Why would you agree with a mindless "rule" like that? Clearly, there are situations in which buying a pair of tires (to fix one bad tire) would be totally ridiculous.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

It's also ridiculous to have to buy a set of 4 tires because of one bad tire, but Subaru owners have to.

Not sure why you think that it's a "mindless rule". Tires are the only thing keeping you on the road - skimping on tires is foolish.

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Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission - engine spun a rod bearing

1979 300SD, ~90k original miles, all stock

Another mindless, factually incorrect claim. The Subaru "similar circumference" requirement is actually a great argument for buying a used tire.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Literally a quote directly from Subaru

Subuaru states that the differential among tread depth should vary no more than 2/32".

I stay away from used tires. I worked at a few tire shops and it is very rare that somebody will get rid of good tires to buy a set of new ones. Most common was Subaru, of course, but even that was rare.

I've found that actual good used tires don't really make sense to buy, since they are only marginally cheaper than brand new tires.

But hey, to each his own.

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Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission - engine spun a rod bearing

1979 300SD, ~90k original miles, all stock

Marginally cheaper? Like $800 for four new tires versus $60 for one used, matching tire? Or $200 for one new tire shaved to match the existing tread depth? (Being a tire shop veteran, you surely know about shaving.)

Buying four new tires in NOT the only way to match tire size on an AWD vehicle.

You only drive on new tires once. You might be a lot closer to used tires than you think.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Strange. I've heard that 14" tires are being phased out for years but have never had trouble finding them. The Bundts are 14" and I'll keep them until there really is an issue.

I used to sell junk at the fleamarket and discovered that buying used stuff frequently isn't the deal you think it is once you get the item home. I generally buy new tires from Either the local indy but from Discount tire more recently. My reason for switching is that once paid for, there is a national chain with reasonable service in the areas I travel and there is a lifetime balance.

I was recently coming back from FL in a new to me Volvo. My 17 yr old was driving and he said the car felt loose in the rain. I told him to slow down to where it didn't feel loose and proceeded to check my phone for a close Discount tire store. We ended up buying a set of tires and were out the door in under an hour with problem solved - and no wreck.
Now, there will be no tire issues that require my attention for another 40-60,000 mi. That translates to years given how we drive that car.

I generally take my old tires to the local used tire place where they buy them or just take them if they are shot and not worth anything. In either case, it gets them off my hands and builds good will in the event that I do need a used tire.

I wish getting more tasks off my plate were as easy.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I have one, but you'd have to pick it up. With the cost of shipping you'd probably be better off buying a new one at Walmart or Pep Boys.

I just tossed the old tires, all 4 new at Pep Boys out the door for $210.00. They left the best one in my trunk though.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

Thank you Koooop for the offer.

SO...This may be a really stupid question to you all. BUT the spare tire I
have now, which is no good, has the rim in the center that the tire is on.
I have noticed some new tires come Only as the tire themselves and Not
with the rims. Should I have my bad Tire removed from the Rim and Save the rim?,
OR buy a new tire that comes with a rim?...I'm looking at cost as well - Thanks

Yes, have your old tire removed from the rim and your new tire installed on your rim. You will also need to purchase a new valve stem and have it installed on your rim and have your new tire with rim balanced. After that you should be set. Normally new valve stems are $1.50 each and tire balance is $10.00 per wheel. New tires do not come with the rim.

Oh Geeze...thanks, Can you suggest where I could get this done?
Taking the rim from the old tire, and putting it on a new tire?
Thanks

So this Tire...from Walmart, Pictured with the Rim...
So if the pictures show the rim, they are for show?...I only
get the tire?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Douglas-All-Season-Tire-195-70R14-91S-SL/49021603
thx much

Yes for show only. Any tire shop can mount the tire for you on your rim. They will probably charge you around $10 to mount the tire, $1.50 for the valve stem, and $10 to balance. Sometimes it is better to buy a new tire from a local tire shop as they often will mount the tire for free. I should have also mentioned the tire shop may also charge you a disposal fee to get rid of your old tire. If you are buying the new tire at Walmart they are also able to mount and balance your new tire.

Your life depends on good tires, when I was younger I'd wa$te S on used or cheap tires thinking I couldn't afford to buy those "expensive" Michelins at $23 each.....

Now they're $111 retail price and the reason I'm off to buy two new ones for the front of my 1982 240D is because they're six years old and are beginning to leak through the cracked side walls ~ they still have close to 50 % tread left and handle & grip fine but needing to add air every to weeks is a no - go .

Beware the cheap tire, there's a sticker on every new tire that says how well it handles heat buildup, anything less than an "A" heat rating is TRASH you shouldn't drive from S.F. to L.A. on.....

Better quality tires don't get punctured as easily either .

If it's just for a spare some one here should be willing to set you up with a good mounted spare for under $30 .

I would but my idiot brother runs his tires to the cords and never has a decent spare so I give him any serviceable tires I can spare .

The age thing is important too .

Let us know how you work things out, plenty of good people here who are willing to lend a helping hand .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Thanks!...I wish I was as knowledgeable as you folk on this forum...as in
what to look for. I assume ordering from Ebay is a no go as I cannot see a heat rating sticker, I assume if I call a tire shop and ask this, they'll know what I'm talking about. I read that a Kumho tire is ok, but it depends on where I can find tires and the charge. I think I will put the "spare" on when I need a new tire, so I think I'll get a new one. Just have to find one. The tires stores I called all seem to be in the $80 range including installation, but this is with a not well know tire, (at least not to me).