Help me out…I need to get a couple of sets of tires VERY soon- (within a week or so). Thanks to Luke and the research I did at The Tire Rack website, I pretty much know which tires to get each one of my mobiles. Now, I’m just trying to decide whether to purchase my tires at my local tire store or The Tire Rack. I sort of want to give Luke the business for his help and of course for supporting this site. But ultimately, times are hard and I need to get the most out of my hard earned pennies.
I know that at The Tire Rack, I can get excellent service and the best initial price for the tires. But, once you start adding shipping, installation and balancing it starts to add up. In addition, there is the additional expense of rotating and balancing the tires - the local shops will throw this in free when you buy from them. This added cost can be significant through the life of the tire; wiping-out any initial savings when purchasing at Tire rack?
What has been your experience?

I have bought many tires from them and had them installed locally. Often it works out better overall on price.

ON the rotation thing....ususally the tires on my mercedes have not really required rotating.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have purchased tires from them also. Fortunately for me, shipping is no longer an issue since I can just drive to the warehouse east of Reno and pick tires up in person. Local installation has never been a problem, and I only have tires balanced on initial mounting.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Same here... bought many sets from them, just before Christmas, I needed four tires for the Suburban, one right away as it had a sidewall bulge and the other three were just due to be replaced. I called TR and got a really good all-terrain tire for the truck. They only had the one in stock so they shipped it next day and then held the other three when they came in until after New Year's so that thhey would not be outside when my installer was closed for the holiday. They also gave me a discount on shipping due the fact that they were inconveniencing me...


I would buy from them in a heartbeat.

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"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

If you don't want to pay shipping, go to Costco, they usually have very similar prices to Tirerack but you dont pay shipping.

Buut, tirerack has much better selection especially if you are after a performance tire.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Absolutely NOTHING is free.

It cost the dealer to have the tires shipped to him, and the dealer passes that cost along. The dealer does not lose money, and no one should fantasize the "free" rotations are really free.

What is true is that mail ordering tires avoids state sales tax.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Before I ordered from Tire Rack I found a local place to have the new tires mounted and balanced. They quoted $10/wheel. Had TR ship to some friends of mine downtown (a business - better delivery service). Had them installed by the tire dealer who quoted and have been happy as a clam ever since!
Best thing about TR (besides their prices) is the amount of info we gbet to compare about the various choices. Do it again in a New York Minute!

I buy all of my tires from the Tire Rack and have a deal with a local indy who does all of my work. He installs the tires using the correct weights and valve stems and knows how to torque Mercedes lug bolts. I trust his work more than I would a tire store.

I can tell you as a former shop owner, there is no money to be made in selling tires. I used to encourage my customers to order from Tire Rack and ship directly to me for installation. If there was a problem with the tires then it was between my customer and Tire Rack.

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Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

I love The Tire Rack!



I got my tires the very next day, and it was soooo easy!

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Ordered many a wheel/tire package from The Rack over the years but never tires alone. The shipping cost usually offset the price difference of getting them locally.

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Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
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Do I miss being a service advisor ???

i've used them several times and never had a problem. as well, i agree that it generally works out to be cheaper than say, sears or an equivalent shop. you should be able to get a good package deal on some 36" chrome rims that spin when you stop while you're at it.

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1983 300D classic white 196,xxx
2007 toyota yaris lb
2007 nissan versa (wife's)
2001 nissan frontier
2006 bmw r1150gs
2001 ducati monster 900
2003 zr7s
2007 klr650

Even if balancing and mounting are add-ons, you can't beat the Tire Rack for price and quick service! I've dealt with them for quite a few years and have never been disappointed!