Just bought '04 Mini w/ 16" OEM rims. The tires have about 20% tread left.

I bought another set of 16" OEM rims (different style) from a neighbor who upgraded to chromes after purchasing. The tires have 95% tread left and are from a '05 Mini.

Do I need to re-balance the tires that I got from the '05 Mini?

Thanks

 

Unless the tires have been removed from the wheels there is probably no reason to re-balance. You should be able to bolt the new, to you, wheel/tire packages and motor away. If there is a vibration then you'll want to look into having them balanced.

 

I recently purchased a set of barely used Conti all-season tires mounted on Bridgespokes from an NAM member. Living in the Northeast, I intend to use these in the winter months on my '08 MCS, saving my Webspokes w/ Dunlop Sports for the Spring and Summer.
I took them to my dealer to be balanced and swapped. When I arrived for the scheduled appointment, I was told that the 'book cost' for balancing is .3 hours per wheel! If the shop rate is $130/hour, do the math!
Bottom line, this job at the dealer cost me over $160. When I questioned this, the response was that they have trained technicians using the most advanced balancing equipment, as opposed to the chain tire businesses who charge $30 to balance all 4 wheels.
I would love to hear comments from other members on what I am thinking is a dealer rip off.

 

I had mine balanced after a suspension mod by a credible local tire shop I trust-think it was $70-$75

 

I got mine mounted and balanced for 70 bucks. I don't think anybody does it for 30 but 160 is high, but not surprising since you took it to the dealer to have it done. i think anything that the dealer does is a rip off but everyone knows that right? although sometimes you have/should

 

Most larger tire service companies have the same modern equipment the dealers have and the same amount of knowledge regarding balancing. The only time to rely on a dealer is to troubleshoot something particular to that brand. Most other services are identical to everyone else in the industry.

 

There's a reason they call them 'stealerships'.

 

There are two main types of wheel balancing, which one is better, I have gotten some conflicting info about which one is "better".

Regular Balancing
Road Force Balancing

I tend to favor road force as it actually rotates the wheel and the tire and divides the wheel into segments. It then recommends a balance (weight) for each segment.

Like VV said, I would not go to the dealer for this.