New Hankooks and a spacer "issue"

[Azroadster]

I ordered a set of Hankook V-12's from my local Discount Tire - 275/35 on the front and 305/30's on the back - and had them installed this morning. I will post some pictures this weekend. I previously installed 20mm H&R spacers in the back and 15mm up front. The manager tells me that they won't install the tires with the spacers because they are unsafe!!!

After a short discussion and some actual looking on their part, they installed the tires for me. Their "problem" was that most people (according to them)with spacers buy cheap spacers and don't install longer lugs to make up for the spacer width. After they saw my setup with hubcentric spacers and longer lugs, they agreed to put the tires on. I had to expain to them that I was not an idiot and don't want to wreck my car because of substandard spacers. The owner told me that they have cars come in with washers installed over the lugs to space the wheels out. I understand that people may do such crap, but I most certainly would not.

Anyway, the Hankooks are on and so far they feel awesome! Much quieter than the Bridgestones and they look amazing! I was shocked at the amount of wear on the RE050's. Once they were off the car you could tell how badly worn they were. I have just over 16K on the car. I really hope to get much more mileage from the Hankooks. Like I said, I will post some pictures this weekend.

Thanks to this forum for providing enough information to make a good decision on tires.

[m4a1mustang]

Good deal! The Hankook V12s are a great street tire. I love them (and the price is great).

I'm sure the shop is used to seeing ricers come in with cheapo spacers. Nothing to worry about with your H&Rs, though. They are the best!

Now, post pics!

[Azroadster]

Yea, you can't beat the price. I paid $1101 including mounting and balancing and extended warrantee. The B'stones would have cost me over $1600! Can't wait to try em on our local mountain roads.

I know that shops see ignorant stuff all the time, but I wish that they wouldn't just assume that we are all like that. That's what kind of irritated me. I'm a 57 year old guy with a really nice Z. I didn't like being lumped in with the ricers. Oh well, it's all good.

Ben

[christian370z]

Unfortunately, they do not want to assume reliability if something goes wrong after they assume the responsibility of installing the wheels. Of course, your set up is perfectly safe and at least they agreed to install them. You picked out my next tire though, glad to hear you like them as it just makes me want them more!

[Chriz]

[DIGItonium]

I like the V12 much more than the Toyo T1-S and T1-R especially for it's price and street performance. The only issue with the V12 is the rubber is a bit on the soft side to the point it's easy to puncture the tire.

[Liquid_G]

i hope you knew someone there.. I wouldn't let the clowns at Discount Tire touch the wheels on a bicycle.

[Azroadster]

My local Discount Tire has installed probably 14 sets of tires on all of my cars for many years. They let me monitor the mounting and balancing of the tires and have never scratched a wheel. Their customer service is excellent and they will match any better price that you can get from anyone else. I understand that Tire Rack is a forum sponsor, but I can drive in to Discount and have everything done. It's just too easy. This is the second forum that I have heard people bash Discount Tire. I can't speak for other DT outlets in the country, but my local store is excellent. If it wasn't I would not shop there. I am not discounting your complaint, I just have had the opposite experience.

Ben

[m4a1mustang]

It all depends on who manages that shop and how they run things. If you have a good store owner/manager generally they will hire good people and you will receive good service.