# Need new tires. Advice requested. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 7, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547 "2014-07-07T15:32:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/21 "2014-07-07T18:00:25Z")
> [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](#): > > Nitrogen has advantages for high performance racing tires. Come to think of it, when I bought a set from Costco it was for a Honda s2000. > > The disadvantage is if you want to add tire pressure, nitrogen pumps are harder to find. I don’t think there is any requirement to continue to use nitrogen even if that’s what Costco or another tire shop puts in your tires. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/22 "2014-07-07T18:46:57Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > When I went to Tirerack, I just had them ship directly to my local shop, he was happy to put them on for me, and the combined price was good. Before you order, check the install price at your local shop. The one time I almost went this method, the only local shop that Tire Rack dealt with was so expensive that there wasn’t any savings & it actually would take longer to get because they needed to be shipped. Local tire chain had the same tires in stock, for less. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/23 "2014-07-07T19:27:15Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Before you order, check the install price at your local shop. The one time I almost went this method, the only local shop that Tire Rack dealt with was so expensive that there wasn’t any savings & it actually would take longer to get because they needed to be shipped. Local tire chain had the same tires in stock, for less. I believe to be a “TireRack Recommended Installer” they have to offer mount and balance at TR’s price, $15/wheel IIRC. It’s possible there is another tier of retail shops that will take a TR order and mount it, but on their own terms. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/24 "2014-07-07T19:44:32Z")
I usually compare [Tirerack.com](http://Tirerack.com) and [DiscountTireDirect.com](http://DiscountTireDirect.com), last couple time [DiscountTireDirect.com](http://DiscountTireDirect.com) was cheaper. Don’t forget to take shipping into account as well. ---
**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/25 "2014-07-07T20:22:55Z")
I was going to use, iirc, [tirebuyer.com](http://tirebuyer.com), as they were cheaper than Tire Rack (my usual go to), and they offered free delivery. As an added bonus, the installer in my area was cheaper, too. However, I ended up going to Firestone because they had some crazy sale. I got the Duelers and think they are fantastic, best tires I have ever owned. I never had much luck with Michelin. My local Costco swears that the Ecopias are the best ever. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547/26 "2014-07-07T22:04:00Z")
One point is that many local tire dealers offer lifetime balancing with tire purchase for relatively low fees. Contrast this with the $10/tire or so rebalancing fee if you do it individually. So if lifetime balancing saves $40-$50 over the life of the tire instead of individual rebalancing, the cheaper initial internet price may not make up for this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-tires-advice-requested/692547.md?page=1)