So I bought an 08 Portfolio before Halloween and have driven it all of about 3 weeks since then (search for my other post if you want to read the most incredible story ever). Anyway, it was at a dealership in Baton Rouge and I'm near Philly. This is the first "high performance" car I've ever owned. Anyway, the car came with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires which I now understand to be exceptional summer performance tires. However, coming home the other night when the temperature got down to 11 degrees F, I was literally all over the place on dry pavement. I understand why after getting home (safely) and googling. These tires get hard and it's like driving on bowling *****. Seriously. So I did my research and ordered 4 new Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires. If you need all season tires for your Portfolio, just get these. Seriously. I did the research already. $900 delivered with a 50,000 mile tread life warranty and excellent ratings in dry, wet and snow. So, fine. I call the local Jag dealer to mount them. "Oh sure we can do that. Tomorrow? No problem. Do you need a loaner car? Great see you then." ME "Oh just out of curiosity, how much will that be?" DEALER "$540.00" ME Silence. DEALER "Sir? Sir?"

OK so I expect everything to be more on the Jag but $540.00 to mount and balance 4 tires!!?? Really? Firestone up the street wants $100.00. The question is do I trust them? OR.... is there someplace else I should go in the Wilmington, Delaware / Philly area that can do this right for less? I have a lot of things I'd rather spend the $440 savings on. Any advice in this area will be helpful.

BTW, I asked about an oil change and they said $89.95 which I thought was reasonable given it runs pure synthetic. Maybe they subsidize the oil changes with tire mounting and balancing. ;-)

Anyway, thanks for any help you can give.

 

That is truly absurd. There is nothing about the Jaguar wheel that would justify such a price...any good tire shop can balance the wheels properly...

 

Tire Rack used to have consumer reviews of installers on their web site. Along with prices for the work. Might want to check out.

 

By the way, I previously had a set of DWS on a Porsche. Very happy with them, and great tread life.

Mark

 

Discount Tire ( a National Chain) will remove and remount/balance tires for $16.00 each or $64.00 for the set.

I have used them on my 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition here in NM.

 

Perhaps, they didn't mention for the $540, you received new brake pads too? Yuk, Yuk!

 

Thanks for the tips guys. Went to Tire Rack and found this top rated installer right down the street from the office:

http://www.tirerack.com/installer/In...=19720&place=0

Joe has done work for me before and I was happy with it but had forgotten about them so I'll have them mounted there and report back. Looks like it will be $25 a tire. Maybe this will help someone else out in my local area. Can't ait to get off these Dunlops!

 

Hey Mate,
While there, ask about "Road Force" balancing. Worth the value, IMHO.
Happy Motoring.........

 

I've had good luck with Discount Tire, Tire Rack recommendation and Firestone (4 way alignment for $75!)
Switched Dunlop's with Handkook's, very, very smooth and quiet .

Maybe Jag. dealer price included a Fiat 500!

Adrian