in short i needed 2 front tyres to replace the OEM Bridgestone RE040's. As i already have newish ones on the back i didn't want to change brands.

Quoted $500 a corner here.

Went onto tirerack.com and bought them at $125US each. After paying approx $210US for shipping, arranging the wire transfer (they don't accept international credit cards or have paypal facilities) the entire transaction cost me $615 (under $1k so no taxes)

Wired the money on Thursday, tyres shipped Friday arrived at my front door Wednesday morning.

Fantastic service and highly recommended. I would encourage everyone to do the same and screw the local cartels.

 

You should have bought six. Two for now and four for later. Shipping would only have been about $US 360. I have a set of RE040 for winter, and run Dunlop Star Specs in summer. I also bought a spare set of RE 040 and have them sitting in the garage when the current tyres wear out. Anyone who wants a high performance tyre for their RX8 is wasting large amounts of money if they buy tyres locally, when the same tyre can be sourced and delivered to your door for significantly less cost.

 

Tyres have an affective life so I would be reticent to buy anything that wasn't going to be put on the car within 12 months.

 

I understand what you are saying Auszoom. Manufacturers overseas are recommending tyres not be used if they are over six years old. All rubber hardens with time and the compounds become harder and have less grip. The fresher the rubber the more grip. However there is also a date stamp on the tire that tells you the week of manufacture and the year of manufacture. My newtyres are one year old at present and will be twenty months old when put on the car next year. No different to not wearing out your tyres in two years and still driving on them. If you care to note the date of manufacture of the tyres on your car, you will probably find that they are 6-12 months old when you first got them as tyres tend to be stockpiled for some time.

 

Yep know all that. What is the longest you have had a set of tyres?

 

If you're going to store them, you can wrap them in plastic to preserve the rubber for longer.

Otherwise I agree with Andrew, unless there's a significant saving to be made on shipping, I'd buy as I need them. Isn't there a duty to be paid once you go over $1K too??

 

$125 x 4 = $500 + $360 (shipping) = $860 * 1.2 (Exchange rate) = $1032 + $103.2 (10% Duty) = $1135.2 + $113.52 (10% GST) = $1248.72 for 4 tyres.

Thats $312/corner as opposed to $500.

 

Bridgestone have a tyre sale in Queensland starting 24th August / 3 october Potenza RE040,s 235/40R18,s $265 each or $260 if member of RACQ .

 

Shipping is not included in the cost of tyres for import duty purposes. Those prices at the Bridgestone sale sound fantastic, but be aware that there are 3 types or RE040 made in that size with different carcass construction One for Rx8, one for 350 z and the generic copy. If you do not put the correct type on your car, the handling changes quite significantly Rx8 model commences with E0 on the sidewall.

 

Absolutely, 100% incorrect. Duty and GST is calculated on the full price to deliver...that includes shipping.

 

I have been buying tyres from Tirerack for three years for my car and my wifes ML. I researched it well before I bought anything . If you go to this page
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/re...s/commer02.pdf
look under freight and insurance. It is not assessed by customs.

 

I do about 35000k a year so tyres tend to last only about a year a set. Using summer and winter tyres now they will last about 2 years or so. My current RE040 have only about 3.8mm of tread left so I will probably wear them out before I put the Star Specs back on. The Star Specs are an amazing tyre. They have much more grip than the Potenzas and a nice and stiff sidewall. Make the Potenzas feel like an average tyre. Downfall is that if they are in very cold temps then they take time to warm up before they have significant grip. That's why I swap over to Potenza in the winter.

 

I imported a number of items 18 months to 2 years ago and this was't the case. I dont have time to dig up what I used last time so I will stand corrected but I was advised and charged on the full price to deliver to the country.

Has anyone else had this?

Cheers

Andrew

 

When I imported my rims back then (for my previous car), I was charged GST on the rims only, not including the freight.

 

I'm starting to worry about you SymSym. I think you better go check whether it's 3.8 or 3.7 millimetres...

 

I use a tyre depth gauge to make sure I am getting even wear across the tyre, that way I get maximum value from the tyre.

It was actually 3.7895236 mm but I rounded it up.

 

Mmmmmkay...whatever you say.

<me checks the exits>

 

That will do me.

44000km onto set #3.