redduck996

Ok,

would you guys trust NTB to mount and balance your tires for 120 or would you take it to the dealer and have them do it for 200?

And should I do another alignment or corner balancing with the new tires?

tia

washington dc porsche

Tough question. If you don't know anyone at the NTB i'd go to the dealer simply because NTB type places dont care about your rim's finish.

I have yet to find a place outside of the dealership that hasn't scratched my rims, though I keep hearing good things about Radial Tire way out in Montgomery County, MD.

Russ Murphy

Dependant of the quality of the tech who does the work. I've had it work out great at NTB and awful. I always go to the dealer or independant porsche shop now. It's a gamble I won't take anymore.

missmy993

to tire guys, tires are tires. I ask them if the machine they use is touchless (it does not touch the wheel except to hold it), if it is I'm OK. JUst another mount and balance.

Russ Murphy

Just spent $120 at the dealer getting RE050A PP's mounted and balanced.

screameleons

If it is a low-profile tire, I would go beyond just the regular tire stores. Try a good speed shop that is highly recommended. I'm going through a mess right now where my tire and wheel were damaged by a tire shop. They did not have the tools to mount low-profile tires and ended up just screwing everything up. Also, be sure to get some referrals.

vove

I have had NTB mount/balance my tires but I had to show them how to do it. They will damage your wheels if you don't stand there and supervise them. They were brutal with other peoples cars/wheels as I watched them waiting for them to get to my car.

redduck996

Thanks for the advise... I will take it to HBL to have them mount and balance. I might do an alignment while i'm there. DO you guys think I will need one? I just had one done a year ago.

Russ, thats a good price for a dealership.. Is that the standard rate?

Ordered the Potenza last thursday and it was sitting in fornt of my garage today. I love getting new toys even if they are only just tires..

I forgot to ask damon, are the Re050A directional? I see the inside/outside label but didnt see any other arrows

Russ Murphy

I believe it is, although I am a longtime, multi-car purchaser, but pretty sure they didn't give me break pricing-wise.

They're not directional which is great for the track. Yea!

redduck996

weird... then how do we know what side goes where? I notice on the rears, one half of the tire is thicker then the other.

Russ Murphy

There is an "outside" that must be mounted facing outwards, but then that wheel can go on either side of the car.

LVDell

You can go anyplace that has the correct equipment but tell them to inspect the wheels with you and NOTATE the condition and take a couple pics. Then tell them you are doing this to protect THEM since the last place had to purchase 2 new rims for you after that screwed them up and at $1500 a wheel they do NOT want to do this. As well, tell them that "repair" is not acceptable, only replacement since repair can ruin the integrity of the rim and you take the car to the track where saftey comes number one.

I know it sounds a bit over the top but there have been MANY postings here where guys have had their rims screwed up and then the tire place claims the damage was ALREADY there.

Also, don't think the dealer is any better. They will pull the same crap with you. Let them know you are coming to them since the last time you went to another place they scratched up your "other" rims and you expect nothing but the best out of them!

chuckla

is the real deal. Only place I would trust. Great work.

screameleons

If you are in NOVA, check out Ultimate Performance in Dulles. Contact Abe there. I just got my wheels done there and they did an excellent job. The total was about $189, but supposedly it is cheaper with 18"s.

redduck996

great! i'll call abe at ultimate and radial tire.

thanks guys for the help..