ratmonster
New member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2016
- Location
- North Carolina
My car is a 1992 Volvo 245. It has over 300,000 miles on the odometer, and the odometer stopped working in 2009. In all likelihood, my car has in excess of 400,000 miles.
Seeing as she is living on borrowed time, and I was in need of some affordable rubber, I purchased the best deal I could find in the size I wanted.
The tires I just took off the car were badly worn Michelin tires in the size 195/70r14. The original tire size was 185/70r14. I wanted to keep the width, but not the height, so I split the baby and ordered 195/60r14. Very, very close to original tire diameter.
After doing some online shopping, and being baffled at tire prices, I decided to check Walmart's online store. My wife works for Walmart, so we get a 10% discount. I found a tire I wanted, but while waiting for the money to materialize, they sold out of that brand and size. They were going to cost $180 for four. Also Chinese cheapies.
So looking for another tire deal in that same size, I came across the Westlake RP18. It's an all-season tire with a grip rating of AA, which is the best classification you can get.
Initial impressions: they are tires. Black, round things, made or rubber and steel belts and stuff. Tread depth is not the deepest ever seen, but I've paid WAY more for worse. Road noise seems no different than the old busted Michelins I took off. Handling seems essentially unaffected, grip feels good. Now, this is only one drive in, on dry ground. I plan on updating as I go. I'll let you guys know what I think about the quality, grip, wear, etc.
The best part, the part I've been holding back, is this - four tires for $150, including tax. You'd pay about $15 more without the employee discount. So, did I get what I paid for? Will my Chinese, bargain-priced Westlake RP18 tires bite the dust early? I'll update as I know!
Wes
Seeing as she is living on borrowed time, and I was in need of some affordable rubber, I purchased the best deal I could find in the size I wanted.
The tires I just took off the car were badly worn Michelin tires in the size 195/70r14. The original tire size was 185/70r14. I wanted to keep the width, but not the height, so I split the baby and ordered 195/60r14. Very, very close to original tire diameter.
After doing some online shopping, and being baffled at tire prices, I decided to check Walmart's online store. My wife works for Walmart, so we get a 10% discount. I found a tire I wanted, but while waiting for the money to materialize, they sold out of that brand and size. They were going to cost $180 for four. Also Chinese cheapies.
So looking for another tire deal in that same size, I came across the Westlake RP18. It's an all-season tire with a grip rating of AA, which is the best classification you can get.
Initial impressions: they are tires. Black, round things, made or rubber and steel belts and stuff. Tread depth is not the deepest ever seen, but I've paid WAY more for worse. Road noise seems no different than the old busted Michelins I took off. Handling seems essentially unaffected, grip feels good. Now, this is only one drive in, on dry ground. I plan on updating as I go. I'll let you guys know what I think about the quality, grip, wear, etc.
The best part, the part I've been holding back, is this - four tires for $150, including tax. You'd pay about $15 more without the employee discount. So, did I get what I paid for? Will my Chinese, bargain-priced Westlake RP18 tires bite the dust early? I'll update as I know!
Wes
