FYI for Costco Tires

[macdude357]

I was just at Costco this morning getting a set of tires mounted on my new Titan 7 wheels. The guy told me that they have a new policy regarding after market wheels and might not be able to mount them. He had to come out and take a look before giving the OK. So you might want to call ahead next time you want to get tires mounted on your track wheels save some heartache.

[///Mobbin]

I got my last set of RE71R's from Costco and they mounted them to my Apex EC-7 wheels no problem, about to get another set though so we'll see! Thanks for the heads up.

[Datka]

Costko sells these tires cheaper than other places?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Datka

Costko sells these tires cheaper than other places?

Is that the Russian version of Costco?

Bridgestone and Michelin tires are cheaper at Costco all in (mounting, balancing, tire) than even Tire Rack in my experience in Vegas. I haven't had the pleasure of getting tires here in the DC area so I can't comment on that.

Sometimes you can find a killer deal on closeout at the TR, but my last 4 sets of tires have been bought at Costco.

Damn I miss the days of tires just showing up via UPS w/o me having to pay for them. Those were the days...<sigh>

[roastbeef]

I have also had a place refuse to take off my wheels because I had studs... might be an individual location thing where a manager had a bad experience and now manages without a brain.

[SQ13]

^ Same experience at a local Discount Tire. The same dumbass kept asking me if I had spacers up front because he was "sure" I did when I actually did not. He was looking at the brake rotor hat..

Also had someone tell me that they couldn't mount my used NT01s because they were slick, but the tires weren't at the wear bars. The manager of the store said they could mount them, so it worked out in the end. I just work with specific people now.

[JsL]

FYI that Costco is running a $70 off a set of Bridgestones right now.

I have a feeling someone is going to post pics of Costco using Clip-On wheel weights on their brand new set of TE37s for BBS FI-Rs instead of tape weights

[///Mobbin]

LOL, I'm not saying that couldn't happen but thankfully my local Costco uses adhesive weights, then they were actually willing to use the slightly higher quality adhesive weights I brought in with me anyway.

I think it really varies by store and employee.

[ayao]

Originally Posted by SQ13

^ Same experience at a local Discount Tire. The same dumbass kept asking me if I had spacers up front because he was "sure" I did when I actually did not. He was looking at the brake rotor hat..

Also had someone tell me that they couldn't mount my used NT01s because they were slick, but the tires weren't at the wear bars. The manager of the store said they could mount them, so it worked out in the end. I just work with specific people now.

Based on numerous threads reporting this I just bring the wheels in off the car so I don't have to worry about it. I did have a local indie freak out when I wanted to flip some worn NT01s -- they seemed genuinely uncomfortable with the idea.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ayao

Based on numerous threads reporting this I just bring the wheels in off the car so I don't have to worry about it. I did have a local indie freak out when I wanted to flip some worn NT01s -- they seemed genuinely uncomfortable with the idea.

Most places have never seen much less than 300 treadwear tires. Let alone a 100 treadwear tire which essentially is bald.

[pbonsalb]

I think toyo proxes ra1 is 8/32 and a full tread pattern but rated 100 headwear. It's far from essentially bald. Looks a lot like a street tire. Might be same rubber compound as r888.

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm traumatized by tire mounting places. I use a porsche indy to mount all my tires and that's it

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I'm traumatized by tire mounting places. I use a porsche indy to mount all my tires and that's it

LOL, I definitely sympathize. I've put so many wrench hours into my car now (and cash) that it's hard to hand the keys over to someone who may not take the same care I would.

[SYT_Shadow]

I don't want to deal with BS of people not installing them because:
-load rating is off
-I have studs
-I have spacers

I also don't want them damaging my wheels or balancing them with 8000 weights.

Most of the time, my TE:AL wheels balance with zero weights!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I don't want to deal with BS of people not installing them because:
-load rating is off
-I have studs
-I have spacers

I also don't want them damaging my wheels or balancing them with 8000 weights.

Most of the time, my TE:AL wheels balance with zero weights!

Werd.

I've thought about buying my own mounting machine. The only downside its kind of a pain to operate. You need a big azz air compressor and 220v power outlet.

I think you need a 30amp circuit which is not common for homes. You might run into other electrical issues in your house. Like...can't run the washer and dryer when you're mounting tires. That is probably on top of the 220v outlet for the air compressor.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Werd.

I've thought about buying my own mounting machine. The only downside its kind of a pain to operate. You need a big azz air compressor and 220v power outlet.

I think you need a 30amp circuit which is not common for homes. You might run into other electrical issues in your house. Like...can't run the washer and dryer when you're mounting tires. That is probably on top of the 220v outlet for the air compressor.

Come live in NY and we'll share it!

What I don't like about those machines is it seems real easy to lose a finger operating them!

In Europe, mounting and balancing 4 tires is 60. Here it's 150. It's just hard to understand how it can be so expensive. Maybe because NY?

[CorruptCommie]

Cost is ~$40 at my Costco. Gonna see if they complain next week when I bring in the NT-01's.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Come live in NY and we'll share it!

What I don't like about those machines is it seems real easy to lose a finger operating them!

In Europe, mounting and balancing 4 tires is 60. Here it's 150. It's just hard to understand how it can be so expensive. Maybe because NY?

Its pretty easy to mess yourself up but I know how to use one. As long as it has a helper arm then its a breeze.

Not sure why it was expensive. I used to work at a tire shop as a teen. We could get a whole car pulled, tires done, and gone in 15 minutes. I'm sure that's where a lot of the margin is. It sure isn't in the tires. Its not like these places are hiring skilled labor either.

[roastbeef]

i pay $60 out the door at 714 tires in westminster. they are pretty good, and mind the little yellow circles on the tires and put them where the valve stems are. i think they do a lot of drift/track cars, so they just kill it on the volume. i bring my tires there off the car in my truck, because they often have two cars on the lifts and some dude just throws them on real quick.

[aus]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i pay $60 out the door at 714 tires in westminster. they are pretty good, and mind the little yellow circles on the tires and put them where the valve stems are. i think they do a lot of drift/track cars, so they just kill it on the volume. i bring my tires there off the car in my truck, because they often have two cars on the lifts and some dude just throws them on real quick.

How much is the mounting?
Do they mind if you got the tires somewhere else or used?
Thanks.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by aus

How much is the mounting?
Do they mind if you got the tires somewhere else or used?
Thanks.

They don't give a shit. I give them three $20's and I'm good to go, mounted and balanced.

[CorruptCommie]

Ok Costco update. Drove the E46 track car down on Apex 17x10's, with the new NT-01's thrown inside it. Car has studs, told them to torque it to 75, got told to pound sand they only do manufacturer specs or I can go elsewhere. Charged $60 for all four.