Well, one of my winter tires got a nail stuck in it causing a slow leak. I took it to Discount Tire along with one of my OEM RE040's that also had a long screw in it. The winter tire was reparable; however, the RE040 cannot be fixed! The set has about 13000 miles, and I CANNOT afford 4 new expensive tires right now, or even in a few months. I just wrecked my wife's SUV over the weekend, so we're not in a good financial situation.

The question I have for you experts is whether I can get away with running 1 new RE040 along with my 3 old ones. The tread still looks to be about 40-50% remaining. I'm not asking whether this is a RECOMMENDED practice, just whether this will cause major dynamics problems or other serious issues. Also, what about running 3 RE040s and one completely different tire of the same size? Probably not a good idea, huh? I just need to know what my options are... if I have to get 4 new tires, I'll probably be forced to put some cheap $80 touring tires on my 17" winter wheels... that's all we'll be able to afford.

 

It'll be fine.

 

Your best option is picking up one USED RE040 from somebody here who has swapped to new tires or wheels. Check through the Parts for sale/Wanted forum section, or post in there for one tire wanted.

I had a puncture last May that ruined an RE040, with ~12,000 miles on the set. I was able to buy one used tire from a fellow forum member - he'd bought a set of 4 used because he also had to replace one tire, and then he sold off another 1 or 2 of the used tires to other forum members in the same situation.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Post a wtb on the parts for sale/wtb forum down below. I think you'd save even more money than buying a brand new tire.

 

Two new RE040 on the same axle would be best.
Two good used ones (same amount of thread left, good condition) on the same axle would be OK.
One used (same amount of thread left, good condition) would be my third choice.
One new (different thread) would be my fourth choice.
One different tire is dangerous.

A big problem with used tires is that their condition is difficult to tell (internal damage etc).

Whatever you chose, mount the better pair on the back axle.

 

Wow, thanks a lot for the quick responses. I'll try to buy a single used RE040. I'm having the worst luck with vehicles the past few days . Here's the result of my encounter with a fence on a snowy road in Ohio over the weekend: