I'm about to buy some new tires soon. So far I've checked discount tire direct and the tire rack. I haven't checked locally yet. How much of a difference in price am I going to expect if I bought the tires from a local dealer? Is it worth it to get tires through tire rack or a local store? I also have to keep in mind the price of mounting and balancing, etc. Will the overall price (price of tires, mounting, balancing) be cheaper if I bought locally?

 

Hi-

I'm not sure if in your area they have Discount Tires, but in Utah there are around 4-5 locations. But worst case you can check all the local shops or even ask if they match prices, because discount tire does. I got a good deal on Kumho's 205/50/15 those are the 712 balanced, mounted, tax, everything for $290 and that was about 3 weeks ago. The one convienent thing about buying locally is that you won't have to pay shipping on the tires, if they are in stock.

Good Luck!

 

And a good thing about buying online is no net tax.

And what, no new net tax until at least 2005 or something...

But, Dozed, I'm in the same predicament you are. I dunno whether to plop down a little more cash and buy em around town or get em sent from tirerack or something..

 

$290 out the door, thats bad ***...

now I know how much I need to save

 

I just ordered 4 205/45/16 Kuhmo 712's for 336 delivered from the tire rack.

-Mike

 

If you're in SC you do pay taxes on out of state/net purchases, though it's an amount you volunteer so I'm not sure how enforced this is. I think a lot of other states have been adopting this as well to handle out of state shopping to avoid sales tax.
I saved a bundle buying online at: http://stores.yahoo.com/tires2u/ind.html
I bought 4 Michelin SX-GT's in 195/55 VR15 for $143 a piece shipped and then paid $70 to have them mounted, balenced and a 4 wheel alignment.
The best quote from a local dealer (which I had several) for the same tires on the car was over $1000. The average was closer to $1200.
The guy who mounted them was a local Michelin dealer and said that his cost on those tires was slightly under $180 a tire and he didn't know how they were charging that price.

The SX GT's are worth every penny by the way, worth considering if you can get them in your price range.

 

$290?! That's perfect. What kind of store did you buy it at? A chain store or a small shop? While I can definitely get some Kumho 712s on the 'net, I have a feeling that it'll be kinda hard to find them where I live. Anyone know if tire shops can special order any tire out there?

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

I just got my NITTO 450's from Discount Tire Direct for 280 shipped! Cant beat that, and it only took 2 days to get here!

 

Guys, get Yokohama AVS Intermediates for $54 each from the Tire Rack. I paid $240 including shipping for the 195-50zr15's on my R. While the Kumho's are a great value and a good performing tire, you can get one of the premier tires of all time at a tremendous price if you rush (they have been discontinued I believe so supply is dwindling!).

 

I bought them at Discount Tire Direct......got a good deal because I knew someone! Lucky Me

 

I got my Kumho's from tirerack, pretty good deal

 

Dunlop SP8000's for 80/tire. 205/50/15.

Great deal, great tires...don't cheap out with the Nitto 450's. I haven't tried the Kumho's, but talk everyone seems to love them for the price.

Also look at the Bridgestone re730's and the Pirelli p7000's / p700's...I forget which one, but it's the 7xxxxx something.

 

P700z's are VERY good tires for the value, but not for those that want ultimate performance (they WAY outperform the shitty stock Michelins though!). P7000's are even better but they step into a higher price range. I still recommend Yoko AVSi's but SP8000s are another great choice (not as good a value though).

 

I just ordered Falken Azenis, a brand new tire - the tread pattern is similar to Yokohama Paradas. I have heard they have a very stiff sidewall and a ton of grip - I'll post more after I get them on and find out for myself. Best of all - they're $60 a tire (in 205/50VR15) from http://www.vulcantire.com .

- C



[Modified by Corpse, 6:22 AM 6/29/2001]

 

I almost paid that much for one Michelin Pilot Sport for my M3. hehe

 

except you got the wrong size....

 

same tires but at discount tires direct

$331.80 shipped to my house


[Modified by silversamurai, 11:17 AM 6/29/2001]

 

You are a sharp one, 01GSR! The only one to comment on that. Yeah, so they are slightly undersized compared to stock. Not a big deal to me. My MPH reads slightly high and my car accelerates better because of the shorter effective gear ratio. Everything is nice in theory but in the real world, you arent going to see much difference between 195-55zr15 and 195-50zr15.

At least I am not going to a bigger overall diameter (like you guys with those oh so pretty 17 and 18" rims!! ) My advice? Save the money. You are NOT cheaping out by buying a VERY highly rated tire like the AVSi. What you are doing is looking for value, and these are by far the BEST value available in tires right now.

If the slighly off sizing concerns you, look for 205-50zr15's. Those are VERY close to the 195-55zr15 size. But, since these tires are in limited supply, it will be tough finding them. I would have gotten 205s instead but the 195's work great on the street and I have a separate set of Kumho v700's and R wheels for the twisties!