New tire purchase question: 4 year old vs newly manufactured ?

[4sallypat]

So I zeroed in on the tires I want for my Rally wheels and need advice.

Bridgestone Alenza Sport RFT in 255-55x19.

Looked around and found my local Walmart has them in stock for less ($206 each).

So I went to my local tire store ($297 each) who told me they would not match Walmart prices.

Was told by the tire shop that the Walmart prices are up to 4 year old tires that are still new, but have been stored ????

They could not match them because they are an older date manufacture and theirs is newly manufactured.

What they could do is match based on newly made tires by giving me a $50 price match instead of $90 each.

I could not find any mention on Walmart's site that it's an older manufactured tire.

Does this sound correct ?
Am I being "scammed" by the tire dealer ?

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[E. Shore Farmer]

Be interesting to ask Walmart when the tires were manfactured.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Given your experience, I'd recommend buying the tires you want at Walmart and let them know you're concerned about how long ago they were manufactured. The date codes are clearly printed on each tire so it's easy to check.

 

[rhougey]

So I zeroed in on the tires I want for my Rally wheels and need advice.

Bridgestone Alenza Sport RFT in 255-55x19.

Looked around and found my local Walmart has them in stock for less ($206 each).

So I went to my local tire store ($297 each) who told me they would not match Walmart prices.

Was told by the tire shop that the Walmart prices are up to 4 year old tires that are still new, but have been stored ????

They could not match them because they are an older date manufacture and theirs is newly manufactured.

What they could do is match based on newly made tires by giving me a $50 price match instead of $90 each.

I could not find any mention on Walmart's site that it's an older manufactured tire.

Does this sound correct ?
Am I being "scammed" by the tire dealer ?

The tire store guy is feeding you a line. He has no idea how old Walmart’s tires are. He’s hoping you will be scared into buying from him without asking Walmart about the date code on the tires they have available. But you didn’t fall for that. Good for you.

 

[Teslaeata]

So I zeroed in on the tires I want for my Rally wheels and need advice.

Bridgestone Alenza Sport RFT in 255-55x19.

Looked around and found my local Walmart has them in stock for less ($206 each).

So I went to my local tire store ($297 each) who told me they would not match Walmart prices.

Was told by the tire shop that the Walmart prices are up to 4 year old tires that are still new, but have been stored ????

They could not match them because they are an older date manufacture and theirs is newly manufactured.

What they could do is match based on newly made tires by giving me a $50 price match instead of $90 each.

I could not find any mention on Walmart's site that it's an older manufactured tire.

Does this sound correct ?
Am I being "scammed" by the tire dealer ?

 

[Teslaeata]

This!

 

[heisnuts]

I have heard that stores like Costco and Walmart are big enough that they can buy the tires direct from Bridgestone in huge quantities and as a result get them at a lower cost than your local tire store can get them. These stores also tend to use products like these as lost leaders where they sell them at or just below cost to bring you in so you will purchase other things while you are there.

Only you can decide if the price difference is worth it to buy from Walmart vs the local store. You can always ask to see the tires before install to verify the date code on the tire. You should also ask about the services included such as free tire rotations, any road hazard coverage, etc. I believe Bridgestone currently has an $80 mail in rebate right now on that tire so you should also ask about that when buying. Finally, you want to make sure you are comparing the out the door price meaning after the installation, shop fees and taxes have been included.

 

[RickMachE]

Always check date codes on any tire before installation.

I won't buy a tire greater than 6 months old, prefer 3 or less. Regardless of the seller, tire warehouse may send old tires.

 

[Tampamike]

Maybe just buy them at Walmart for $207? Just spitballing here….

 

[dalola]

It's good advice to check the mfgr date on EVERY tire you plan to buy, no matter where you buy it. "old" tires could show up anywhere.

 

[markboris]

A couple of things Pat…..

As Mike mentioned above, why not buy them at Walmart? I‘m sure you can check with them to see what the date codes are. If they aren‘t old and you still want to buy from Discount Tire (your tire store) you can give them the date codes then see what they say?

I know you want run flat tires but 40 lbs.? That’s a very heavy tire. 10+ lbs. more each than your current tires. Not to mention I think the rally wheels are heavier than your stock wheels. More unsprung weight reduces steering response, acceleration, handling, braking distance and your ride quality. Yes it’s not a huge difference but I personally am always looking to reduce unsprung weight, not increase it.

