Who installs your tires??

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

My Porsche is due for new tires. I was thinking about have Costco do the install but I have heard so many conflicting opinions. I have had other installs done by them with no problems but I don't want damage done to the rims and I don't want any problems. Any advice would be appreciated.

1973911s · 10:17 AM

Why wouldn't you buy online at tire rack and take over to Al to install, he only charged me $50 bucks.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

I always use America's Tire Company (accept when Al re-painted the rims). But, I take them off of the car and take them down there in the trunk of the daily driver. I have new lug nuts and am concerned about scratching them, so I'd rather do it myself with the soft socket.

BTW, I can fit 2 X 205 55 and 2 X 245 45 16" tires on rims in the trunk of my Avalon.

Who needs a truck!

doozer · doozer's Garage

I got mine from tirerack.com and then took them to the local discount tires to install - I did however ask the manager to do the install..

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I didn't even think to have Al install them. I was going to have the rims polished by Al Reed as soon as I save enough. Good ideas, thanks. Chili are you running those tires right now. I have 205 55 16 in the front 235 60 16 (i think) on the rear. I wasn't sure to go with a smaller tire in back or not. Any advice on tire size. I believe the rims are the stock fuchs.

Hetmann · 06-04-2004, 10:12 AM

I priced some yokos at Tirerack and I priced some tires at Costco. My local discount tire was cheaper after all. Shiiping from Tirerack was quoted at $43 per tire.

Neilk · 06-04-2004, 10:17 AM

Jerry D, $43 per tire? Is that for overnight shipping? Usually it's about $10 a tire.

GrindingGears · 06-04-2004, 10:26 AM

Got mine mounted at Costco. I hung around and watched like a hawk. Thank God I did b/c: 1) they couldn't get it on their lift, 2) didnt know where to jack it up from, 3) almost went at the lug nuts with an impact wrench, and 4) were going to torque the nuts to some ridiculous number.

With that being said, I'd have them do it again, it's not that they do bad work, they just didn't know what to do. I felt like a crew chief that day

SandyI · 06-04-2004, 10:35 AM

My car's previous owner purchased Michelins from Costco for my 911E. He failed to notice that while the tires where the same size and style numbers, the tread patterns were different. The tires were from different batches. I'm going to upgrade to deep dish 15x6 Fuchs tomorrow at West Coast Tires in West L.A. with new Kumhos, 195/60/15.

Neilk · 06-04-2004, 10:40 AM

Come on Sandy, put some 205s on there.

SandyI · 06-04-2004, 11:01 AM

Sorry to hijack the thread but...

Neilk--
I thought about the 205's but I'm worried about rubbing when I run the car on the track at Streets of Willow. You think I'm making a major mistake?

zzwhm · 06-04-2004, 06:25 PM

I suppose each shop is different but some of the PCA folks here in Ft Worth use the local Costco with great results. This includes racing tires on some pretty wide racing wheels. I mount/balance or flip/balance a set of race tires at least monthly and have never had a complaint. They have all new equipment and at $8/corner it's the best deal in town.

dvkk · 06-05-2004, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SandyI
I'm going to upgrade to deep dish 15x6 Fuchs tomorrow at West Coast Tires in West L.A. with new Kumhos, 195/60/15.

Remember to get them to mount the tires from the backside onto your deep 6s. There's less stress on both the tire and wheel if you do it that way. All you have to make sure is that they use the plastic rim protectors on the jaws of the tire machine.

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

I have used Discount Tire for all my vehicles and have found that the service is excellent. However, for the 911, I have taken the wheels off (2 at a time) and taken them to the shop and had the tires mounted. I make sure that they use the equipment that will not damage the wheels, and there is no way that they can mess up the car or the lug nuts, or anything else, because the car is sitting in my garage.

scottb · 06-05-2004, 08:09 AM

It's a no-brainer....go to Al. He'll take good care of you and your wheels.

Yellowbird RS · 06-05-2004, 09:38 AM

the maxx in San Antonio TX. for only 80 all 4. or Discount Tire for 43 each.

Zeke · 06-05-2004, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GrindingGears
Got mine mounted at Costco. I hung around and watched like a hawk. Thank God I did b/c: 1) they couldn't get it on their lift, 2) didnt know where to jack it up from, 3) almost went at the lug nuts with an impact wrench, and 4) were going to torque the nuts to some ridiculous number.

With that being said, I'd have them do it again, it's not that they do bad work, they just didn't know what to do. I felt like a crew chief that day

You have more patience and faith than I ever will.

FWIW, Al installed my new tires after polishing my wheels. They are really out of balance. May not be his fault, but his primary business is not installing tires. That is a convenience he offers. Go to a top tire shop to get the best work.