CarlOrton

Bought new tires today on my non-Porsche DD at Discount Tires. It was a slow day there, so I was talking to one of the managers, and asked if they ever had any exotica purchase tires there. He said they've had Ferrari and Lambos, and one day they had 4 Porsches. (This store is near a high-income area.)

So, I got to thinking - does anyone here on the list use a chain store like Firestone or Discount Tire to install your new tires? At the least, I was thinking that I'd just pull 2 tires off at a time (would help stagger the cost, too...) and let them just mount the tires, then I'd re-install the wheels.

Our local Porsche indy wants $35-40 each tire as a Tire Rack installer, so I was thinking that the chains probably have the same machines, so why not.

5CHN3LL

I _only_ use Discount Tire - the store near me has performed flawlessly, has never boogered one of my wheels, has repaired tires I didn't even buy from them, and has been able to balance wheels that another shop repeatedly failed to get right.

If the equipment is working right, I don't feel that it matters whether it's installed at a Discount store or at an independent Porsche mechanic. I do request that they are hand-torqued and provide the spec; I don't know if it's necessary, but they've always been cool about it.

Cuda911

Yes, but I learned my lesson the hard way. Now, I hover around while they do it, being a total PITA.

Triple Black

I always use Discount Tire as well. Never had a problem and always great service and prices.

PORCAR

Best to find out from others. I have had an Audi dealership crunch all four wheels and a tire "specialist" do the same.

Slakker

We've got a good discount tire shop near my house too. They once boogered a TPMS sensor on my M3 but owned it, ordered the replacement, and quickly swapped it out two days later. But that's one out of 20 trips there.

I will say though, on non-performance cars, it annoys the hell out of me that the major chains won't patch sidewalk leaks. They claim it's because they won't last but I always take it to the local guy tire shop down the road, pay my $5, and never have any issues. I believe it's a scam to sell more tires.

RickMiller

I've used the Discount Tire near where I live, too. Like Schnell, I insist that they be hand torqued, etc. I watched the shop manager make them remove and re-torque when he caught them not doing by hand, but otherwise they did fine. Plus, I got the best deal on super sports that I've ever gotten.

....however, the next time I had the chance, I popped them off and correctly seated the center caps

tokika

+1 for Discount Tire

Ahsai

Depends totally on the actual tech and machine they use. I use Discount tire too. They have the regular tire changing machine and a touch-free machine they use on high-end wheels. Even the so called touch-free machine, you need a careful operator. They can chip your rims in no time if the tech is not careful.

The Discount I go to they use a 4" extension between the gun and the socket. That extension is a torsional bar that limits the torque the impact gun can put on the lug bolts. However, they should ALWAYs do the final torquing by hand using a torque wrench. This is SOP regardless of what cars they work on.

In the Costco I go to, they are even better. They hand torque the wheels 3 times. Once when they put the wheel on, second time when they choke the wheel when the wheel is still off the ground, and last time when all 4 wheels are on the ground with the car's full weight on them. However, they don't have that fancy touch-free machine.

porschemikeandnancy

Here in greater Seattle, there is a chain called Les Schwab. I've used them on both my recent 911s (a 993 and a 996). I've also used Discount Tire for both my 993 and our other cars.

Never had so much as a scratch on a rim. It really depends upon how good the actual
mechanic is. The equipment, if used properly, works fine.

In all cases, they have used a torque wrench to do the final tightening of the lug nuts.

frompub2dub

Do these places let you drive the car onto the lift or into the bay or does the mechanic/technician request to do it?

relinuca

If, if, if...you drive your P-car in a spirited manner frequently, and especially in prep. for PCA DE events, buy a decent torque wrench and check the tightness following the mounting of new tires. Like Ronald Reagan said, "Trust, but verify."

relinuca

paulgiven

He's paraphrasing... Trust Allah but tie up your camel :-)

rymerc

Most tire shops will drive your car into position for you, I can't think of a tire shop that will let you drive your car into the bay.

Quick-change oil shops with a scissor-lift or similar drive over type will have you pull in, and onto the lift yourself.

The discount tire here is generally pretty good, but depends on who you get and what kind of day you're having. It doesn't cost anything to express your concerns to them or watch the process.

paulgiven

He's paraphrasing, trust Allah but I have your camel :-)