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Just FYI, through October 03, there is a $70 discount on sets of 4 Bridgestones at Costco Canada.

I took the plunge today and ordered a set of Bridgestone Ecopia EP20. They're listing for 107.99, with the promotion it's down to $90.49. Costco's fees are $15 install plus $5 enviro. With the hated HST added, out the door for $495.00 exact.

They had one in the store, in the (one-and-only?) size of 195/65R15. Pretty uninspiring looking, somewhat high/narrow profile, tread pattern a dead ringer for Insignia SE200: utilitarian LRR OEM fare.The Michelin Energy Saver A/S beside it looks much cooler, also a fair bit pricier. Oh well.

Anyway, as noted above just ordered, will be 7-10 days till they come in. Will post more once we've had them on for a while.

Hi Mendel:

By any chance did you price Goodyear Integrity tires while you were at it. These seem to be a very inexpensive tire , but seem to give good results and feel great on my 2006 Prius.:D I am very surprised by the FE I'm getting from this car without effort ! I like them much more than the Dunlaps on my HCH2. I certainly am going to price them out for my next set on either car.
Cheers:

H

By any chance did you price Goodyear Integrity tires while you were at it.

No, I didn't, but will keep them in mind for next time. FWIW, they're not available at Costco. You can feed in your vehicle stat's and it will show what they have.

Even though I hate the Costco concept, I pretty much had to succumb: nobody else came even close! OTOH, after buying our tires we went into the main store, and even with restraint managed to drop another $100 very quickly.

Anyway, with these tires, I didn't want to get carried away, not sure one way or the other what will happen in the next 12 months, but wanted something decent and LRR.

Our OEM Bridgestone Insignia SE200-02 have done pretty good, but are down to 4~5/32'ths. We needed more tread depth going into this fall. I have separate snows on rims, but don't want to put them on so early.

Also, even if we end up trading in the next year or so, I think it would be tougher bargaining with bald tires...

How are you finding your Prius, BTW? Regarding feel, the dash or whatever impressions?

I am liking the Prius a bunch! I traveled to Campbell River on the Island to compete in the seniors games, putting on 550 Kilo. from Victoria, and manage 3.8 ltr. per 100 Kilo. All this with C.C.. On my way home from Victoria to Grand Forks the Prius managed 4.3 ltr. per 100 Kilo. on C.C. again. This route has allot of mountain terrain as you probably know. I drive the Prius with my normal style and get good results. The HCH2 I find is a more sporty ride but requires more attention for good FE. Probably too much attention at times!

Mendel the Goodyear Integrity tires are LRR as well.

Thanks, thanks for the info.

We hadn't driven up the island highway in a few years, it used to be pretty hard to miss places. But with the new and improved highway, we were heading from Nanaimo to the Parksville junction, to go west to Port Alberni. Only thing, due my inattention and (IMO) the too subtle signage, we were practically in Comox before I twigged on that something was wrong! :eek:

Then, on the return trip, trying to catch the ferry, almost overshot Nanaimo, same story...

I Know what you mean. My GPS does not know that new road is there. They sell those Garmin's with 20 year old maps in them! They like selling up-dates I guess. Hal

An update:

For anyone considering the Bridgestone Ecopia EP20, my first impression having gotten a chance to drive around today, is that they are very close to our OEM Bridgestone Insignia SE200_02, and that's not bad. Their rolling resistance seems on par, might be better when they are broken in more. The tread pattern is identical, fwiw. They're smooth running, seem more sure footed than the worn OEM's, but very similar.

Also, at least at our Costco, the experience went quite well. They seem a well organized, concientious garage. I didn't bother to ask them to put in more air (nitrogen) than the sticker. Also before handing over the car I took off the black valve caps. Straight after leaving on our new tires, I pulled into our local Chevron and brought them up to 40+ psi (regular air), pocketed their green caps and put the black caps back on. Rebel, LOL.