Discount Tire (good shop, or bad shop)

[Ferzerp]

Anyone ever used Discount Tire before? Are they a good enough shop that they can mount low(ish) profile tires on 19" and 20" rims without scratching them?

I know it's a huge chain, but in general.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I used to really like them but all of the ones around me have gone WAY downhill.

I have had the most issues with the way people remove the wheel weights than the tire mounting. My recommendation is that if you care about your car find a good independent tire shop with a decent reputation.

 

[Ferzerp]

What I considered a good independent shop managed to scratch my rims on my SRT, so I don't know what to trust anymore.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

What I considered a good independent shop managed to scratch my rims on my SRT, so I don't know what to trust anymore.

I haven't personally had discount tire screw anything up, but I have had two family members have problems - both of which DT denied any responsibility (broke centercap, left a lugnut off of a wheel.)

I have had tons of weird problems... And anything involved a 'corporate' store has always been a huge pain. With the independent shops they tend to care about their name and fix things no questions asked.

 

[phucheneh]

It's a chain. The location near you could be utterly fantastic. Or it could be full of complete retards.

I would lean torward the latter; but there's really no way for any of us to know. Take dated pictures of your wheels before you take the car in.

 

[Pariah]

I had some tires mounted at a local one. No damage to the wheels, but when I got home I checked the pressure in each. First 3 were fine at the recommended 35PSI, last one was slightly over 50PSI.

 

[Ferzerp]

I'm only paranoid because replacing the rims at list price is $1800 each, so....

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm only paranoid because replacing the rims at list price is $1800 each, so....

I would definitely NOT take that to DT or any chain. You need to find a good performance/specialty shop.

What are these off of?

 

[phucheneh]

I'm only paranoid because replacing the rims at list price is $1800 each, so....

Tell them that up front. If they have any sense, they'll make sure it gets to the right person. Either a mechanic who doesn't mind mounting tires (if they have mechanics; I would guess so), or some kind of senior tire monkey who they know doesn't mess up high-end wheels.

But not the 16 year old kid who just quit working at Pizza Hut. He should probably practice on steelies for a while.

 

[Ferzerp]

The OEM rims on a GT500 with the SVT Performance Pack.

I've noticed OEM rims on less-common vehicles are always stupid expensive for no reason. On my last car they were $1250 each.

There's nothing special about them. Here's a picture shamelessly stolen from the internet.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The OEM rims on a GT500 with the SVT Performance Pack.

I've noticed OEM rims on less-common vehicles are always stupid expensive for no reason. On my last car they were $1250 each.

There's nothing special about them. Here's a picture shamelessly stolen from the internet.

Find a good shop and don't leave your car there.

 

[exdeath]

Nice, a $150 cast aluminum wheel with a $1650 "Shelby" tax.

$1800 a wheel and I'm getting some forged 3 piece < 20 lbs SSRs not a cheap cast OEM wheel.

 

[Ferzerp]

Nice, a $150 cast aluminum wheel with a $1650 "Shelby" tax.

$1800 a wheel and I'm getting some forged 3 piece 20 lbs SSRs not a cheap cast OEM wheel

OEM wheels are stupidly expensive for no reason. Even agreeing that they aren't worth what ford charges for them, I don't want them scratched.

Though Ford claims these are forged aluminum, not cast.

edit: see here http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2013_GT500_Specs.pdf

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Nice, a $150 cast aluminum wheel with a $1650 "Shelby" tax.

$1800 a wheel and I'm getting some forged 3 piece < 20 lbs SSRs not a cheap cast OEM wheel.

Basically,

I'd love to see you try and argue this with the ford dealer. You do realize they came on the car, right??

 

[phucheneh]

Find a good shop and don't leave your car there.

I would recommend the opposite on that latter part.

If you're waiting on it, they're going to be more likely to give it to whoever's available, i.e. low men on the totem pole. Give them some breathing room and there's going to be a better chance that your car will be kept out of inexperienced hands.

I hate to recommend the dealer, but in this case it might be worth the cost. Whoever sold you the car is probably going to be less likely to damage your wheels and deny it.

Those tires shouldn't be that hard to change, though (relatively large sidewall for the wheel size). And most shops have retired their old (good) tire machines with the steel foot (part that rides near the wheel and guides the tire)- those have to be setup right to avoid damage. Instead, most have a machine with a plastic foot that is intended to touch the wheel. More idiot-proof.

edit: do you know for sure that those wheels are cast, btw? I would think they're forged for that damned price. Not that it still isn't an absurd price for a one-piece forged wheel. editagain: missed above link, nevermind.

 

[Zivic]

I have had good luck with disocunt in my area. but I also have a couple other local shops that I can go to. I personally would have no issues taking my wheels to discount. It really comes down the to the guy doing the install vs the actual shop.

 

[Ferzerp]

I gave them a call. Knowing that I would be one of "those" people if they scratched them, they were still totally comfortable with it and can handle rims up to 24" with no issues.

 

[leper84]

Don't leave a gt500 anywhere, corporate chain, independent or even the dealer for that matter. Read up on yelp or google for reviews, look specifically for how they handle their business when things go wrong.

I'd say just explain to them you're pretty protective about your car. Don't threaten them or be a douche about it, just be cool and up front. See if you can make an appointment for their good low profile guy and explain you're willing to wait the extra time to have it done right. Really, don't be a douche and don't rush them.

 

[Throckmorton]

I used to really like them but all of the ones around me have gone WAY downhill.

I have had the most issues with the way people remove the wheel weights than the tire mounting. My recommendation is that if you care about your car find a good independent tire shop with a decent reputation.

LOL is this a joke? Independent tire shop with a decent reputation? Where would you find those? In a parallel universe?

 

[JCH13]

LOL is this a joke? Independent tire shop with a decent reputation? Where would you find those? In a parallel universe?

Local to me there's a one-man shop and a bigger shop, both have a full compliment of hunter road force equipment for mounting and balancing and both let you watch them work.

 

[SandEagle]

great shop. they buy back old tires too

 

[SpatiallyAware]

LOL is this a joke? Independent tire shop with a decent reputation? Where would you find those? In a parallel universe?

Meh, granted I live in a big city but I know of at least 3 really good and reputable tire shops just off the top of my head. Prices are ~10% more than DT and chains, but worth it if you care about your car.

 

[nedfunnell]

I've had good luck at Discount Tire before, just watch them as they work- like at any shop.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I've never had a problem at Discount Tire, and have bought 3 sets of tires there. The wheels were nothing exotic - all OEM wheels in 17" and 18" sizes. Obviously since it's a chain your mileage may vary.