For Those of you in need of tires

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I was on tire rack last night and i saw our tires for the MM on sale at a special price, the fronts which are 235/50ZR18 are $86.00 a piece and the rears which are 245/55ZR18 are $88.00 a piece, these are for the BFGoodrich's that are already on pour cars. i am going to order a set of fronts and a set of rars since my tires are wearing funny, Just thought I would share the info with some of you so you dont pay out the ass for a set of tires

[RF Overlord]

I'd like to offer another side to this coin...and please understand up front, I mean no disrespect to 03MERCMARAUDER or any other member who has posted a similar thread.

I priced replacement tires at my local BFG dealer, Cape and Islands Tire, whom both I, and the company I work for, have done business with for at least 18 years. The total price, including mounting, new valve stems, spin balancing, and all taxes, was something like $90 more than the Tire Rack price, which was for the tires only, no shipping, mounting, or balancing, so the true difference was somewhat smaller. Add in the fact that this dealer's policy is that they won't mount any new tires of the same brand they sell, if they weren't purchased there. So what, you say? Just bring them somewhere ELSE, you say?

For a relatively small price differential, I get to help support a LOCAL business, with local people whom I see in the supermarket or at church, who are there for me when I have a problem, who give me breaks on prices, put me at the head of the line when I really need it, and actually go the extra mile for me, because I'm a good customer. I personally think that is worth the small extra cost.

I'm all for saving money, and I mean no slight against Tire Rack, as I'm sure they're a reputable business, but where is Tire Rack when I have a flat and need it fixed in a hurry, or need a replacement for a tire that's gone faulty before its time? Or have a relative with no money who needs a used tire, for cheap? Cape and Islands Tire has supplied me with ALL these things and more, multiple times...if I could mount and balance my own tires, sure I'd buy them at Tires "R" Us, but until then, I like my local guys just fine...

[TAF]

I couldn't agree more, RF. One of our members here found a local ATL shop who'll match TireRack's price, high-speed balance AND has the right adaptor for the alignment. I think we've all decided to go there. so...no disrespect to TireRack...they are helping folks get some better prices. And, before you say we are hurting the profit margin of the local folks...they are still making a margin and our tire sizes are not something that they usually have in stock. So...they bring them in for us, throw them on and off we go...WIN/WIN if you ask me.

[gonzo50]

Some local shops don't have the exact tires you need or even the brand type, tire rack and other similar companies offer these options. I still use the local shops to do the mounting/balancing and alignment, sometimes you have no options.
I've used tire rack before and IMHO the prices are fair/reasonable. Thanks ;)

[Murader03]

Gotta agree with RF, to a point. I took the Tirerack quote to my local discount shop, and they matched the price w/shipping. Of course they got the extra dollars for the valve stems, balanceing, and alignment. I've dealt with them before on tires the same way. The smiled cheerfully and got my business. They had to order the tires, but then I would have had to order them through Tire tack anyway. I'm happy, their happy getting my business. I did change to the same size on all four corners though. I put the 235/50's all around. Now I can rotate the darn things.......;)

[MMM2003]

RF, TAF - I understand your point and agree, that supporting your local business is important and can have its advantages.
One thing to keep in mind is, what one can afford and how much extra are you willing to pay for that.

In my particular case (Winter Tire Package), I was not willing to pay an additional $225 to support our local business. Nor was I willing to wait and see, if they could get them.

When it comes time to replace the BFG's, (which won't be long), I'm certain, for the reason you stated so very well, that I'll be using my local tire place.

[CRC]

Local tire shop in OKC 4 BFG KDWS 245/55/18 mounted, balanced new valve stems, lifetime road hazard. $312.

[TAF]

^^^MAN! That's a GREAT deal. Maybe worth a 'side-trip" from Marauderville (at some point, BigDog's going to start wanting royalties on that).

[Mikeenh]

I went to my local tire shop and asked "how close can you get to the tire rack price of xx"? They actually beat it and had the tires in the next day. :D

[looking97233]

I just checked with americas tire co. / discount tire (depending what part of the country you are in. They are the autheroized BFG dealer in my area. I just checked on the rears, all I need right now. Go figure. Fronts still look new, rears almost gone. Anyway, they quoted me $115.00 ea. mounted, ballanced and, road hazzard warranity.

[Marauderman]

Seems tire sizes are bouncing around like popcorn---meaning --some members change from the OEM set up-- meaning either to the 50's or 55's or other sizes, all around----point is --since the OEM set-up was just that--a set-up--involving speed0 and balance and probably a few other things--my question is--with several members doing the "change" from OEM , what did you have to also change to bring back the original set-up (OEM)
to bring it back to the original set up for the lights, speedo, balance , alignment , and the "whatever" -cause the basic was "based" on that set-up-- DID I lose anyone here--hope not--

SO is there alot you must/ or need to do to cir...vent any problems from this ..id any--..gues I'm asking is there any?

