Winter Tire help

"PowderHound" (PowderHound) 11/18/2013 at 19:44 • Filed to: None

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I stopped by a local place today to see what sort of price I could get on some winter tires. Basically, they quoted me $548.22 out the door for 195/60/R16 Blizzak WS60. That includes alignment and balancing ($68 balance!? I got two of mine done for like $15 not too long ago) and a $65 tire protection plan. I am going to see what the protection plan covers and if that is worth the $65. They also factored in a $12 disposal fee which I may keep my old tires and try to sell them.

Seems fairly reasonable to me. Tires come out at 109 a tire and they are doing a $70 dollar instant rebate. No big need for snow tires right now but very soon they will be needed.

Any feedback on this? I have usually rocked cheap all-seasons and made do but there are some steep unpaved roads back out to my place that I would like to blast through with no problem. Not to mention I can get better summer tires and wider wheels.

Straightsix9904 > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 19:49

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Most shops do a free mount/balance if you buy the tires there.

Double check what the protection plan is on the Blizzaks. I buy Michelins all seasons and they normally come with a 70K warranty that covers defects. How often do you really get a flat? I mean... that is 70% of the way to a new tire. I would go the self-insurance route, but I'm a cheap bastard.

PowderHound > Straightsix9904 11/18/2013 at 19:53

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Well currently with the tires I have my front tires go semi flat every few days. I think it's the wheels just being stupidly dirty at the bead from going sideways in gravel. I was hoping for free mount and balance as well. The mount and alignment are free it looks like but not the balance. Probably going to opt out of the protection plan and get 65 knocked off and get the price under 500

Straightsix9904 > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 19:55

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Are you buying new wheels or are you going to switch out the tires in the spring? You should get some steelies and paint them. You'll be all cutting edge tuner style.

Dunnik > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 19:59

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Now that you've found the tire you want - never owned them but Blizzaks do have a pretty decent reputation - I'd shop around. Somebody will match or beat their quote minus the borderline outrageous balancing fee. If you must deal with that garage for whatever reason, use the new quote to get them to lower or even waive the fee.

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 20:00

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If you find the protection plan to not be worth it, why don't you purchase the tires and take them where you got the $15 balance previously to be mounted and balanced. If this place wants to charge for recycling, tell them you want to take them with you and throw them into the Walmart parking lot. Seriously though...Walmart will recycle them for free.

PowderHound > Straightsix9904 11/18/2013 at 20:04

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I'm going to make my current wheels snow wheels and get a new set come summer/spring

PowderHound > Ghost Dog - For the kittens 11/18/2013 at 20:05

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Other place was back in WNY and I am in Utah now so that isn't very feasible. I could probably go down to SLC though and get things cheaper. Time to shop around that's for sure

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 20:13

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Yep...look for a hole in wall shop.

I just purchased all-seasons at the end of the summer and learned the way the dollars add up can be alarming. I worked hard to save a few bucks. Picked out my tires, looked on Craigslist by brand while I waited for them to go on sale, lucked out and found 2 with 90% tread then nabbed the 2 remaining ones. I realize you won't be able to get snows on sale, but goes to show some foot work and planning can save a substantial amount.

Good luck.

deekster_caddy > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 20:23

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Save yourself $65 - you already have spare wheels and tires ready to go in a worst case scenario! Snow tires are pretty tough.

edit - I missed that you would ditch your old tires. Still don't think the road hazard is worthwhile. You've got a spare?

PowderHound > Ghost Dog - For the kittens 11/18/2013 at 20:25

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I am being last minute on everything this year (snowboard, pass, winter tires) and it has been costing me but I didn't know my plans then. I was looking on craigslist everyday for some snows but no one had either the right size or a full set.

At least I have room for storage now so all the goodies can begin to go up and my bank account can go down.

PowderHound > deekster_caddy 11/18/2013 at 20:26

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I don't have to ditch my tires. I will probably keep them around for just that reason. Thanks!

deekster_caddy > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 20:28

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If you were near me I would tell you to stop by. I have to clean corrosion and dried out bead sealer from beads on rims all the time. No tire shop will do this for you, takes too much time. Ideally we'd dismount the tires, clean all the crap off the beads, re-clearcoat the bead areas and you come back in a day to re-mount after the clearcoat cures. Sometimes it's so bad I have to use a rust remover wheel to get all the old bead sealer off. That crap creates more leaks than it helps. Don't ever let them use it on your wheels.

PowderHound > Dunnik 11/18/2013 at 20:46

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Just found them on tirerack for 93 a tire and a place that does $15 a tire mount and balance.

Edit: Scratch that. With shipping it's about 490 and I can get this other deal here for less than that if I don't do the warranty.

midnightautoparts > PowderHound 11/18/2013 at 20:51

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WARNING!!!! Once you drive Blizzaks in the winter, you will never go back. They are that good.