Tire Rack vs Discount Tire (winter tires)

[jbls1gto]

What have peoples experience been with tire rack? Are they cheaper than discount tire when you factor in shipping? I'm looking at getting some winter tires on the goat and wanted to know what people thought.

Also, as far as winter tires go, is it beneficial just to get them on the rear or is that a bad idea? It's not really a money issue, but I wondered if getting them for the front didnt add much benefit.

[6spdgoat]

Get snow tires on all four corners, you will hate driving with two.

I have bought most of my tires from tire rack. I think pricing is about the same, but several times discount tire was out of stock on the tires I wanted.

[ydtrack]

I have had several issues with Tire Rack and I would pick Discount Tire over them unless the tires I wanted weren't available.

If you get the roadhazard warranty Discount Tire is hands down a much better deal. They send you a new tire at no cost to you and you get them swapped out and send your old ones back.

Tire Rack makes you buy new tires then you have to ship the old ones back and wait for them to evaluate them before they give you any kind of refund and they always find some reason to give you less than the full price.

I have called Discount Tire and they got the tires I wanted that were out of stock within a few weeks. They also offer at least 90 days same as cash if you use their credit card on all tire purchases.

[Slappy3243]

I have had good experiences with Tirerack in the past so I use them. I was considering using Discount Tire for snow tires because they have free shipping but they didn't have the size I wanted in stock.

[railroaderwithagoat]

I have dealt with both too me they both are ok sometimes

[JoeyH]

I'd say go snows on all four corners to get balanced handling/reduce corner push and sliding in slop and stops. But if you read Michelin's snow tire information they say you can run regular Pilots with their snow Pilots. Go figure?

I've used both Discount and TireRack for most all of my tire purchases. I think the prices are comparable with a slight edge going to TireRack. I do know that you need to hunt around for a good installer that won't charge you a fortune for mount/balance and re-occuring balance jobs with TireRack tire-only purchase.

You really cannot beat TireRack tire/rim sets which come ready to roll. I had OEM Camaro rims and Blizzaks shipped to my door for around $700 back in 1999.

I have no experience with TireRack's "road-hazzard" policy. I don't like the "repair cost only" language. Discount will remount and balance at no cost. They have also mount/dismount my snows to OEM tires without additional costs. I purchased from Discount on my most recent set due to their 1000's of locations where I only have to drive a few miles to get a flat/repair done as well as frequent balance jobs that may be necessary with the tape weights.

Joe

[jbls1gto]

I just bought the Dunlop M3s from TireRack. I will get them mounted and balanced at Discount tire...I may buy their warranty.

[GGTTOO]

Discount tire definately..mainly becise of their free rotation and balance and warranty. I have bought numerous wheels and tires from Discount and have nothing but good things with my experience. They will take the time to to take care of yoru car and wheels.

[CoppeR]

I have bought numerous wheels and tires from Discount and have nothing but good things with my experience. They will take the time to to take care of yoru car and wheels.

Yeah some places will, others will scratch the hell out of the wheels and leave the tire mounting lube all over the face of the wheel...

[Firebird67]

I always price the tires on TireRack with shipping and print it. Than I go down to Discount Tire and have them price match it. Discount Tire will only do this with the included shipping price. You will save money this way, trust me, typically if you don't do it this way you will pay more. Discount will also offer you a better deal this way on their tire warranty from them. Learned this great trick from here...just another reason why I love this forum...

[Dan00Hawk]

I've used both over the years without any problems. Last set of wheels I bought from Discount Tire were damaged by UPS. Discount Tire covered all of the shipping costs in returning them, and set me up with a new set and extra set of lugnuts for my inconvenience. No hassle whatsoever...

I like the extra tech info and more detailed specs on Tire Rack's website, but that's about the only thing that differentiates them in my eyes. I've never gotten Road Hazard protection for any of my tires, and have never needed it (knock on wood!).

[RandyS]

Only Tire Rack for my tire purchases. I'm loyal to the company that sponsors the SCCA SOLOII national Championships.

Randy

[BlueStreak]

Discount Tire has great customer service, but they might not give you an optimum price unless you haggle with them. I always check tirerack.com first to get prices before I visit a Discount Tire store. Typically then they quote me list prices, I tell them how ridiculous their prices are (diplomatically of course) by informing them of the tirerack price, then they poke around at their pricing computer, then they give a price which is very close to tirerack.com (once mount/balance is figured in). Lately I've been just getting the tires directly thru Discount Tire. However - if you're getting a set of wheels/tires together, it's pretty hard to beat TireRack.com (assuming you have the tools to bolt them on yourself).

[Lil Cosmos GTO]

As previously stated, print a quote from Tire Rack and take it to any major competitor. I have found that they all will match the Tire Rack price, including shipping and will be a lot happier about mounting and balancing the tires that you bought from them, as compared to how they might treat you for bringing in tires purchased elsewhere and asking them to mount them on your wheels.
I have also purchased a replacement tire (after a blowout) for the GTO from Tire Rack, when no other replacement tires were available West of the Mississippi. They did a stellar job in providing me with a replacement tire in less than a week, at a damn good price.

[Pulse Red GTO]

Tire Rack has great prices & great shipping. I usually order tires from there, until I went to Discount Tire to get my chrome rims. After I bought them, they have been really great to me. I took my Cavalier in there for a flat & they fixed it for free!! I didn't even get the tires from them, but they took care of me. Just for that, when I put new tires on it, they will be coming from there, I think they have great customer service also!

[hono]

I tried to purchase a pair of Blizzak snow tires fromn Tire Rack and they would not sell me two. Only four. So I went to Tiresavings.com and bought two, also bought an extra set of rims for the 05, but have not put them on the GTO yet. They are mounted, balanced and ready to go. Am trying to keep the goat out of the snow if possible. Have anyone had any experience with the Blizzak snow tires and if so what do you think of them? Thanks in advance

[Boss Hogg]

Discount Tire blows away Tire Rack. One reason being - like Hono said above, Tire Rack sometimes hassles you if you don't want to buy 4 tires. Screw that - I shoudl always be able to buy however many tires I want. Easily the biggest reason to go with Discount Tire though is that their website is FAR superior to Tire Rack's. Discount Tire lets you downsize rims right on the website whereas tire rack doesn't...plus generally I've found that Discount Tire's selection is better for both tires and rims.

[hono]

I purchased as pair of OEM rims from an 04 GTO that wasn't being used any more. Had the Blizzaks mounted and balanced and they sure look like good tires for snow. Supposed to be very aggressive. Hope I never have to find out. If I can keep the 05 in the garage this winter may try to sell them next spring. Have a second car that is pretty good in the snow as it is front wheel drive. Wait and see I guess

[2Cool]

Our shop is an authorized installer for both companies, Tirerack and Discount Tire Direct. Both are comparable in customer service, though Tirerack seems more organized than Discount. As for brands, Tirerack seems to carry more handling tires (aka road race, autocross, etc) than Discount, who have a better selection of drag race ones (Nittos especially). Prices are comparable, though sometimes Discount has their free shipping which puts them ahead.

[grfperformance]

The discount tire I shop at will purchase the tires from Tire Rack and sell them at the same price to me. Of course, they get a break from Tire Rack but I get a better deal because discount only charges $25 per tire for shipping, mounting, and lifetime balance. It's actually cheaper than getting them at Tire Rack myself. And, they ship the tires directly to Discount, I just show up and get them mounted.