.....Tom

[BillyGman]

sure what the answer to marauderman's question is, but I also understans RF's point about the local tire shop, however in the area where I live, I haven't found any garage, transmission places, or tire shops who actually will cater to their regular costumers like RF has described. If RF and some of you other guys have found such places who actually will give you priority over another customer who isn't a regular, then I don't blame you for wanting to keep your biz at the local place. But the places I've dealt w/don't seem to give a rip weather you're a regular customer or not. Sure sometimes they'll get a bit competitive w/their prices if you quote a better one to them that's from another local store, but that's about it in my experience. So I guess it all has to do w/where you reside, and what type of businesses are in your area.

But as far as that WINTER TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGE that MMM2003 has made mention of in both this thread and in that other thread that he's started concerning that,(which has been moved to the "Anouncements/News" forum of this board) I think that the $500 price tag for four premium grade snow tires and blacked out wheels is a steal, and one that would be almost impossible to find elsewhere. Especially when you consider the fact that this price includes mounting, balancing, AND shipping. With a deal like that you can't go wrong IMO and that's why I'm one of those who has already called that place to reserve a set for my MM when they get them in a couple weeks down the road.

[duhtroll]

For several years we have patronized our local tire shop - every tire rotation and oil chg for my wife's car and all but the last few for mine. We have bought at least 4 sets of tires from them in the last 6-7 years. I started recently hitting the dealer for my oil changes instead (it's cheaper - believe it or not - and closer than the tire shop, and I wanted to go somewhere where I didn't have to wait two weeks for an appointment since the tire place is so busy)

Like I said in the other thread, they quoted me a "competitive price" of $900 plus tax for what I am getting from Mitch for $500 flat. I suppose they are so busy they can afford to lose customers, or maybe they are making money off all those who pay that much without asking.

I am *all* for helping out the local business, but it ain't worth $450 or so to do it in this case.

Thanks,

-A

[SergntMac]

I could agree with everone here, each post adds a pastel of the parent thought.

Surely, Internet shopping has changed the "profile" of the small business man. The products sell themselves, of course. The best deal for the product may be on the .net, maybe not, it depends on how you want to add up the costs.

One thing is for sure, customer service is a two way street. You can be the kind of customer who walks in and tells them exactly how you want it done, and why it should be done the "right way," or you can be the customer who comes in with a particular problem, who wants some professional help in solving it.

Which customer would YOU welcome back?

[BillyGman]

interesting viewpoint about those two types of customers MAC. I think it also depends on what the biz is like that the customer in question happens to be dealing with. What I mean is if you walk into a place and it's your first time there, and you refuse to give anyone there the benefit of the doubt and you therefore start making all kinds of unneccessry demands, then that's not usually a good thing IMO. And that's why your point is well taken. If you walk into a place that you've been to before, and you know that the employees there will not go the extra mile, nor will they even make sure that you've receieved whay you paid for or what was advertised, then it might be justifiable in a case like the for the customer in question to be very direct. In most cases you wouldn't want to go back to a place like that anyway, but sometimes because of lack of alternatives you're compelled to do so. But in general I've no direct disagreement w/what you've said.

[MMM2003]

You can be the kind of customer who walks in and tells them exactly how you want it done, and why it should be done the "right way," or you can be the customer who comes in with a particular problem, who wants some professional help in solving it.

Depends on where I go. If I go to the L/M Dealerships, I have to say the first one (don't we all wish, it would the second kind?)

:D

[Marauderman]

Originally posted by BillyGman
[B]sure what the answer to marauderman's question is,


My question was a bit confusion if clear at all--so try again:

When tire sizes are changed on the MM, does this effect changes to the original OEM set up on the car that will in turn require some changes as well to compensate for these changes?

i.e., speed O , alignment, air pressure difference or whatever...

Is that any better? Tom

[MMM2003]

Hey Marauderman,

I'll try to address this as good as I can. The front to rear ratio on our cars is 1:1.05 (anyone feel free to correct me here).
As long as you maintain that ratio (within 1%), you won't need a speedo correction.

If you look at the setup the KB MM's use (255/45-18 front and 255/50-18 rear), that ratio is actually slightly off, but because the difference is within 1% it works.

I have seen members go to the same tire size all around. Apparently that works as well without problem, but I would think that there speedo would be slightly off.

In general, it's a good idea to get an alignment, if you go to a tire combination other than OEM.
Tire pressure, well, I'm experiencing uneven wear with the OEM recommendations (32 psi). I'll try a little less (28-30 psi) next go around.

This has been discussed on here before, so if go and do a search you will find lots more info.

[Marauderman]

Thanks MMM2003-

It's alwayd clearer when you have a better picture of things--for your response--I understand much better--Again==thanks -Tom

[stevencory]

I was quoted a "sale" price by the dealer of $125/ea for the g-Force 245/55 ZR 18 (reg. $156.95/ea). Thanks to Tom (a.k.a. marauderman...btw you rock :rock:) it's the TireRack (http://www.tirerack.com) for me. TireRack also gives recommended installers in my area. I can use the extra money to put in the gas tank. $1.65/gal here. Sweet!

[Murader03]

I went with the 235's on all corners. The speedo reads about 3 MPH high compared to my Radar detector with GPS. It gives both direction and speed. The speedo will be recalibrated when Dennis reflashes my chip.