Discount vs Tire Rack?

[barch88]

Got some cash in my pocket and I'm about to drop it on wheels/tires. I've decided my budget I'm looking to spend, what tires I want, etc. Out the door Tire Rack is great, but after my TPMS reinstall it's almost not worth it. I called up Discount and I've always dealt with them in the past back in Michigan.

Anyways, they said they'll beat Tire Racks pricing, including shipping. So I'm just looking for some opinions. I'm going to drop by the store Monday on my day off, but in the meantime... How great of a deal did you all get with Discount Tire? How good is their price-match policy? If I can get the same price ($900 wheels+tires w/shipping) from Discount out the door, installed, etc. Then I may do it...but I can't see them actually dropping close to $300-$400 off to price match...

 

[mitdr774]

Something that I found with price matching between tire shops around me is that they will only price match the exact same parts. If it is not the exact same wheel and tire, no dice. I prefer to just research online and then make one trip to the store or order online. I do not do the skip around town BS anymore.

 

[barch88]

They told me that any similar wheels would be alright, so I'm hoping I can get a good deal. I want same tires either way

 

[BriG21]

I am also looking at wheels/tires. I just found a site called 1010tires.com Anybody know if they are a legit source for wheels?

 

[sonic007]

I use discount all the time. Always been great here in Daytona.

 

[laborsmith]

I am also looking at wheels/tires. I just found a site called 1010tires.com Anybody know if they are a legit source for wheels?

I have long thought they are the Canadian equivalent of Discount/America's.

I do not recall Discount Tires having any presence in upstate NY.

I use the 10-10 tire calculator because it gives more info and it lists actual tires for each size checked.


Laborsmith

 

[BriG21]

Yeah I wasn't a fan of tire rack's selection and discount isn't around me and I didn't like what I saw on their site. I actually found a couple wheels I liked from 1010tires though.

Also 1010tires doesn't have the sonic as a choice so I searched by size. There is a wheel that is 17x8 38mm offset 5/105 and 5/110 bolt pattern but that same wheel on tirerack.com says it is not available for the Sonic. I don't see why this wheel wouldn't work. I wanted to get 225/45 tires for them.

 

[Italianjoe1]

I've bought tires from tire rack and discount tire direct, both were great. I got my sonic wheels from tire rack but now I get my tires through my job.

 

[laborsmith]

Based on reading posts, Tirerack is quite conservative in their recommendations.

I am 17 by 7.5 w/ .40 offset so it looks to me a 8 w/ .38 would fit. And DDM spacers would bring you out near flush, if thatis a look you desire.


Laborsmith

 

[Italianjoe1]

With the 17x7.5" I sourced from them, then my own choice of 225/45/17 tires, they are very close to rubbing against the inner fender plastics at full lock. If the car was lowered they would be far from the body I believe, but they aren't sunken as is. Going much wider on the wheel would be difficult to fit under a car that is designed for a 6.5" wheel, regardless of offset. You could go wider and lower offset if you are not slammed but then you'll end up with wheels poking out.

 

[dvn]

Only comparison I have is I bought my Sonic wheels and tires from Tire rack and my daughter's from Discount. I paid for the upgraded balancing on both. Mine are butter and my daughter's have a vibration. Now we have to find a shop that does Road Force balancing, pay for it, and submit the bill to Discount and "hope" for reimbursement.

 

[barch88]

I haggled the hell out of Discount Tire today, got Konig Crowns with tires, tmps sensors reset, and installed/balanced/rotated/etc. Out the door $775.

 

[laborsmith]

Good for you. I have never had Koenigs but they do produce some great looking wheels.

Laborsmith

 

[barch88]

With my budget my options were limited of course, I'm happy with them. So to answer my own question, and for anyone else wondering:

Tire Rack is really good, price wise. You usually don't have to pay Sales Tax unless you're based out of the state Tire Rack is (I believe) - However at the end of the day you're going to want to transfer your TPMS and have them installed, so that's where the price does increase. I didn't want a TMPS light on all the time, plus I don't have my own garage or tools at the moment in my living situation to work on my own car. So I stopped by Discount Tire and showed them the prices on my iPhone. They included shipping in their price and then beat it or matched it for similar tires/wheels. Plus if they have the wheels in stock, and tires in stock, you can usually haggle with them even more. I basically told the guy "Look, I'm going to need this to be around $800 out the door to make it happen" and they made it happen, $775, plus some free warranty stuff and replacement stuff as well. We started at around $1100, and worked our way down. Awesome customer service (at least the one in Bellingham, WA).

Oh, that price does include the sale of my old tires ($25/piece) which helped knock $100 off.