Best way to buy tires?
 

If you plan on buying wheels first, then waiting a month to buy tires, and if you're someone who doesn't know what they're doing, is it better to order tires online or go to a shop so they can help?

Either. Any reputable online tire place will offer the help you need. Any crappy tire shop will sell you what they want to get rid of.

I've done both, it really depends on your needs. In the end someone is going to need to mount the tires on the wheels and balance them even if you put them on the car yourself.

Using Tire Rack (or similar) is just smart research. Their prices are about as good as it is going to get and their review system is very accurate. When changing sizes of tires their specs are also very helpful and accurate. You can use one of their installers or find your own.

On the plus side with mail order you might avoid sales tax, but you re going to have to pay shipping.

That said.....it is nice to have a relationship with a local or national chain tire shop.

Usually the tax is about equal to the shipping cost. Many will match the mail order prices if asked.

Once you add shipping and mount/ balance by a third party you might be surprised how close a local guy can come to the same price.

If there is a issue a single seller that mounts and balances might be more motivated to fix an issue, where using two separate folks might have them pointing their fingers at each other should a problem arise.

Most places that mount and balance offer a lifetime balance and rotation. It might be advantageous to have bought your tires at the same place especially if they are a national chain and you are traveling and a problem pops up.

Of course if you are a racer or track guy you might find a different plan that works.

Hope this helps.

Why are you waiting a month for tires?

Next paycheck?

The shop that does all my tire work specializes in kits for raising pick up trucks. It is hilarious to see my lowered car in among them all.

Sometimes it is just about finding someone that will do good work and take care of your stuff.

Most gearheads can appreciate a variety of things, even if is not their main focus.

My alignment shop is the same way. They kick ass but are into mostly lifted trucks and rock crawlers(which I am too).

For the OP. When it comes to street tires I try to buy from a local shop so if I encounter road hazards, they are more inclined to fix them for free. For my track tires I order what I want online.

This ^. They know me, they know the car and I can trust them to do a good job.
And this ^. Since most tires come with road hazard it is nice to buy them where it can be collected on.

CAn someone explain something.

How in the hell can you have these tires on 18x8.5" wheels:

41X14.5R18

Reference:
"Tire Size Calculator Charts by Wheel Size"
https://tiresize.com/calculator/


What does that even look like? I'm trying to understand this in general. I don't know how 41" tires fit on 18" wheels.

What the actual fuck?

https://tiresize.com/tireimages/IROK.jpg

Tire and wheel diameter are for the most part independent. I'm looking for a set of 37" to fit the 15" on my 4runner :party0030:

I just bought a set from discount tire-direct on eBay. Got $100 off and replacement certificates. I have a buddy that can install them for me so I just shipped to the shop( free shipping and no tax) and they'll be installed soon

I can get close to or match tirerack prices if you include shipping at my shop. Some internet prices I can't compete with, I just put Continentals on my GF's Venza last week that I was able to get online cheaper than any of my distributors could sell to me for. Also some shops charge a different amount for dismount, mount and balance depending on if you bought their tires or brought your own. I charge the same either way.