Questions about ordering new tires online and install local

[MA7]

Besides the cost of the tires, tax, and delivery, are there any other costs involved in online tire ordering, like regulatory fees or anything?

Is there any special skill or tools needed for S4 wheels (19" peelers), so that only certain tire installers are suitable?

Can you have the tires delivered to an Audi dealer and try to synchronize that with next service visit?

My local Audi dealer sells several of the tires I'm considering, but their price listed online is about $50-75 per tire higher than online tire places including delivery. Do Audi dealers typically come down on their online tire prices?

thanks for any advice.

[LYKUNO]

If you order from Tire Rack or Discount Tire or others, their shopping carts will list the bottom line price that you'll pay, including all taxes and shipping. Once they're shipped to you or alternatively, a recommended tire installer (Tire Rack has a list of ones in your area), you'll have to pay for the removal of the old tires, a disposal charge for those, the installation of the new tires on the wheels, new valve stems, balancing, either basic or road force balancing (for a smoother ride), and perhaps "shop supplies" (rags, lubricants, etc), and of course, sales taxes. An Audi dealer may have a higher rate than tire stores do, but you should be able to get quotes for "out the door pricing" from both of them.

Get recommendations from car enthusiasts in your area, and avoid going to places that don't have modern equipment (Hunter mounting and balancing equipment is good), or shops that are really dumpy and dirty and mainly work on trucks. And stay far away from mechanics like this ...

[Audibot]

Negative; I've ordered tires from Discount Tire Direct. Prices are what the prices are (minus any web coupons and/or rebates applicable), and they were delivered for free a few days later

[14S4GWM]

When I was looking for my Continental tires I priced them online from a couple companies then went to my local Conti dealer and he beat the price by 10% so no need to order online. See what you can do.

[SR7D1]

Negative; I've ordered tires from Discount Tire Direct. Prices are what the prices are (minus any web coupons and/or rebates applicable), and they were delivered for free a few days later

^^^ This. I have purchased from TireRack in the past and always start with them for reference. But this last time I bought from Discount Tire direct as well. BTW, if you apply for their credit card, you can get 6 months same as cash. I got my PSS tires there and got manufacturer rebates as well.

The year before, I bought from Craigslist. Yes, I said that. Brand new take offs from an STi, Eagle F1's, for $350 cash.

[SDV325]

Tirerack is great...when the dollar doesnt suck for us Canucks. Its actually more expensive after UPS and their stupid brokerage fee's, so others beware.

For installation i've always used Costco for my Rotors and winter wheel setups. Sometimes they say "due to the size it could take 90 minutes or more"...but they are done in 30-40 always. Can't beat the price either.

[MA7]

Thanks for the replies. So I went to tirerack just to see their process. I picked a tire (same 255/35R19 size as from factory), added to cart, and when I got to the "choose an installer" page, it brought up a list of more than a dozen places, including several each of Firestone, Big-O, and PepBoys.

But some of the other ones had a message that said:
"We're sorry. This installer is not equipped to properly install the selected tires on your vehicle."

My first question was, why is tirerack showing me this in the list of installers then?
But it gave no details on why they couldn't install it. Any guesses on what the limitation is (so that I know to ask specifically about whatever capability they are lacking)?

[onlyaudis]

some places do not want to mess with 35 series tires. May need to find a more of a tuner shop that also does tires, and not just a tire chain store.

[doughboy17]

FYI, make sure they are able to perform a proper 4 wheel alignment.

[Dr GP]

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE AN INSTALLER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A HUNTER GSP TIRE MOUNTING/BALANCING SYSTEM or something very similar. Failure to heed this warning may result in damage to wheels and or tire balancing issues followed by extreme bouts of cursing and depression! Suicidal thought have been reported.

I have personally purchased tires from Tire Rack in the past and had them drop shipped to a local installer with Hunter equipment to mount and balance. BUT I don't do that anymore. That same installer sells me the tires at the same price as Tire Rack. I save the cost of shipping. Still need to pay for mounting ,balancing tire disposal which you would also have if you bought from tire rack. Go to HunterGSP.com to find an installer in your area with their equipment.

[sacandagaD]

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE AN INSTALLER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A HUNTER GSP TIRE MOUNTING/BALANCING SYSTEM or something very similar. Failure to heed this warning may result in damage to wheels and or tire balancing issues followed by extreme bouts of cursing and depression! Suicidal thought have been reported.

