Folks, I am a 458 Spider owner in the Bay Area, CA. I’ll be needing new tires in the next 1,000 miles so exploring options. 1) What is the value of dealer vs local tire shop (ie America’s Tire) for new tires? 2) recommendation for Michelin Pilot Super Sport or Pirelli P-Zero tires? Many thanks Greg
I don’t think there’s anything particularly different or difficult to changing the tires on these cars, it really boils down to whether you trust the tire shop not to scuff your wheels. Is it worth the extra $ to you for the peace of mind of having the dealer do it?
My concern would be is what experience does the local tire shop have its working on exotics? I read on here for example that the ceramic brake rotors are very sensitive, and can easily get damaged if they get banged against? Not sure on the truth behind that, but if it is true, and the shop doesnt know that, it could turn into a very very expensive tire change.
This! I use a local tire shop, but only because I've built a relationship with the guys working there over years of buying tires. If you don't have a shop you already trust to not bump your rotors, I'd use Ferrari, as I would assume they'll make it right if a mistake it made.
Ouch! Yeah, I just got some new wheels/tires delivered and was going to swap them out myself. Started researching on here on jack points for the car and saw someone mentioned about the rotors and decided nope! Took it to the dealer yesterday to swap wheels and also install Novitec springs.
1) depends - if the dealer is charging you a 15% markup on the tires id by them from tirerack and have them delivered to the dealer. 2) i almost never consider pirelli when i replace tires unless im forced to like my diabo. Cant see anyone recommending pirelli over michelin for summer tires. fwiw im shocked i havent cracked any rotors with some of the potholes ive hit. absolutely shocked.
I’m shocked too! Roads are bad where u live. Isn’t carbon strong or supposed to? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Do you guys have Discount Tire over in CA? My local Discount Tire is fantastic, all the guys working there are young car guys
Must be; because from what I recalled carbon was always praised for its strength and durability Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Order tire rack and have shipped to you or your shop. Reach out to your local area via FCHAT “your area” and get reco. Ask high end owners where they go. Dealer likely farms out as it is...even here in SoCal they didn’t do in house.
I take my wheels/tires off using the aluminum stud guides that Ricambi sells for $11 to prevent CCM rotor damage. I bring them to my local Discount Tire. The manager himself changes the tires and brings me into the shop to watch.
Personally, I order tires online, then remove the wheels from the car and just take those to a local shop. No way would I hand the car over to anyone at a tire/wheel place. Ray
I had Carbon fiber wheels on my motorcycle. There were no local shops I trusted at all, so I ended up building my own jig that attached to a trailer hitch - which I could bolt the rims to in order to hold them - then I modified a tire installation bar so I could install my own tires without it touching the lip of the rims. Even then, doing it myself, I was a nervous wreck installing and removing tires. Ray
I used Tire Rack installer in Mt View for both my FF and 458 tires. Perfectly fine. 458 had the run flat gunk in it too. No hesitation about doing this again. Had the Mich Super Sports put on all the tires. Next time will be 4S versions. SV
1) I have found very few local shops who can truly mount low profile rims without scratching. I would test another car's rims at the shop before the Ferrari. I have a good relationship with a local tire place and they mount and balance for next to nothing but they scratch EVERYTHING. The only one I trust besides the dealer charges $200 but never so much as the slightest scratch. Replacement wheels are pricey and refinishing never looks the same. 2) Michelin! PSS are fine, PS4 are even better if you can get in the right size. Great grip, reasonable wear, and light carcass. Michelin rarely disappoints.
Michelin Super Sports are better. Quieter and grip better. I get my tires at the Fcar dealer. They pock up my car in Aspen for annual service. If tires are needed they do it. Saves me a trip to get tires and l know they will do it right.
I'm lucky to have a four point lift in my garage. I take the wheels off myself, then take them to a high end wheel shop (Ice Performance in Scottdale) that does match mounting and road force balancing. , Perfect every time; even better than factory. I'd never let the average big box tire shop lift my car, or drive it in and out of the service bays. I like to wrench on my own stuff as much as I can, and with the newest stuff, the only thing I'm really qualified to do is change the oil and swap out the wheels once in awhile
You should get the 4-wheel balance with a new set of tires to bring the suspension back to perfect spec and increase the life of the new tires. That mandates a Ferrari specialist. Use Tire Rack or Discount Tire and drop ship to dealer. Make a deal for mount, balance and 4-wheel alignment.