Odd Experience this weekend
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 104
From: Romeoville, IL
Odd Experience this weekend
So last week I bought some tires off Tire Rack. They got delivered and started calling their approved installers.
I take the tires/rims off the vette to get ready to go in. Now I don't have the normal C5 rims on my Vette I have C6 18/19 rims. As I started to call the first shop I was told "nope cant do it" they don't do 35 series tires I was told.
.
So now I call another place and get told the same thing. After 5 shops I am told none do those tires or Vette tires. Now these are not mom/pop shops I am talking 2x NTB, 2x Firestone, 2x pepboys, Discount tire. All said take it to the Dealer. Umm Dealer mechanics are on Strike here so shops are back logged to hell and I didn't feel like paying $300 to have tires mounted and balanced.
Finally found a Firestone that said never done them but have the machine to do it.
I asked every shop what they do if a vette owners comes in to buy tires? Do they turn them away? I kid you not most said yes and one said their machine rips the bead on 35 series tires. At least one was honest. Whats gets me is these are shops that Tire Rack states is a approved installer.
Has anybody else run into this?
I take the tires/rims off the vette to get ready to go in. Now I don't have the normal C5 rims on my Vette I have C6 18/19 rims. As I started to call the first shop I was told "nope cant do it" they don't do 35 series tires I was told.
.So now I call another place and get told the same thing. After 5 shops I am told none do those tires or Vette tires. Now these are not mom/pop shops I am talking 2x NTB, 2x Firestone, 2x pepboys, Discount tire. All said take it to the Dealer. Umm Dealer mechanics are on Strike here so shops are back logged to hell and I didn't feel like paying $300 to have tires mounted and balanced.
Finally found a Firestone that said never done them but have the machine to do it.
I asked every shop what they do if a vette owners comes in to buy tires? Do they turn them away? I kid you not most said yes and one said their machine rips the bead on 35 series tires. At least one was honest. Whats gets me is these are shops that Tire Rack states is a approved installer.
Has anybody else run into this?
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Can't say I've had any problems getting tires mounted on Vette wheels. I go to a local Ford quick lane facility and they have been very good about mounting and balancing tires on my car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Places like Discount Tire will be able to mount the new low profile, large diameter tires as would tire stores like Goodyear or Firestone.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
FWIW, I just ordered tires from Tire rack and had them delivered to the local Pep Boys which were listed as one of their recommended installers. Never used Tire rack or Pep Boys before but was completely satisfied. I saw some 19 X 35's for sale at this particular store so I'm pretty sure they install the tires as well. I was quoted a higher price than Tire Rack had shown on their website for Pep Boys because the tires were 40's but I printed the page with the quoted prices from Tire rack and they were immediately honored with no problems. All in all it was a good trip and I'd use both again.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Last edited by 99cpe; Sep 6, 2017 at 05:16 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Welcome to the nightmare of dealing with Tire Rack installers. I got that tee shirt along with a $45 rip off plus a promise from Luke he seemed to forget about. From now on I'll use them for a base price for my local tire shop to meet or beat (and they can)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 145
From: the island of misfit toys
I did that, but it was incidental. One of the Tire Rack installers is a local family-owned business, and I went in to talk to them before ordering tires. They matched the Tire Rack price, installed next day. Very happy.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,483
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
I placed my first order with Tire Rack this week for Firestone Firehawk tires. In the checkout process, you enter your zip code and they identify installer partners and their cost.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
I placed my first order with Tire Rack this week for Firestone Firehawk tires. In the checkout process, you enter your zip code and they identify installer partners and their cost.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
A word of caution about Big O., if you are also getting a wheel alignment there.
A couple of months ago, I bought tires for my Vette, as well as my pickup at the same time at Big O.
The tires for the Vette won't be going on the car until spring, or summer of next year..
They are stored in a climate controlled room in my house, all wrapped in thick plastic trash bags.
That way they are not subject to any ozone contamination, or anything else.
Any way, they did a wheel alignment on the pickup after installing the tires, and I had to bring it back to them twice in two days because they screwed it up.
Truck never pulled to the right, and right after the alignment it did.
Finally I told them to deduct the price of the alignment because they did not do it correct, even after two tries.
We had made arraignments that when the tires go on the Vette next year they would be doing the job, but after the terrible alignment on the truck, I told them they are not getting any where near the Vette.
