buying tires online?

thanks for all the informative responses to my previous post on buying cheap Chinese tires. I don't really want to be buying tires again in another few years because Chinese ones wore out, so I'll get a better brand.

Is it a good idea to buy tires online? By the time that I pay a local used tire place to install them, do I save? (The last time I bought used tires there, it was $17 total for each - so maybe $15-$10 for the labor.)

What if I buy them at someplace like Walmart (but I'm not a big fan of Walmart) and save on shipping because I drive there and pick them up? Thanks again.

Reply to
Phil
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I've had good luck with the Tire Rack, even factoring in another $100 for mounting and balancing, I often come out ahead with them re: going to a tire store chain. However, if I buy tires from the local "recommended installer" I find that they pretty much just call up Tire Rack's web site and ask me what I want, I assume they get a discount, so I do it that way so I pay the same but they make a little more money. (they're a general repair shop not a tire store)

As far as mounting and balancing goes I prefer to deal with the good shop, I've found that the quality of a mount and balance job really does affect the ride of the car.

nate

Reply to
N8N

Soft tires wear quicker than hard tires. If you want tires that last then get ones with high treadware numbers, like 400 and up. They wont have much wet traction but they will last a long time. Personally, I prefer sticky tires but they only last a couple of years.

I never bought tires online. I usually get Japanese or Korean tires at a discount tire place then take them to an independent shop for mount and balance because there is usually a 4 hour wait at the discount place.

Reply to
Paul

I have bought tires from Tire Rack and was completely satisfied.

Some WalMart tires, regardless of the brand, are pure crap.

Research a lot before you buy.

Reply to
hls

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