Continental is a German tire manufacturer and is 4th largest tire manufacturer in the world. They sells tires for autos, motorcycles, and bicycles all of which when you find used, can save significantly off retail prices. In this article we will address where to find used Continental tires locally, the pros and cons of used rubbers, and my thoughts on getting used Continental tires near me.
Map of Used Continental Tires Near Me
For “Used Continental Tires Near Me”, see below for locations…
Alternatively you can also get used Continentals online, but most used tire retailers should carry the brand. For other search options you can search for used Continental tires on Google or Yelp.
Who Sells Used Continental Tires Near Me
There will be a variety of businesses that sell used Continental’s. Some of your options will be your nearest used tire store, tire retreading shops, wholesale used tire shops, and automotive scrap yards. You may also find private owners looking to sell in your local newspaper or online. Then of course you have online retailers that sell used tires and most carry the Continental brand.
With each seller you have the good and the bad. For example a private owner may have the best price, but I don’t exactly trust a private owner with my safety. On the flip side, you will pay a bot more buying online plus pay shipping, but you can read reviews about the company and decide better whom to trust.
Buying Used Continental Tires Locally vs Online
I always prefer to get any brand of used tire in person. I’m not saying I never order online, I just have a preference of getting used tires where I can properly evaluate them. It’s imperative to do a standard safety check on any used tire. this includes measuring the tread, feeling the sidewall, and checking the tires age. Its also easier for me to eyeball a matching set of treads. Another perk of getting used Continental’s locally vs online is that you can wheel and deal with the price a bit. There is no haggling price online.
It is much simpler to order online though. Used tires are always advertised with their size, load ratings, and tread depth remaining. Some online sellers will misrepresent the tread wear numbers. This is a big deal because it represent how much mileage is left on the tire. This is why it’s important to do your diligence and read reviews of the company you are purchasing from.
How Much Do They Cost
Used Continental tires near me are about 30% to 55% off the original retail price. The price is never really standard because other factors like tread depth will affect the asking amount. The overall price is also affected by size and whether they are a car tire or perhaps a truck tire.You can sometimes find places that will offer a multi-tire discount if you are getting several tires. For used run flats, you can find them, but the discounts aren’t usually as great.
Second hand tire prices have a lot of variation. I’ve seen Continental’s with varying degrees of quality and sizes between $60 and $250 for just a single tire. Below you can see some of the baseline prices which account for top brands. Some reused Continental’s is 4th and 5th on the list below.
How Much Mileage Can I Expect
Mileage expectations is not easy to predict, when I don’t know how much tread depth is left. You can do the math though to figure it out. Take the current tread depth as a percentage of the original manufacturers tread depth. Then take that percentage and multiple it against the mileage the manufacturer estimated the tire would do. That will give you a general ballpark figure on how much mileage you can get from a used Continental tire.
Used Continental Tires Pro and Cons
Continental is the fourth largest tire manufacturer in the world. They are much smaller than the Michelin tire brand and slightly smaller then the Goodyear brand. They are trusted in a variety of mediums such as automotive, motorcycle, and bicycles for making safe tires and equipment. Continental is also a popular brand in motorsports and racing. While they have factories worldwide, they do manufacturer some tires in the USA.
When you get second hand Continentals, they will cost much less then the original price. The cost savings of course is the top reason most folks want to buy used tires. Other good reasons may include returning a vehicle at the end of a lease or the need to replace just one tire. I don’t recommend replacing just one, but in the event you must, a used tire is a good option to hold you over. No matter your reason, going used has it’s benefits…as long as you find a safe option with good tread depth.
There are of course some drawback with used rubbers from any manufacturer. The tread depth already has wear, the manufacturer guarantee will not be honored, and there are few government regulations to protect you as a buyer. There is the potential for hidden costs as well like paying for tire mounting and tire installation.
The Dangers of Second Hand Tires
A used tire, must be evaluated to check it’s safety. Sometimes a cheap used Continental tire is cheap for a reason. My two biggest evaluation factors are tread depth and age of the rubber. Tread depth will determine how well it can stop the vehicle. Age determines how stable is the tire from a construction perspective. There are much more factors to consider, but those stand out to me.
You should also keep a look out for punctures and defects with the tires. These can cause structural damage. It depends on where the rubber was fixed with a patch or plug. On the tread is fine, on the sidewall is dangerous.
Another point of danger is the sales person themselves. Never buy used tires from someone you don’t trust. Since most states don’t have regulations and most sales people don’t care, they may sell you a dangerous tire. It is a buyer be ware market!
What to Consider When Buying Used Continental Tires
Before we dive deeper into safety…first you need to get the size right. The size MUST meet the minimum requirements needed for your vehicle. it also must be the same exact size as your other tires. The other key metric is for load capacity. You must find a used tire with equal or greater load capacity then your vehicle needs.
Getting The Right Size
The size you need can easily be found in either your owners manual or on the sticker on the jam of your drivers side door. These sources will also tell you the load rating you need. If you are getting just one used tire, then you can also check the other tires on your vehicles for the metrics.
Once you know your numbers you will compare it to the sidewall code on the used tire you are considering. You can see on the graphic how to read the code on a tires sidewall.
Once the size is correct, you need to make sure the tire is safe…
Inspect for Quality
Knowing a few basic things about tires will help you do a safety evaluation. Sometimes there are things happening with a tire that a quick visual inspection can’t identify. We have to touch and feel the rubber to get deeper insights. Here is some general guidance to follow.
- Tread depth – Look for 4/32 of an inch or more
- Roll the tire back and forth – It should roll straight, look stable, and not wobble
- Feel the Sidewall with your palm – See if there is any waviness around the circumference
- Check the age – If the tire was created more then 6 years ago, don’t buy it
- Defects and Punctures Inspection – Look for anything strange about the rubber or where someone may have tried a quick repair.
Doing your own inspection means you don’t need to solely rely on the sales person. You must be prepared to choose a safe tire and get past any sales vudu. Its worth pointing out a few things regarding tread depth and age. If a tire has full tread depth, never been mounted, but was manufactured more then 6 years ago…that tire is a hard pass. Once a tire is aged it is off limits due to the way the chemicals in the rubber break down.
Maintain Regular Maintenance After Purchase
Once you get your used Continental’s you will need to get them installed and mounted. I would highly advise other standard services such as regular tire rotation, regular tire alignment, and a good balancing when those services are done. For a few weeks after you have them on it is good to routinely check the PSI to make sure there is no air leaking. You can find the tire tools I use here.
Used Continental Tires Near Me – Conclusion
Continental makes a great set of rubbers and it’s excellent if you can find them used. Used will save you significant money compared to the retail price of purchasing them new. Before you just jump in and go get your used Continental’s you want to evaluate them for safety and ensure you are picking out the correct size and load rating. No matter the price, you should never compromise on safety…I don’t care how cheap the tire is. That is my experience buying used Continental tires near me.