Ordering tires online and then $160 to install

E90ice · 02-08-2008, 08:29 PM

I was thinking about ordering some tires from TireRack and got excited about saving some money...only to find out that the local shops are charging $160-180 to install them.

What would you guys do?

BMW MotorSport · 02-08-2008, 08:34 PM

Yeah that's a huge misconception. You save a few buck from a big company like the rack but then you sometimes pay shipping, then plus install. Big money.

What you do is buy a wheel and tire package from me. Get FREE tire INSTALL, and FREE Balancing.

People think it's cheap to get tires installed but labor costs money.

BMW MotorSport · 02-08-2008, 08:40 PM

Honestly you shouldn't pay more than $80 for a standard tire mount and balance for ALL 4 of them.

E90ice · 02-08-2008, 08:52 PM

PM sent.

TheJackal · 02-08-2008, 09:02 PM

It shouldn't be too hard to find a place that charges no more than $20 a wheel to mount and balance.

fanatic · 02-08-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90ice

I was thinking about ordering some tires from TireRack and got excited about saving some money...only to find out that the local shops are charging $160-180 to install them.

What would you guys do?

Find another shop because they are screwing you!

Like eveyone says, $20 per wheel to mount and balance for 18". A bit more for 19" and a bit less for smaller. You can check TireRack's site for an approved Tire Shop near you. http://www.tirerack.com/installer/index.jsp

Bulldog 6 · 02-08-2008, 09:56 PM

You could print the quote and get a price match.

Gary@TireRack · 02-11-2008, 09:55 AM

Sounds a little high. Did you check with any other installers?

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ller/index.jsp

e92phreak · 02-11-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

Honestly you shouldn't pay more than $80 for a standard tire mount and balance for ALL 4 of them.

Richey,
Thanks... That's good to know. I spend about $130 to have my tires mounted/balanced at a local tire place that I will NEVER go back to (on First St, across from Blockbuster)... They damaged my Volk LE37s.

e92phreak · 02-11-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

Yeah that's a huge misconception. You save a few buck from a big company like the rack but then you sometimes pay shipping, then plus install. Big money.

What you do is buy a wheel and tire package from me. Get FREE tire INSTALL, and FREE Balancing.

People think it's cheap to get tires installed but labor costs money.

I'm going through you next time!

Cay955 · 02-11-2008, 11:04 AM

That's how much I spent to have mine mounted and balanced at my local BMW dealer - you pay extra for peace of mine I guess. I could've shopped around and found something in the ball park of $100. I've learned my lesson the hard way - cheaper is not always the best route.

sandyeggo325i · 02-11-2008, 11:32 AM

shouldn't be more than $20-$25 to mount and computer balance each tire...

dealer techs aren't necessarily any different than a tech at a reputable company...they had schmucks working at the lexus dealerships when we had an IS...

Cay955 · 02-11-2008, 11:38 AM

I have a good rappor with my dealer and I find it a lot easier to resolve issues with them - may it be balancing, scratches, etc...

They bank on your 5 star survey, so they try to please IMO.

UncleWede · 02-11-2008, 03:56 PM

If I recall my rack experience, I had them drop-shipped to one of the approved places for nada, then paid about $20 each for mount/road force balancing.

Gary@TireRack · 02-11-2008, 04:22 PM

If tires and wheels are purchased at the same time, we always do the mount and balance for no charge. The original poster is asking about tires alone without wheels.

1WickedE90 · 02-12-2008, 01:59 AM

I've purchased tires alone from the Tirerack over the years and every time, it still comes out cheaper to do so & have them installed locally. The tire stores in San Francisco can't match Tirerack pricing.

BMW MotorSport · 02-13-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92phreak

Richey,
Thanks... That's good to know. I spend about $130 to have my tires mounted/balanced at a local tire place that I will NEVER go back to (on First St, across from Blockbuster)... They damaged my Volk LE37s.

No way man, that really sucks. How bad was the damage. PM me if you want to get the wheel repaired. I know exactly what shop you speak of, they do suck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92phreak

I'm going through you next time!

You got it bud. You know you have the major bro discount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1WickedE90

I've purchased tires alone from the Tirerack over the years and every time, it still comes out cheaper to do so & have them installed locally. The tire stores in San Francisco can't match Tirerack pricing.

Must be a SF thing because around here tire shops always price match internet pricing but you still have to pay for mounting and balancing so I don't see how that's still cheaper?

iatacs19 · 02-13-2008, 04:32 PM

I paid ~$100 for mount and RoadForce (Hunter SP9000) balance for 19in tyres.

Keep checking local places until you find a place that is not trying to rob you.

David 12 · 02-13-2008, 08:04 PM

Yeah, if the shop price matches it will not be any cheaper, but that doesn't happen in Omaha as far as I know either. I have saved anywhere from $200 to $300 when ordering high performance tires from Tirerack, and I know a very competent place that will mount and balance each tire for $12.50.

Gary@TireRack · 02-14-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

No way man, that really sucks. How bad was the damage. PM me if you want to get the wheel repaired. I know exactly what shop you speak of, they do suck.

You got it bud. You know you have the major bro discount.

Must be a SF thing because around here tire shops always price match internet pricing but you still have to pay for mounting and balancing so I don't see how that's still cheaper?

Sometimes state sales tax on expensive tires can exceed the cost of mounting and balancing.

