Costco won't let me buy tires for my style 32s! Help!

[DanDombrowski]

I recently picked up a set of style 32 wheels for my 93 525i. The wheels were taken from a 2001 540.

Costco has a nice deal on some BF Goodrich G-force sport and G-force T/A KDW tires (60 off 4 + the usual free road hazard), but they won't let me specify the size in the store. They said if they're not the original tire size, they won't do it. I explained (and embellished alittle) that the wheels were a standard upgrade for the 525i sport, and he said that would probably be okay, but he wanted to see the tire size on the door frame (damn, no luck there). So when I said that it wasn't on the door frame, he asked if the wheels were at least on the car, which they're not. Thats when he gave up and said no.

So, there's another Costco on the other side of town. I'm thinking that I can either:

1- tell them its a 2001 540, or
2- just bring in the wheels and say they're off of a 540.

Has anyone else ever had this problem and/or gotten any luck getting the tires put on? Anyone had Costco put tires on wheels without the car bieng there? My biggest concern is that if my car is in the computer as a 01 540, someone down the road might notice if I get a flat repaired and deny the warranty. Thanks a bunch, Im a bit frustrated right now.

[nizmainiac]

just take in the loose wheels and tell them they're from a 540 thats what i would do, the chances are they wouldn't notice if you got them repaired under warranty because they probably see so many people in a day that they wouldn't remember you

[repenttokyo]

just go buy the tires there and get them installed somewhere else?

[DanDombrowski]

Well, the tires are the same price as everywhere else, the huge savings you get at Costco is the free mounting, balancing, and road hazard. If I brought them in to get them installed somewhere else, it would be like $30 a tire and I wouldn't get the warranty (I originally planned on getting them from tire-rack, it would be the same type of thing).

[DanDombrowski]

I think this is what I'm leaning towards, unless I can get BJs or Sams to do it, I have memberships there too.

[repenttokyo]

fair enough - good luck man.

[Tiger]

Tell them to use the computer... computer will tell them right upgrade tire size. It is all BS.

You think you are getting a deal at Costco... you are not. You are better off buying tires from Tirerack.com or Tires.com and buy the road hazard insurance.

I am assuming you want "all season tire" I been looking at Tirerack.com on Ultra High Performance tires... 3 seasons only... I can't believe they highly rated the General Exclaim UHP... which they also said is kinda "all season" it has a light winter snow capability... and for tire size like 235-45R17 is only $77!!!! Read all the survey.

General is owned by Continental which also owns Uniroyal, Semperit, Barum, General Tire, Euzkadi, Viking, Gislaved and Mabor brands. So General is not a no name brand... just not as widely regarded.

[BimmerMeUp]

According to the tire department manager of my local Costco, you can bring in just the rims and they'll mount an balance them for you. When they mount up the tires they'll record the serial numbers and such and use those for the warranty.

I haven't tried it yet because I'm still mulling over getting some Style 5's or going with Rondell's.

[DanDombrowski]

Well that would be beautiful if they would do that. I called another Costco on the other side of town, and the guy said that it was up to the manager to approve it. I guess I'll just go in and talk to him and hopefully work something out.

[Ross]

Heard of this before. Find a tire dealer or buy from someone like Tire Rack and have them recommend an installer.
Costco has little knowledge and even less interest in serving you. The reason it's a problem for them is potential liability for improper fitment. They are mass merchants first, tire people way,way down and even less enthusiast car people. Forget about them and find a real tire store. TR beats their prices all day as well.