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FMCA Michlen Advantage Program

Yahoo Message Number: 74237
I have ordered 8 michlen tires and went to the dealer to get this discount. Have the paper work from FMCA with a account number. It seems one is gambling that I will get a better price than the $642 I have been quoted you get the tires mounted then you wait for an invoice from Michlen with the price you have to pay. How do I know it will be less than the $642???? Has any one used theis program??? Thanks for the help Lee Ramage 2004 Intrigue 11784

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74258
Lee,

I am a satisfied beneficiary of this new program. Following is the step by step process I followed to take advantage of it.
In effect, FMCA has partnered with Michelin to establish a national program for FMCA's members, meaning there is a set, pre-negotiated, presumably much lower price for the included tires.
I logged into FMCA's website and clicked the program icon. That took me to a Michelin page where they listed the models of tires available under this program.
I printed off the instructions and went to visit my local Michelin dealer. There are a total of ten models in the program. After a discussion of the pros and cons with the dealer, I chose the XZA2 Energy's in size 315/80R22.5. He highly recommended them saying that many over-the-road commercial coaches use them. However, the dealer was unfamiliar with the program and hadn't a clue what the price of the tires were. So, I picked up the phone and called FMCA's national office (phone number on back of my membership card) and asked for the Michelin Advantage Program coordinator. She told me the program price for that tire is $553.00. That compares very favorable with the dealer's best price of $895.00 and, he told me, is below his cost. He got on his computer and, on a steep learning curve, got the order entered in accordance with program instructions, including my credit card information.
Other tires I considered and the prices I was quoted - Bridgestone R250F $550 (GCR Tire Centers has a national program with Bridgestone and I was told by other dealers that price was unbeatable), Goodyear G-661 $452, Goodyear G670 $835, Toyo M111z $618, Ohtsu RI1200 $440.
Ten days later, the dealer called to say the tires had arrived. I asked what the DOT dates were and he confirmed that, as promised, they were all April, 2011 or later. I took the coach to him and the tires were mounted, balanced and installed.
I paid the dealer separately for mounting, balancing and related sales tax. FMCA, charged my previously provided credit card for the tires, Federal Excise Tax and sales tax, a receipt for which arrived via email the next day.
Here is the all in cost per unit - Tire $553.00, FET $52.83, State sales tax $51.31, mounting $25.00, balancing $45.00 and "shop supplies" $4.25. Total - $731.39
A couple of qualitative comments follow. I replaced the original 12.5R22.5 Toyo M111z's that were over eight years old. They still had roughly 75% of the original tread after 42,000 miles. I was content with them although, since this was my first bus type coach, I had no other reference point. They stayed balanced and consistently maintained pressure. That said, as I was pulling away from the tire shop, I immediately noticed that these new tires felt and sounded WAY better. All sorts of whistles, whines and groans to which I had become accustomed were gone. I drove about 25 miles on city streets and the local interstate highway - result - the only highway noise is a little air around the windows and the comforting drone of the engine. Street noise for seams, transitions, bridges, etc. is much diminished or softened. I highly recommend these tires.

Hope this helps.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74284
Nate thanks for the information and I will be following the same program for 8 12r 22.5 XZE michelen tires Thanks again Lee Ramage 2004 Intrigue 11784

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74292
I bought the same tire for about the same price. I didn't use the FMCA deal because I didn't know about it. Used a Fleet program from a friend of mine who has a couple of hundred trucks. I only had 20,000 miles on Goodyear G670 but the date code was six years old when I bought the coach in January this year.
The new Michelen 315/80R 22.5 tires are a way better ride than the goodyear tires. The ride is not even close. The ride difference was worth every penny. I haven't had a flat in 5,000 miles and had 2 with the other tires in less than 1,000 miles.

07 Intrigue 530 12162
Cat C13 Allison
06 Rubicon LJ

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74397
. Hello Everyone--I have a question for Nat Richards ?? I know you said that you purchased 315R80-22.5 tires and I am about to seek new tires on my 2004 Allure which now has Goodyear 295R80-22.5 and am wondering if the larger tire has all the neccesary clearances in the case bouncing down the road? It seems it's hard to find the 295R80s and the 315R80-22,5 are more available. What do you think ?? JackC 2004 Allure-31006

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74407
Jack,

My coach left the factory equipped with 12R22.5 Toyo's. The 315R80's have essentially the same dimensions and were therefore not a change in size. For example, the rev's/mile on the 12R's is 488 compared with 492 for the 315R80's and the tread width is identical at just over nine inches. I expect your coach has the same clearances around the tires and wheels as mine so the 315R80's should present no issues. However, since your coach apparently came equipped with 295R80's, you might need to deal with Silverleaf and speedometer calibration issues.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74409
Our 2004 Allure also came with the 12R 22.5. Last year when we bought the coach, we replaced the OEM Toyo's with the same 12R. Went with the Michelin XZE*, as I liked the extra strength in the sidewall to protect from those times when I would clip a curb. (As a rookie stepping up from a mighty Bounder T28, I expected a much longer learning curve. I surprised myself in how quick I learned how to drive the 40'. Sure, I took out some fences, bike riders, stray cats, clipped a few buildings, but nothing really ever fell down (well, I suppose I should mention that my MIL did get knocked on her kisser from the tail waging out - but that actually may not have been a mistake:)!)) So, while I'm sure the XZE*'s will come in handy over the road ahead - I've only clipped one curb so far.
I agree with Nate that the 315R80's have a good chance of fitting on your rig.

Best of luck on your decision,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017

(And for full disclosure, I've been known to be both long winded, with a slight exaggeration known to work it's ay into my postings:)!)
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74412
There have now been numerous blogs about the Michelin progrom but not once has there been a response on how much can be saved. So far it has been all talk. What are the savings?

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74417
Read post #74258 for an example of savings.

My list shows:

X2A2 Energy 315/80R 22.5 at $553.00 X2A2 Energy 295/80R 22.5 at $602.39 XZA2 Energy 275/70R22.5 at $467.84
Prices exclude FET, prices subject to change. There are others listed but these are the most popular.

I guess it up to you to check other prices.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74428
I saved just under $200 using the program. The dealer helped me. Lee Ramage 2004 Intrigue 11784

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74445
Frank,

I provided a detailed description of my experience with this program - costs, benefits, comparisons. See my post number 74258 of a few days ago. It is in this thread.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: FMCA Michelin Advantage Program

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74453
Thanks Nate---After getting all the size figures there isn't that much difference between the #315s and the 295s but locally I was able to find the 295R80-22.5 at a decent price(I guess).
Jack