What are people's experiences with the necessary follow up "maintenance" on tires. In other words, do I need to develop a relationship with a local tire guy similar to, but to a lesser degree than, my mechanic? Or when you put on tires are you pretty much done.

The reason I ask is that Tirerack vs. local guy difference = about $120...wondering if worth saving the money, or if I'm better off getting the follow on I'd get from a local shop (part of a national chain).

Thoughts?

 

For track tires I've used a local (Radial) because they know their stuff, support the local club, are only slightly higher than Tire Rack and I trust em. But when I just had to replace the "other car's" tires I was essentially forced to go to Tire Rack-they were 30% less than the quotes I got from Radial. I went to still another local shop for mounting and stood over the guy- who did an excellent job BTW.

So I'd have no qualms recommending or going to Tire Rack when they can beat local prices by such a wide margin. I've bought a lot of tires from them and have never been disappointed.

 

Best yet is if a Tirerack installer is also a "local guy". That is sometimes the case, so take a look at the Tirerack shops in your area.

 

Well, the local guy isn't on tirerack's list, but Alan at the Stable recommended them (Mark Morris on Larkin), and as soon I said the tire combo I was looking for, they asked, "what year Porsche?", so it seems like a good shop. I want to give them the business, but with Bush & Greenspan, $120 is $120, you know?

 

After a number of satisfactory dealings w/TireRack over many years, I developed a relationship w/a local tire shop (owned by a Porsche guy) which, after factoring in shipping, mounting & balancing, has always been able to closely match TireRack's pricing. Aside from supporting a local small business, my car, wheels & I get VIP treatment & quick/easy problem resolution. If you can do the same, IMO it's well worth it, even at a (reasonable) premium.

Have you told the shop TireRack's quotes & given them an opportunity to be more competitive?

 

I buy my tires from TireRack.com but have them shipped to my dealer for mount & balance. They give me a good price on the M&B and I get the Tirerack discount.

BTW-when I tried to buy tires from my dealer they TOLD me to get them from Tirerack to SAVE MONEY!

Ben

 

I've also enjoyed a satisfactory relationship with Tire Rack over the years, but I'm curious as to what this means from a prior post:

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I want to give them the business, but with Bush & Greenspan, $120 is $120, you know?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">

 

My local "America's Tire Center" retailer (Simi Valley) will generally match Tirerack prices, so I get the best of both wprlds. They fix flats for free, and will do free rotations as well. They've always treated me well.

 

I've been a long time patron of the Tire Rack. However now that I've found a local dealer who will meet or even beat Tire Rack's prices I had to give them the business. So far, no regrets.

Just my .02
George

 

JPS: I use tirerack and have them shipped to the place I also like for alignments, etc (Roger Krause in San Leandro). Not local for me but they know what they are doing and seem worth the extra distance in the trip.

 

Geez...can you post or PM me that dealer's name & #?

Oh, and the Bush & Greenspan thing just meant that the economy sucks, and in a bad economy, I pinch the pennies harder as they leave my wallet...

Thanks,

 

In the past, I had problems with the installation places Tire Rack "recommended" in my area. I now have a local place that also matches Tire Rack prices. My last dealing with Tire Rack about (5 months ago) was not too positive, they wanted to sell 4 SO2's. Said SO'3 were not N rated (correct) and I needed only "N" rated tires for my 993.What really got me when told new SO2's will be available in in a year or two when the rears wear out. That is when I started shopping around for local place.

 

JPS,

Check your box.....

George

 

I perfer to shop local whenever possible. If we don't do that we won't have local to shop. As far as tires are concerned my tire guy's other car is a 67 E-Type RHD roadster so he understands what I want and we have good conversations while doing tires and I get to help (remove tire from car, put back on and torque. I figure he isn't making that much off of me (good prices) so I try to speed the job, besides I enjoy it. I have gotten Tire Rack tires (Hoosiers, the UPS girl wondered why people would by "bald tires") He has suggested I get tire from TR and have them dropped to him but I will give him the business as long as he can get what I want. I just checked and my tire dealer is not listed as a TR installer so that list is not all inclusive, ask around. It also has someone to go to for balencing, fixing flats etc.

 

George hooked me up. Within $30 of Tirerack shipped & installed, and recommended by a Rennlist guy. What more could I ask for. My $18 once again pays off. Thanks guys.