Topic: Tire Buying Options?

[sailor723]

Anyone know of a good US online tire supplier for winter tire and wheel packages that's price competitive with Tirerack? I've had a poor customer service experience that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather not do business with them anymore

[CanuckG35]

This summer I purchased new summer rubber for my S2000 from this place.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

Fast free shipping, was cheaper than Tirerack, and were great to deal with.  You can get shipped to Calais completely free, or you can still have them shipped to your door for free and pay $40 per tire duty.  I'd definitely buy from them again.

[sailor723]

This summer I purchased new summer rubber for my S2000 from this place.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

Fast free shipping, was cheaper than Tirerack, and were great to deal with.  You can get shipped to Calais completely free, or you can still have them shipped to your door for free and pay $40 per tire duty.  I'd definitely buy from them again.

Thanks but I looked at them....they only show 4 choices in 205/55/16,no runflats and pricing is $10-15 per tire more. Maybe it's just the website that isn't very good...I think I'll give them a call.

[CanuckG35]

I've never used them for winter tires as I already have them but the tires for my S2000 were cheaper than Tirerack by a fair margin.  Good luck with your search.

[ktm525]

Anyone know of a good US online tire supplier for winter tire and wheel packages that's price competitive with Tirerack? I've had a poor customer service experience that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather not do business with them anymore

Didn't you order a set from Tire Rack this fall? You were going to pick them up across the border?

[ovr50]

I think Tirerack is the largest by far of the US tire sellers online. Most of the others do not have the wide selection that Tirerack has.

That is first time I have heard a complaint against Tirerack, usually it's praise.

[ktm525]

There is a story here as Sailor723 ordered a tire/wheel package. Details.

[sailor723]

Anyone know of a good US online tire supplier for winter tire and wheel packages that's price competitive with Tirerack? I've had a poor customer service experience that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather not do business with them anymore

Didn't you order a set from Tire Rack this fall? You were going to pick them up across the border?

Yep, for the ML350. I have them here in the garage complete with $248 worth of unnecessary TPMS sensors they insisted I needed. turns out the ML TPMS system works off the ABS speed sensors in the hubs)

When I went to order for the BMW their site did the same thing (saying I  needed $212 worth of sensors to make the system operate.). Lucky for me I had asked the BMW dealer if his pkgs included the sensors and thus found out they weren't required. I then checked and found out I had bought them unnecessarily for the ML last month (and I think for the Mini 2 years ago!). When I called Tirerack to complain about the inaccurate information on their website the response from Cust service was basicly "too bad"

[ktm525]

That sucks. Perhaps in a few years when the winter tires need replacing you can sell those TPMS sensors to antother ML owner.

[sailor723]

That sucks. Perhaps in a few years when the winter tires need replacing you can sell those TPMS sensors to antother ML owner.

You mean another stupid ML owner that doesn't realize his car doesn't need sensors? 

[SaskSpecV]

Yep, for the ML350. I have them here in the garage complete with $248 worth of unnecessary TPMS sensors they insisted I needed. turns out the ML TPMS system works off the ABS speed sensors in the hubs)

When I went to order for the BMW their site did the same thing (saying I  needed $212 worth of sensors to make the system operate.). Lucky for me I had asked the BMW dealer if his pkgs included the sensors and thus found out they weren't required. I then checked and found out I had bought them unnecessarily for the ML last month (and I think for the Mini 2 years ago!). When I called Tirerack to complain about the inaccurate information on their website the response from Cust service was basicly "too bad"

That definitely seems like a major screw-up on their part, and I'd be pissed too.  That being said, I've ordered twice from tirerack and had very positive experiences both times.  The second time in particular, I was looking at a specific rim that they didn't list as a proper fit for the Elantra Touring (a 16 X 6.5 rim, with the proper bolt pattern and backspacing).  I phoned one of their reps, who contacted their engineering dept and they double-checked the CAD specs.  Turns out it appeared to fit fine, they added it to the car configurator, and those are the rims I bought.  I put them on last weekend, and indeed they fit great.  So I thought their customer service was great - but there's no TPMS on the ET, and I didn't have to spend an unnecessary $248, so I can see why you don't want to order from them anymore...

And chance the TPMS sensors can be sold on ebay or kijiji?  Or are they specific for Mercedes, and not needed by any other owner?