Also many local shops are not thrilled about price matching (sometimes to the point of losing money) and may not take kindly to it. Many would rather not upset someone who is going to work on their car.

The alternative of simply buying from us and taking to a recommended installer (who has volunteered to be on the installer list and profits only off of the install labor) can be appealing to all parties involved.

UncleWede · 02-14-2008, 11:56 AM

Plus, when you order with Gary, our board gets some support money

1WickedE90 · 02-14-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

Must be a SF thing because around here tire shops always price match internet pricing but you still have to pay for mounting and balancing so I don't see how that's still cheaper?

It's due to the high cost of doing business in SF, Richy. SF is neck & neck with NYC for the most expensive place to live in the USA.

For example, I purchased General Exclaim UHPs a few years ago:

Size: 215/40-17
SF local tire place: $98/tire, plus tax (8.5%)
Tirerack: $68/tire, plus shipping

Mounting & balancing: $22.50/wheel (they use Hunter Road Force equipment, thank God).

02-08-2008, 08:29 PM	#1
E90ice Banned 205 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Ordering tires online and then $160 to install I was thinking about ordering some tires from TireRack and got excited about saving some money...only to find out that the local shops are charging $160-180 to install them. What would you guys do? __________________
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02-08-2008, 08:34 PM	#2
BMW MotorSport Banned 100 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 95 Avus M3 and 07 E90 Fam Car! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: So Cal, Simi Valley iTrader: (4)	Yeah that's a huge misconception. You save a few buck from a big company like the rack but then you sometimes pay shipping, then plus install. Big money. What you do is buy a wheel and tire package from me. Get FREE tire INSTALL, and FREE Balancing. People think it's cheap to get tires installed but labor costs money.
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02-08-2008, 08:40 PM	#3
BMW MotorSport Banned 100 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 95 Avus M3 and 07 E90 Fam Car! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: So Cal, Simi Valley iTrader: (4)	Honestly you shouldn't pay more than $80 for a standard tire mount and balance for ALL 4 of them.
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02-08-2008, 08:52 PM	#4
E90ice Banned 205 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	PM sent. __________________
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02-08-2008, 09:02 PM	#5
TheJackal First Lieutenant 17 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 335xi Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (2)	It shouldn't be too hard to find a place that charges no more than $20 a wheel to mount and balance.
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02-08-2008, 09:56 PM	#7
Bulldog 6 The Logistician 69 Rep 799 Posts Drives: 2022 230i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 328i E90 [0.00]	You could print the quote and get a price match.
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02-11-2008, 09:55 AM	#8
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Sounds a little high. Did you check with any other installers? http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ller/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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02-11-2008, 11:04 AM	#11
Cay955 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 273 Posts Drives: Q7 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ iTrader: (4)	That's how much I spent to have mine mounted and balanced at my local BMW dealer - you pay extra for peace of mine I guess. I could've shopped around and found something in the ball park of $100. I've learned my lesson the hard way - cheaper is not always the best route.
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02-11-2008, 11:32 AM	#12
sandyeggo325i Captain 65 Rep 629 Posts Drives: BMW e90 \| 09 Accord V6 EXL Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (6)	shouldn't be more than $20-$25 to mount and computer balance each tire... dealer techs aren't necessarily any different than a tech at a reputable company...they had schmucks working at the lexus dealerships when we had an IS... __________________ SG e90 \| Black Dakota Leather \| ZPP \| ZSP \| 19" BBS LM Reps \| Steptronic iDrive \| Aluminum Trim \| Xenon \| CF Roundels \| 15% Tint
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02-11-2008, 11:38 AM	#13
Cay955 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 273 Posts Drives: Q7 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ iTrader: (4)	I have a good rappor with my dealer and I find it a lot easier to resolve issues with them - may it be balancing, scratches, etc... They bank on your 5 star survey, so they try to please IMO.
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02-11-2008, 03:56 PM	#14
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	If I recall my rack experience, I had them drop-shipped to one of the approved places for nada, then paid about $20 each for mount/road force balancing.
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02-11-2008, 04:22 PM	#15
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	If tires and wheels are purchased at the same time, we always do the mount and balance for no charge. The original poster is asking about tires alone without wheels. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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02-12-2008, 01:59 AM	#16
1WickedE90 Major 198 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2022 330i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (1)	I've purchased tires alone from the Tirerack over the years and every time, it still comes out cheaper to do so & have them installed locally. The tire stores in San Francisco can't match Tirerack pricing. __________________
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02-13-2008, 04:32 PM	#18
iatacs19 Major General 459 Rep 5,319 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (8)	I paid ~$100 for mount and RoadForce (Hunter SP9000) balance for 19in tyres. Keep checking local places until you find a place that is not trying to rob you. __________________ If only BMWCCA Referral: 385628
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02-13-2008, 08:04 PM	#19
David 12 Major 127 Rep 1,048 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 50i BSM, M Sport Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Omaha iTrader: (0)	Yeah, if the shop price matches it will not be any cheaper, but that doesn't happen in Omaha as far as I know either. I have saved anywhere from $200 to $300 when ordering high performance tires from Tirerack, and I know a very competent place that will mount and balance each tire for $12.50.
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02-14-2008, 11:56 AM	#21
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Plus, when you order with Gary, our board gets some support money
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