My car came with the "sporty and dynamic 5-star" wheels. I didn't really want these, so my MA said he would track down some 7-hole alloys for me. Today he calls me and says that he got them and that it will cost me $100 to install. Should I really have to pay for this?

 

Well if the tires must be dismounted from the current wheels and put on the other wheels I can understand the cost. But if its clear you got wheel you didn't ask for then I wouldn't pay.

 

I could not see them charging that much, maybe $60-80

 

$100 fine, go for it. He could charge you for the wheels...

 

good point, but try and haggle your way out of it

 

$100 for a new set of rims you want instead of ones you dont want doesnt sound that bad, but it shouldnt really cost that much to switch some rims though

 

I agree, thats cheap. I orginally wanted to upgrade to R88s from the holies and the dealer wanted some $400 per (tires included, a $1600 set). So I bought Volks, cheaper.

Granted, in your situation it nearly sounds like a down-grade.

 

I should clarify; I specifically asked, on the day of purchase, if I could trade the standard wheels that I have for a different standard wheel. He said, "yeah, I will get some in for you."
I don't think that they are trying to screw me or anything like that. But I just spent close to $30,000 on a new car. You would think that, for that price, they could throw in a wheel change on the house.

 

That's true, I bet you can get your MA to give you it as a freebie somehow

 

Thanks everyone. I'm asking this as an honest question. I am a cost-cutter for a living, so whenever I am asked to spend money I ask a lot of questions.

 

Since both are you the MA & yourself neglected to cover the subject completely in the begining. State that to him in that fashion, then ask the labor charge can be elimited or reduced to 50%{or less}.

If the rims are not what you ordered, then remind him/her of that fact - no cost should be envolved.

Our MINI is in shipment. I already know that the rims are NOT the ones that were ordered. Things happen.

Just be very nice and remember it will go a very long way.......

Pkat

 

I think they should do this for free.....a fair charge at a tire shop would be no more than $50, including the balancing that will be required, along with the demounting/remounting.

In your case though, free would be the right thing for them to do.

 

This may not be the case, but aren't the 5-stars 16 inch and the holies 15? that's the way it is with my 03 If that's the case, then there is no tire switching and he is charging you $100 or about 15 minutes of work.

 

5 stars are 16"
Holies are 15"

Considering the tires cannot be transfered, $100 is way cheap ( $13 per wheel and $13 per tire). I imagine the dealer probably has a set of take offs lying around from a previous sale. Had the dealer been savy, he'd know he could get $400 here on NAM.

 

If these are RF's....changing wheels is quite a task. RF's do not come off very easily so that where the cost may be.

 

$25 to dismount the old tires, remount on new wheels and balance is CHEAP. Suck it up.

Should they throw it in? Did you have a good rapport with your salesman. The fact you spent $30K is meaningless.... your relationship with the MA (during the buying process) is priceless.

I had lots of stuff "thrown in".... But I had to work the MA.

 

I don't think the charge is out or line (I've paid anywhere between $80 and $125 to mount and balance 4 tires in the past), but why not just say "Thanks for getting me the rims as promised. But you never said anything about charging to mount them when we spoke about it." Maybe he'll offer you a better deal, a free t-shirt, something that would help you feel better about it. Let us know what happens!

 

It's not a great deal, but the dealer is there to make money... Plus they agree to switch your wheels for another model...

I'd say go for it. You'll end up paying 30-40$ more, but at least, you'll have the wheels you want.

 

I don't think that the price is that high for the change. But you always have the option of haggling a bit with your dealer...of course, he always has the option of laughing at you.

 

Jeeze, I'd drive to the dealer, pull out my 3 ton car jack and change the tires myself. For free.