Bob.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
When I went to the 18/19 sizes I also bought mine @ T/R but I took them to a dealer close by that has a Vette tech and who has treated me pretty fairly(so far). They have a road force balancer that most installers don't and that always gets any vibration out. They aligned it and it drives perfectly smooth(went to about 120 to check) but I did have to make some adjustments to the tierods to straighten the steering wheel (not worth going back for). They said that they can mount up to a 20" wheel using a 30 profile.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
Just sounds like a bunch of shops who don't want to deal with the headache of mounting those low profile of tires and corvette wheels. As bad as it sounds, most shops refuse to mount/balance tires on anything more expensive than a Chevy cobalt because they are afraid of screwing up the wheels and or ripping the tire beads with owners of such vehicles being notorious for complaining about scratches or balance issues. I'm an ASE master tech at my shop and I have to stop constantly while working on cars to help mount/balance tires on BMW, Audi, Corvettes, Mercedes, ect for those exact reasons I just stated.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,483
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
I placed my first order with Tire Rack this week for Firestone Firehawk tires. In the checkout process, you enter your zip code and they identify installer partners and their cost.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
A local Big O Tire store was indicated so I called them to verify the process or see if I could buy directly from them- the manager researched it, said they couldn't get a better deal and said they would honor the Tire Rack installation price.
Although I've bought more than a dozen sets of tires from Discount, they didn't stock and couldn't get the tires I wanted. The Tire Rack--> Big O transaction is nearly $200 less than the tire selection I was going to make at Discount.
Stay tuned- expect to get this done by early next week.
I'm going to cancel the order and go back to the local Discount Tire for either the BFG Comp 2s or the Nitto 555 Gen2 . . .I'd like to save the dough, but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle.
Last edited by CQRT; Sep 9, 2017 at 02:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 333
From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
I checked TR and took the price to Big O who came so close in price I gave them the whole job. The last tires the local Chevy dealer gave me an excellent price and their Vette tech did the installation. They take great care of me, providing a loaner if needed and discounts on parts and service.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Beach Florida
mounting customer supplied tires
I own an auto repair shop ( 45 years ) and we will mount customer supplied tires. We also have one powder coater who won't let anyone but us do their work. I have a middle of the road ( price wise ) 7-8 year old Corghi Tire changer. Thursday we sold a set of tires for a 2014 Porsche Panamera 4. 255/40zr20 front. 295/35zr20 rear. Im 61 years old and did them myself. Had no problem. The reason IMO you could not get your tires mounted is because wherever you went did not want to. Someone on this post suggested using the internet as a way to price shop and give the business to a local shop. Bet at the end of the day the tires purchased on the internet, and then YOU pay someone to mount and balance them the savings is nill. Now that I have opened this can of worms .. . . .. OH the guy with the Porsche, 1700 clams out the door for Michelin Pilot super sport tires.
Run Flat tires are a bitch to mount
Owner
Mayport Car Care Center
Run Flat tires are a bitch to mount
Owner
Mayport Car Care Center
Last edited by CParman; Sep 10, 2017 at 03:40 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 50
From: Utica Mi
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I bought the BFG G-Force comp 2s
I priced them at tire rack... them took the price to the local tire shop and said is this a good deal or can you get me the tires cheaper ?
They were going to install either way.
They matched tire racks price and Then "Hooked me up" with some rebate forms for a $50 visa card
Ended up being cheaper and faster.......So far love the BFGs
I priced them at tire rack... them took the price to the local tire shop and said is this a good deal or can you get me the tires cheaper ?
They were going to install either way.
They matched tire racks price and Then "Hooked me up" with some rebate forms for a $50 visa card
Ended up being cheaper and faster.......So far love the BFGs
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I always look at TR prices when I buy tires.......but have never purchased from them.
I always find that local shops will meet or beat TR prices and install them.....all in a couple of hours. I have had great results from Discount tire shop on my Vettes and COSTCO on my other cars. Tried Walmart once, never again, prices were low but so was the work.
I always find that local shops will meet or beat TR prices and install them.....all in a couple of hours. I have had great results from Discount tire shop on my Vettes and COSTCO on my other cars. Tried Walmart once, never again, prices were low but so was the work.