Anyone use Costco for tires?

I did a quick search and found a little feedback and it was positive. In an earlier post of mine I noted I need to buy one new tire - screw in the sidewall... My local tire shop quoted $637 installed! I'm waiting for another quote, but I called Costco and they said $470 installed. Pretty good I'd say. I love Costco for everything else, why not tires?

I did, when I had a membership years back. I also had a Volvo, so $470 was a full set, not a single tire. In addition to being cheap, they also started inflating w/ nitrogen years before other tire shops...

I bought my Michelin Super Sports and my Blizzaks from Costco. Their price was about the same as ordering from Tire Rack or one of the other on-line sellers and having them mounted locally, mabe a few dollars less, but also included road hazard coverage, nitrogen fill (really a waste of money if you have to pay extra for it)), free lifetime balancing, rotation, etc. not a bad deal at all. I hit an obstacle in the road when the Michelins were only 4 weeks old. They ordered a replacement and had it the next day. On my winter wheels and tires I had bought some eBay metal caps with the Porsche logo that seized over a winter and would not come off. Even holding the valve stem with a pair of vice grips they would not come off. Went to Costco and they said no problem, un mounted all four tires, replaced the valve stems, remounted and rebalanced the tires, no charge. I call that above and beyond. Costco gets my business. I am not sure if they have a road force balancing machine but have not needed one.

We had great luck with them doing her BMW about 6 months ago, so we used them for the 996 and it turned into a fiasco. There were like 3 versions of the PS2 all with almost identical numbers. Never got a call/email to tell us they were in. Got an email saying if we didn't do something with them they were being sent back. Getting them to answer the phone is an epic task. Getting the manager off his *** at the computer in the shop to actually come out front and deal with customers wasn't trivial. They then couldn't find the tires or the order for awhile (to be fair it was one of the techs that was trying to help since the manager was "too busy"). They left the door open so the battery died (and then claimed they didn't leave the door open). Never bothered to call my wife who was wandering around the store waiting on the car to tell her that it turns out they had 3 tires correct and one RFT version. Took another 3 days for them to actually get the correct tire in. They tossed our stem caps and installed these giant ugly green ones instead. Most of that will be on the competency level of the staff at your store, but the cost savings aren't worth it so we'll go back to another method next time.

Did you specify the N spec Michelin or did you expect the to advise you of this?

Had N3 PS2 s installed all around and was much cheaper with the instant rebate, M&B and road hazard. Very competent at the Richmond Costco. Road hazard & M&B is where the real savings come in over Tirerack or Discount Tire. Like $250 -300 savings. N2 is a bonus.

I usually use Tire Rack. Been doing business with them for 30 years. Made the mistake of using Town Fair Tire for some tires on my BMW 330i a few years back. Huge mistake, those people are idiots. I would consider Costco in the future however based on what I've read in this thread.

Interesting I was thinking of trying Costco again. I had asked years back for a quote on my old 944 and they said they wouldn't install tires with that high speed rating !!!! seriously is was a 944 lol Its always made me smile when I get the offers in the mail with a picture of a Porsche for there tire advert lol

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was this for me? we ordered the tires specifically as they refused to believe that 18" was a factory option. they argued about her 328 too trying to tell us it had to have a staggered setup (the AWD version doesn't).

I like TireRack's prices, but having my new tires installed at a "preferred" partner - a local Midas shop - has sucked immensely. My 996 is back for a third try at getting the balance right. If they fail again, I'm just going to cut my losses and go somewhere capable.

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Check to see if you have a firestone nearby. Tirerack has them kisted as. Preferred installers, and all the ones by us have hunter road force balancing, which makes a difference. Also, the firestones by us dont charge extra for RF balancing, its all they do and its normal cost. Something to check out?

So I stopped by the Costco to verify specs and pricing. $497 installed, nitro, tax and road hazard. No Roadforce Balance though. I'm thinking that's fine, but I imagine I'll hear differently here. Tire is a PS2 295/30/18 N4. The tech told me Porsche oem is N1-N4.

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Yep. I'd pass. And don't get hung up on N rated tires. Consider the Michelin Super Sports.

