[ATTN]

Has anyone here in Australia had any experience purchasing tyres from www.tirerack.com?

I'm not in any rush to get some new tyres but I will need them just before Christmas. There is a special at the moment on Pirellis P Zero cora systems from $575 to $217usd

Pirellis and Michelins were great on bikes, Michelins were my preference when I was riding. Tossing up between the two.

I've tried emailing them for a quote on postage a couple of times now but haven't heard back from them yet.

How's the postage, timing, reliability etc? If anyone has bought from them before I'd like to hear your experience.

[fo55il]

International shipping would still make them worth it?

[ATTN]

Approximately $383aud with the AUD fx today.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by ATTN

Has anyone here in Australia had any experience purchasing tyres from www.tirerack.com?

I'm not in any rush to get some new tyres but I will need them just before Christmas. There is a special at the moment on Pirellis P Zero cora systems from $575 to $217usd

Pirellis and Michelins were great on bikes, Michelins were my preference when I was riding. Tossing up between the two.

I've tried emailing them for a quote on postage a couple of times now but haven't heard back from them yet.

How's the postage, timing, reliability etc? If anyone has bought from them before I'd like to hear your experience.

I purchased a set of Michelin PSS tyres in 2012 from Tire Rack. I found them good to deal with at the time. The breakdown of costs were:

Tyres - $1,150
Freight - $306
Import Duty - $200
Total - $1,656

The same tyres in Australia would have cost me approx. $3,500.

To eliminate the Import Duty, I would split the order and get two shipments of two tyres separated by a month. The shipment costs for two shipments would dictate whether this would be beneficial or not. Also, the exchange rate has changed a lot since 2012 so the costs will be higher but not as high as buying them in Australia. I have found the Michelin PSS tyre excellent for grip (dry & wet) and road noise. I would recommend Michelins over the Pirellis.

[ATTN]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I purchased a set of Michelin PSS tyres in 2012 from Tire Rack. I found them good to deal with at the time. The breakdown of costs were:

Tyres - $1,150
Freight - $306
Import Duty - $200
Total - $1,656

The same tyres in Australia would have cost me approx. $3,500.

To eliminate the Import Duty, I would split the order and get two shipments of two tyres separated by a month. The shipment costs for two shipments would dictate whether this would be beneficial or not. Also, the exchange rate has changed a lot since 2012 so the costs will be higher but not as high as buying them in Australia. I have found the Michelin PSS tyre excellent for grip (dry & wet) and road noise. I would recommend Michelins over the Pirellis.

Excellent post, thanks for your comment.

I didn't factor in Import Duty. Might not be worth while seeing because our Australian dollar is terrible at the moment.

Good to know though, I will look into it a little more today and weight up my options.

[JJH]

My experience with Tire Rack in early 2013 was exactly the same as Coupes33 - same tyres and almost exactly the same costs. Dealing with them was painless although they only accepted payment by electronic transfer - not difficult to do but not as simple as putting it on a card as you checkout your order. Even making the customs payment was simple and did not hold the shipment up much. At the time, I figured splitting the order to avoid import duty was only slightly less expensive as there would be two lots of shipping charges in the equation. What blew me away (apart from the huge saving) was that my order arrived in 7 days.

I'd be surprised if buying the same today is cheaper locally despite where the Aussie$ is at the moment.

[ATTN]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

I'd be surprised if buying the same today is cheaper locally despite where the Aussie$ is at the moment.

Thanks @JJH_335

Tempetyres
F -Michelin PPS - $330 each
R -Michelin PPS - $475 each

Grand total - $1,610

Tirerack
F -Michelin PPS - $247USD each
R -Michelin PPS - $300USD each

Shipping - $327.67USD

Grand total - $1,421.67USD excluding Import duty

Converted to AUD = $1,664.54AUD (www.xe.com)

Damn you Australian dollar!!!

[chensta]

I managed to get the following
Rear 265/30/19 for $400 each at Taleb Tyres (They had a special, give them a special they might still have it)
Front 235/35/19 for $310 each at Bob Jane (Price match on Tempe Tyres)

So all up $1420!

Good luck guys!

[JJH]

Originally Posted by ATTN

Damn you Australian dollar!!!

Wow! and maybe local prices have come down in the last couple of years? I do recall that when I imported the PSSs, they were only just becoming available locally.

One thing though, regardless of where you source them, make sure the tyres are recent stock, i.e. not made 2 years ago ... I know it is impossible if importing but mobs like Tire Rack are huge volume sellers and most likely have recent manufactured batches of tyres.