[ktm525]

I would have been fooled too. My last three TPMS systems have all been sensors (GM, Land Rover, Honda). The ABS system sounds better. On my winter set for the Honda I declined sensors as they are a PITA in the Prairies in the winter. The temp fluctuation is soi big that false warnings get really annoying. Instead I pulled the TPMS fuse to eliminate the warnings and e taped the TPMS light (indicated that I pulled the TPMS fuse)

[ovr50]

Anyone know of a good US online tire supplier for winter tire and wheel packages that's price competitive with Tirerack? I've had a poor customer service experience that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather not do business with them anymore

Didn't you order a set from Tire Rack this fall? You were going to pick them up across the border?

Yep, for the ML350. I have them here in the garage complete with $248 worth of unnecessary TPMS sensors they insisted I needed. turns out the ML TPMS system works off the ABS speed sensors in the hubs)

When I went to order for the BMW their site did the same thing (saying I  needed $212 worth of sensors to make the system operate.). Lucky for me I had asked the BMW dealer if his pkgs included the sensors and thus found out they weren't required. I then checked and found out I had bought them unnecessarily for the ML last month (and I think for the Mini 2 years ago!). When I called Tirerack to complain about the inaccurate information on their website the response from Cust service was basicly "too bad"

The problem with both Benz and BMW is that the TPMS are different US to Canada. In Canada, we do not have the sensors in the wheels, in the US, they do. You can tell by looking at your wheels, if you have the rubber valve stem, you have the less sofphisticated Canadian TPMS. The US system requires metal valve stems.

That said, TR should know that.  

[davidy]

I believe that these guys are in Quebec...you would need to know which brands/models are runflats however:

http://www.discountsontires.com/dimensions-hiver-205-55-16.html

I did find their shipping to BC was outrageous. If you are not too far (suspect that they are in/near Montreal?), you could pick them up.

Dave

[sailor723]

Anyone know of a good US online tire supplier for winter tire and wheel packages that's price competitive with Tirerack? I've had a poor customer service experience that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather not do business with them anymore

Didn't you order a set from Tire Rack this fall? You were going to pick them up across the border?

Yep, for the ML350. I have them here in the garage complete with $248 worth of unnecessary TPMS sensors they insisted I needed. turns out the ML TPMS system works off the ABS speed sensors in the hubs)

When I went to order for the BMW their site did the same thing (saying I  needed $212 worth of sensors to make the system operate.). Lucky for me I had asked the BMW dealer if his pkgs included the sensors and thus found out they weren't required. I then checked and found out I had bought them unnecessarily for the ML last month (and I think for the Mini 2 years ago!). When I called Tirerack to complain about the inaccurate information on their website the response from Cust service was basicly "too bad"

The problem with both Benz and BMW is that the TPMS are different US to Canada. In Canada, we do not have the sensors in the wheels, in the US, they do. You can tell by looking at your wheels, if you have the rubber valve stem, you have the less sofphisticated Canadian TPMS. The US system requires metal valve stems.

That said, TR should know that.  

Yes, I know all that now....

Oh, TR does know that CDN and US cars are different. The reason I'm so annoyed is that there is no footnote or caution saying so when the "you need sensors" message pops up. Just the blanket statement that your car requires TPMS sensors to operate and "do you want to add to cart?"

[HeliDriver]

^^ Well, just to play devil's advocate... I wouldn't expect Tire Rack (or any other American business) to go out of their way to modify their ordering process to account for Canadian model differences.  I'd be surprised if Canadian orders account for 1% of their business.

Not to kick you when you're down, but IMO it's ultimately the owner's responsibility to determine what is needed for his own car. Maybe not if you're buying from a Canadian MB dealer, but certainly for an internet purchase from the States.

Or, maybe if you had talked to a customer service rep on the phone instead of placing a web order...?

[tortoise]

Until recently CT had the General Altimax's on sale for $125 + Taxes and balancing.  Balancing was $15 per tire compared to $25 per tire to install.  They're currently on for $147 and the Continentals are on for $150 + $40 gift card.

Keep in mind you'll have to pay taxes and duty if buying from the states.  May not be worth the hassle.

[sailor723]

Update....

Just got a return call from someone at TR customer service. They offered  $100 refund on my credit card to offset the cost of having the tires dismounted and the TPMS sensors removed so I could return them for refund. I take back all the nasty things I was thinking.

[tortoise]

It always amazes me how good the customer service is in the States.

[sailor723]

It always amazes me how good the customer service is in the States.

I know what you mean. That's why I was surprised when the first person I spoke with kind of blew me off. In my experience Canadian retailers could learn a lot about customer service from their US counterparts.