My buddy has a new BMW 135i and swears by Costco for his Michelin purchase. I tried simpletire dot com a week ago to get replacement Toyo Proxes T1R's for the front of Turbo. They didn't have them so the warehouse staff took it upon themselves to send all-season M+S same size. Very friendly and cooperative, but that was a huge mistake. 2002 Turbo - Basalt Black Metallic / 2003 Carrera 4S - Speed Yellow / 1955 356 Continental 1500 - Rust Red

used costco twice: first time they cracked a rim and blamed that it was already cracked when i took the car there. it was not. second time, tech put three dents on the lip of my sport design rims. they also claimed it was already there. another lie. never use costco. they are a high volume shop where techs are pressured to get you in and out asap.

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That was your second mistake.

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I only need one tire, plus I don't think they make the SS's in a 295/30/18. But I did read good things about them.

I emailed the service department of my local dealer and asked if they would work with me on tire pricing and they ended up being lower than what I could get them for via Tire Rack shipped. I have to say no to Costco and prefer the dealer to work on the car if they can be price competitive!

Find a rim shop. Why are you guys taking a Porsche to Midas & Costco for tires? I wouldn't let those monkeys with air guns anywhere near my rims. Plus, they usually have no clue how to properly balance tire & rim.

It's a rim with rubber on it. It is not neurosurgery. Good lord.

I have to say I used them for a set of MPSC and whilst they had never seen them and we're confused as to why so little tread pattern they did a good job. I'd use them again

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Thanks for the tip. I used to avoid FS due to some decades-old experience, so it's definitely time for another look.

I recently shopped Costco for Michelin sport AS 3 - the shop was not busy and the manager was very nice and took his time gave me a written quote that I took over to discount tire and they beat the price by $50 Most Costco employees I have encountered don't give a F@#$ whether you ever come back or even understand what customer service is - its seems like the motto is we are so cheap we don't need to provide even basic customer service so buy it if you want if not we don't care The techs at discount tire did a great job and took the time to show me how bent one of my rear rims was ( Just bought the car )- the shop I took the car to for a PPI missed that. Discount tire provided a contact for a great shop that straightens rims and they also did a great job!

No worries using Costco, as far as their equipment and techs. I have an old BMW e30, which came from the factory with (IIRC) 195/65-14 H-rated radials. The day is done for 14" tires in that size, so I wanted 205/60-14, which is made by many manufacturers. Costco absolutely refuses to deviate from mfg specs, and refused to sell and install the 205/60 set, even if the originals aren't available, and with the offer of my releasing them from any liability. Going to them with aftermarket wheels on a 996, seeking a non-stock size, they might just turn you away. So I bought one of the last 195/65-14 sets of Goodyear tires from Tire Rack and mounted them at home. I worked for a few years as a tire tech, and I have my own tire changing machine at home (it's designed for motorcycle tires, but works well on fairly narrow, higher profile tires). I have watched the Costco techs with a critical eye, and my opinion is that they perform better than most "commodity" tire dealers, and Costco is good about quickly resolving disputes in the customer's favor. A shop that takes particular care for your car will end up charging more for some combo of tires, labor, or options to compensate for the increased time working on your tires. On a road trip, it's nice to have Costcos nearby to do flat repairs, or handle warranty claims. Be warned, however, that flat repairs are not offered as a standalone service item. I came in with a leaking tire on a 2012 Sienna (MIL's car) while driving through Sacramento, and they wouldn't even look at it, unless we had purchased the leaking tire from Costco. So, I rope patched that one when we got to her home in Oregon.

The most critical factor buying tires regardless of where is the date stamp on the tires. I suspect (no direct knowledge) that some of the discounted pricing you may see if a direct result of older product being discounted to sell. Visually inspect the tires before you buy and I'd pass on any tires over a year old.... I used the word discount so let me clarify that I was not referring to Discount Tires (America's Tire out West). They're my shop of choice for car/truck tires and are a wholly owned family business. Their employees are well trained to treat customers with respect more so than any other tire shop I've seen. Also two of those family members race cup cars with us.....

