My local Costco says that since their computer does not show 215/45-17 as a viable size for the MCS they will not install that size unless I bring in a letter from MINI stating it's OK. Anyone run into this?

They did offer that I could bring in just my wheels and they'll mount the tires.

 

hahahah....

thats funny...write a note yourself...haha

seriously...if they said that i dunno if i would want them installing my tires...

 

If Costco has a great price on the tires than maybe buy them there, but take them to a place that has a clue for installation. I wouldn't trust a place like Costco or Sam's Club or Walmart with mounting tires on my Mini.

 

But they are great for buying really big jars of mayonaise!

 

And LOTS of bottled water. Oh! Don't forget the JUMBO PAK of TP!
Jim

 

Yup. Pretty much corporate policy I suspect for Costco. They must have gotten sued at some time for installing the wrong size tire on a car. I can see their point for fear of installing a tire with inadequate load or speed rating but not really when upsizing or upgrading. I suppose there always could be clearance problems they wouldn't know about. They are pretty unyielding about it and I'm surprised they even offered to do it with a letter from MINI what with having to deal with filing that info so that it is available to all stores in the event of future issues.

And actually our Costco probably has the newest and best install equipment in town....but then there really is only one other tire store in this lovely capital city of Juneau.

 

I guess it wouldn't be a problem for me since I never give them the car to work on when I need tires, I always take my wheels off at home and take the wheels in my truck, drop them off on my way to work and pick them up on the way back, that way there's no waiting and I clean the rims inside and out so they can balance them properly, especially when using stick-on weight, these idiots will stick them on top of mud, they wipe it as best as they can but it's never good enough. Mud can also add weight if there is too much on one side.

 

and you will feel the differnce of that offset mudweight in your normal driving at 120mph+

 

If CostCo does not have the correct machines and trained operators they will either, not be able dismount the runflat tires or damage the rims while trying.

Read the FAQ about tires and wheels either on this site or on mini2.com and they tell which tire changing machine can do the job safely.

 

I haven't tried Costco for tires--never even considered it. After all, if I was in the market for tires, I'd only need 4, not 400. Seriously though, I did have a problem at my local Les Schwab dealer. They won't put any wheels or tires on a MINI. They had a bad experience with one MINI where the wheels couldn't be balanced properly for some reason. They claim they tried "everything" and ended up saying something stupid like "MINIs are squirrely" (sp) and until MINI fixes it, they won't touch them. I want new wheels and tires, but I don't want to buy them via mail-order. The caveats and conditions are too extensive and returns, if necessary, are too expensive. I guess I'll try Big-O. They've always been good with my other cars.

 

So basucally you need a note from your mother explaining why you missed school yesterday.

I'm amazed they let you even do that much, they insited that I have all the tread in the back instead of front, cause of corprate policy no matter how much I told them otherwise, "wont rotate sorry, policy; but if you want to buy two new tires..." That was my last car, also tried to blame an overinfated tire (done by them) on my "driving style". They also over torqued a bolt on my parents Minivan to the point where when we had to change a flat the OEM lug wrech bent and broke without moving the bolt, thanl god it wasn't on my torque wrench. Needless to say the MINI will never see the inside of a Costco's.

Just go to a real tire store (Goodyear has given me great service) and they'll mount and balance without issue, they hunted down a set of 215/40/17s from 100 miles away for me.

Hope you get your tires on soon.

 

My son told me about trying to buy/install only 2 tires at COSTCO, and being told that he needed 4. COSTCO refused to install just two. Could it be that the lawyers are running COSTCO? Or have people experienced that at other stores too?

 

Sorry but I'm going to take the opposite tack, Costso has provided great tires on our Acura, Honda and cars before that... I have had no problem with them and find their prices and services excellant. Once I can no longer pick up new 17' Run Flats tires from this forum cheaper than I can get them there, I'll write the note, or whatever...

 

Ok, here's what to do.

1) Screw Costco, they won't go bankrupt if you don't buy your tires from them.

2) Get your tires from Tire Rack (better price anyway) and have them shipped to an authorized installer in your area, which you can find from their web-site.

3) Enjoy.

