Costco for tires?

GregW / Oregon · 03-28-2009, 11:43 AM

Their latest e-newsletter advertises $70 off on a set of 4 Michelins, so out of curiosity I ran the numbers on a set of stock 19" PS2s compared to The Tire Rack.

Tire Rack - 2 x 245/35 @ $354 + 2 x 265/35 @ $386 = $1,480
shipping = ~$80
mount + balance = ~$80 min.
Total = $1,640

Costco - 2 x 245/35 @ $381 + 2 x 265/35 @ $401 = $1,564
shipping = $0
Mount + balance = $0 (free nitrogen fill, flat repair)
Less discount = ($70)
Total = $1,494

So, about $150 less at Costco, with nitrogen as a bonus. Not so sure I'd want Costco doing my mount/balance, but that's just an uninformed opinion, since I've never bought tires from them. Anybody have any experience? My experience on the ordering side has always been first rate at TR, then you can choose your own installer, but it's not one stop shopping.

ACZakka325i · 03-28-2009, 12:53 PM

Same product for less. Yea, you'll have to take them somewhere else for mounting and balancing. Its up to you whether having them ready to go at your local shop is more convenient than hauling these things around in a small car.

PunjabiM3 · 03-28-2009, 12:56 PM

Well for those of us with state sales tax, you have to add that on top of the Costco price. So for most of us Tirerack is the better way to go...

AlpWtE92 · 03-28-2009, 01:49 PM

Another consideration is that Costco includes tire insurance with the price of the tire, whereas you have to pay something like $30-$40 extra per tire at Tire Rack. I did the calculation and even with CA tax, Costco came out to be significantly cheaper if you take into account the insurnace and the cheaper mounting/balancing costs.

As for trusting them with mounting/balancing, I've seen good and bad reviews for costco tire installation - it depends on which location you go to.

GregW / Oregon · 03-28-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

Same product for less. Yea, you'll have to take them somewhere else for mounting and balancing. Its up to you whether having them ready to go at your local shop is more convenient than hauling these things around in a small car.

When I order tires from TR, I usually have them shipped directly to my wheel guy for mounting.

schnell325 · 03-28-2009, 05:29 PM

At my Costco, they are very anal when it comes to mounting tires for my previous cars.

signes · 03-28-2009, 05:54 PM

Saw the Costco ad and was considering this, thanks for running the numbers Greg. I've got a friend who swears by them, never uses TR anymore. He has also had great experiences with getting replacements under the insurance policy. I am sure it varies by location but I am going to give it a try when I finally get some 19s for summer.

GregW / Oregon · 03-28-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnell325

At my Costco, they are very anal when it comes to mounting tires for my previous cars.

Either that's a good thing...or your saying they're a-holes?

schnell325 · 03-28-2009, 06:25 PM

"It's a good thing."

!!!

McLuVan · 03-28-2009, 09:28 PM

costco ftw

alpineweissM3 · 03-28-2009, 09:41 PM

I bought 2 rears (PS2's) from www.discounttires.com for $659.98. They had the best price I could find and they offer free shipping.

clubspec330i · 03-28-2009, 09:43 PM

Just replace 19" on my wife X5. Costco will only replace with factory equipped tire. I couldn't find a cheaper place that has the warranty and insurance as Costco. However, when I was mounting 18" NT01 for on my track wheel, Costco won't do it. So I had to go to a local Goodyear for that, $15/tire for mount & balance. If I have to get another set of PS2 for my E90, I would definitely go back to Costco.

Costco..

spyderco10 · 03-29-2009, 03:07 AM

do it at costco, if for no other reason than to get a hot dog and a soda for $1.50 while you wait

McLuVan · 03-29-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderco10

do it at costco, if for no other reason than to get a hot dog and a soda with unlimited refills for $1.50 while you wait

MrHarris · 03-29-2009, 05:26 AM

Do it at Costco, lifetime balancing and road hazard insurance is quite nice.

Adonislike · 03-30-2009, 09:41 AM

One other thing, albeit a small factor. If you have the Costco Membership that pays 2% back at the end of the year, called the Executive Membership that is another discount on top. From what I read, tires are included on that

GregW / Oregon · 03-30-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubspec330i

Just replace 19" on my wife X5. Costco will only replace with factory equipped tire. I couldn't find a cheaper place that has the warranty and insurance as Costco. However, when I was mounting 18" NT01 for on my track wheel, Costco won't do it. So I had to go to a local Goodyear for that, $15/tire for mount & balance. If I have to get another set of PS2 for my E90, I would definitely go back to Costco.

