[s-cars] Re: F me hard... tire woes...

[William Noland]

Paulie Nohappy -

Here's a tip -- file a claim with the City of Fartford. Take some photos
of the offending pothole and injured tire. Make a case for replacing two
tires, if you feel lucky (well, do you punk?).  Usually these claims are
filed with the City Atty. Threaten to take them to Small Claims, if they
put up a fight. Costs very little to make the Small
Claims....er....claim. Not really worth it for the City to fight these
types of claims -- costs them more to send someone to court to defend
the faith, than it does to settle for the price of a tire or two. This
is America, dammit! It's downright unamerican to not sue!  :-)

Speaking as an insider (City Controller), this should work. Out here on
the Left Coast anyway, cities get these types of claims regularly. You
DO NOT want to drive on the trashed tire. A general rule is always put
the newer tires on the rear. Which end do you want planted in a
hydroplaning situation?

Bill Noland

>Grrrr...
>
>F'n City of Hartford.  I schwacked a pothole last week so deep I saw the
>Chinamen on the other side as I went across it.  Muther Fer.  Luckily, the
>suspension and 17" Avus seem to have fared well, no notable bend nor any
>shuddering felt.  Though I'll likely have to weight that spot, I'm sure.
>
>The 255/40 ContiSportContact, however, wasn't so fortunate it appears.
>Sidewall now boasts the proverbial "egg" bulge, about 1.5" around.
>
>Yay for me!
>
>Now, my question is...  this is obviously a bad thing, but how bad?  As in,
>will this be imminent failure ASAP, or is it OK to run as is (no track use
>of course) for a while.  Any BTDT with running an egg?
>
>What sucks is, let's face it, I go through tires.  These were about 2/3-3/4
>worn, not bad considering I'm > 20k on them.  I 'intended' to run them down,
>mount snows, replace in spring with Kumho MXs (after lapping LRP in Ray's
>car, I'm hooked).  What to do now?  I had NO intention of buying Contis
>again.  As much as I like them, I don't like OE tire prices!
>
>So, do I:
>
>- live stupidly on the edge and rotate offending tire to rear... then likely
>'take it in the rear' when she blows.
>- buy *one* f'n NEW Conti?  That would seem dumb to have other 3 @ less than
>2/3rds.
>- buy 2 new Conti's?  Then I'm forced to buy 2 more come spring, and then
>have unevenly wearing tires.
>- buy 4 Kumhos.  My originally plan, but not f'n NOW!...  Throw away 3 tires
>with usable tread?...  The thought sickens me...  I love nothing more than
>to run my tires DOWN...  sorta a badge of achievement if you will, makes
>blowing $600+ feel worth it 8-).
>
>Uh, er, like, anyone got a spare 255 ContiSport layin' around???  And stuff.
>Or something.
>
>What to do what to do.  Did I mention F ME HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?  F'n A.
>
>-Paulie Nothappy
>