Hello all,

I did a quick search of the forum and couldn't find an answer to the following question:

Is there any way to tell the difference between the "old" and "new" versions of the Bridgestone EL-42? I'm hoping to take delivery of my TL in the next week or two, and want to know what is on the car. Are there any markings or serial numbers on the tire I should look for?

I *assume* that since the car has just been built that the new formulation is on the car, but I'd like to confirm it.

Thanks!

 

Via the tire wall.

OLD: PVC and any numbers before 0404 (4th week of 2004)

so-called "NEW": TU2 and any numbers after 0604 (6th week of 2004)

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75094

 

The old version

Rim is definitely over the tire wall and the gap is significant.






The new version

Tire wall is a little over the rim and has smaller gap.

 

Thanks RETS,

The date code and photos will be helpful. That'll be the first thing I check when I pick up the car. I *really* don't want to spend money on replacing new tires on a new car!!

 

Who's your dealer?

Have you worked the way to discuss this tire issue with your dealer yet?

If you really don't like this tire at all, before you lose all the value of these "supposed" brand-new tires(after driving out of the dealer, you will find out not many tire shops going to give you any credit for the trade-up), you should do something...

1. Try to get free upgrade from your dealer.

2. If not, try to ask the dealer to buy back your Bridgestone Turanza EL42s ($100+ for each), and you pay difference to upgrade to better tires.


roadman??

 

leeherman,

Get the tires swapped before you pick up the. Many people who have had the PVC tires swapped to TU2's have reported that the problems still exist. Once you drive 10 feet with the car the dealer will not give you full value for the tires.

Call them asap and tell them you want difference tires. Waiting until you pick it up will only leave you with the option of not picking up the car.

 

I ordered the car from Acura of Valley Stream (Long Island, NY).

I brought up the tires before I signed on the dotted line, and the sales-guy said that the dealership doesn't do tire swaps. He pretty much said that they'd charge for the swap without crediting me for the OE tires, and that I'd do better doing it on my own.

As PO'd as I'd be if the tires were really that bad, I'd probably bite the bullet and replace 'em if I was that miserable. I supposed $500 in the grand scheme of things is a small price to pay for motoring happiness.

Both of my Toyotas came with Bridgestone tires. Both sets SUCKED. I still have the original tires on my '99 Solara (only 28K miles), but plan on replacing them this month. My main complaint about the Solara is its ride and handling, and I largely blame the tires. I think the Solara has RE-92s in 205/60R16 size, and I plan on replacing them with something better (don't know what yet) in 225/50R16 size. The Toyo Proxes TPTs I have on my '93 Camry are great, and I'll see if they're available in the size I want for the Solara.

I should have the TL in less than two weeks (I hope!) and I'll have to put a few miles on before I make a decision.

 

Let's think like this way... perhaps, you would get good Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tires as many ppl have got.

 

Leeherman,

You could always E-Bay them. The dealer is not even willing to buy them from you ? You get your own tires and sell him back the EL-42's, try that route. Some members have fetched from $50-$100 per tire by selling the tires back to the dealership.

 

It's probably not worth the hassle of shipping tires sold on ebay. I'm hoping that rets is right and that I'll have the "second edition" EL-42s and won't be unhappy. If not, I'll swap tires and keep the EL-42s as spares.