[chensta]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

Wow! and maybe local prices have come down in the last couple of years? I do recall that when I imported the PSSs, they were only just becoming available locally.

One thing though, regardless of where you source them, make sure the tyres are recent stock, i.e. not made 2 years ago ... I know it is impossible if importing but mobs like Tire Rack are huge volume sellers and most likely have recent manufactured batches of tyres.

Definitely should be aware of this, but I heard that Tyres are only a problem when they are 3-5 years old?

Anyway I checked mine and seemed I got them manufactured in 14....unless I am reading the wrong numbers!

[JJH]

See the great info in FAQ section of The Definitive Tyre Thread sticky at http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720790

[nash_86]

I personally ordered 4x Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2's for my 335i from Tirerack and had a very good experience. Shipping was fast and the payment process wasn't that much of a hassle.

[Testercles]

I see on American sites they always have like Summer tyres, Summer/winter and stuff like that. I've never really heard of that locally, what sorts of tyres should we be looking at ideally over there?

[fo55il]

Originally Posted by Testercles

I see on American sites they always have like Summer tyres, Summer/winter and stuff like that. I've never really heard of that locally, what should we be looking at ideally over there?

snowing maybe?

[BMJ]

International Tyre Trader (Sydney) also very good bought Pzeros RFs off Nick before at great prices. stock can be a bit hit and miss sometimes.

[waterbottle1]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I purchased a set of Michelin PSS tyres in 2012 from Tire Rack. I found them good to deal with at the time. The breakdown of costs were:

Tyres - $1,150
Freight - $306
Import Duty - $200
Total - $1,656

The same tyres in Australia would have cost me approx. $3,500.

To eliminate the Import Duty, I would split the order and get two shipments of two tyres separated by a month. The shipment costs for two shipments would dictate whether this would be beneficial or not. Also, the exchange rate has changed a lot since 2012 so the costs will be higher but not as high as buying them in Australia. I have found the Michelin PSS tyre excellent for grip (dry & wet) and road noise. I would recommend Michelins over the Pirellis.

You sir have good memory , to remember those numbers exactly from 2012

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

I've found it cheaper to get it locally now than Tirerack

May be delays with responses from them today/tomorrow as they are closed for Thanksgiving.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by waterbottle1

You sir have good memory , to remember those numbers exactly from 2012

I keep all of my receipts.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I keep all of my receipts.

Are you an accountant Coupes?

[335i-boy]

Definitely get Michelin PSS over Pirelli.

I bought mine from Tire Rack a couple of years ago just before they stopped shipping to Australia because of the complaints from aussie Michelin dealers. The dollar was just a little over parity back then so it was much cheaper than buying locally. I split the shipment into 2. 2 fronts 235/35/19 then 2 rears 275/30/19 to get under the $1k aud limit. Still saved a lot back then even with extra shipping cost..Dealing with them is no problem although payment via international money transfer is a bit more involved than just paying by CC. It's not a deal breaker though.

Things are getting a lot cheaper buying locally now. From what I have read here on the forum, local Aussie 1er section I think, if you take a tire rack quote into Bob Jane they will price match it for you. In AUD of course. Bob Jane apparently will also price match any advertised price on Michelin PSS. Have a look towards the end of Zuzu's "1M Zuzette build thread" thread in the Aussie 1er forum for the details.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by Socket

Are you an accountant Coupes?

No, just an old retired car enthusiast / rev head.

[AUSf22]

Originally Posted by 335i-boy

Definitely get Michelin PSS over Pirelli.

I bought mine from Tire Rack a couple of years ago just before they stopped shipping to Australia because of the complaints from aussie Michelin dealers. The dollar was just a little over parity back then so it was much cheaper than buying locally. I split the shipment into 2. 2 fronts 235/35/19 then 2 rears 275/30/19 to get under the $1k aud limit. Still saved a lot back then even with extra shipping cost..Dealing with them is no problem although payment via international money transfer is a bit more involved than just paying by CC. It's not a deal breaker though.

Things are getting a lot cheaper buying locally now. From what I have read here on the forum, local Aussie 1er section I think, if you take a tire rack quote into Bob Jane they will price match it for you. In AUD of course. Bob Jane apparently will also price match any advertised price on Michelin PSS. Have a look towards the end of Zuzu's "1M Zuzette build thread" thread in the Aussie 1er forum for the details.

^ Bob Jane can only price match, if the tyres are bought from Michelin Australia.

There are some sizes for PSS that aren't available from Mich AUS, however we can always get them from another supplier.

I'm not sure we can price match to tire rack but I will double check with my manager.