Michelin XZA feedback!

grantgoold · January 29, 2014, 06:54:43 PM

Anyone running Michelin XZA tires on their bus? What do you think about a set for a bus? Have possible deal on a set of 8 that are 10 years old, stored inside and very low miles?

Retail new for about $8,000 for a set of eight!

Anyone have an opinion they would like to share!

Thanks

Grant

PP · January 29, 2014, 08:00:30 PM

You're kidding, Right? 10 years old...
Will

Dave5Cs · January 29, 2014, 08:51:45 PM

The oils are stale. They have to be rolled on a vehicle at very least once a month to keep the natural oils moving and keeping them fresh so to speak. You could mount those and drive away and Ca boom!...

I have 4 Goodyear's and 2 Bridgestones 9 years old that I won't even take on the road until we go to get new ones and can travel again. I scrub them with the black scrubbies every 2 months with soap and water then rub in # 50 sun screen.

Dave

wg4t50 · January 30, 2014, 12:39:54 AM

My new Michelin set thru Michelin & FMCA cost $521 each + Tax, Mount/balance. So also wonder about the $1,000 each price.
Ten year old, your kidding right?
Love the 10 year old & used part

Dave M

Brian Diehl · January 30, 2014, 05:04:46 AM

I think using chronological age is a good measure of life left in a tire. I personally have 11 year old tires I'm running. Of course, I do average over 8000 miles per year. My bus has been stored in doors the past 3 years, but had been stored outside before. I think you have to evaluate the tires themselves and determine if they are good to run on. Me, I'm keeping a real close eye on mine and do not have them on the front axle - only the drive and tags.

If the deal is REALLY good you could make an deal where the seller holds your money in escrow for a month or two. You then put the tires on the bus mounting and balancing at your cost non-refundable. If they survive the first few hot drives without any signs of coming apart then the seller gets to keep the money. You then deal with any issues that happen with the tires after the agreed upon "holding" period.

Oonrahnjay · January 30, 2014, 05:11:03 AM

Quote from: Brian Diehl on January 30, 2014, 05:04:46 AMI think using chronological age is a good measure of life left in a tire. I personally have 11 year old tires I'm running. Of course, I do average over 8000 miles per year. My bus has been stored in doors the past 3 years, but had been stored outside before. I think you have to evaluate the tires themselves and determine if they are good to run on. Me, I'm keeping a real close eye on mine and do not have them on the front axle - only the drive and tags.

If the deal is REALLY good you could make an deal where the seller holds your money in escrow for a month or two. You then put the tires on the bus mounting and balancing at your cost non-refundable. If they survive the first few hot drives without any signs of coming apart then the seller gets to keep the money. You then deal with any issues that happen with the tires after the agreed upon "holding" period.

I understand what you're saying, Brian, but my own personal opinion is that 10 year old tires -- no matter how they're stored or used -- are becoming a big risk. The little cracks that you can see can form and they'll be an indication that the strength of the tire is compromised, but the real danger is coming apart from the inside in ways that are apparent from outside signs.

That's my opinion and I'm not pointing fingers at someone else's but if I had that chance, I'd turn that deal down.

luvrbus · January 30, 2014, 05:28:40 AM

If the tires have not been stored mounted on wheels with air pressure and the price is right like 100-150 bucks each I would buy those for use on the tags and drivers if they are 315/80-22.5 JMO

Jon · January 30, 2014, 06:04:49 AM

Here's the easy way to see the value of the tires: Call every truck tire store in a 100 mile radius and tell them you have 8 10 year old tires you are willing to GIVE them. Let us know how many will accept them.

Bestekustoms · January 30, 2014, 06:31:17 AM

10 Year Old Tires..... Dont Run Them !!

I Bought A Bus A Few Years Ago That Had NEW 10 Year Old XZA's Tires. They Even Had There Tits. WOW...They Were Good Looking !!!

50 Miles Into My First Drive BAM !! Drive Tire Left Me Stranded. I Was Only Rolling About 30 MPH...... And It Wasnt Long And I Had XZAs Popping Like Crazy !!!!

