Hey folks. Have a question. So went out to have my new 245/40 18 tires mounted on my new rims. I am being told to use a touchless tire machine, which is VERY EXPENSIVE. All you third genners with 18" rims, how did you get your tires mounted? thanks!

 

Okay so my perspective on this after working at a dealership for 8 or so years and also seeing many tire/independent shops.
Most lower end shops such as mom and pop places or tire kingdoms and such will likely have cheaper or older machines that will have a higher chance of scratching your wheels.
However
I have noticed that most shops that specifically sell wheels(such as rent a wheel or RNR) will have a nicer machine that will have rubber/silicone grips or covers to prevent scratching.
That's not to say that the wrong person with the right tire machine can't find a way to F things up still. Just like an experienced tire guy who cares about his work can manage not to cause any damage on an old clapped out tire machine.

If you don't have any wheel specific shops near you, another alternative would be to find higher end dealerships, they tend to have nicer tire machines for cars coming with big fancy wheels on them these days and depending on the place shouldn't be much more expensive to mount and balance, if they are willing to do something out of the ordinary. The Nissan I work at is GTR certified and we are required to have a fancy machine, yet we only charge $25 per wheel to mount and balance.

 

Thanks very helpful. I was thinking about approaching a dealership. The high end shop around here wants $180 bucks to do all 4 with a touchless machine. See kinda high being I am supplying all the components.

 

that's not too far out in left field IMO. If they are doing a road force balance, I'd say that's fair.
Only trouble with dealerships is that most tend to get weirded out over things that they aren't used to seeing on a normal basis. But I'm sure if you have a Chevy store near you they shouldn't raise TOO much of a fuss, and have a machine nice enough not to harm those big shiney Vette wheels.

 

180 sounds about right since you are not buying the tires from them. Most shops charge less if you buy the tires from them, sometimes its free.

 

885speed. I took your advice. I stopped by a Cadillac dealer after work. Used to be a Pontiac dealer years ago. Anyway told the guy what I have and what I am installing it on. $22 per wheel, mounted and balance. I just saved over 100 bucks! And they have a touchless tire machine. He just put new 18" tires on his car yesterday.

The place who quoted me 182 bucks said no one else in the area has a touchless tire machine. Not very honest and VERY overpriced.

 

i would agree, but being a GM dealer has the same machine and is 100 bucks less, I wonder how honest they are.

 

thanks all for the feedback, this is a great site!

 

I'd feel safe guessing that he was only referencing other independently owned shops and chain shops like Tires Plus.
IMO it seems like some of these shops forget about dealers most of the time because they rely heavily on those consumers who "will never go to a dealership to get ripped off"
Trust me, those type of dealers are plentiful. But there's also ones that are very honest and trustworthy.
In fact for a short time I worked at a local Ford dealer and they were the definition of scumba......
Anyways, I'll stop ranting now... lol.

Good to hear you got it taken care of, and for a good deal.

You should definitely post a picture of the new wheels on the car when you get a chance.

 

Yeah that's a good point. Even still you would think they would be a bit more competitive.

I will post pics when done for sure.

 

well they did it! look really good. I have to look them all over but I checked one of them and it looks amazing! $95 bucks for all 4!