by Gabrielle DeSantis

Replacing the tires on any car, truck, or SUV can be an annoying and expensive task. Depending on where you live, you might also need different tires for different times of the year, such as summer tires or winter tires. Does that mean drivers should re-tread tires to save money or time? Consumer Reports says that isn’t the case.

What is a re-treaded tire?

While re-treading your tires might seem like an economical choice to extend tire life, but is it safe enough? Consumer Reports says that the process to re-tread a tire means that you take a worn-out tire and apply a new tread to it. This process can extend the life of an older tire but providing a fresh tread. Ryan Pszczolkowski, Consumer Reports tire program leader, says, “This was common back in the day of bias tires when you only got 10k-20k miles out of car tires. Nowadays, virtually all car tires are longer lasting. Radial tire design can last 70,000 or 80,000 or more miles if properly maintained.”

In this instance, Consumer Reports does not suggest re-treading a tire on a passenger vehicle. The reasoning is about the process of re-treading not being up to par. A tire shop would not produce the same caliber of tires that a new tire could provide. A tire produced in a tire factory has been tested to ensure it is safe before going on a car. A re-treaded tire wouldn’t have such rigorous testing.

Consumer Reports does note that with larger tractor tires, these are often re-treaded due to cost. Remember that replacing the tire would likely be less expensive than having to tow the car and replace a tire. Drivers should check the tires regularly and ensure each one has proper tire pressure.

Are re-treaded tires dangerous?

In the process of re-treading a tire aside, tires only have a certain amount of life throughout. If you re-tread a tire and give it more life on the outside, the tire’s core still only has a certain amount of miles left. “Tires get a lot of abuse, and it’s better—and safer—to have a fresh set when the time comes to replace,” Pszczolkowski says. Even if the tread is new, the inside of the tire could be exhibiting decay or wear that drivers wouldn’t be able to see.

Holidays and certain times of year are often good times to purchase tires when sales go on. Many places like Costco, Tire Rack, and other online retailers offer free shipping and discounts. Depending on your location, these retailers will also ship the tires directly to a shop of your choosing to make the process easier.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on tires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a lot of helpful information about tire safety on the Tire Overview section of the website. There are a few different types of tires drivers can buy. All-season tires are the most general tires. These can handle a variety of road conditions, even mud and snow. Winter tires are the most effective for snow. Summer tires are usually meant for warmer weather conditions and shouldn’t be used in freezing weather conditions or snow/ice. All-terrain tires are used for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Tires are rated by the U.S. Government in something called the 2016 Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS). This rating is on the sidewall of tires sold in the U.S. The higher the treadwear number, the longer it will take the tires to degrade.

Selecting the right type of tire is also important. Different vehicles will have different weight capacities and stopping abilities. For example, a 2021 Kia Telluride would require a different type of tire than a Toyota Camry. You can check your tires using the NHTSA website to compare different tire features. Be sure to check out your tires throughout the year to stay safe on the roads, and don’t re-tread your tires to extend the tire’s life.

RELATED: 8 Best Used Compact Cars Under $20,000 According to KBB

The post Consumer Reports: Can You Re-Tread Tires? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While it wasn’t BMW’s first SUV, the X3 remains a brand staple. One that, in X3 M Competition spec, makes over 500 hp. But while a used BMW X3 might not quite as much power, it’s often significantly cheaper. Plus, some used examples offer a feature missing on the latest X3. And it’s a feature the 2008 BMW X3 3.0si up for auction this week on Cars & Bids has.

The first-gen E83 BMW X3 lets you carve corners and row your own gears

Today, only a small handful of SUVs offer manual transmissions. But once upon a time, manual SUVs were slightly more plentiful. And the first-gen ‘E83’ BMW X3 was among their number.

After its 2003 introduction, the E83 BMW X3 received a facelift and some updates in 2007, Car and Driver explains. The crossover got a more compliant ride, an upgraded interior, and a new powertrain. Instead of the 3.0i’s 3.0-liter inline-six, the X3 3.0si uses a…3.0-liter inline-six.

No, that’s not a typo or a mistake. But while the E83 BMW X3 3.0si’s engine shares a displacement figure with the 3.0i’s engine, the two aren’t identical. The 3.0si uses the ‘N52’ engine from the contemporary E90 3 Series. As a result, instead of 225 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque, the 3.0si has 260 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, Autoweek reports.

The extra power combined with standard AWD means the BMW X3 3.0si goes 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, MotorTrend says. But that’s with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. With the standard six-speed manual, the 3.0si hits 60 mph 0.2 seconds sooner. And the manual itself is satisfying to shift, Autoweek notes.

The facelifted BMW X3 3.0si offered an optional Sport Package with firmer suspension, sportier tires, and larger wheels. But the base SUV handles so well that the package is “all but unnecessary,” Car and Driver says. The X3 3.0si’s steering is communicative and well-weighted and its AWD system is paired with traction and stability control. But both of the latter systems can be deactivated if the mood arises.

There’s a manual 2008 BMW X3 3.0si on Cars & Bids

Although many E83 BMW X3 buyers went with the automatic, the 2008 model currently listed on Cars & Bids has the manual. And the SUV itself is fully stock with less than 85,000 miles on the clock.

This 2008 BMW X3 3.0si is also a fairly well-equipped example of an E83 X3. It has a panoramic sunroof, ash wood trim, adaptive xenon headlights, leather upholstery, navigation, and auto-dimming mirrors. Plus, it comes with rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, aluminum running boards, and 18” alloy wheels.

To be sure, this 2008 BMW X3 3.0si isn’t in perfect condition. It has some exterior and interior scrapes and scuffs as well as some floormat staining. There’s also a hole in the front passenger door card, and the rear bumper was replaced following a minor accident. However, it received a new transfer case in 2018, and a new water pump, thermostat, and coolant hoses in 2019. That was also when the radiator was repaired and the coolant was flushed. And in preparation for the sale, the seller replaced the sway bar links, strut mounts, and the oil, as well as had some dents repaired.

It’s a stick-shift luxury sport SUV bargain

As of this writing, this 2008 BMW X3 3.0si is listed on Cars & Bids for $6100 with four days left in the auction. Considering similar examples on Autotrader cost roughly $11K, this SUV is a real bargain.

It’s worth noting that some BMW X3 model years are problematic. However, the 2008 model year isn’t one of them. And based on this SUV’s repair history, it appears that previous owners addressed one of the E83 X3’s flaws, which is cooling system leaks, BMW Tuning notes. And in terms of powertrain reliability, although it’s not perfect, the N52 is one of the most reliable BMW engines.

In short, this 2008 X3 is an affordably-priced stick-shift sporty luxury SUV. And today, that’s a rarity.

RELATED: More Torque Characterizes the 2022 BMW X3 M

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