Mount tires that you didn't buy from them?

[brian5]

This is so ridiculous but, unfortunately, it's true.

I'm in Fairfield country, CT and I can't find a tire/wheel shop that will replace my tires! I have new 20" tires that I want to replace on my X5. The message that I'm getting is that one has to have bought the tires from them...

I haven't looked around extensively yet; just contacted major chains. Left a message for my local BMW service department too.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[brian5]

Well, I got that problem solved last time by having the dealer change the tires. Only problem is that there was pretty severe "rub marks" on all four wheels when they were done. Of course, the dealer denied they could have done that. Normal wheel cleaners could not easily remove but I did them clean again . Not sure if the clear coat was damaged

I'm looking again as I would like get TPMS monitors replaced; wheels mounted with hub adapters and (possibly) wheels balanced in near future. Don't know if I want the dealer to do this.

Town Fair won't even talk to you if you haven't bought tires from them. Pretty sure that Hank May's (Norwalk) will. They just don't seem like they have much to do with imports though (I know the X5 is made in the USA )

Anyone have any recommended tire shops in Fairfield County, CT? Actually, doesn't even have to be in that county, a neighboring county would be fine too. I'm not looking for a mechanic because I purchased Extended Maintenance.

Thanks

[motordavid]

No help from this far away in terms of a specific rec'd...but I would search the web for the best hot rod/Vette/foreign car Indie/P or F Car indie and every good tire joint in your 'area'.

There are very careful shops that will use the plastic shields when breaking/seating the bead/rims, and hand socket the wheel lugs on and hand torque them, so as to not grind them on with impact wrenches.

I have found joints that are surgical and pristine, though they do charge considerably for good mounting/balancing, esp if you are carrying your tires to them...worth the hunt, imo.

What a surprise that the dlr denied it.
GL, mD

[brian5]

motordavid,

Thanks for your advice. I'll try to doing more specific searching.

FYI

The dealer did not have an issue mounting used tires that I had not bought from them. I was just not happy with the marks that they made on the outer rim (and the possible clear coat damage).

The dealer may do the other tire-related work that I'd like done too but I'd just rather go to a more careful shop even it's not that cheap. These OEM wheels and RFT 20" tires are expensive...

[TriX5]

Around DC there is no shortage of shops that will do that but there is a serious dearth of shops that will not wreck your wheels in the process. Merchant used to do mine but on the last set of 18s they changed for me they made such a pig's ear of it that I never returned. Then for a while I swapped tires at a near-by paint shop that had a balancer as well.....

Finally I bought my own tire machine and balancer and I am very happy. Especially since there is lot of construction in my neighborhood and as a result of "craftsmen" leaving screws and nails allover the street I seem to patch tires a lot....

Having said that, I mounted a set of bridgestones on my 20s a while back and they were horribly tough to get on and off. I'll stick with Michelins from here on. Best of luck!

[rh71]

not sure why a regular gas station auto garage wouldn't do it for you. I have one by me who work on a lot of BMWs (they own M3s) and they said people have their rims/tires delivered there for mounting all the time. Try and find a decent one.

[nom3rcy]

Check with your local BMWCCA chapter - it's usually pretty easy to find good advice from those guys.

BMW Car Club of America Connecticut Valley Chapter, Inc.

[brian5]

nom3rcy,
Thanks for that idea. Never think about my BMWCCA membership...

rh71,
The problem that I have is not just the mounting of the wheels but also the quality of the work. I actually got the dealer to change and mount my wheels last time; was not happy with their work. Need to just stick with them for warranty work.

Just looking for reputable shop to take my X5 to every 6 months. My closest garage will change my wheels (and have done so) but I'll pretty sure they chipped the wheel paint near the bolts...

[rh71]

The dealers have curbed my front right wheel to hell. Paint near the center cap was chipped long ago. Another time it was so bad they left a divot. I just left it alone as it already had damage. Last time they left blue marks on it from the lift or something. Can't trust ANYONE (2 different dealers no less). Next time I have flawless wheels I'm telling them it better come back that way.

[squeasel]

You might be able to find tire shops and reviews of them at tirerack.com. My experience is a few years old but I was able to talk with several shops about their services before choosing one ... and the shops listed are used to owner supplied tires.