So I'm ordering a set of OZ ultralegerra's with tires from tire rack, and they give you the option of havin them mounted and balanced. My question is, should I still have them sent to a shop? I see it quotes me a price for mounting and balancing, but if that's already done, what else will the shop do besided put them on my car? Which I could do in my driveway for free.

Will I have to pay tax if I have them shipped to my residence?

Thanks!

 

If Tire Rack does the mount and balance and you are capable of swapping them out there is no need for a shop.

As to taxes you'll need to check with Tire Rack on that but for the most part if they are being shipped out of state there is no tax. However, there are some states such as Maryland that have in the tax code that you are to report the unpaid sales tax on out of state mail-order purchases and submit that amount with your income taxes. Yeah, sure, I'll be doing that...ha

 

also, I'm going from 16" to 17"...

is there any adjustments I need to have done?

 

ok, great, thanks!

 

If you ordered the wheels with the correct offset no adjustments or spacers are necessary. If you were going to be running 18s, MINI recommends using steering stop limiters although they aren't necessary and you're putting on 17s anyways! Classy choice with the OZ ultraleggeras BTW.

If you have a good local shop, call them and ask what it would be to mount and balance the wheels and if it's more than tirerack, just let tirerack do it. The one thing I didn't notice you mention is if you have an R53 or R56. If you have an R56 made in fall 07 or later than you'll need to get the TPMS installed and many local shops won't do this, FYI.

 

I just ordered 4 wheels and tires from Tire Rack and there was no charge for mounting and balancing. I purchased TPMS's and they also mounted them. Ordered on 12/18 and they arrived on 12/22 in perfect condition. I did not have to pay tax.

 

I just put new 17" snow tires and wheels on my mini and got them sent direct to my house from http://www.tirerack.com. I put them on myself and I have been extremely pleased with the whole deal! Make sure you chalk your tires on the opposite side of the car and only try to put one tire on at a time. Also, the wheels came with the correct spacer on the wheel. They only took about a week to get them via UPS.

 

My God you guys have a lot of spare cash laying around. It would cost me $1100 to equip my car with new rims and snow tires. I'll take the bus on snow days instead.

 

i just ordered tires from discounttiredirect.com. free shipping and no tax. i believe, if they have a retail location in your state, you will be charged tax. if not, no tax. and mount them yourself, i just switched out my all-seasons for my snow set myself. having a good jack makes things alot easier.

 

Meanwhile, back here in reality, winter wheel and tire packages for a MINI at tirerack.com are as low as $400, including mounting and balancing.