Coalmining_smuf

I purchased a set of Apex wheels but need to get tires mounted and then installed on the car. For past cars I've always gone to the local discount tire. Am I overthinking it with my hesitation to bring my wheels and 911 to Discount Tire to mount and balance new tires? I'm debating buying through Tire Rack and using their recommended mobile installer which is still Discount Tire Mobile. I'm fretting over wheel damage and them mounting it correctly to my car.

duxsi

No, you're not overthinking it.
Can their machine handle your size rim.
How careful will the tech be with taking steps to avoid scratching the rim.
Go to a place that's used to dealing with these types of tires and rims.

CSK 911 C4S

No matter how well you plan, wheel damage can occur at any facility.

Coalmining_smuf

Would a mobile installer be a better option so I can watch them?

Viper1000

Discount Tire has done a great job for all of mine. As previously mentioned, it can happen anywhere. I plan on bringing mine to Discount tire once I have them. I'll take them off the car and just bring the wheels but not worried about having them mount them.

cbredesen

I've had great service at both the local Discount Tire as well as a Tire Rack sanctioned mobile with my 997. I wouldn't hesitate to use either again in the future. That said, neither can do center lock but that's a whole other dead horse that's been well beaten in other threads...

MPawelek

My local Discount Tire treats both my 911’s like royalty and will not even work on them using the regular lifts.

asellus

no jackstands.

ballsy.

Holger B

If you're really concerned, look for a local place that has touchless tire mounting. My experience is that those shops are super careful about every step of the process and well worth the few extra bucks.

asellus

ugh just saw this again and it's upsetting enough that I can't not comment any longer.

@MPawelek there is nothing about that picture that I would consider being "treated like royalty" -- without any context, I'd look at that and say "wow, a volume shop squeezing out more billable hours by dong work in the parking lot!"

I can only assume the other side is also supported by two jacks without jackstands. I assume it's there for a tire swap, so it's going to be sitting like that for 15-30 minutes, outside, on the apron of the building where cars are going to be driving by, rather than safely in the air in a sheltered, designated work space.

honestly I'd be pretty livid if a shop did this to my car, regardless of what the car is.

GNB

If you are worried, suggest you take the wheels and tires to the tire place and have them mount and balance them. Then install the wheels yourself.

TangoUniform

You're not overthinking it. I've had Discount Tire damage 4 brand new (in the box) rims that I brought to them to mount new tires on. The claws on their tire mount machine nicked the painted finish on all of them. They made it right by buying me 4 new rims so I actually ended up ahead in the end, but it was still a pain in the ***. I now go to a different Discount Tire store with my 911 but talk directly to the manager. He gets me their best technician every time and they treat me great. I bring them my own impact socket that won't damage the wheel, and bring my own jack pucks to jack up the car properly. I just hand it all to the tech along with a $20 and he takes care of the rest. It might be overkill but I'm not taking any chances.

lunker325

I called a few shops when I got my Apex wheels and all of them said they would struggle with wheels that wide in combination with low profile tires. Ended up just taking them to the dealer since they are familiar with such things. They were less than $100 more than the others, however the wheels were perfectly balanced and zero damage.

TiptonInAustin

FWIW, Discount Tire does Ferrari of Austin's tires. You can pay the Ferrari tax, or take the car to the Discount Tire that is literally next door.

At one point I was buying a set of tires from Discount Tires every month. You end up meeting the best tech who cares all about your car and you can just call and see if he is in.

rk-d

lol..WTF