The tire size you chose are 30” tall. That’s 1 1/4” taller than your stock tire. The top of the tire will be very close to the bottom of the spring perch on the front strut. However being a narrow tire you will probably have enough clearance. In any case my recommendation would be to have them test fit one of the front tires first before they mount the other three just in case that tire size doesn’t work in front. I am familiar with this as I have been looking for the tallest tire I can fit up front for others that have raised their cars like you have. I’ll be testing some 30” tires in a month or so but they will be different sizes on different size wheels.

 

[Teslaeata]

Always check date codes on any tire before installation.

I won't buy a tire greater than 6 months old, prefer 3 or less. Regardless of the seller, tire warehouse may send old tires.

Bang on, RickMachE

Good tyre fitters can usually get the tyres straight away if they don’t already have them in stock because they know they can sell ‘em quick anyways.

The older they are, the higher the risk they’ve been stored during periods of high heat, UV or ozone exposure or in other undesirable conditions and the fact is you’ll never know.

It’s these and other factors which cause degradation of tyres.

Not sure about the law pertaining to aged tyre use in US but in UK there are now laws relating to use of old tyres on buses, coaches and heavy trucks and with legislation soon to come for car tyres.

Of course, tyre makers have long recommended replacement before 8 or 10 years old depending on brand.

There ain’t that much keeping you on the road at the bottom of those four tyres, so look after that footprint like your lives depended on it.

Oh, wait…………..

 

[ridgebackpilot]

Tire Rack sometimes offers max performance tires that are 1-3 years old at heavy discounts (50 percent).

I saved a bundle by purchasing my last set of Pirellis this way. Since these performance tires only last perhaps 20,000 miles or less—about two years—I didn't hesitate. They’ll be worn out before they're five years old!

Conventional wisdom says your tires should be 10 years old or less. Buying new old stock doesn’t violate that Cardinal rule.

 

[4sallypat]

A couple of things Pat…..

As Mike mentioned above, why not buy them at Walmart? I‘m sure you can check with them to see what the date codes are. If they aren‘t old and you still want to buy from Discount Tire (your tire store) you can give them the date codes then see what they say?

I know you want run flat tires but 40 lbs.? That’s a very heavy tire. 10+ lbs. more each than your current tires. Not to mention I think the rally wheels are heavier than your stock wheels. More unsprung weight reduces steering response, acceleration, handling, braking distance and your ride quality. Yes it’s not a huge difference but I personally am always looking to reduce unsprung weight, not increase it.

The tire size you chose are 30” tall. That’s 1 1/4” taller than your stock tire. The top of the tire will be very close to the bottom of the spring perch on the front strut. However being a narrow tire you will probably have enough clearance. In any case my recommendation would be to have them test fit one of the front tires first before they mount the other three just in case that tire size doesn’t work in front. I am familiar with this as I have been looking for the tallest tire I can fit up front for others that have raised their cars like you have. I’ll be testing some 30” tires in a month or so but they will be different sizes on different size wheels.

Thanks Mark!

Yes, I placed an order to pickup at Walmart this week when my Rally wheels arrive as well.

Will report back on the date of manufacture...

Great idea to test fit 1 mounted front tire.

The Discount Tire person said these tires are 1" higher too.

I figured with the Eibach 2" lift springs should be OK with the 1" taller tires?????

And, yes, I am obsessed with RFT as I hate not having a spare....

 

[markboris]

Thanks Mark!

Yes, I placed an order to pickup at Walmart this week when my Rally wheels arrive as well.

Will report back on the date of manufacture...

Great idea to test fit 1 mounted front tire.

The Discount Tire person said these tires are 1" higher too.

I figured with the Eibach 2" lift springs should be OK with the 1" taller tires?????

And, yes, I am obsessed with RFT as I hate not having a spare....

Raising the car has nothing to do with the tires not fitting. If you look at the top of your tires right now in the front you will see the bottom spring perch above the tire. That perch does not move. It’s part of the suspension not the body that you lifted. I think you should be ok but will be close. The tire will go up about 5/8” because your tires ar 1 1/4” taller.

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