Costco..

Hmmm... they show PSCs on their website for the M3, which certainly aren't factory (inb the US, at least).

rbk1115 · 03-30-2009, 10:44 AM

Costco is a great place to get tires. The one I go to has the latest in tire mounting equipment and they were very careful with my wheels in the past. I have not had to change tires on the E90 yet, but when I got the Michelin PS2s on my old E36 with the polished LTW wheels, not one scratch was on them when the car was returned to me. The tape wheel weights were also on the inside of the wheel as well. Some places will actually put the tape wheel weights on the outer lip for some odd reason. The warranties and lifetime balance/rotation are great as well. The only downside to Costco for tires is that they will only sell tires that meet or exceed the OEM specification for your car. For example, the OEM tire for my Acura Legend is a V-rated tire. I don't see the need to put that high of a speed rated tire on this car as it rarely sees speeds over 85 MPH. Costco will only put V-rated tires on this car so I usually go to Discount Tire to get an H-rated tire that costs significantly less. Discount tire does not seem to have these rules.

Radiation Joe · 03-30-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbk1115

... The tape wheel weights were also on the inside of the wheel as well. Some places will actually put the tape wheel weights on the outer lip for some odd reason. ...

The odd reason is that is where they belong. A proper wheel balance corrects inside and outside imbalance. Most people can't feel the difference, so many installers put the weights only on the inside center of wheel to avoid the complaints of visible weights.

I usually make it a point to tell the installer that I don't mind seeing the weights on the outside, if they are called for.

!Xoible · 03-30-2009, 10:57 AM

i've had lots of tires from them. they're great! i didnt do it on the M3, but i never had any complaints.

having said that, they're like any other shop, prone to having accidents and screwing your wheel.

rbk1115 · 03-30-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

The odd reason is that is where they belong. A proper wheel balance corrects inside and outside imbalance. Most people can't feel the difference, so many installers put the weights only on the inside center of wheel to avoid the complaints of visible weights.

I usually make it a point to tell the installer that I don't mind seeing the weights on the outside, if they are called for.

Thanks for the information. I have never felt any ill effects of having the lip clean of any weights. It has been a long time, but I don't recall if my E36 came from the factory with the wheel weights on the lips of the wheels. On the spare, the weights were all on the inside.

caveboy · 04-09-2009, 08:42 PM

Tire Rack used to offer great prices on tires. Now a day Sears and Good Year tire shop and even Costco have better prices!

