Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[undecided]

I have the 18 inch rims and I am trying to take off the summer run-flats and put on Goodyear F1 All Seasons. Most places charge $45+ for the 35 series rear tires and $35 for the fronts. Over the phone they said they can do it but when I showed up they said they felt "nervous" about going near those rims and that they could not guarantee that they wouldn't damage them. The dealer would do it but they'd charge $400. This is in the Stamford, CT vicinity. I've never had this kind of a problem with tire mounting, etc and I had 18 inch 40 series on my Benz, they were not an issue.

So, any Stamford people here? Where did you have it done?

Thanks

[Arustik1]

well im not sure of any place that get it done around your area...but i could tell you that the problems they are having are legit.

The thing is...the tires have such a low profile its very hard for them to take the tires off and that fact that they are runflat with that wall around the tire just makes it that much harder. Try to find a couple bigger shops they should have the right ways of replacing them without you having to pay the premium!

[ElCapitan]

Originally Posted by undecided

I have the 18 inch rims and I am trying to take off the summer run-flats and put on Goodyear F1 All Seasons. Most places charge $45+ for the 35 series rear tires and $35 for the fronts. Over the phone they said they can do it but when I showed up they said they felt "nervous" about going near those rims and that they could not guarantee that they wouldn't damage them. The dealer would do it but they'd charge $400. This is in the Stamford, CT vicinity. I've never had this kind of a problem with tire mounting, etc and I had 18 inch 40 series on my Benz, they were not an issue.

So, any Stamford people here? Where did you have it done?

Thanks

I would call around and I find a dedicated Tire/Wheel shop with the best and latest equipment (nitrogen, Hunter road force balancing, etc) and ask if they feel comfortable dealing with high end high performance cars. Labor will be cheaper than the dealer but not as cheap as Wal-Mart automotive...

[undecided]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

I would call around and I find a dedicated Tire/Wheel shop with the best and latest equipment (nitrogen, Hunter road force balancing, etc) and ask if they feel comfortable dealing with high end high performance cars. Labor will be cheaper than the dealer but not as cheap as Wal-Mart automotive...

Tirerack recommended.

[ElCapitan]

Originally Posted by undecided

Tirerack recommended.

Tirerack doesn't only seel to high end cars owners. Find the best local bodyshop and/or a small independent specialized local shop in expensive performance cars and ask them where they go for their tire/wheel needs.

[jgalaxy]

I checked around at three shops locally asking if they could remove my runflats without causing damage to my rims. 2 of of the 3 said they had the equipment and I picked the location closest to me. The shop replaced my 4 run flats on my 18s with winter Dunlop 3Ds without a scuff and charged me 50$. Odd that you would be charged so much. For kicks I asked my local BMW dealer. My BMW dealer was charging $144.

[rmorin49]

Go to Tire Rack website and search for recommended installers near you. If you can't find one, call Tire Rack. They can help you but you ought to buy the tires from them if you can. Their prices are usually very competitive.

[undecided]

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

I checked around at three shops locally asking if they could remove my runflats without causing damage to my rims. 2 of of the 3 said they had the equipment and I picked the location closest to me. The shop replaced my 4 run flats on my 18s with winter Dunlop 3Ds without a scuff and charged me 50$. Odd that you would be charged so much. For kicks I asked my local BMW dealer. My BMW dealer was charging $144.

I was quoted at least 3 hours by the dealer @ $107/hour + tax.

[undecided]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

Go to Tire Rack website and search for recommended installers near you. If you can't find one, call Tire Rack. They can help you but you ought to buy the tires from them if you can. Their prices are usually very competitive.

I am going to try another "recommended" installer tomorrow.

[Driver72]

Discount Tire Store?

Have had them taken off there on both my sedan and coupe, no problems whatsoever.

It's a bit tougher because of the thick run flats, but any trained professional at a reputable tire shop can do it no problems. That means don't go to Wal-Mart. They employ the drop outs that couldn't cut it at the higher end stores and pay the cut rate hourly rates. If the tire tech was any good, he'd get a higher paying job that also pays benefits and not working for Wal-Mart since they do neither.

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by undecided

I was quoted at least 3 hours by the dealer @ $107/hour + tax.

