Atlanta Tire Shop

[typ550]

Hi Folks,

I'm new to this board, but have been a lurker for awhile. I'm looking for recommendations from owners in the Atlanta area on a good shop to mount Tirerack tires on my 911 (w/Fuchs wheels). I've done a quick search of the archives and didn't come up with much. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your input,

Chris

'88 Carrera Coupe
'99 Vintage 550 Spyder

[mm86911]

Contact either Performance Imports on P.I.B. or gran Tourismo in Chamblee. Either should be able to mount for you.

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Mike - Atlanta
'86 911 3.2 Targa

[hhazrati]

Butler Tire, the one in Doraville on Buford Highway. Very knowledgeable, very good. get the on-car 130mph high speed balance.

[Mike Feinstein]

HH,

I had my car at the Doraville Butler about 3 weeks ago and had this done. They remove the wheels and balanced on the machine first. Then they install them on the car and spin each wheel up to 130mph with a little rolling cart and fine tune the balance on the car. Took about two hours. My car has never felt so smooth at speed. Well worth doing even at $30 bucks per wheel...ouch.

Not sure how eager they will be to mount Tirerack tires though, since they sell tires as their primary business. May be worth a call first.

I had some Tirerack tires mounted by Robin Hayes at Blackforest (Road Atlanta business park). You can have Tirerack ship directly to Robin, schedule an appointment and he does the rest. A great mechanic and a good guy also. BTW, he'll be at the DE this weekend if you want to meet him.

Best,

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Mike
94 C2 cab

[Pillow]

Hi Chris and welcome.

Not sure what part of Atlanta you are in, but I like to go to Butler tire in Marietta near the Big Chicken right offs Powers Ferry Rd.

Ask for Gary Port and tell him Adrian sent you... Probably give you a little discount to boot. Gary drives the beautiful white 993 'vert in front ... With all the TechArt goodies!

Butler is top notch and you really get the white glove treatment. I almost feel ashamed drving my older 911 in there because the place is like a car show everyday!

Gary told me last night he put a $8000 TechArt exhaust kit on a 2002 TT yesturday for a guy in FL... Dude has not even seen his car yet! Apparently this guy is getting all the options from Butler it is going to the body shop for a complete body kit... Unreal! Who has that kind of money to blow?

Definately opt for the on-the-car spin balance! Night and day difference at high speed.

... Not sure how they will like Tire Rack tires? I am sure they will do it though, just maybe a few more dollars per tire for mounting since they loose the tire profit.

Do not forget the allignment... The one Butler has is unreal! Most complicated allignment machine I have ever seen.


Good Luck,





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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

[carnut169]

Gary also helped me out- they mounted and balanced a set of 99 Carrera wheels on my 87. They had the spacers and everything- I did have to bring it back two more times because the balance was not quite right, but each time they were very nice and put my car right in. I would recommend them without hestitation.

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Sean O.
Atlanta, Ga.
87 Carrera Cabriolet

[hhazrati]

Mike F.:
I had the 130mph on car balance and the incredible alignment done at Butler for $300(ouch). It took a good 4 hours. This was several months ago and on a Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo.
OT- Mike: you told me you worked at P'tree Ind. and 120? I live around there (at St. Ives) I always see a 911 Cab at this office building between the Bank and the body shop on PIB. Is that yours?? How Cool.
HH

[stormcrow]

I think gran tourismo would be first choice. They are a first class orginization. My wife takes her volvo there for tires - they sure know their stuff.

Steve

[typ550]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I had forgotten about Gran Tourismo...I have also found that they are about the only shop in town (maybe in the state) that can work with real wire wheels, too (but that's a whole 'nother story).

Anyway, sounds like Butler is probably the way to go. Haven't actually bought the tires from Tirerack yet, but their price on the Bridgestones I'm looking at is hard to beat...

Chris

'88 Carrera Coupe
'99 Vintage Spyder

[Pillow]

Usually the local shops will "deal" on tires if you tell them you want the full service package.

For instance who would not knock $10 off each tire to ensure the costs of allignment and high speed balance? Think total package instead of individual tires.

Everything is negotiable my friend... What is the worst that happens, they say "no". Then you re-evaluate your alternatives and go from there. BTW I am that A-hole that negotiates at Circuit City, who does deal if you are persistent... Generica companies are ruining the art of negoatiating



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

[MBAtarga]

I ordered my Bridgestone tires thru TireRack and am very pleased. Are you looking at the 730's?

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Mark
83 Targa

[Mike Feinstein]

HH,

No, I work in the Sugarloaf Business Park in Duluth. Looking out my window at my baby at this very moment.

Best,

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Mike
94 C2 cab

[typ550]

Mark,

I haven't completely made up my mind. I was looking at the 730s, among others. The feedback on the S-03s sounds pretty good, so I was considering those, too. Put a set of 950s on the Spyder this summer and I have been happy with those, too. Any suggestions?

Chris

'88 Carrera Coupe
'99 Vintage Spyder

[MBAtarga]

I purchased the 730's thru Kauffman tire - they ordered them from TireRack and charged me about $10 each extra. I am very satisfied. I had read some threads on tire noise vs. tread life and liked what I read about low tire noise on these.

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Mark
83 Targa