I Have Always Said BS About Tires Being No Good After A Certain Time.
I Have Driven Cars/Trucks/Buses Across The USA With 30 Year Old Tires. NO PROBLEMS...... Well Maybe Once I Did Have A Problem..LOL !!! DONT DO IT.
My Hard Head Has Softened.

If You Like Rolling The Dice...You Will More Than Likely Lose.

Just My Nickles Worth

....... 10-4

MrBreeze

luvrbus · January 30, 2014, 07:20:22 AM

It all depends on the compound of the modern tire I bought a set of Generals for my pickup one of the damn things blew out just setting and are less than a year old

I have set of Michelin's on the wife's motor home less than 2 years old and are already showing cracks in the sidewalls and the only sunlight they ever see is on the road and now Michelin tells me those are Ozone cracks and don't worry about it their tire will last I don't know about that one lol

We live in a throw away society only nowadays a tire can only be capped a few times where 20 years ago you could cap one a dozen times manufactures sell tires they are not made to last but if those have been stored right I'll buy them and don't even like the Michelin tires

Lin · January 30, 2014, 09:36:40 AM

I have been told the Michelins are prone to sidewall deterioration. Of course, with as many different tires as they produce, that might be true of only certain tires. I would be wary about 10 year old tires, but if the price was cheap enough, like almost a give away, I might be tempted. On the other hand, there is the peace of mind factor to consider.

Jon · January 30, 2014, 09:53:38 AM

Shouldn't the question be "how tolerant are you regarding the risk of a blowout on the road?"

Some folks are content to spit into the wind and pull Superman's cape, but others like me know a blowout while traveling at best is an inconvenience, expensive, and assuming not a safety issue, it certainly has the potential to tear up a lot of the bus such as air bags, brake chambers, fenders, etc.

The last two stories about blowouts on the Prevost Community site revealed the owners (who had good tires as far as age) were both exposed to a substantial expense to get back on the road and for the needed repairs.

luvrbus · January 30, 2014, 10:31:39 AM

If you own a Prevost you should keep news tires on those front end heavy suckers lot of difference between a 52,000 lb coach and 30,000 lb coach the 315's are close to max on some Prevost that why you see so many H series with the 365 tires on the front

I have talked to Michelin,Toyo,Bridgestone and others and they can sell a 6 year old tire as new with a new tire warranty if it has never been mounted the warranty for what it is doesn't start till one is mounted, after 6 years it is sold as a blemished tire with a limited warranty all tire manufactures do that and people buy that is why they are in businesses is to sell tires fwiw

Jon · January 30, 2014, 02:33:12 PM

Gotta disagree Clifford, or at least explain why you and I are getting two different stories.

The tire companies appear in lockstep on this because at two different tire seminars, one Michelin and one Goodyear they both said the following although the seminars were on two sides of the country.

Both said they honor the 6 year warranty from date of installation. However, they both were emphatic in stating that regardless of when the tire was mounted, if it hits the tenth year from the date code on the tire all warranties expire.

Both also said if a tire has been run at 20% less than the required pressure for the weight carried the tire is considered junk. They know because the inner lining gets a black band around it where it starts to fail as a result of underinflation. That typically results in what they both called a zipper failure.

So age does matter, but equally important is the fact with simple diagnosis they can tell if a tire was abused and that also voids any warranty. The folks telling us this information were factory representatives, not dealers.

luvrbus · January 30, 2014, 04:11:20 PM

That what I am saying they will sell you a 6 year old tire I wasn't talking to dealers I don't believe but maybe 1/2 of what they tell you

The Toyo guy is VP for Toyo of North America and the BridgeStone is over the Western part of the USA I don't think Grant expects any warranty, one is not going to get much from Michelin with a full warranty I never had any luck with the warranty from Michelin

I will see those 2 guys at the Phoenix Open and I'll ask again what their policy is on new old stock tires and make sure All my Michelin warranty papers says is warranty period begins at time of installation so I don't know for sure what their policy is