Costco Tire issues/questions

[spikemd]

I went into Costco today to research new tires for the 2001 Range Rover. It came to me with street tires, actually a size smaller (235/70R16) than stock (255/65R16). I am planning to go to 265/70 R16s which is a 31 inch tire while stock is 30 inch. 32s do fit with some trimming, but I am sticking with a size that I know fits without rubbing/trimming.

So I go to Costco today and the tire-guy puts in the truck specs in the computer and says he can't put on 265/70s because they are 5% larger than stock. The limit they can put on the truck is 3%. I could buy the tires, but not get the mounting/balancing/installation and lifetime rotation. The rotation/balancing service is one of the main reasons I buy my tires at Costco. I go shopping, drop off the truck and when I am done, the tires are balanced and rotated. Its great.

Has anyone else had this issue? Is there a way to get around it?

There is a $70 rebate on the Revo2s right now that expires soon. A Michelin rebate will come up later this month, but I am leaning toward the Revo2s since I have the AT2s on my 4Runner.

Where do you guys go for tires?

 

[obscurotron]

I had a similar problem when I wanted to put 235/85's on my Tacoma. Only they didn't tell me this until *After* they mounted the tires. They tried to hold my truck hostage or put on the old tires. I went in, paid, and they tried to make me sign a waiver for the free rotations/balancing/warranty/etc., thinking I didn't have the keys, so I had to play their game.

I told them to FOAD, pulled the spare key out of my pocket, walked in the bay, and drove my truck out. Further research and phone calls to Costco showed no way around this. Last time I buy tires from them.

 

[BKCowGod]

I never go to Costco because of this. My old BMW (1987 535iS) came with 240/55VR365 tires, which were a unique size wheel and are now for all intents and purposes no longer made. I had to bring the wheels in the back of my truck and tell them they were from a Jaguar X-Type.

I don't know what to tell you about the balancing and rotating - I NEVER leave my car out of my sight when someone else has the key - $8.50/hr tire tech + 350hp Porsche and I make sure I watch every move they make.

 

[4xdog]

Costco is fussy about tire sizes and original specifications, it's true.

I won't even ask them if I'm getting close to their limits -- just too much trouble for too little joy.

Talking to my local Costco the last weekend of March 2010, they tell me they no longer stock BF Goodrich tires. They can get them in a few days, but they shippped back all their stock. I guess Bridgestone made the Costco buyers a better deal than Michelin. The guy at my store told me the Bridgestone $70 off four coupon in the most recent book was part of the transition. He thought we might not see the near-continuous Michelin/BFG $60 off four coupons any more.

 

[RusM]

The best thing to do is to get a quote from Costco and take it to your local Discount Tire/America's Tire store and have them match the price, they're a lot more willing to match an actual store than online retailers.

 

[Gone2Baja]

I had the same issue, went to discount tire they matched the price with no BS about size.

 

[dustboy]

The best thing to do is to get a quote from Costco and take it to your local Discount Tire/America's Tire store and have them match the price, they're a lot more willing to match an actual store than online retailers.

Yep. Shop it around, if they won't match it at least you'll get a better deal. I learned this the hard way. Before I learned the game, I bought a set of Big-O house brand all-weathers for my wife's Subie, and it cost about the same as my 235/85R16 BFG AT's that I haggled.

The first price tire stores give you has a LOT of padding.

 

[jasondavidmann]

When I bought my oversize tires from Costco I was not concerned about rotation but wanted the lifetime flat repair and balancing. I brought 4 wheels in to get tires mounted. I unloaded the wheels off my truck got the tires mounted and then loaded them back into the bed of my truck with the new tires. If I get a flat, or want to check the balance I take a wheel off and bring it into the tire center. Costco does not know what kind of vehicle these tires are for and does not give me a hard time (I've only ever gone in for one plug).

Another thing to consider is weather you trust the tire center to torque your wheels properly when they put the wheel back on your truck? I do not trust them and have caught them many times just using the impact wrench.

Jason

 

[Maximus Ram]

I've heard other horror stories about costco not installing bigger than stock tires ...but I will only buy from Americas. Have never had a problem with them and they will price match, even from online quotes. You just need to figure in what it would cost for mount and balance to get a price.

 

[java]

discount matches ANY online price, but they include shipping. they will mount whatever tire on whatever car, as long as you pay for it.

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco got sued by a guy on the east coast who got in an accident or something with the tires HE ordered. Some liberal judge ruled in favor of the creep. That's what changed Costo's policy. A year ago,they would install the tire on your rim off of the vehicle. You could then return for rotations,flats or rotations. That's a no go now also. I'll use ORW here next. One of the salesguys used to work for Discount.

 

[Mike S]

Tires have a lot of 'flexibility' in pricing. You can take a Tire Tack quote/price to almost any tire store and get the same deal.

I bought my last set of tires (285/75/R16 Toyo M55s) at Les Schwab in Baker City, Oregon... good price, no sales tax, excellent service and no BS about 'too big'. They have lifetime balancing, road hazard warranty, and they have been really good to me in the past.

 

[spikemd]

Thanks for the info. It is convenient to take the truck in and get the balance/rotation when shopping like my 4Runner, but that won't work for the rangie I guess.

I stopped by Les Schwab and Americas Tires/Discount tire yesterday. Both shops seemed top-notch with very friendly staff.

At Schwab, the Open Country ATs were $179 and the XTX sport (more aggressive) were $177. With install/mount/ etc total price was $858 for ATs.

Stopped by Americas Tires and they have the
BFGs ($211) total $969 minus $70 coupon - so $900
Michelin LTX AT2 (same as my 4Runner) for $867 - no coupon
Revo2s for $737 - minus $100 coupon - so $637

I think I will be doing the Revo2s next week. Don't think I can beat that price for a good AT tire for $640. The extra $300 for BFGs is just not worth it in my book. My next in line would probably be the XTX or Open Country, but again, I can put the extra $230 to a ladder or sliders.

Thanks again.

Also, Costco increased the prices of the Michelins and are the exact same pricet Americas Tire/Discount right now.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I don't really find Costco's pricing on tires to be good enough to deal with the BS. At least in Canada.

Even dumber than all of this, Costco will also not install a tire unless the speed rating is at least as high as the original tire. They site safety concerns, etc... BS. I think it's just an upsell.

 

[Hilldweller]

discount matches ANY online price, but they include shipping. they will mount whatever tire on whatever car, as long as you pay for it.

Treadepot.com is local as is Summit Racing; Discount Tires price-matched my BFGs with Treadepot without shipping cost and even tossed in the Kaufmann Tire $25 rebate and their own $100 rebate for buying a full set. My final price was $166/tire for 255/85-16 KM2s.

Each store is only as good as the people working there though...