Hi Everyone,

Probably an easy question, but I just have no clue.

I really need some new tires.  Found Costco to be cheap.  People here have backed that up.  But I should probably get an wheel alignment with it.  Costco does not do alignments.  Can I do the two things at separate shops or does new tires affect the alignment?  I guess I should get new tires before I get the alignment?  Any advice?

Any advice as to where to get the alignment in the south bay?

Thanks.

yes - go to broadmoor automotive in daly city. they're honest and reliable and reasonably priced.

call them and ask them your questions

yelp.com/biz/sRT0KYkB_6c…

they're incredibly helpful!

It's not a difficult job necessarily, so a garage will probably be the cheapest..Wheelworks does this kind of work as well.  You should call around for prices.

But yes you can definitely have them done separately.  You should also wait until you get new tires and then have the alignment done.

wheel alignment is completely independent from tire installation and balancing..and can be done after the tires have been replaced....

NO! Don't get cheap tires please! Tires are the only part of your car that touches the ground. They effect acceleration braking and stearing. Good tires are more important that seat belts and airbags. Hell you would be better off getting good tires and no alignment if money is that tight :(

What size tires do you need?

Thanks everyone.

Ciper.  No.  I'm not getting cheap tires.  Costco sells tires at the best price.  I'm getting the Michelin Energy MXV4 that my car came stocked with.  They are not cheap.  But then I never have had to spring for V or Z rated tires.

I need 195/60H R14.  Any other tire recommendations?

ACK expensive tires! Dunlop SP Sport A2 are :

Half the price
Better warranty
Higher treadwear
Significantly better wet and dry traction!

Check this if you dont believe me
tirerack.com/tires/Compa…

i like the michelin energy mxv4....i've never had a flat, slip or any problems with them for over a decade....and they last a good 40,000 to 50,000 miles....

but...i heard recent good things about bridgestone tires...so will be swtiching to bridgestone pole positions soon.....but than..my selection was very limited in 235/35/19 sizes....

Ciper, Thanks.

I have an old car, so I might go with the Dunlops.  Know of a place in the south bay that sells them?

Hen A.:  Yeah I really like my Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus too.  But they are expensive ...

Most chain tire stores can order them. Realize that the price at a chain tire shop is not set in stone. I've always been able to negotiate. At worst you can show them the total price from tire rack with shipping and have them match it.

Personally I know one of the owners of a Big O in fremont that always gets me a great deal

Kuhmo X-sta are the best speed rated tires for the money.  Maybe Costco has them.

In that size the Dunlop A2's should be ok.  Kumho also makes good cheap tires, try the 711 for economy or Ecsta MX for something sportier.  Bridgestone SO3's don't come in smaller than 15" and last about 15K miles on average.  The MXVwhatever Michelene's are insanely expensive because they know everyone will goto the tire shop and say "gimme whatever is on there now" and just pay for it because it fits.  But it is a very good quality tire.

I would goto tirerack.com, order your tires, have them shipped directly  to your local tire shop and you're done.  Figure $15-30 per wheel for installation, plus $50-100 for alignment depending on the shop, call around.  Discount Tires and Big O' all carry Kumho now I do beleive.

I meant Kumho, forgot to proofread.

kumho ecsta and 711 are great summer only tires. Unless you have another car to use in the cold or wet weather then they arent so great.

My advice is to stick with ultra high performance all season

Extra AND in the first sentence. The ASX are decent but the Dunlop beat them.

If you dont want the Dunlops the only other good tire is the Yokohama AVID H4S

Check out Breaks Plus of Daly CIty.. they have the best prices for all car care...

In dry hot weather sure. However I'm going to assume the OP is driving a Civic or Corolla and needs safety in all conditions. On my sleeper wagon I run Falken RT-615 in 215 40 17 and I'd never consider them for my daily driver!

My worst accident was like you say. I'm decent at threshold breaking but I was driving my friends car which had the cheapest Costco tires you can get (no joke). It didnt have ABS and in a short amount of time I locked the wheels 3 times before crashing into the back of another car.

America's Tire Co. will replace them for life if you insure them. I've had several replaced at no cost, and their service (at least in Pleasanton) is superb.

Big O has a similar policy too!

Thanks guys.

I end up at Wheel Works and they basically will match tirerack.com's price + shipping.  No installation charge.  

The guy suggested Bridgestone's.  Oh yeah, they got rave review in tirerack.com.  Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Postion, the number 1 rated ultra high performance tire.  $78 per tire (including shipping).

They charge the $1/tire disposal fee.  Then tacked another $1/tire Wheel Works disposal fee.  And of course I had to pay sales tax.  But they had the tires in stock, no waiting.  I guess I could  have saved on sales tax, but there was no installation fee.

With 4 miles under the new tires, I can't say I can tell a difference.  My old Michelin Engery MVwhatever Plus were good/decent tires.  They are quiet.  I'm sure they be good.

Thanks all.

If you're in the south bay order the tires from Tire Rack and have them installed and the alignment done at Custom Alignment in mtn view. TireRack will drop ship the tires there and you just make an appt when they arrive. TOP notch service, cutting edge equipment and fair prices