Trying to figure this out. Perhaphs this was better in the aftermarket review section, but i figure its more of a tech question.

Gonna buy 4 used BFG Comp T/A's 275/40ZR17 with about 80% tread for $300. 7 years old, but in good shape, no cracks or weathering. I read somewhere that this line was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by the much better Traction T/A. Except i cant seem to get a quote for the COMPs online.

Am i getting a good deal? More importantly, any safety risks with the COMPs?

The reviews seem to hate the wet condition performance. Thats not an issue, im not racing in the wet, and very seldom driving in it.

The traction seems to be decent, but aparently nothing special. And the wear is a big complaint. (wears out too fast), thats not a biggie either cuz it means its sticky.

Should i be concerned with the results of this review? For example, IF i AM driving in the rain, will i run the risk of spinning out of nowhere?

I have 195/70R14s right now, and i was originally running 215/60/15s. Just dont want to end up with WORSE performance than what im running now...

 

I dunno... 7 year old tires and discontinued ones at that with iffy reviews... I actually had one of those on my previous TA. It too was a used tire. 50-60% tread left when I got it and looked a-ok. I had it maybe a week and it blew up on me, sidewall blew out. Right now I use and recommend Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals. The Yokohama AS430s are good too. The Wide Ovals have some very solid wet traction I'll say too. Short of the LONG discontinued Toyo Proxies, ZZ1 or ZR1, I forget, these are the best tires I've ever used.

 

Well i dont thinkthey are gonna blow up. BFG is a fairly old company. There werent any recalls on the thing that im aware of. They were simply upgraded and renamed the traction TA which had an advantage on the wet performance.

However the 7yr thing is definately worrying. But they hardly look used, with tons of tread and dont look weathered at all. The wheels i bought have weathered and badly cracked tires because they were just sitting. But the wheels are excellent.

If the tire BLEW on you, thats pretty bad. You sure it was a factory flaw?

ANY other input appreciated.

 

I dunno what was wrong with mine. It just blew up cruising down the road. I didn't hit anything, just the sidewall blew out. Then again, the only time I've ever had problems with tires were used ones. New tires never gave me any problems. I think I've had a 70% success rate with used tires. Tires that seemingly look fine blow up or have such horrible radial pull as to be unusable. If the 4 tires were brand new, but 7 years old, I wouldn't think twice. However 7 years old and used and you're essentially getting someone elses problem. Was his alignment flawless? Do the tires have radial pull? Front tires tend to wear on the outer edges with normal alignment jobs. These questions are almost impossible to answer, even if you have the original owner in front of you to answer. How does he know his alignment was flawless? Does he have proof if was perfect during the use of the tires? Unlikely.

In all honesty, the tires are prolly "ok", but they are guaranteed to be worn based on the original cars specs. Specs being alignment, etc.

As a bit of warning, before the 4 Wide Ovals, I had some basic tires I bought new. One of them, with half life left and dead on alignment had a radial pull so bad I had to fight the car to keep it going straight. Putting on the right of left side caused the car to veer in one direction or the other. Noone knows why it got that way. Alignment done 5 months before and immediately after show the same and the balancing was checked. If that tire were to get into the used market, someone could buy it thinking it had lots of tread left only to find themselves fighting the wheel to keep straight.

 

I would not touch used 3 year old tires, never the less a 7 year old one.
Those tires have been driven on and heat cycled. The rubber has hardened and they are going to be slick as all heck and then chew up pretty quickly. You are better off buying a set of Sumitomo HTR Z tires for $85 each new. For about $400 total shipped to you.

 

Alright youve convinced me. However, not sure where to find those simtomos. You sure they are 275/40Z17s?

 

Tirerack has them on special right now. They also have Avon tires in that same size for $89ea. THe Sumitomo HTRz are $85

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...&startIndex=10

Looking at the test charts, the Avon Tech M500 is a very good performing tire for that price range.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=61

I would suggest the Avon over the Sumitomo for $4 a tire more.
The Firestone Wideoval they test it against and it heald its own pretty decently is a much more expensive tire at $165ea

 

Have a look at the Falkens also. Great tire with really good product reviews. Priced right.

