Noob Tire Buying/ Install Question

Yeah so I know I am going to get flamed for this but let the record reflect I used the search feature prior to this thread...


Since this is my first car (I've been on 2 wheels for 8 years) where does everyone go to get their new rubber installed?

Do you go to a local "mom n pop" or a chain like America's Tire or Costco?

Also, depending on the brand/type of rubber, is it normal to spend >$1g on tires+installation?

*zips up flame suit*

For the GTPP it is normal to spend that much yes.

Also anywhere honestly

Costco
Big O
American Tires
etc.

thanks Paul!

America tire depot if u want a cheap alternative tire set up.. saffiro tires, basically half the price and the tire aren't that bad.

Depends on what you want. I often use Tire Rack or Discount Tire for a mounted set.
Even when I just get tires, I often buy from them and use their best/cheapest recommended local installer.

But they seem to have gotten very conservative on fitment. Basicly they don't recommend anything bigger than a 9.5" wheel for the Mustang (and 10" is the minimum I would consider). Which drives me to the smaller tire specialist that serve the Mustang market (like Paul, N4SM, etc.) or Mustang parts places (SVE, Steeda, etc.).

I like going to places that will give me free balancing for life, because I dislike having any hassle if a week later I realize I'm getting a vibration at highway speeds. I had one tire shop (Mr. Tire) tell me they were going to charge me $29.95 to re-balance the tires they installed and didn't balance well in the first place. 3 of the 4 tires weren't balanced right. I ended up not having to pay a dime after enough moaning, but that was BS.

bay584 said:

Do you go to a local "mom n pop" or a chain like America's Tire or Costco?

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I usually buy my tires from places like Tire Rack and have them shipped to my house.

Then I take the tires and the wheels they're going on to my local tire shop for mounting (de-mounting old tires as necessary) and balancing.

I'll either be driving on another set of tires or driving one of my other cars to get them there and back.

Also, depending on the brand/type of rubber, is it normal to spend >$1g on tires+installation?

Click to expand...

Entirely possible, if not likely. MPSS tires in your sizes is running a little over $1k at Tire Rack today, and that's a "see pricing in your shopping cart" price not including shipping.


Norm

bay584 said:

Yeah so I know I am going to get flamed for this but let the record reflect I used the search feature prior to this thread...


Since this is my first car (I've been on 2 wheels for 8 years) where does everyone go to get their new rubber installed?

Do you go to a local "mom n pop" or a chain like America's Tire or Costco?

Also, depending on the brand/type of rubber, is it normal to spend >$1g on tires+installation?

*zips up flame suit*

Click to expand...

Taking your wheels to get mounted and balanced at a mom and pop or a bigger chain is just a matter of preference..

Spending 1K on tires can easily happen depending on size and brand. We have Porsche owners spending $5-600 on each rear tire....

Will this size work for a non performance pack gt?

axcell87 said:

Will this size work for a non performance pack gt?

Click to expand...

:shrug:

(no size given or shown)


Norm

axcell87 said:

Will this size work for a non performance pack gt?

Click to expand...

You don't need wider tires, you just need better tires.

Grab a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport or the newest model, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, you will have all the grip and handling you'll need for the street.

Unless you're putting down serious power, over 700hp, and have a habit of dropping the clutch at stop lights, then anything wider than a 275/40R19 rear tire is not "needed", even though bigger looks better or more aggressive.

While I enjoy to the look at flush wheels and wide tires, I've never found these setups to make my car faster, or handle better than a set of MPSS tires in OEM sizes.

kn7671 said:

You don't need wider tires, you just need better tires.

Grab a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport or the newest model, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, you will have all the grip and handling you'll need for the street.

Unless you're putting down serious power, over 700hp, and have a habit of dropping the clutch at stop lights, then anything wider than a 275/40R19 rear tire is not "needed", even though bigger looks better or more aggressive.

While I enjoy to the look at flush wheels and wide tires, I've never found these setups to make my car faster, or handle better than a set of MPSS tires in OEM sizes.

Click to expand...

Curious if you used 275s with your Roush 670hp? From the sounds of it you did and enjoyed it. Just so hard thinking/reading of all the guys with FI going into the 305-320 range. Curious on how good the grip was with the 275 if you had it with the 275s? Like how well 1st and 2nd gear grabbed when getting on it?

I ordered from discount tire and had them shipped directly to the mom and pop shop I had been recommended. I had called a head of time and they had recommended me to do this so they didn't have to charge the mark up. I personally just wanted a bit more personal service and recommendations on this since it was my first pair of aftermarket wheels and performance tires.

I had some tires put on my Camry recently and had ordered them from "TireBuyer.com". Experience from TireBuyer was great. They had them at the tire shop the next day. I showed up a week later for the installation. The guy says to me after the installation that he could have gotten me a better price on the tires (meanwhile, the installation cost agreement with TireBuyer is significantly less than their normal installation cost). I was like, "then post your best price on your website and stop charging $80 for "TPMS rebuild kits" which is simply replacing the valve stem." Ordering online, going to a mom & pop shop... all find and dandy. Just hope you avoided the "lecture".

kn7671 said:

You don't need wider tires, you just need better tires.

Grab a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport or the newest model, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, you will have all the grip and handling you'll need for the street.

Unless you're putting down serious power, over 700hp, and have a habit of dropping the clutch at stop lights, then anything wider than a 275/40R19 rear tire is not "needed", even though bigger looks better or more aggressive.

While I enjoy to the look at flush wheels and wide tires, I've never found these setups to make my car faster, or handle better than a set of MPSS tires in OEM sizes.

Click to expand...

Have you ever done a timed comparison? Because step one for everyobe who competes is to put on bigger tires. Drag, autocross, track. But yes, better tires generally make more difference than bigger. So you go bigger and better.

(damn, it's like my phone intentionally spells stuff wrong).