jaewchoi

Guess what I found today. A BIG screw on my rear tire!!! Look at the pictures. IT'S HUGE!!! Big enough that I can see it shining from miles away.. and I can literally unscrew it off using a regular screw driver.. How sad...

Anyways.. if I remember correctly, this kind of damage isn't patchable. What do you guys think?

My question #1) This is my first lease car. Will I have to have exact matching tires when I return the car? The OEM tires are expensive!!!

Question #2) My lease started in January 2008. I have ran about 9,000 miles on all 4 (Factory Original) tires (4Matic Sports 18inch). To me, they all still look new. My lease ends in April 2010, and I have about 24,750 more miles to go. Do you guys think I will have to get a new set of tires before or around the time my lease ends to avoid getting hit with excessive wear charges? How long did your tires last?

Assuming I will have to have matching tires when I return the car, if I can swing it without changing tires at all until I return the car, then I will get an OEM one. If I have to get a new set of tires sometime next year, then I would might as well get a non OEM tire that's a little cheaper for now and get 3 additional matching tires later.

What do you guys think?

I am about to go on a 8 hour trip soon. I need to order a tire tonight!!!

Polar Bear

I do not think they charge for non-OEM branded tires, but I do think they would need to all 4 be the same brand/type.

jaewchoi

Thank you. Now can someone please answer my question #2?

Barry45RPM

Much too close to the edge. The tire is shot even if someone tells you he's willing to plug it. You don't want to bet stranded on a cold winter night, or be inconvenienced waiting, or lose control of the car & severely damage it or kill someone. The MB dealseship has OEM tires in stock, and is competitive on price.

Been there myself. It hurts but thats the way it goes. Be glad its a tire & not body damage.

georgedaman

Just get the tire fixed.

Polar Bear

Sounds like the audience was split on your lifeline...

MercFiveHundred

Patch it. Your tire looks about 50% wear which should be more than enough for a patch. As long as it's not on the sidewall and nail thick in diameter, it's OK to patch. They could even patch with a bald tire, but no one does because they don't want to be sued if you crash into a tree. I had a puncture between the tread and it was patched - no problems at all.

Dema

I hope you have not Continental. My tire gets blown after such patch. Not a big deal anyway.