New tires
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 346
Likes: 10
From: Easton MA
New tires
Time for new tires on my Stingray. Lokking to go to the Michelin Pilot Sport all season 4. Best price around looks like Costco. A little worried as to how they will treat my car. Has anyone had Costco do tires and what was your experiance like?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 801
Likes: 408
From: NC
Big fan of Costco for everything else. Used to do tires there but had to show up before opening then wait 2 hours for rotation. I have found Discount Tire very competitive and do good work. I have developed a relationship with the manager and he has taken care of me many times. Also, I believe Costco's tire/hazard warranty is prorated. I have had Discount Tire replace a tire or two without cost. I also like the ability to make an appointment and can sit and watch the work from the window in the customer lounge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,238
Likes: 757
From: Lindenhurst, IL
I wouldn't consider Discount Tire to be any better than Costco, unless your preference is to have kids working on your car. My strong preference is to use a well-established privately-owned local tire shop, which has experienced technicians that have worked there a relatively long period of time. On a Corvette, the time spent perfecting a road-force balance is critical. Chain stores will balance the tire to meet the manufacturer's minimum requirements, then call it good. If the technician spends the time to get the road force as low as possible, your tires will be much less prone to generating vibrations, and/or cupping before the tread has worn down.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 687
Likes: 102
From: Albany NY
How much would you save $$ if you don't use The Tire Warehouse 24/7 shipping etc. I would Never let a Costco or Discount anybody under my C7. $ 50-100 is not worth my life @ 110 MPH.
BTW, the non runflat Supreme Contacts by Cooper?? are a great alternative to the harsh Michlin run flats.
BTW, the non runflat Supreme Contacts by Cooper?? are a great alternative to the harsh Michlin run flats.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 583
Likes: 50
From: Shanghai
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 346
Likes: 10
From: Easton MA
Thanks for the replies. No discount tire in my area. Still wary on Costco. Can get the Continental DWS06 Plus for $300 less than the Michelan all season 4 at a local tire shop. Continentals are non run flat.
just a little concerned as run flats will get you home if you get a puncture.
just a little concerned as run flats will get you home if you get a puncture.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 396
From: Indianapolis IN
Thanks for the replies. No discount tire in my area. Still wary on Costco. Can get the Continental DWS06 Plus for $300 less than the Michelan all season 4 at a local tire shop. Continentals are non run flat.
just a little concerned as run flats will get you home if you get a puncture.
just a little concerned as run flats will get you home if you get a puncture.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,455
Likes: 711
I bought all-season Continentals (non-run flats) for the C7 and the C6 from an auto repair shop owned by a family. Their employee badly damaged the center cap on the OEM wheels of the 2013 Corvette and they replaced it with a new one. Then one of the tires leaked. That required two trips back. I bought a valve rebuild kit and that stopped the leak. The tires did not feel like they were balanced. So I took the car to a large Chevy dealership and they got the tires balanced well and now the car rides silky smooth.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 2,335
From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
I have gotten tires on two generations of Vettes, a C4 and C7 at Costco.
On the C7, they allocated an extra half hour for a premium tire on a premium car (their words), for a total of two hours. They also had their most experienced tire guy put them on.
I watched and he was very careful and experienced. He was in his forties. I also got them during a Michelin Sale and got $150 off on all four.
I would not hesitate to do it again! jmho.
On the C7, they allocated an extra half hour for a premium tire on a premium car (their words), for a total of two hours. They also had their most experienced tire guy put them on.
I watched and he was very careful and experienced. He was in his forties. I also got them during a Michelin Sale and got $150 off on all four.
I would not hesitate to do it again! jmho.
Last edited by Vette Jockey; Aug 20, 2022 at 11:35 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,514
Likes: 5,079
From: Chester VA
I have gotten tires on two generations of Vettes, a C4 and C7.
On the C7, they allocated an extra half hour for a premium tire on a premium car (their words), for a total of two hours. They also had their most experienced tire guy put them on.
I watched and he was very careful and experienced. He was in his forties. I also got them during a Michelin Sale and got $150 off on all four.
I would not hesitate to do it again! jmho.
On the C7, they allocated an extra half hour for a premium tire on a premium car (their words), for a total of two hours. They also had their most experienced tire guy put them on.
I watched and he was very careful and experienced. He was in his forties. I also got them during a Michelin Sale and got $150 off on all four.
I would not hesitate to do it again! jmho.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 733
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Exactly what I did at Discount. Guy asked why I didn't bring the car and I told him I removed the wheels to clean them properly and the calipers. And BTW, Discount probably like most retail shops leaves the adhesive residue from previous weights on the wheels so you'll have to take them off any way if you want to remove it. Finally, after the balance, I alway put a matching color of duct tape over the new weights so they stay where they're supposed to. That practice has served me well for years and saves rebalances and surprise vibrations.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,656
Likes: 24,661
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If you have a local Corvette club, you might want to consider asking members there who they use for tire work.
Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 564
Likes: 240
From: Peoria, Arizona
I've been going to discount for 30 years. It's changed and I've had crap work done at times. I've been to costco once when I got tires for my kia. When I went in for rotation with an appointment, I watched them through the window. If I went to costco for my vette, I would ask the guy to his face if he could handle it without damaging it. Bring up your concern, and go with what you feel. Like I said, I don't trust discount completely either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 1,861
From: NEW WINDSOR NY
Go to Tire Rack and they have recommended Installers.
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tir...k&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tir...k&gclsrc=aw.ds