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Buy tire from dealer or firestone store

Discussion in '360/430' started by Doug_S, Oct 12, 2009.

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  1. Doug_S

    Doug_S Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2007
    450
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Doug
    #1 Doug_S, Oct 12, 2009
    I had to replace one of my rear tires due to puncture. Now i can notice the differing levels of traction between the new rear tire and the old one (near the end of its tread life), so I want to buy a matching new rear tire.

    The thing is: I bought the first tire from a Firestone dealership. They carry Bridgeston P Zeros. They had to put my car on the alignment lift because it was too low for the regular lifts. When I got it back there was a tiney nick in the stock starfish wheel. I let it go because there was another imperfection on the wheel. I planned to have the wheel fixed anyway.

    This other rear wheel has no flaws. I was going to go to the Firestone store and basically say, can you replace this side tire without damaging the wheel in the slightest? You can see the wheel is perfect now, if you can;t replace the tire without nicking the wheel just tell me and I will go to a Ferrari dealer for the tire, no hard feelings.

    I fear no matter what they say, if the wheel comes backed slightly nicked, I will not be able to do anything. If I refuse to pay they won't give me the keys and the legal costs to get my car are more than the wheel refinishing costs.

    What would you do? Does anyone know if the dealer cost is the same as the tire store?
     
  2. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    #2 LetsJet, Oct 12, 2009
    I would buy the tires from tirerack and have them shipped to an expert wheel shop that deals with exotics in your area. I would not go to Firestone.
     
  3. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,152
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #3 E60 M5, Oct 12, 2009
    +1 I have purchased tires for the 360 twice from Tirerack and had them delivered to my dealer for install.
     
  4. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    1,924
    North America
    #4 jeff, Oct 12, 2009
    +2
     
  5. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    May 21, 2006
    7,805
    West Coast
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    Ray
    #5 RayJohns, Oct 12, 2009
    +3

    Tirerack.. then take the rims off the car yourself and have the tires mounted. Leave the car safe at home. That's how I did it with my 355.

    Ray
     
  6. djantlive

    djantlive Formula 3

    Jun 30, 2005
    1,015
    #6 djantlive, Oct 13, 2009
    No one in their right mind get Ferrari serviced by any Firestone, Pepboys, America's tires, Good Year, Jiffy Lube, Costco etc etc...

    Tire is no different. Go to a reputable tire shop or dealer. It will cost more but at least you know it will be done right.
     
  7. Frari

    Frari Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,194
    brisbane australia
    Full Name:
    tony
    #7 Frari, Oct 13, 2009
    Any tyre shop can take a wheel off without hurting the rim it just depends on who does the job and how much they care for their work. I would happlly go to your tire rack but ask if you can watch and ask for an expert and not a gorilla( not in these words). Tell them you are prepared to pay a little more as last time they nicked the rim, show the manager the nick. I am sure you will get the best service, after all they all use the same machines, I have had the Ferrari dealer dent my undertray with a jack, they can all make mistakes..
     
  8. RSQP

    RSQP F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2005
    18,217
    California
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    Boudreaux
    #8 RSQP, Oct 13, 2009
    +1 on the tirerack shipped to dealer deal. Talk to your dealer to make the arrangements first. They'll take care of it for you.
     
  9. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,631
    #9 Mitch Alsup, Oct 13, 2009
    On a high performance vehicle, you have exactly 2 options when changing a tire:

    A: replace both tires on the same axle with tires of the same size, construction, and manufacture as the ones comming off.
    B: replace all 4 tires with the same brand of tire in sizes that fit the wheels.

    Changing a single rear (or front) tire is asking for toruble.
    Changing a single tire with a different brand, construction, or manufacture is really asking for trouble.

    There is a reason these cars feel so planted after a ride height, cornerweighting job. Changing a tire (more rubber) seriously upsets this corner weighting.
     
  10. Stradale Joe

    Stradale Joe Karting

    Jul 26, 2006
    147
    downtown
    Full Name:
    Joe Panache
    #10 Stradale Joe, Oct 13, 2009
    ++++1
     
  11. Doug_S

    Doug_S Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2007
    450
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Doug
    #11 Doug_S, Oct 13, 2009
    All good advice. I stopped in a performance shop that works on BMW's and they said that they would accept shipment from Tirerack and mount the tire for me. They do fancy wheels all the time and even have curved weights (curved on the inside radius).

    They also chided me for replacing one tire. With modern traction control, etc having two tires of different grip and radius is a no no.

    Thanks for the advice.
     

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