$1100 For a NEW SET OF TIRES!! SHEESH LOUISE!!!

[Sean Price]

one of my tires went flat on me.. took it to my local firestone thinking they could patch it some..

1 hour later they call me to talk to me about my Pilot, tire is so far gone, its not patchable they claim...

2 hours later upon my return vehicle pickup they then tell me that since its an AWD vehicle with the auto tire sensors, they can't replace just one tire, it has to be all FOUR at the SAME TIME!!

I had planned on getting new tires this year since I knew it was that time, but NOT this soon, was hoping early fall....

BUT $1100!!!! WOW!!!!

Granted, $200 of that is tire rod removal and replacement(right-inner)


but seriously, even Sam's club cheapest tires are $700!!!!


Am I missing something, or is this a Welcome to the world of tire replacements on an SUV???


Firestone P235/70R16 tires
w/ labor, replacement and disposal $600

Alignment Service $80

TPMS Sensor Replacements $150

TIE Rod Replacement $200

Taxes $53
----------
$1100!!!


I thought ONLY Dealers charged an arm and a leg? What gives? Didn't really get a good feel from local Firestone either, but regardless for $1100 I might as well take it to a dealer.. SHEESH, doubt they could charge more...

Like I said was going to replace the tires this year anyways, but that was on my own time, seems like my hand is forced here.. one way or another I have a flat tire..

Sam's quoted me $700 for the tires ALONE, over the phone, not lookin at any TIE rods, and DEFINITELY not doing anything with the TPMS Sensor replacements..


Whats the deal, do I really need these TPMS Sensor replacements? almost $40 each!!!

OUCH!!


Can I just have a tire shop simply replace with NEW TIREs and NOT worry about auto sensors this, TPMS that...

TALK TO ME PEOPLE



as Always I appreciate any input and advise!!!


Thanks Again!!


oNe

[samc]

Why do the tire-rods need replacing? Did they get bent somehow when your tire went out? And if so really $200 for a tirerod?????

No TMPS sensors do not need to be replaced. In fact the installer won't need to touch them when they put on a new tire.

And while most people will tell you to replace tires in pairs, in my experience I have replaced just one tire with a used one (same make) without problems.



I recommend you drive your pilot out, install the temp spare yourself and drive off to a regular tire shop. These people are out to rape you blind.

[macphanatic]

IIRC, the worst case would be having to install two new tires (left and right). TMPS sensors shouldn't need to be replaced.

[rocky]

Wot a rip off.

[Sean Price]

yeah, I thought so..

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something...

Luckyily I had my bike in the trunk.. so I was able to pedal home

but after receiving that call... I pedaled back over there IMMEDIATELY!!

I went back and asked for a manager..

Manager claims that in these AWD vehicles and per manufacturer recommendations that you cannot replace one tire at a time... that ALL 4 MUST BE DONE TOGETHER!!

I ask him about th TMPS sensors.. He claims that his tech told him that all 4 were severly corroded and needed replacement...

I thanked him for his time and input and said NO, THANK YOU and left... They proceeded to "warn" me that I was basically risking my life by driving out on these daytona bald tires... I mean the tires have seen better days.. but their NOT quite that bad..

He went on to say that it would be almost illegal for me to drive on the Interstate with the tires current shape..

I finally had enough and said, "gentlemen if I had an extra $1100 to give you, then I would give it to you and be done with it.. OBVIOUSLY I don't, so good day!"


Hopefully tomorrow brings better fortune, its gonna be a long morning....


INCIDENTLY, anyone have recommendations on tires? Living up North, we do have some serious winters, so snow traction is a MUST, but looking for year rounds tires..


LET ME KNOW!!



Thanks Again!


oNe

[carguy07]

As much as that sounds ridiculous, I don't think those numbers are that far off the mark. $150 a tire mounted and balanced for name brand tires is not that crazy. Inner tie rod is $35 part from autozone, and installers usually double that price for their parts, so $70 part and call it $100 labor since they look like a pain in the a$$ to do. Alignment should be more like $40-$50. TPMS, who knows? They are probably fine and can be reused. So $820 or so if you don't need the TPMS or $920 or so if you do, add $50 for tax and you are just shy of a grand.