03-28-2009, 11:43 AM	#1
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2119 Rep 8,922 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Costco for tires? Their latest e-newsletter advertises $70 off on a set of 4 Michelins, so out of curiosity I ran the numbers on a set of stock 19" PS2s compared to The Tire Rack. Tire Rack - 2 x 245/35 @ $354 + 2 x 265/35 @ $386 = $1,480 shipping = ~$80 mount + balance = ~$80 min. Total = $1,640 Costco - 2 x 245/35 @ $381 + 2 x 265/35 @ $401 = $1,564 shipping = $0 Mount + balance = $0 (free nitrogen fill, flat repair) Less discount = ($70) Total = $1,494 So, about $150 less at Costco, with nitrogen as a bonus. Not so sure I'd want Costco doing my mount/balance, but that's just an uninformed opinion, since I've never bought tires from them. Anybody have any experience? My experience on the ordering side has always been first rate at TR, then you can choose your own installer, but it's not one stop shopping. __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-28-2009, 12:53 PM	#2
ACZakka325i Colonel 277 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	Same product for less. Yea, you'll have to take them somewhere else for mounting and balancing. Its up to you whether having them ready to go at your local shop is more convenient than hauling these things around in a small car. __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 12:56 PM	#3
PunjabiM3 Colonel 253 Rep 2,091 Posts Drives: M5 CS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Flower Mound, TX iTrader: (1)	Well for those of us with state sales tax, you have to add that on top of the Costco price. So for most of us Tirerack is the better way to go... __________________ 2012 Audi R8 V10TT\| 6MT\| Suzuka Grey 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale\| Rosso Scuderia 2020 BMW X7\| Mineral White 2024 718 GT4 RS \| Arctic Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 01:49 PM	#4
AlpWtE92 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 319 Posts Drives: '08 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SF / Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Another consideration is that Costco includes tire insurance with the price of the tire, whereas you have to pay something like $30-$40 extra per tire at Tire Rack. I did the calculation and even with CA tax, Costco came out to be significantly cheaper if you take into account the insurnace and the cheaper mounting/balancing costs. As for trusting them with mounting/balancing, I've seen good and bad reviews for costco tire installation - it depends on which location you go to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 05:29 PM	#6
schnell325 Bored at work.... 890 Rep 5,391 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	At my Costco, they are very anal when it comes to mounting tires for my previous cars. __________________ Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD! Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS What next?!? A 2022 M235i GC- I must be getting old
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 05:54 PM	#7
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	Saw the Costco ad and was considering this, thanks for running the numbers Greg. I've got a friend who swears by them, never uses TR anymore. He has also had great experiences with getting replacements under the insurance policy. I am sure it varies by location but I am going to give it a try when I finally get some 19s for summer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 06:25 PM	#9
schnell325 Bored at work.... 890 Rep 5,391 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	"It's a good thing." !!! __________________ Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD! Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS What next?!? A 2022 M235i GC- I must be getting old
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 09:28 PM	#10
McLuVan Lieutenant General 304 Rep 13,114 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Socal~818~ iTrader: (1)	costco ftw
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 09:41 PM	#11
alpineweissM3 I love my beautiful wife! 22 Rep 628 Posts Drives: e90 ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	I bought 2 rears (PS2's) from www.discounttires.com for $659.98. They had the best price I could find and they offer free shipping.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2009, 09:43 PM	#12
clubspec330i First Lieutenant 72 Rep 396 Posts Drives: MG F39, CB F86, MB 911T Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (0)	Just replace 19" on my wife X5. Costco will only replace with factory equipped tire. I couldn't find a cheaper place that has the warranty and insurance as Costco. However, when I was mounting 18" NT01 for on my track wheel, Costco won't do it. So I had to go to a local Goodyear for that, $15/tire for mount & balance. If I have to get another set of PS2 for my E90, I would definitely go back to Costco. Costco..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2009, 03:07 AM	#13
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	do it at costco, if for no other reason than to get a hot dog and a soda for $1.50 while you wait __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2009, 05:26 AM	#15
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	Do it at Costco, lifetime balancing and road hazard insurance is quite nice. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2009, 09:41 AM	#16
Adonislike Captain 26 Rep 842 Posts Drives: Toyota Insight/Honda Prius Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	One other thing, albeit a small factor. If you have the Costco Membership that pays 2% back at the end of the year, called the Executive Membership that is another discount on top. From what I read, tires are included on that
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2009, 10:44 AM	#18
rbk1115 Lieutenant 14 Rep 527 Posts Drives: Acuras & BMWs Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Mazda3 i Touri ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 535i Sedan [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 Sedan [0.00]	Costco is a great place to get tires. The one I go to has the latest in tire mounting equipment and they were very careful with my wheels in the past. I have not had to change tires on the E90 yet, but when I got the Michelin PS2s on my old E36 with the polished LTW wheels, not one scratch was on them when the car was returned to me. The tape wheel weights were also on the inside of the wheel as well. Some places will actually put the tape wheel weights on the outer lip for some odd reason. The warranties and lifetime balance/rotation are great as well. The only downside to Costco for tires is that they will only sell tires that meet or exceed the OEM specification for your car. For example, the OEM tire for my Acura Legend is a V-rated tire. I don't see the need to put that high of a speed rated tire on this car as it rarely sees speeds over 85 MPH. Costco will only put V-rated tires on this car so I usually go to Discount Tire to get an H-rated tire that costs significantly less. Discount tire does not seem to have these rules. __________________ 2009 BMW M3 Sedan 2013 BMW 535i M Sport Sedan 2014 Mazda3 i Touring Sedan
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2009, 10:57 AM	#20
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	i've had lots of tires from them. they're great! i didnt do it on the M3, but i never had any complaints. having said that, they're like any other shop, prone to having accidents and screwing your wheel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2009, 08:42 PM	#22
caveboy Private 0 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 6MT Jerez Black M3 E90 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, CA iTrader: (0)	Tire Rack used to offer great prices on tires. Now a day Sears and Good Year tire shop and even Costco have better prices! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote