Thinking about new tires

[RussWhite]

I am seeking some first hand expereince with the FMCA Michelin Advantage program mentioned a few times in this thread.

Here is the link to the instructions:

http://www.fmca.com/join-family-moto...nnections/3448

The sentence that is being a problem for me is:

Because of a contract between FMCA and Michelin North America, the dealer is unable to give you an invoice with an accurate price.

I visited my local Michelin dealer and was told they are not capable of providing a price since Michelin will not tell them. All they can do is give me an estimate of the cost if selling directly to me and promise that whatever Michelin charges will be less, but just how much less they do not know.
I am not very happy being expected to make the purchase and later be sent an invoice. Now it's their program and I understand they can make the rules and do it as they wish. What I am hoping is someone may actually have the correct price I will be charged for the tires from Michelin. Everything besides Net Invoice and FET will be set by the local dealer - Mount and Balance, valve stems, and disposal fee.

The FMCA site does offer a link to common tire size prices under the program, with the note they may change.

http://www.fmca.com/images/stories/p...lin-prices.pdf

In that document my front tire size is listed:

315/80R22.5 XZA2 c/n 76184 at Net Invoice $586.18 FET $52.83 Tot. $639.01
local dealer quoted that tire at a total of $849.35

That is a pretty healthy reduction. Dealer said they expect the reduction would be like fifty bucks per tire from FMCA.

My six rears are 11R24.5 XZE2 c/n 88507 Dealer quote $516.79

Anyone have a Michelin/FMCA price on that one?

I sure could save a lot if Jon wanted eat more bees and put them on for me

[Liam]

Easy answer. Just call the FMCA office and they will give you the accurate price. I just did that. The dealers really don't know the answer, mine didn't even know about the program but was happy to learn. Also, I discovered one very loose lug-nut after just a few miles and several that needed to be re-torqued, so take the "have them re-checked after X miles" deal seriously.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Russ, Ain't no way I am mounting your tires. Not a fun job.

But when I do dismount and mount my tires I at least put the date codes out, inflate them per the Michelin chart and torque the lug nuts properly. But Liam is right about retorquing them. Over the years I have had two with loose nuts. The nuts did not come off, but they weren't tight either. (21 years times 80 lug nuts times ???? many tire changes means the risk of loose nuts is low, but it is still worth retorquing.)

[RussWhite]

Thanks Liam and Jon,

FMCA did get back to me and the answer is puzzling. On the front tires the Advantage program was significantly less, and on the rears it was more. So I guess I would use the Advantage program just for the fronts.

Here are the results:

315/80R22.5 XZA2 c/n 76184 FMCA 586+53=639 Local Dealer 849
11R24.5 XZE2 c/n 88507 FMCA 541+34=576 Local Dealer 517
( numbers rounded)

Does not include mounting, balancing, stems, and disposal.

Thanks,
Russ

[Reagan Sirmons]

I replied to this thread once before but I do not understand the confusion. I called Beasley Tires here in Houston. They agreed that the FMCA has a program very beneficial to the membership of FMCA. I asked for a turn key installed walk out price and received a guaranteed price of $705 for all eight tires...there was no conversation of invoices, questions of invoices, etc. Their dealer cost on the tire is normally $685 without the program before fed, state, installation and balancing.... They stated ths is a very good deal. I believe anyone who is giving a prevost owner the run around is doing so to protect their margins. Michelin provides the tires to the dealer at a lower price ... my thoughts.
Pres

[Liam]

BTW the XZA2-Energy in my 22.5 size just came off factory backlog so I got DOT dates of mid-Sep (days old) as opposed to tires sitting at the dealer for a year. Some debate - but many feel the aging process starts at birth and not mounting so I was thrilled to get "still warm" tires!

[terryweber]

hi i need 4 drive 315/70/22.5 also 2 sterr tires 365/80/22.5 . terry cel 5194654101 will be in atlanta mid nov

[terryweber]

any dealer on hwy75 from detroit to miani.. will be heading south in 3 weeks

[garyde]

Russ, Ain't no way I am mounting your tires. Not a fun job.

But when I do dismount and mount my tires I at least put the date codes out, inflate them per the Michelin chart and torque the lug nuts properly. But Liam is right about retorquing them. Over the years I have had two with loose nuts. The nuts did not come off, but they weren't tight either. (21 years times 80 lug nuts times ???? many tire changes means the risk of loose nuts is low, but it is still worth retorquing.)

I agree with Jon, there are a lot of loose nuts in this group! The other thing I remember from a Michelin Seminar, to change the subject a little, the tires are organic in the sense that the more they are used, the healthier they remain. The motion and flexing creates a chemical reaction which keeps the tire from hardening. so, don't rely just on date stamps to determine the health of your tire.

[truk4u]

Terry,

Here's a link to Action Tire in south Atlanta, ask for Rick the owner and mention POG and my name: http://www.actiontireco.com/Scripts/default.asp