I have personally purchased tires from Tire Rack in the past and had them drop shipped to a local installer with Hunter equipment to mount and balance. BUT I don't do that anymore. That same installer sells me the tires at the same price as Tire Rack. I save the cost of shipping. Still need to pay for mounting ,balancing tire disposal which you would also have if you bought from tire rack. Go to HunterGSP.com to find an installer in your area with their equipment.

" Better listen to him, Flounder, he's in pre-med. "
Otter, Animal House 1978

[MA7]

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE AN INSTALLER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A HUNTER GSP TIRE MOUNTING/BALANCING SYSTEM or something very similar. Failure to heed this warning may result in damage to wheels and or tire balancing issues followed by extreme bouts of cursing and depression! Suicidal thought have been reported.

I have personally purchased tires from Tire Rack in the past and had them drop shipped to a local installer with Hunter equipment to mount and balance. BUT I don't do that anymore. That same installer sells me the tires at the same price as Tire Rack. I save the cost of shipping. Still need to pay for mounting ,balancing tire disposal which you would also have if you bought from tire rack. Go to HunterGSP.com to find an installer in your area with their equipment.

Thanks and oddly enough I was just reading about these "road force balancers." The Hunter website shows I'd have a choice of dozens of places with at least the "Road Force Touch" and "StraightTrak" systems, including my local Audi dealer (on another forum someone said all VW/Audi dealers will have this equipment).

Generally this seems to be in the $15-25 per tire range. I assume that's in addition to other removal and mounting charges. So for 4 new tires, using a Hunter system, what's a reasonable total cost range for 4 tires? Something like $80-$120 or so?

[sacandagaD]

Thanks and oddly enough I was just reading about these "road force balancers." The Hunter website shows I'd have a choice of dozens of places with at least the "Road Force Touch" and "StraightTrak" systems, including my local Audi dealer (on another forum someone said all VW/Audi dealers will have this equipment).

Generally this seems to be in the $15-25 per tire range. I assume that's in addition to other removal and mounting charges. So for 4 new tires, using a Hunter system, what's a reasonable total cost range for 4 tires? Something like $80-$120 or so?

I just got a quote for tires and the Road Force balancing cost was $ 15 per tire.

[Race Shooter]

My local Audi dealer advertises they'll match prices on tires. May be worth asking.

In the past, I've found that most local places will match the price of the tire plus shipping, so you come out just as good as ordering them and can get it all done at once. Lately I've ordered from TireRack or Discount, because the guy I have doing the mounting is just a mechanic and not a dealer, so I just order and have them shipped to his shop.

[vwblackb5]

Bought my Blizzaks via tire rack and brought them to my local Audi dealer to get mounted and balanced for 150$.

Doing the same again and ordering PS4S via Tire Rack to replace the stock 19" Summer Conti's.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DannyDeez]

Thanks and oddly enough I was just reading about these "road force balancers." The Hunter website shows I'd have a choice of dozens of places with at least the "Road Force Touch" and "StraightTrak" systems, including my local Audi dealer (on another forum someone said all VW/Audi dealers will have this equipment).

Generally this seems to be in the $15-25 per tire range. I assume that's in addition to other removal and mounting charges. So for 4 new tires, using a Hunter system, what's a reasonable total cost range for 4 tires? Something like $80-$120 or so?

Thats about right. It seems like all areas vary a bit. I just paid $122 to have 4 new wheels/tires mounted on my wifes Q5. I ordered the tires from discounttiredirect.com They had the best pricing and free shipping. Got a visa gift card from them as a promotion too

[adsnorri]

Tires bought from Tire Rack come with a road hazard protection....no questions asked practically. So when price matching, make sure you take that into account. Can make a big difference with the series we run if your roads are like mine. haha

Also, Tire Rack Tests the majority of their tires and has a vast ratings and reviews section from consumers. Check that out to make the right selection.

[14S4GWM]

I've heard bad things about tire racks road hazard program, discount tire is no questions asked for sure.

[robertstitt]

One more thing to consider. If you live close to a Tire Rack distribution center (mine is 20 miles from the house) you can order on line and pick up at the warehouse. No shipping. Look at their site for their locations.

[Dr GP]

Tires bought from Tire Rack come with a road hazard protection....no questions asked practically. So when price matching, make sure you take that into account. Can make a big difference with the series we run if your roads are like mine. haha

Also, Tire Rack Tests the majority of their tires and has a vast ratings and reviews section from consumers. Check that out to make the right selection.

I thought you had to pay extra for road hazard protection from T R ?