3 Hours? What the heck? They pulled my 4 run flats off, put on the new winters, balanced and installed. Done in 55 minutes.

[trick50]

Originally Posted by undecided

I have the 18 inch rims and I am trying to take off the summer run-flats and put on Goodyear F1 All Seasons. Most places charge $45+ for the 35 series rear tires and $35 for the fronts. Over the phone they said they can do it but when I showed up they said they felt "nervous" about going near those rims and that they could not guarantee that they wouldn't damage them. The dealer would do it but they'd charge $400. This is in the Stamford, CT vicinity. I've never had this kind of a problem with tire mounting, etc and I had 18 inch 40 series on my Benz, they were not an issue.

So, any Stamford people here? Where did you have it done?

Thanks

I know this doesn't realy help you but if you can't find anyone and wanna come to NY I have a friend who owns a shop in Great Neck Long Island...which is very close to the throggs neck bridge...he does all of my work...I don't think he woud charge you much maybe $20 a wheel dismount/mount and balance and he won't scratch em...he deals with high end all day long and low pro just about every car he does..

Jonathon
Parts and Polish
556 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY
516-466-3553

He just installed my wheels 19" 35sidewall front and 30 in the back and no problems at all...I came back a few days later cuz I needed my RFT's removed from my stock 189's and he charged me $10 each tire.

[smellthebeans]

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

3 Hours? What the heck? They pulled my 4 run flats off, put on the new winters, balanced and installed. Done in 55 minutes.

I always use Bridgestone/Firestone shops. Usually they have a certified runflat installer.....Funny that damn thing looks & works the same way over at bubba's tire and muffler

Runflats are nothing to worry to much about mostly stiffer side walls require more slippery soap and patients and TLC during removal and installation.

I have had all four of mine replaced & balanced in about an hour. I think they charged me 16 bucks a tire. Oh & I have never purchased my tires from the shop...I buy exclusively through this site!

[AcmeExplosives]

Originally Posted by undecided

Tirerack recommended.

+1
Often Tire Rack's listing of recommended installers (where they will drop-ship your tires, too.) will handle higher end set-ups and have the latest equipment.

Here's what I found for the Stamford zip code:
http://www.tirerack.com/installer/In...8056&x=70&y=10

[John 070]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

Go to Tire Rack website and search for recommended installers near you. If you can't find one, call Tire Rack. They can help you but you ought to buy the tires from them if you can. Their prices are usually very competitive.

I like the idea of asking a shop if they can do it without damage...I went to a Tire Rack recommended shop near me, and they scratched and gouged 2 rims, one of which was never even used. From what I've read here, it does seem more difficult, otherwise I was thinking they just didn't care about the job they were doing...

[ENINTY]

For the kind of money you are getting quoted remove and relpace tires, why don't you just buy a winter tire set up from the Tire Rack so you don't have to swap out the tires on the wheels?

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by undecided

I have the 18 inch rims and I am trying to take off the summer run-flats and put on Goodyear F1 All Seasons. Most places charge $45+ for the 35 series rear tires and $35 for the fronts. Over the phone they said they can do it but when I showed up they said they felt "nervous" about going near those rims and that they could not guarantee that they wouldn't damage them. The dealer would do it but they'd charge $400. This is in the Stamford, CT vicinity. I've never had this kind of a problem with tire mounting, etc and I had 18 inch 40 series on my Benz, they were not an issue.

So, any Stamford people here? Where did you have it done?

Thanks

My Audi dealer is charging me $40/tire to take off the summer tires and replace with F1's. I thought that was a lot, but apparently, not. He has the equipment and assured me he could do it without any damage to the 18" rims. Good luck - but make sure you find a shop who can do this without screwing up the rims.

[undecided]

A little further away but they have the latest equipment and they are confident they can do it. $40/tire......

[Daya]

too bad you are not in chicago, my shop replaced my 4 runflats with dunlop WS 3D on my stock 18's and balanced everything for $40 TOTAL!!! took about an hour with zero scratches

A&L

[undecided]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

For the kind of money you are getting quoted remove and relpace tires, why don't you just buy a winter tire set up from the Tire Rack so you don't have to swap out the tires on the wheels?

I like the staggered look and I'd want to keep it year around. That will cost big $$$$.