Michelin Pilot Exalto Tire puncture problem and options help needed
 

’89 stock Targa

Michelin Pilot Exalto
Right Rear
225/50/ZR16/92W
Tire date 4306 (both rear tire)

I picked up a screw just at the end of the tread and where the sidewall meet.
Discount tire guy says can’t be fixed b/c it is outside the belted area.

All four Michelin Pilot Exalto tires are ’06 vintage with what looks to me as a lot of tread life left in them.

I am trying to weigh my options:
Should I get a second opinion of fixing the puncture?
Can I fill the tire with goo and expect it hold air normally, last and perform up to spec?
Would a new tire replacement for the one tire be a problem due to different tire tread thickness?
Would it be possible to find one slightly used replacement?
If it comes down to it, what tires would others recommend? Anyone run bridgestone portenza?

Thank you.
Cloud89

I wouldn´t mxi tires on the same Axle. If they cant fix it then treat yourself and change the two. As far as recommendations are concerned then have a look at this

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/504463-tires.html

once fixed it will no longer have its speed rating

I've done borderline patches before on everyday drivers. I would NOT do this on a car that's expected to corner - you're putting stresses right at one of the critical spots, at the interface between tread & sidewall. I would also not mix tires. I have less of an issue with the same tire left / right with up to half tread left on one side, if you can find the same tire somewhere, but ideally, replace them both.

Good luck!

Too bad we live so far apart... i have a set of four Michelin Pilot Sports 205/55/16 and 225/50/16's with only 600 kms that i will be selling,they were on my 89 Coupe when i bought the car and i upgraded to larger wheels and tires all around !

Phil

Love my Bridgestones far better than the G-force they replaced.

Thanks all!
Looks like fixing is out of the question...

So it wouldn't necessarily be weird or unwise to replace the rears with something other than Michelin Pilots (that would still be on the fronts) for budgetary purposes until I can afford to match up the fronts.

I assume tread thickness front axle to back axle would wear differently anyway even if all corners new at same time, so newer front tires in a few hundred miles wouldn't be an issue. Correct?

Is it common to run different manufacturer tires between front and rear on the street?

I've been told that a softer tire other than the Pilots would make me happier since I think the ride is too rough, I always feel like I'm riding on a suspension of granite. I also plan to replace the stock Boge with regular Bilsteins. I'm not a track guy, just want a good quality tire so I can ultimately get as smooth and quiet of a tire and suspension ride as possible.

I've read many jacking possition threads and have the 101 book, but still confused about where to jack up my '89 that doesn't have a sump plate and would rather not have to use the side jacking points. Can I use soft wood blocks and place them either side of the seam roughly where a 911 with a sump plate would be?

are we anal about the manufacture week/year matching up, at least per axle?

Keep in mind if the tires you put on grip differently (cold / warming / hot) than what you had on there, your handling will necessarily be different than what you are used to.

Yeah, I got a year on the Kumho MX out back, and the fronts were in far better shape when I pulled those wheels. I think that's how a lot of guys go - 2 pairs' worth out back for one pair up front. :)

Do not fill your tyre wwith goo. It will stuff your rim.
Richard.

Found used one on ebay $40 + $20 (S&H)

Looks to be close to my tread wear, I will confirm.
Do I need to confirm if it's was used on left or right side?

Would I be crazy to buy a used tire from ebay?

VYC_bestusedtires out of Allentown PA, anyone ever dealt with these guys?

Buying a used tire on ebay? You could be getting one that was flat-spotted, is out of round, or has broken belt. IMO, there are some things I won't skimp on: safety is #1 and 2. Tires, brakes, electrical and fuel all fall into the safety category. If you decide to buy the tire, there is a nifty little tool that measures tread depth (every tire store uses them). Get yours measured across the tire and ask the seller to measure theirs.

For $40, the seller isn't buying anything. Use a penny, with a digital pic, get the manufacturer's date code off the side of the tire & compare with yours.

Sometimes the budget needs to speak. Ideally, yeah, replace both with new, but there's something to be said for $100 bought, shipped, mounted, balanced vs. $350 bought, mounted, balanced.

If you decide to go the used route, best of luck!

I've had a set of Conti WinterSports fitted for a year that I bought from Evil Bay. Discount for nearly-new take-offs was hard to beat.

Get it/them inspected thoroughly by someone who knows what they're doing before mounting and you should be fine.

I always try to replace tires as a set of 4, if due to wear - they start to behave very differently as they age/harden, I think.

Ad says 6-7/32 tread left. Wear bars easy to discern in pics so I can compare
Date code year is '06, can't see the week of manufacture from the pics.
I will ask them for entire code.

Tire does look ok to my untrained eye in the pics.
If I buy, I will take the advice of having it checked out before mounting.

14 day return policy.

Thanks for all the help!

Decided not to compromise a go with 4 new.
Possibly yoko s.

Thanks again for all replies.

do we trust tire shops or should we order and have our preferred independent mount and balance?

thanks.

Did you get the Yokohama S.drive?
Yokohama S.drive

Richard

'87 Grand Prix White 911 Carrera