My girlfriend needs snow tires for her car, ive bought tires from tire rack before but then they need to be mounted and balanced.
So is buying tires online even worth it when needing to pay for mounting and balancing still?
Funny thing is, i used to do tires at goodyear, so i know how to mount and balance tires.
I actually have some tires i need to swap on to other rims as well, but this thread is mainly about buying winter tires and getting them mounted for a low price.
Thx
I was going through this same thing.
I decided to shop around a bit. I dont have the numbers in front of me, but I didn’t find it significantly cheaper to buy tires online, but sometimes its nice to know the person who is mounting and balancing them. I dont want my nice wheels getting damaged because of idiots at Mavis.
Went to Mavis on Sheridan in Tonawanda, the counter guy suggest some no name tire for ~$85 plus install ($15). When I got into name brand stuff it was $100+ plus install. This was for a 205/55/16.
Next stop was Goodyear, cheapest set of winters I found was something like $500 installed because of a rebate, but that was not common. Seemed like they were going to be most expensive.
On tire rack, tires that are close to those I was quoted are $360-400 shipped. Add $60 to that and you are pretty close to the Mavis price. Even after running around I found a set on CL that were way cheaper, haha.
Have you considered used? I have had pretty good luck with buying used winter snows and getting a lot of life out of them. Cheaper than new and mount/balance is only like $50 or so depending on size. I use the Super Tire Change Bros on here all the time for tire mounting needs, they’re great guys.
I guess if the used winter tires were like new with low miles maybe its worth it. My girlfriend drives a honda fit, and we planned to buy winter tires for it this year. Id rather go new tires though because she drives all around for work, so id like her to be safest with real good new winter snows.
You have known me how long? You even service this place
I’ve gotten a few sets from Tread City and couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
I have had awesome luck on Craigslist the past 2 years.
Got a 1 season set of blizzaks on wheels for the G37x for $140. Bought them in the summer, the guy was cleaning out his shed
Just picked up a 2 season set of blizzaks for $300, after mount and balance to the stock wheels, $380 invested.
Text coming your way!
I have never bought a new set of snow tires in my life. CL all the way, rich people in the suburbs sell good condition used stuff all the time because it doesn’t fit their new fancy car. Generally they’re already mounted and balanced on a set of steel wheels or the like.
Tct . Hands down .they will even come to your house/work and do everything there. I get nokian WR A3 for the suv and hakkapelitta R2’s for the car
i also go used for snows. ive been lucky like the guys above have mentioned. my last set was $160 mounted and balanced and lasted me 2 full years(longer if I would have swamped them out in the summer). CL FTW
Or try discount tire direct, ship to your house and have Ryan from Tire Change Bros mount for you. Either way, Ryan mounts everything for me
I just bought used snows for my beater on CL a month or so ago. They were originally on a Honda Fit. Basically brand new General Altimax, $110 for the whole set.