goodyears have a treadwear # of 300 so thats why they suck for traction.
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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM
[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-11-1999).]
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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM
[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-11-1999).]
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 725
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From: Orlando, FL
99White,
If I understand your comments correctly, and the mail order companies and the retail tire stores all sell "non-OEM acceptable" tires, how would one go about buying anything other than this? Just curious.
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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
NLOC #361
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Wyldman's Clear Lexan Fog Light Covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1 (Sal's PSP Chip & Air Filter Kit on order!!)
If I understand your comments correctly, and the mail order companies and the retail tire stores all sell "non-OEM acceptable" tires, how would one go about buying anything other than this? Just curious.
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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
NLOC #361
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Wyldman's Clear Lexan Fog Light Covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1 (Sal's PSP Chip & Air Filter Kit on order!!)
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Apopka, FL USA
Mike,
OEM tires are spec'd by a manufacturer for a particular application and will carry a code indicating the application. Tires you buy at your local tire store, Tire Rack, Discount Tire, etc. are exactly the same as the tires delivered to GM, Ford, Dodge, Porsche, BMW, etc. as long as they have the application spec cast into the tire sidewall. Some manufacturers make the same size and model tire with and without the spec code. Typically, the non OEM Spec tire has a different compound that may or may not be better than the OEM spec. Blems, on the other hand, ARE tires that the tire manufacturer identifies as not meeting spec for a variety of reasons. They are required by law to identify them as Blems and your tire store is required by law to disclose this. Some of the reason Tire Rack get's such good prices is they buy overruns from the tire manufacturers or even the car makers. They get a great price and pass it along.
On the subject of the tires for our trucks, there are only 2 available tires, BFG and Goodyear. The Goodyear F1 is the spec tire on the 99.5 Lightning however, the BFG was the original spec tire when the Lightning was supposed to hit the street in '98. When the L was delayed it gave Goodyear a chance to get a piece of the action by building a tire to Ford's spec. Why it was chosen over the original BFG is probably a well kept secret.
The BFG is used exclusively by Roush but is being adopted by aftermarket tuners for various projects. In fact, Discount Tire identifies the BFG as a Roush tire in it's computer.
As for which tire to choose, I just went through that and I chose the F1, partly because of the 300 rating (longer lasting) and a discussion I had with SVE. I asked a straight forward question of the engineer I was talking to, "If it was your truck, which tire would you use?" His answer, the F1. The F1 also has a slightly flatter tread surface with a little more useable tread in it's contact patch. He didn't think the performance differences were significant.
BTW, the treadwear indicator number is only partially indicative of a tires adhesion. The specific compound and tire construction (it's ability to shed heat) all contribute to the tread wear number.
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Mark Whatman
mwhatman@worldnet.att.net
OEM tires are spec'd by a manufacturer for a particular application and will carry a code indicating the application. Tires you buy at your local tire store, Tire Rack, Discount Tire, etc. are exactly the same as the tires delivered to GM, Ford, Dodge, Porsche, BMW, etc. as long as they have the application spec cast into the tire sidewall. Some manufacturers make the same size and model tire with and without the spec code. Typically, the non OEM Spec tire has a different compound that may or may not be better than the OEM spec. Blems, on the other hand, ARE tires that the tire manufacturer identifies as not meeting spec for a variety of reasons. They are required by law to identify them as Blems and your tire store is required by law to disclose this. Some of the reason Tire Rack get's such good prices is they buy overruns from the tire manufacturers or even the car makers. They get a great price and pass it along.
On the subject of the tires for our trucks, there are only 2 available tires, BFG and Goodyear. The Goodyear F1 is the spec tire on the 99.5 Lightning however, the BFG was the original spec tire when the Lightning was supposed to hit the street in '98. When the L was delayed it gave Goodyear a chance to get a piece of the action by building a tire to Ford's spec. Why it was chosen over the original BFG is probably a well kept secret.
The BFG is used exclusively by Roush but is being adopted by aftermarket tuners for various projects. In fact, Discount Tire identifies the BFG as a Roush tire in it's computer.
As for which tire to choose, I just went through that and I chose the F1, partly because of the 300 rating (longer lasting) and a discussion I had with SVE. I asked a straight forward question of the engineer I was talking to, "If it was your truck, which tire would you use?" His answer, the F1. The F1 also has a slightly flatter tread surface with a little more useable tread in it's contact patch. He didn't think the performance differences were significant.
BTW, the treadwear indicator number is only partially indicative of a tires adhesion. The specific compound and tire construction (it's ability to shed heat) all contribute to the tread wear number.
------------------
Mark Whatman
mwhatman@worldnet.att.net
- 99.5 White Lightning (stock)
- 99 Buell S3 Thunderbolt (not stock!)
- 98 F-150 Lariat (Flowmaster)
- 96 26' Velocity Offshore Race Boat (far from stock!!!)
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 143
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From: Prescott AZ
Heat Cycling. When tires are new, the rubber molecules need to go through several hot/cold cycles before they set and deliver max. strength. If you take a new tire to a track and subject it racing conditions without first heat-cycling the tire, it will likely fail (there was an article about this last year when a Renntech Mercedes almost lost its tires in a 200 mph. bid without heat-cycling). A few hundred miles under normal use will also get the job done.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 135
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From: Round Rock, TX
Nathan,
Unless you can't stand either one, try going to the local Discount Tire or NTB w/ the Tire Rack ad. Although they weren't L tires, I took Tire Rack's prices on some BFGs & Dunlops to DT (on Bandera) in SA and Austin (off 183/Burnet), and they were willing to match the prices of TR + the approx price of S&H. All I needed was a copy of TR's website ad.
BTW, NTB in Austin (off 183&Lamar) was willing to do the same, esp. if it meant taking business from DT.
Go Spurs!
Unless you can't stand either one, try going to the local Discount Tire or NTB w/ the Tire Rack ad. Although they weren't L tires, I took Tire Rack's prices on some BFGs & Dunlops to DT (on Bandera) in SA and Austin (off 183/Burnet), and they were willing to match the prices of TR + the approx price of S&H. All I needed was a copy of TR's website ad.
BTW, NTB in Austin (off 183&Lamar) was willing to do the same, esp. if it meant taking business from DT.
Go Spurs!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I had a brand new Firehawk GTA (Gen 1 Lightning) purchased from the Tire Rack blow out - I mean BLOW out - after only 12 miles on the truck. Tire Rack's solution (for a tire that was obviously defective)- they could sell me another tire. That's it. (BTW, before this I had purchased from the Tire Rack for maybe 7 years, well over $6000 worth of tires and wheels.)
Now I buy from Discount Tire Direct because for a few dollars more you get a lifetime warranty on the tires. This isn't a prorated warranty either. Your tire fails before it reaches the wear bars and they replace it for free. Period.
Later!
Jeff S.
Lightning #74 in '95 - 11.92@115.2 http://nloc.org
[This message has been edited by FMOS Racing (edited 12-13-1999).]
Now I buy from Discount Tire Direct because for a few dollars more you get a lifetime warranty on the tires. This isn't a prorated warranty either. Your tire fails before it reaches the wear bars and they replace it for free. Period.
Later!
Jeff S.
Lightning #74 in '95 - 11.92@115.2 http://nloc.org
[This message has been edited by FMOS Racing (edited 12-13-1999).]
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 244
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From: KS
The price of 230+ shipping from William Mallo is as cheap as i have found them. Besides i was told by Goodyear dealer that Goodyear didnt release 2nds. William what is the phone # to your store?
Dennis
99 Lightning
Dennis
99 Lightning