WWMD? Tire problem

[grskier]

I have a 2001 Audi A4.... anywho, last summer I got a set of Pirelli Pzero Nero Summer tires (not the M&S). So, I go to the local shop today to get them put on for the summer, and the two back tires have bubbled. They are a discontinued tire now, and I'm the idiot that installed them the first time (same shop has installed and uninstalled them the last 2 times they have been touched), so I can't go back on the shop. I can't find them anywhere online (except for a 1 of on ebay)...

I'm I just fucked and need to plunk down another $500 on a set of summers?

They are 205/55/16 for what it's worth.

Is there a way to buy just 2 new tires?

[whyturn]

Problem with two new and two old is balance, wear and alignment. New can go on front if its FWD, but when you rotate it can't be a cross. IMO. I went with conti extreme contact and they rock summer and winter on the AWD sedan. Did you try the tire rack?

[hop]

IF you can find two new ones you can have them ground down to match the old ones but I'd only do this if the old ones haven't worn much.

[hutash]

If they bubbled you should be able to get them warrantied by the seller, not the installer (you). As Hop said, if you can get two they can be shaved to match the remaining two tires.

As for conti contact extremes, they are great if you want marginal performance all year round, as they aren't a good snow tire, nor are they a good summer tire, but if you want one set of tires for the whole year it is one of the best choices. Two sets of tires is by far the best way to go performance wise. I just bought a second set of rims, so changing from summer to winter is nothing more then a wheel change, and takes me all of 20 minutes.

[grskier]

:mad:CrapThat's what I was scared of... 4 new summer tires shall be mine.... and now I won't be getting that new bike frame at the end of August that I was planning.....:mad::mad:

[jgb@etree]

Maybe consider Hutash's suggestion for a year 'round tire. The Conti Contact Extremes are pretty decent & popular, but I prefer the Nokian WRG2. They're great in snow & rain and they're so decent on dry pavement that I still haven't switch over to my summer rims/tires.

But yeah, finding 2 and having them shaved to match is your only option outside of buying 4 new. Chances are that if they're disco'd your fucked - and definitely warranty those bubbled sidewalls. They won't send you new tires, but you should get a pro-rated refund/credit.

[Sparwood Dave]

X2 on the Nokian WR G2. I have had three sets (one set on a Subaru and two sets on a minivan) and they work extremely well. I drive across North America four times a year and live in the Canadian Rockies and they have never let me down