Edit: Sample Note

Dear Mr. Costco,

MassMini has my blessing to put oversized rubber on his MINI. He's a good boy who
eats his vegatables, even broccoli.

MassMini's Mom

 

I'm with mistro - I've bought several sets of tires from Costco and have been perfectly happy with the service and prices. The convenience of going to any Costco for road hazard repair and rotations is a big plus.

I'm looking at BFG KDW2s.

Costco price is under $600 (including road hazard, installation, and disposal).
Tire Rack price is about $740 (after road hazard, shipping, and local installation)

I'll probably go the Costco "wheels only" route. (cleaned first - like zrwon)

 

I bought tires from Costco at a great price (happned to be the lowest I found) then had a good shop install, worked out great. I believe the thing with Costco and off spec tires has to do with the warranty they offer on them and I'm also guessing something happened in the past that made them not want to be liable for putting non manufacturer recommended size tires on.

 

Costco does generally have good prices on their tires. If you have a local Wheel Works in the area, I believe they will beat the price by 5%. So get the Costco quoted price and get the tires installed at Wheel Works .

 

Thanks for the suggestion - it reminds me, though, that I did that once awhile ago with the 3er and the local San Rafael Wheelworks did not do a good balance/install. Each shop is different but I personally don't think I'd go to them again after the experience. For the MCS I took the tires to the America's Tires in Santa Rosa at the time and I have to say they were careful and good with the wheels

 

Ask about "price matching"
I know it's frustrating to have to do this but...
America's Tire, Wheel Works and others will price match.
I'll usually check around and get pricing then go to my local favorite America's tires and they will happily MATCH.
I get the equal to the best price and at least at my Americas Tires the install crew are very capabable.
I do this on my truck tires as well and those are $240+ EACH

 

Yeah, I should mention that Americas Tire would have given me good pricing, had already agreed to match Tire Rack (and its true many places will price match), it just so happens that Costco was a bit lower in price and had them in stock right then when I needed them.

 

Here's the scoop w/ tires and pricing. It's dog eat dog and everyone who is has been in the business for a bit knows that you will have to match the competitions pricing every once in a while. That's the nature of retail. Costco is great and does a great job, they are limited in what they can do and repair (broken studs, etc...) due to lawsuits, big company=big lawsuits. The Rack is great for those who either can't find a local shop to do business w/ or just love the convenience of logging onto the computer or picking up the phone. The local guys (insert local shop here) are probably still your best bet to get the job done right. Everyone is human and can make a mistake, ie. nicking a bit of paint off the lip of your wheel, but a careful and educated buyer will know how to address his/her concerns prior to purchase. If price is the main issue, it's not w/ everyone, then shop around and be exact w/ the compared tires. Don't get lowballed and lulled into a shop only to find that what they were quoting you on was some off the wall-never heard of before-private label tire, when you were looking for a Bridgestone or other brand name.
Anywho, I do appreciate the kind words about Wheel Works, we try hard to exceed customers' expectations and I'm sorry about our San Rafael store not being able to get your wheels balanced properly. That location is now under new mgmt. and the gentleman running that operation is very fair and honest.
If anyone is in need of help and in the Dublin, Ca. area feel free to visit my location just off Dublin Blvd. I'll do my best to help w/ both pricing and service. Sorry for the somewhat shameless plug, but again it's business, right........

Later
'05 MCS

 

I agree... Find a place that has the right experience and equiptment to deal with the RF tires... Best to go to a place that caters to enthusiasts..

 

looking for tires for my 2003 MCS. The fellow said that they'd have to order the correct size for my 16" rims. The price was around $150/tire. When I asked if they were runflats, he said I'd have to go to the BMW dealer for that. Didn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. Does anybody know if Costco will sell runflats? Thanks.

 

Costco no longer carries Bridgestone branded tires as of the 1st of the year, so their sole supplier is Michelin which in case your not aware also owns BFG and Uniroyal. Unless one of those brands produces a runflat option then you're not going to be purchasing your next set of hoops from Costco.
And as far as mounting/installing runflat tires on Minis, it's really not that much more difficult than standard tires, especially since BMW doesn't use pressure sending units inside the tire/wheel that are prone to damage if the tire is not dismounted correctly.

Later