OMG. This was not a good day. I had to go to a funeral this morning and somewhere during the procession, I got a nail in my tire. Okay, great. I'll just go see if I can get it plugged.

[rant on] I go to Discount Tire off I-35 and 3040 (Dallas people should know where I'm talking about) and pull in. The guy comes out and "checks" my tire. Just looking at it, he says that I need a new tire! Didn't take the tire off the car or ANYTHING to really check it out. Then he tells me that he'll sell it to me for 260 bucks! Umm. No. These are crappy tires. Then he tries to convince me that I need to get road hazard on all my tires and that it's a DEAL for something like 450 bucks, including the new tire. WTF?!?!?!?

Hubby and I said, we'd think about it. Then we went home took my wheel off, put it in his car, and took it to a shop that's local. They said, "No problem! We'll plug it for you for 5 bucks!" They showed me how much "damage" this nail did when they pulled it out. It BARELY did any damage. The leak was so small, the guy had to really look to see it. Took him two minutes and we were on our meery way.

What the hell is the deal with Discount Tire??? (Not saying ANYTHING about Discount Tire Direct, here, just this particular store I visited) What? They see a chick and immediately assume that I'm an easy sale because I should know dick about my car? That guy was a total *******, and I was afraid I'd run into someone like him, which is why I asked my husband to come along.

So, to end my rant, don't waste your money on that store if you're in the Dallas area. They're total jerks and will try ti screw you out of every last penny they think they can get away with.

 

I just had to buy a ned tire. I got a fricken 6" long double sided nail thing in my tire that ripped a good 1/2 hole. The guy originally told me $250 just for the tire, but I said.."Listen, I can buy a new one for $170 on tirerack, shipp it mount it and still be under your price." Ten minutes later he told me $191 installed! I took it.

 

probably seeing a girl in a nice sports car, they figured they could take advantage of you

the only time a tire would need to be replaced bc of a nail is when its within a "thumb" of the sidewall. then it is not safe to patch a tire...

 

Fixing the tire drops the speed rating from Z (149+).

That may be one reason for attempting to sell a replacement tire rather than fixing the old.

The least safe fix is to use a plug from the outside.

Best fix is to dismount tire and use a patch / plug combo.

I'm not sure whether the speed rating will drop from Z to S or T or H if you patch tire. But I would keep driving to standard highway speeds and check tire more frequently.

I would go with ranger5oh, try talk the price down.

Kinda like a post script, most tire stores will not down grade OEM speed rating for tires. Since 350Z comes with Z rated tires, most shops will not sell you anything lower as replacement. Mail order, well that may be another thing.....

 

I knew the patch wouldn't make the tire "perfect" again, but all I wanted was a quick fix, as I plan on selling my wheels pretty soon to buy something fatter. I even told the guy this and he STILL tried to play me. Grrrr. He messed with the wrong chick!

 

Just a minor correction, but the 18" Z's have W rated tires (better than Z rated). Maybe the 17" are Z's, but the 18" are W's.

The point made above is a very valid one. I would be very weary of patching these tires, especially if you drive hard and fast. I had heard that you are much better off just getting a new one... now, it is OK to patch, but just remember that when you are driving (and don't go pushing 150...