I am looking to replace the Pzeros, and am looking at purchase and installation options. Costco is about $150 cheaper than Tire Rack for the 305/30/20 and 265/35/20's as Costco's price is installed. Tire Rack will ship directly to a local high end performance shop that I would trust to do the job correctly (they work on track cars, Ferrari's, Porsche's, etc.).

Can Costco be trusted to install tires? I expect this is a bit of hard question to answer as I expect it depends on the local skills. Costco's rebate for Michelin's extend till end of month. Tire Rack ends today. It's a $70 discount, but money's money. Thoughts welcome. Thanks.

 

Like most services it all depends on the staff and their skill level. You could inquire at the service desk there and see what they use for equipment, how they go about it and get a comfort level - or not!

If you are close to me in the near future I could look into costs for you and likely be very competitive with the added benefit of our new (literally finishing up today) state of the art computerized Hunter alignment rack - HUGE expense - the most expensive system they make that takes 4 days to install, set up and train.

-Mike

 

I would wear the extra $150 cost and go with the high end shop, $150 isn't much when you consider the total cost of the tyres, balancing and fitting.
Also a low end shop like Costco may not have the right equipment for 305/20/30 tyres and as a result they could damage a wheel or two.

 

Costco, at least in this area, is hardly a "low end shop." In fact, their equipment and staff expertise are "high end" in every way, superior to most other tire dealers.

 

i would have to agree, for the most part* costco is solid on tires. Never had an issue, and if you did i believe they would make it right. but again...depends on the actual guys working, i like to believe most places like this the people doing the work are excited to not be working on an Escape or minivan, so they take extra precaution. its all a gamble really.

 

I would love to have Costco mount and balance tires for me. They stand behind all of their products and services with a 100% satisfaction guaranty and will pretty much go to the end of the earth to satisfy a customer. If you've ever returned anything to them, even after 6 months, it's pretty much a scan of the barcode and a swipe of your credit card to get your money back.

I can only imagine that if they were to damage your wheels, there would be no issue reimbursing you for repair, etc. Plus, they do not use shoddy equipment either. The shops are immaculately clean, and they nitrogen fill and refill your tires any time you need.

Basically I love Costco.

 

Ask about certifications of their install techs....various tech are certified on various brands. Assure that you get the Jag certified tech, and you should be good to go. The other benefits of CostCo tire installs are numerous.

Desert Hiker

 

thanks Mike. Jay's trying to get me back up there, but I dont think it's possible. Appreciate it though.

 

I would take pictures of the side skirts before I brought the car to have the tires replaced and inspect them after to make sure the car was raised properly and wasn't cracked.

 

Good thought....and caution them on the alignment rack, we have always had to take special precautions to get an F-TYPE on and off the rack without scraping the front splitter/bumper.

 

That's a shame....you are such good company!

-Mike

 

I don't believe Costco goes alignments.

 

 

Going in on Tuesday for the P4s tires at Costco.

All I can say is the place looks like a hospital compared to most tire shops that look like Sanford and Son.

Yes, I'll be taking pics of each wheel and surrounding area. It is just too much these days to ask for excellent service no matter how much you pay.

Before I've taken a car into the shop in the past I do a decent detail. My assumption is if the car looks very well kept they may not gorilla it to death.

I'll ask them to hand tighten the lugs to 92ft lbs, use the black weights I'll provide, install my new 17mm lugs, remove the old 19mm ..... and all of that I'll expect will be ignored.

If done as I ask the actual installer gets a $50 tip. Chances are the $50 is safe.

I am in the service business myself - telecom - and spoil and pamper my customers to death. I wish just once to have a positive service experience - somewhere, anywhere - but I won't hold my breath.

If anyone knows a good alignment shop in Portland, please let me know (IM). There used to be one on SE 7th but I can't find it. Prefer not to use the local Jag dealer.

 

 

I have a great Costco in my area. Flemington NJ.. Their shop is spotless.. Service Manager does my tires and lets you watch. Had them put tires on my Lotus Evora and my Porsche Spyder. Only issue is that their machine is not touchless. So if you have wheels that have a finish on the edge it is something to note. Look at the shop and the guys doing the work. You will know. Trust your gut. Likewise I have used a very high end local shop that charges $60 per tire and 2 were not correct and left with 40-50PSI in all 4 tires. Horrible.

 

"It is just too much these days to ask for excellent service no matter how much you pay."

It isn't the 'company' it is who does the work. As in the person. Impossible to know if Costco will be good or that Ferrari shop would be the answer. All depends on who showed up for work that day.

 

But Costco will back their work while others will tell you to beat it.

 

 

Good to know because the Flemington Costco is also my local Costco and I was planning to use them when the PZs end life.