[N_Jay]

1 word: Tirerack

[whizmo]

I don't think the point here is to nitpick whether this outfit's prices are a little high (or low) for the work they recommend doing. The real problem is that they're at best mis-informed about the need to replace all four tires at once on an AWD vehicle, and at worst, they're making stuff up as they go along to run up a bigger bill. And the scare tactics are reprehensible. Regardless, they are not a shop to be trusted. You're right to get out of there.

If all four tires are getting near the end of their life, I wouldn't nickle/dime this problem by replacing one now and the other three in a few months. But you should be able to get four decent tires for around $150 per corner installed, less if you really shop hard. I'd go to Costco or one of the big tire discounters (e.g., Discount Tire). I doubt your TPMS sensors need replacing, but you'll get another opinion there. If you have two decent tires (more than 30% thread), you might consider putting them on one axle and buying only two new tires.

The tie-rod/alignment stuff is orthogonal to all this, so its really a separate subject. But I think you're being a bit of a drama queen by wrapping up a bunch of non-tire work in a thread that is titled "$1100 for a set of four tires". Keep it real please.

- Mark

[mclairmo]

You did the right thing by leaving those bozos. Discount Tire is ok; just remember that you can bargain with them. I bought their Prodigy Tire (by Yokohama) for about $75 each and they are fine even in light snow. You can find tires for between $75 and $100 if you shop around and bargain. Remember, Discount Tire will price match and will drop their price on their road hazard. A buddy of mine talked them down to $8 a tire for the road hazard thing. So, call a ghetto tire place in town, get an awesome quote and have Discount Tire match it. Don't need to replace TPMS and likely don't have to replace tie rods either unless you bent one. Check if they are bent or loose yourself. Just grab it and yank on it hard. It should not move much at all. You don't need an alignment unless your tires are wearing unevenly or your steering is off.

[onu2002]

Nothing to add here - more of a questions. With the TPMS, even if the sensors are bad, is there any reason you could just not replace them? Sure, you'd have a constant low tire pressure light in the gauge cluster. Does it bong at you too?

[rocky]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

1 word: Tirerack

I'm now on my third set of tires and which I'd gone with Michelin when the first set wore out. They are worth the extra coin over anything Firestone and Bridgestone supply.

Tirerack beat my local guy on price. Even after delivery and mounting I saved over $100.

Michelin is running a tire rebate as well. Summer Savings: Michelin Tires

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by onu2002

Nothing to add here - more of a questions. With the TPMS, even if the sensors are bad, is there any reason you could just not replace them? Sure, you'd have a constant low tire pressure light in the gauge cluster. Does it bong at you too?

No bong that I know of, just the dash indicator light. Many guys that run custom rims leave the TPMS off.

[hondacuraplanet]

Something that's never discussed, it seems, is used tires. When I know I need to replace a set of tires, I'll snoop around Craigslist for a couple months for a set of slightly used rims with nearly new tires already mounted. I don't think that I've paid over $200 for a set yet.

[krazykarguy]

^^^ Best suggestion yet.

The TPMS sensors are not required, the only light that comes on is the "TPMS" amber light near the temperature gauge.

I'm currently running a set of MSW 16"x7" wheels that I bought with winter tires for $200 from a guy who was running them on a 2008 Acura TL. I dismounted and sold the 205/60/16 snow tires for $100, so my raw cost for the summer wheels was $25 a piece.

I then mounted my OE Goodyear Integritys on these wheels ($70), without any TPMS sensors. My OE Pilot wheels have my Nordman winter tires mounted to them (and the TPMS sensors) so I can swap winter/summer tires without shelling out $80-$100 once the snow flies and again when it melts.

CN: craigslist is awesome for tires.

[whizmo]

I've sold tires on CL a few times; if used tires are acceptable to you, that's a good option, especially if you only want one or two to replace something irreparable.

Another thought - don't be afraid to have another shop evaluate whether the tire is patchable. Most of the chains will evaluate and fix flats for free.

- Mark