Is this quote too much?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 724
Likes: 192
Is this quote too much?
So this seems absurd, called a local Corvette shop and they quoted me $450 to mount and balance some new to me tires on my ZO6. The guy I talked to said they charge 3 hours of labor to mount the tires but that is often takes them 4-5 hours to get all 4 done. This seem insane to me. He said they have the same problem with mounting C7Z tires as they do C6 ZR1 tires.
I called around to other tire shops but since my tires aren't brand new (Purchased off a forum member) that they are not allowed to mount them.
Is this quote correct or a complete ripoff?
I called around to other tire shops but since my tires aren't brand new (Purchased off a forum member) that they are not allowed to mount them.
Is this quote correct or a complete ripoff?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,974
Likes: 6,773
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Why, oh WHY are you messing with a dealer for tire work? If they are even remotely like all too many GM dealerships, I can only hope they know more about doing others' jobs than they all too often know about doing their own! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 909
Likes: 320
From: Kearney Missouri
Find a performance shop. When I had a (at the time) newer C5 I bought the magnesium wheels from someone. Chevy dealer here wouldn't touch them. Went to a local performance wheel/tire shop and they did it for $100.00. That was in '04 so based on inflation that would be ~140 in todays dollars.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 724
Likes: 192
This wasn't a dealer quote, it was a local Corvette specialty shop. Like I said I've called around to other tire shops and they won't install tires unless brand new. So, if this is a ripoff which it seems it is, I'll keep looking for someone else to do the work.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 4,750
From: SE WI
These tires are way more difficult to mount than your normal tire. Be very careful who you have do it. They could trash your tires and even worse your rims. Lots of horror stories. Don't even trust Discount Tire unless you know other people with tires likes these who have used them with success. My local Discount Tire store tore the bead and has to buy me a new tire. They didn't have the touch less machine. What worked for me was a secialty tire and rim place that specialized in low profile tires. They did it perfectly.
Last edited by Zjoe6; Apr 15, 2019 at 09:50 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
The last dealer I had mount C7 run-flats for me charged $20/tire and did a flawless job. I've since moved and the dealer here quoted me $8/tire; you read that correctly!
Last edited by Kracka; Apr 15, 2019 at 09:59 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,825
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
As for the other shops I have never heard of any shop ever saying they wouldn't mount used tires. If it's some sort of bunghole liability issue it can be handled by the workers doing the tires and you tipping them. Some of the shops I have taken tires to will say they can't do such and such but will look into it if I leave the tire in the corner and come back later. When I come back later the tire is done and they ask me to throw a $20 at the guy who did whatever. No proof anything happened so no come back on them if things don't work out.
The stock Michelin ZPs can be mounted on the wheel but it is difficult to get the beads to seal. A lot of shops that don't have the proper equipment won't touch them and you really don't want them to touch them.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
It is insane! Everyone has different experiences, but Discount has always done mine with a hunter touchless machine and no issues. I guarantee they won't be charging hundreds of dollars.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,821
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I have to agree with the others in this thread - $450 is nuts for mounting/balancing four tires. Hope you find someone to do the job that is more reasonable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 563
From: Mount Airy NC
C7 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
That’s crazy! Like others have said find a performance shop with the right machines. I paid $100 to have mine done when I switch tires from one set of rims to another. It was a local BMW/ Porsche service center.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The Discount Tires nearest to me wanted an extra $100 to Road Force balance tires I was going to buy from them, in addition to the normal mounting charge. A different Discount Tires about 5 miles further away includes Road Force balancing as part of their normal mount & balance work, at least they do on Corvettes. And they charge the same price for the tires and misc work.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 325
Likes: 146
From: South Carolina
I usually take my wheels and tires to Costco. They have the best machine and can do the magnesium wheels. Pretty good prices on tires but $10-$15 per tire if you bring your own.
Unfortunately Corvettes won't fit on their lifts most the time but it's not hard taking them out there.
Dealers can rarely refuse to work on a customer's car for something like tires or brakes, so they over charge to ensure it's worth it for them if on the unlikely chance you say yes but it's better than them saying no.
Unfortunately Corvettes won't fit on their lifts most the time but it's not hard taking them out there.
Dealers can rarely refuse to work on a customer's car for something like tires or brakes, so they over charge to ensure it's worth it for them if on the unlikely chance you say yes but it's better than them saying no.
Last edited by James Dean; Apr 16, 2019 at 12:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
My local Discount Tire has the latest, and greatest equipment. And, they always take great care to do the job right. They installed a set of aftermarket rims on my '16, and only charged $125 to install and balance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
Discount tire did mine for under 150.00 but I had previously bought tires and found out my rims were bent so they changed them over to my new ZR1 wheels. Under 2 hours that’s with manager and I BS and jacking up car with my pucks
z51vett
Doug
z51vett
Doug
Last edited by z51vett; Apr 16, 2019 at 08:35 PM.