ignition25

Anyone got recommendations on a local shop for new tires? (or at least a place for mounting & balancing if I get tires elsewhere)

Thanks!

rickycrx

Ahh, the tire cost dilemma....

I've ordered tires online from Discount Tire Direct and Tire Rack a lot in years past but recently the prices that your local Discount Tire store can do with mounting and balancing included (whereas you have to pay more if you bring in tires you didn't buy there), it ends up being about the same price if not a little cheaper... Not to mention any warranty issues are easier to take care of if you buy the tires from the local store.

Long story short, your local NTB/Discount Tire stores are probably your best bets. Maybe pit one against the other in a price war to see who can give you the best price, but in the end that's going to be your best route these days.

In my opinion, don't bother springing for the replacement 'certificates' thing... The actual likelihood of having irreparable damage versus the prices they charge for the certificates makes it not worth it. You can put that money away and take the gamble. If you only have one irreparable road hazard in the life of two sets of tires (still highly unlikely with as fast as tires wear out on an S2k), then you still break even or still even come out ahead in many cases.

Ricky

rickycrx

Oh, one more thing.... If you find a cheaper price online from Discount Tire Direct or Tire Rack, print out the web page and bring it to the store with you. Usually they will match the online price AND you'll save on shipping.

Ricky

alvanderp

I stay away from NTB personally - just because I dont trust them with my wheels. Discount does a good job as long as you watch them. When they see you paying attention to how they handle your stuff, they generally take more care. If you are really worried about nicks/dings on the wheel - you are best paying to have someone like Soulspeed do the mounting. Bill is extremely anal and will take care of your stuff.

Grasshopper123

Consider getting your tires from Jim at the TireRack.com and have them deliver directly to Bill at SoulSpeed. I get the OEM tires from the Tire Rack. I have used Walker Tire on N. Lamar to balance and mount my tires. No complaints there, but I am planning on switching to SoulSpeed. I didn't know they also did the wheel balancing and mounting.

ignition25

Thanks for all the responses. From the sound of experiences here, seems like I will probably go to Tire Rack for price comparison then go to Discount Tire (is Discount Tire and Discount Tire Direct the same company?) or SoulSpeed for the mounting/balancing.

I have heard many recommendations for SoulSpeed as well -- do they charge a premium for this "extra care", or are they pretty competitive?

dtms

if in Aus, absolutely and only, http://www.soulspeed.com/

svann

Definitely Soulspeed. Bill Kim will take good care of your car and wheels. I wouldn't get an alignment (or corner balance) anywhere else.

spiderxvpbiking

I use Jerry's Wheel Alignment in Pflugerville. John & Cork's Automotive referred me to him and he does all of their tire/alignment work. I made the mistake Drew mentioned and took some wheels to NTB. I just received my Time Attacks with red lip and was worried about the lip being scratched while mounting. The mount with Jerry's came out perfect and not a scratch..

Chris S

another vote for Soulspeed, Bill cares about cars and will treat yours w/ the utmost care.