Discount Tire refused to sell me just 2 rear tires for my C4S. I was attempting to match the front Contis with about 20% wear with new matching Contis. I had been a loyal Discount Tire cust with dozens of tires many cars over 12+ years. Done with them now. Tires Plus gets my 4 cars business now. Also they have hunter road force balance gear and tremendous customer service.

Wow, on what grounds they refuse to sell you just the rear tires?

Their automated system said on the AWD car they could only replace 4 tires at once. I had done the usual order online schedule an appt. Then got a call from what sounded like a 12 year old reading from a script. I went in person and the manager of the west Orlando location said the same thing.

I see. Maybe for liability reason then. Still weird their system is setup that way. They would rather lose the sale than to sell you just the rears.

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That just sounds nuts. If you'll tell me what year your C4S was I'll try and ask my local shop why....l

I won't use any discount tire place anymore unless for one of my discount cars. Once, I took a car to Discount Tires and they hammered a zillion lead balancing weights onto my rims, and even worse, they were on the face side, rather than the inside. I had them send out my rims for refinishing (which at least they agreed to do).

Speaking of tires...I need to get some new tires soon so I started looking around. The MPSS don't come in the right size for my car. So I'm looking at other options. I just checked out the costco site because of this thread. I wouldn't have thought to buy tires from costco, but the price looks to be basically the same vs. TireRack for SO4s (w/ shipping). I'd have to pay tax at costco of course. (Does the price quoted include mounting and balancing?!) Also, has anyone had the Costco in Foster City mount their tires? Any comments good or bad? Or in general any of the costcos on the peninsula?

As much as I like the prices and the ancillary info (reviews, etc.) at Tire Rack, I won't buy from them again unless I"m also buying wheels. The inability of the "preferred installer" to successfully balance the wheels wound up wasting several hours spread over the past four days.

I'm lucky enough to only live 1.5 hours from TireRack so I can go directly to the source and if I'm lucky and time is right, I can take my car around their private course too. I do have to set aside extra time though to take off all the bug splatter afterwards.

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My car is 2003 C4S. I have over many years bought several rear tires for various 911 on on the normal 2 rear 1 front schedule from this same location. No biggie now. I'm not trying to start anything. I kept the order info if you want it via PM. I ran the rears down then bought 4 Potenzas at Tires Plus along with a alignment.

No

One of the best posts I have ever read about wheel balancing. Read this old thread from last summer: https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...a-balance.html

I have used tirebuyer.com a few times with great success, one of their preferred installers close to me has a road force balancer, and they usually have free shipping

I'll put in a plug for Costco, at least for my local one in Westminster, CO. I had them mount new tires on a set of used Carrera Sport wheels I'd bought and had refinished. They did a great job. Even fished out the TPMS sensors from my old wheel set to reuse them. Not a scratch on the lips of the wheels. Got the car up to speed yesterday and the wheel was as steady as before the wheel/tire change. Not sure if it helped, but I did take time to get to know the guys working the shop while my wheels were being refinished. When I finally said the wheels were ready they asked that I bring the car in first thing and leave it for the day so they could take their time and do it right.

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Road force balancer is not required to achieve similar results. Skilled installer with sufficient time is.

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im now in this boat too. twice in the last 3 months my rims are at the wheel refurbisher repairing the damage the 2 different national chain tire places did to my wheels. never.again. on the flip side i now have a great relationship with the manager of the wheel repair shop! now that i know that they do tires as well i will only take my wheels there from now on. as a side note...had to take my mdx in to get a tire put on yesterday...put a used one on from the scrap yard...not a single scratch, nick dent, mark or anything on the wheel. nothing.

Hey Lewis; why are you having to run spacers on the rears? You have a C4S like mine and should have plenty of room, even for 315's. If you dont mind me asking, whats the deal with the spacers?

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My 03 has Techno Twists. On the wide bodies they came from the factory with 17mm rear spacers but none in the front. When I got mine the PO had removed the rear spacers so I have added some 15mm Adaptec spacers. In the pic attached it has no spacers and you can see how far inside the body the rim sits.

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Did you check the mileage afterwards?