 

Try craigslist or Kijiji as well. You can often find year old premium tires for cheap.

He's right. Even the rubber in brand new 7 year old tires is going to be hard.

 

Excuse the typo, i think i wrote SIMtomo, i know its Sumitomo, i was just on a laptop, keyboard is kinda funny.

Alright guys, ive decided on the Falkens. It seems to have the highest performance with the least cost. The reviews are nearly 4+ /5 across the board for traction (wet and dry) and treadwear.

Im on Kijiji and craigslist ALL the time, its where i found those 7yr old ones.

Tirerack has the best prices, however, i was quoted $358 (thereabouts), and $589 after shipping. F--- That....

I found a company at the border that i can ship to very close to me, and then pick it up, but still $539...

I tried DiscountTire. Decided to go with the Falkens. Read the reviews, like the performance. Its gonna cost $396 + $0 shipping (yep), and $5 to pick up from holding company. $2 + $2 to cross border each way.

Grand total of $405 for AA traction, and 360 UTQG Treadwear rating. Thats pretty damn cool. I recommend Discount to EVERYONE!!

The only thing i dont like, is Falken doesnt actually provide a warranty. Even when tire manufacturers DO, you gotta read it close. It basically comes down to, if you were "driving" the warranty is void, because u may have encountered a road hazard. But Discount offers a warranty on everything they sell, for about $50, included road hazards for most of the tire's life. Im gonna call them today or tommorow to find out if its covered for canadian customers, but it is for the states. Best warranty ive seen so far.

Im going for 245/45/17 and 275/40/17 as they are the closest to stock height and each other. Also might save a couple bucks by putting "nankang" in the front. But those are super cheap and not very common. I dont know why, but its kinda worrying.

 

PROBLEM:

Dont you love those freinds that point stuff out at the LAST second, and ruin the good news??? I guess its good in a way.

Ok, so i tell him i got an amazing deal, and he goes, you know they're tuner tires right?

So..?

They are made for LIGHT cars....... Crap....

Falken Tire Size charts indicate;

245/45/17-----max load--- 1709 lb
275/40/17-----max load--- 1639 lb

Total of 3348 lbs

The Falkens are rated at 98W for Load/speed rating. I checked the most extreme nittos, that ive seen on alot of you autocross guys. It is also 98W. So why is it only 3348 lbs?

Anybody know what load rating we need for our cars? Im not close to mine right now so i cant look at the sticker in the door.

I dont think my car is less than 3348 lb, when its full of gas with me in it. Let alone passengers. So when i accelerate or turn im screwed. Stock firebird formula 1987. Power windows and locks, no spoiler. 355/700r4. Power steering, used to be AC, but no HVAC at the moment.

Do you guys look at weight ratings when buying tires? Trying to find Nitto ratings, but having trouble. Just for comparison.

 

Double that.

You are only listing the load of two tires, not four. The car has four tires on the ground and each one has a max load rating.

 

You can put those falkens on. 275 40 17 is most popular for corvettes and 4th gen birds and camaros. They can handle the load. Plus as stated above thats the load for each tire so a set of 4 would handle well over 4000 pounds

 

OFCOURSE! I feel like an idiot now. Sorry typical monday morning. So its good news after all...

 

We all have brain fades- gets worse with age. Don't worry about it. I've had my share.

 

I just wanted to post a follow up on this thread. I ordered the 275 and 245s yesterday from discount tire. FREE SHIPPING To the states, and they were recently having a $100 off promotion.

So all 4 tires, WITH warranty including road hazards, my total was $354.

Currently the canadian dollar is a smidge above the USD, so its a couple bucks cheaper than that.

the used tires were gonna cost $330 + 8hours one way worth of driving gas + ALOT of hassle.

I just have to drive 45 mins from where i live to cross the border, pick these up, and come back. So all in all i think i got new warrantied tires for LESS than a set of used ones which i thought were a steal!

SO if i ever need tires, im goin discount again. I recommend it to everyone.

 

I've always gone with Discount tire.

After shipping, mount & balance of a tire they didn't sell you, they have always matched or beaten Tirerack prices. Tirerack is just a reference tool, for me!