Does anyone know how often Costco runs its "$60 off a set of four" tire sale for Michelins? Is it once per year? Notwithstanding the advice of all those who urge replacement of the OEM Integrities with something (anything) else as quickly as possible, I'd like to at least go through one winter with the OEM's. It might be the difference between having to replace my tires twice vis a vis three times over the course of my Prius's lifetime. Stevejm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stevejm @ Nov 8 2006, 07:50 AM) [snapback]345427[/snapback]</div> Not a direct answer, but I've had some serious problems with Costco's tires. I've bought the same model tire from Costco and Discount Tire, twice, and found the Costco tires (all four) to be defective. I've seen posts from other people with the same experience at Costco and Sam's Club on other fora too.
Unfortunate you had bad luck with the tires. But I doubt costco is getting a lower grade or quality tire than any other retailer. I have had good experiences with costco. On the otherhand, if you are concerned, wheelworks and many discount retailers will match costco price on the same tire.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stevejm @ Nov 8 2006, 07:50 AM) [snapback]345427[/snapback]</div> I think they've had the promotion 3 times this year already. I got the X-Radials, and I've been very please with them so far. 80,000 mile warranty, second highest rating in Consumer Reports in their 11/05 issue (rated higher than the Hydroedges), very quiet, and good rolling resistance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcbrunnhilde @ Nov 8 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]345570[/snapback]</div> I agree. If anything, costco contracts for ABOVE quality items, unlike wallmart. Our X-Radials look to have about 50% tred left, & the tires already have nearly 40K miles on them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stevejm @ Nov 8 2006, 09:50 AM) [snapback]345427[/snapback]</div> Not sure how often they have the sale, though I did pick up a set of X-Ice last week that are not yet installed. They are way too busy during the sale (line in the morning and a 6 hour wait? No thanks!), so they are sitting in my garage next to my steel wheels. I will go next week to have them mounted! I agree with what others have suggested, I highly doubt Costco has a "lower grade" tire, probably just bad luck or incompetent installers.
I've been driving on the Integrity's for about 6,000 miles now. I see nothing wrong with them at all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Nov 8 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]345672[/snapback]</div> Have you driven them on the highway while it's raining? I have...and even with 35psi i'm forced to drive 60mph or so. btw, I just got the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S 195/60/15 and they are awesome! Costco is currently offering a better price than America's Tire Co (I paid $353 w/ tax and after $50 rebate; Costco it would have been like $340 w/ tax after $60 discount). One good thing about America's Tire Co. is that they offer tire certificates for $13 each that protects the tire in case of unrepairable flats, tire cracks or splits, or any other abnormal circumstance for a free tire replacement... PLUS lifetime tire rotation and balancing every 6,000 miles But then again Costco would probably do something similar if you "talk" to them. Either way two great companies offering awesome Michelin products.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 9 2006, 08:07 AM) [snapback]346255[/snapback]</div> Road hazzard damage repair, or replacement if necessary, and life time rotation and balancing are included with the price of the tires at Costco. You don't need to "talk" to them in order to get those features, every purchaser gets these.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Nov 9 2006, 12:20 PM) [snapback]346357[/snapback]</div> Maybe it's about time to that I switch to Costco. Thanks for the clarification.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 9 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]346486[/snapback]</div> You are welcome. Here is the information from the Costco website:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 9 2006, 11:07 AM) [snapback]346255[/snapback]</div> Curious: Have you taken a mileage hit? And what size did you get?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Nov 8 2006, 02:07 PM) [snapback]345672[/snapback]</div> Thats because you've never driven the car on anything else.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stevejm @ Nov 10 2006, 11:08 PM) [snapback]347351[/snapback]</div> I bought the X-Radials, and I have not noticed a mileage hit. I guess that means I concur with Consumer Reports' "excellent" rolling resistance rating for them!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stevejm @ Nov 11 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]347351[/snapback]</div> I purchased 195/60/15. Believe it or not it actually slightly 'looks' smaller than the OEM tire. Those looking for a bigger looking tire may want to look into the 205/60/15 (I think it exists...). So far I've placed about 1,000 miles and I notice an overall 4mpg decrease with 38/36 psi. Higher psi (44/42, 42/40, 40/38) actually decreased rear stability so I don't recommend those pressures on the Exaltos. edit: MPG can still increase after a few more hundred miles (break-in).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 9 2006, 12:07 PM) [snapback]346255[/snapback]</div> I was just in Costco and ordered this tire (same size as yours) since they are not stocking this size here. Takes about 3 weeks to get in Hawaii. Salesman said they will have another $60. off coupon in Jan. and will hold them if they come in sooner. BTW at first they would not use this tire saying the Prius is heavier because of the battery. After bringing down some similar sized tires and pointing out the Exalto had a higher load rating he agreed to order them. My original tires only have 13,000 miles of winding mountain road driving and the edges are pretty worn down.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(koa @ Dec 13 2006, 05:26 PM) [snapback]361884[/snapback]</div> I bought 4 MXV$'S (195/60/15) at Costco about 2 months ago. They had the 60.00 instant rebate in effect at the time. Based on the driving that I have done since that time, my impression is that the MXV4's have lower rolling resistance than the crappy Integrity's. In spite of the cooler weather, my gas mileage has improved over the Integrity's. Ride is quieter, handling seems improved. I don't get nearly as many VSC interruptions on wet roads. The rear suspension continues to seem like something from a cheap econobox. There is no valid reason why a 3000 LB. car's rear wheel should lose contact with the pavement on fairly minor bumps, especially with the weight of the traction batteries over the rear of the car.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Nov 9 2006, 08:13 AM) [snapback]346265[/snapback]</div> Get the special "pallet" pricing! Seriously, I have Costco Micheleins on my wife's 96 Outback. The OEM Micheleins lasted about 40K, and we have almost 70K on the Costco tires. No problems, and still lots of tread left. I may have rotated them 2 or 3 times in the 70K and never had it aligned. Your mileage may vary...
