Just wanted to share a quick positive note on purchasing new rubber for our E recently.

Bought a set of Nokian WR SUV 225/70/16's from South Park Tire Factory in Seattle. Was quoted $620 for the set over the phone, and they indicated they would buy the stock Wranglers off the beast after I asked.

All of my phone calls were promptly returned, and they notified me when the tires arrived from the warehouse as promised. Scheduled a time to have them installed, and they had 3 guys working on the install the minute I pulled into the bay.

Was out of the door 20-30 minutes later with a great deal (much better than the initial quote) with no fuss. They weren't necessarily the cheapest price I was quoted (and true to some other posts on the boards Kirkland Tire Factory gave a sky high price), but they definitely had it together.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has posted here. All the info was very helpful, and just wanted to add a positive experience into the mix as another small datapoint.


Steve

You will like those tires!!

I bought mine at the Kirkland Tire Factory and they did jerk me around on the price, claiming they made a "mistake" over the phone, when I showed up there for my appointment.
To their favor, I did negotiate the price back down again, but I think that was only because I was indeed ready to walk out and buy some Michelin LTX's which would have been CHEAPER than the Nokians that they "special ordered" and THEN jacked up the price.

Maybe it was an honest mistake on their part, but it sure seemed fishy.

I am glad you found a straight forward place to buy these tires. There are amazingly nice to drive on in ALL conditions.

Hi Steve,

Wow, thanks for the post. I just called the Auburn Tire Factory and was quoted 142 a piece for the Nokian WR... with install and tax, it came to 670. I'll call the South Park Tire center tomorrow for their input. Was 620 the final total?

Ok, I'm really glad I checked the boards tonight since I'm ready to commit and just might have made a $50 error...

Actually too, I wasn't aware of very many places selling the Nokians in the Seattle area?

~Abby

Hi Steve,

Wow, thanks for the post. I just called the Auburn Tire Factory and was quoted 142 a piece for the Nokian WR... with install and tax, it came to 670. I'll call the South Park Tire center tomorrow for their input. Was 620 the final total?

Ok, I'm really glad I checked the boards tonight since I'm ready to commit and just might have made a $50 error...

Actually too, I wasn't aware of very many places selling the Nokians in the Seattle area?

~Abby

I think you can ONLY get Nokians through The Tire Factories in the greater Seattle area. Just make sure you really nail them down on price for the EXACT SIZE you are ordering. Thinking back on this, I think they might have originally quoted the passenger car size price, and the Element just nudges into the smallest "SUV" size category. Of course I gave them the car model and size, so it was still pretty sloppy quoting on their part.

I sure do like the tires though!

To my surprise, Nokian's are now being sold by my Honda dealer! Probably 2x the cost...

Just called the South Park Tire Factory and received a match to the quote that Auburn gave: $142. With a trade in on my 5-mos-old OEM tires (about $100 for the set), the total came to $561. So, I placed the order... tires to arrive this Thursday.

I must add that just as you mentioned Steve, South Park was extremely cordial. I don't think I'm getting the screamin' deal you did... but with the rave reviews these tires are getting (thanks for the info Honu), the price is still worth it to me.

When I talked with the Auburn Tire Factory they spoke only praise of the Nokian WRs. Talking with the South Park Tire Factory, they too remarked on the exceptional quality of the Nokians.

I'm elated about the possibility of getting up to the mountains sooner than later. Not that it could have been done with the OEMs... but seriously, driving my 2WD even in simple rainy conditions sometimes frightened me (sensations of hydroplaning at 45 mph!). And then there's the consistent spinning of the tires starting out in first on wet roads (and I ain't no lead foot). Can't wait for sticky tires!

Hey BTW Honu... how ARE those tires in super wet conditions? I drove to Moscow a few months ago in the rain and had to go 20 mph slower than everyone else on the road because my tires couldn't handle that much water displacement... it was extremely annoying!

THANKS ALL!

.
Hey BTW Honu... how ARE those tires in super wet conditions? I drove to Moscow a few months ago in the rain and had to go 20 mph slower than everyone else on the road because my tires couldn't handle that much water displacement... it was extremely annoying!

THANKS ALL!

I have never had tires come close to the Nokians for drenched or just wet road conditions either. You sort of forget what the mere mortals have to put up with for hydroplaning and that sort of thing, when you have these tires. I drive my nice safe and steady and legal 4 mph over the limit no matter what the conditions and always get exasperated at everyone slowing down for a mere torrential downpour at 70mph winding down I-90 from highway 18, which used to be my commute when I first bought these tires.

The nokians combined with the 4WD Element have pretty much knocked out my fear of most any driving conditions.

That being said.....driving like an idiot WILL get you in trouble if you push it hard enough, no matter what you drive.

But it sure is fun scooting by SUV's that cost 2 or 3 times the cost of the Element, because they are slowing down and I am still in my comfort zone for safe handling.

Thanks again Steve, et. Honu!

I dropped the E off yesterday at South Park Tire Factory and just as you indicated Steve, the service was fabulous. I would definitely recommend them over any other tire center I've dealt with in this area.

The guys were exceptionally kind, and they remembered who I was each time I called. I felt the service was genuine and quality.

And as for the tires, not but a few minutes after pulling off their lot I realize that these tires are worth every penny. Little did I know that the handling could be improved THAT much with a tire swap. My E handles almost exactly like my Prelude did... in regards to sensitivity and fluidity. I can practically scoot around town controlling the wheel with my wee pinky.

Can't wait for some snow or some heavy down pour.

Also, something of note: South Park Tire Factory indicated that this is the third Element they've replaced tires on in as many months. It sounded as though all three Es have gone to Nokians. Uh, obviously one of those being yours Steve.

I'm instantly more in love with this car than I thought possible! Go South Park Tire Factory, and GO Nokian WRs!

~Abby

Thanks again Steve, et. Honu!

ICan't wait for some snow or some heavy down pour.

Also, something of note: South Park Tire Factory indicated that this is the ~Abby

Yep. Soon as I put the Michelin LTX M/S tires on my E, the skies cleared, the sun came out, and no rain all week, with none even predicted for like another week at least.

Guess I'll just have to take me E to the mountain snow this weekend. Darn, twist my arm.

Now there's the kind of torture to subject oneself to after putting proper paws on the E: mountain travel.

Of course yeah, it's supposed to be sunny all weekend. What gives?

OK, OT from this thread:
Dogbox, noticed you have a Yakima Loadwarrior... that's the next gift to my E... although I must admit I'm confused if it works on both the low and high profile connectors Yakima produces. I don't know why I'm so flummoxed: or is there only one height profile of the Yakima connectors? Was it difficult to install? When I spec it out, it seems it will cost (with wind deflector) about $550... does that sound right?

Thanks!

I don't recall paying that much, but it was a while back. Mine is mounted to an OEM, so I'm sorry, I can't help mich re the Yakima connectors.

I use it A LOT. More than I expected. It comes in very handy.

Thanks Dogbox... I think I'm figuring this Yakima stuff out.

Really feel the NEED to buy this LoadWarrior but alas, *Sigh* either camping season needs to get here pronto, or I need to pick up snow shoeing to have an excuse to use it. Ha. Now that I have these go-anywhere tires, I'm ready to get OUT.

~Abby