Any Good Tire/Wheel Mounting Shops in DC Metro Area?

Anonymouse20910 · 11-20-2003, 06:15 PM

Folks:

Just went to Walmart to have some tires mounted to my new Rota SDR wheels. I know...shoot me. Anyways, they f'd up one rim and couldn't mount the tires. Yeah yeah, shoot me again.

Can anyone recommend a good shop in the DC Metro area that can mount my tires on to my rims and balance them? (without scratching them)

Thanks in advance.

Anonymouse20910 (A lil bit pissed)

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ButtDyno · 11-20-2003, 06:45 PM

Ye Olde Wheel Shop.
6363 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD

They refinished my V7 wheels after they got scratched shipping, and then fixed one of them after NTB scratched it mounting a tire. They will not eff up your wheels. The only downside is that they're expensive and that they are in Elkridge (dunno where you live)

Walmart should pay for the refinishing if they scratched it. NTB did.

If Silver Spring is closer, take it to Radial Tire. They too have proven they can mount a tire without f'ing up the finish

-john

Anonymouse20910 · 11-20-2003, 06:59 PM

ButtDyno,

Thanks for the helpful info! I'm out in Germantown, but work in College Park. I might check out Radial Tire tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally posted by ButtDyno
Ye Olde Wheel Shop.
6363 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD

They refinished my V7 wheels after they got scratched shipping, and then fixed one of them after NTB scratched it mounting a tire. They will not eff up your wheels. The only downside is that they're expensive and that they are in Elkridge (dunno where you live)

Walmart should pay for the refinishing if they scratched it. NTB did.

If Silver Spring is closer, take it to Radial Tire. They too have proven they can mount a tire without f'ing up the finish

-john

Poppa smurf · 11-20-2003, 08:19 PM

Curry's in ashburn, it may be a hike but the quality of work is worth it.

CurrysAuto · 11-21-2003, 08:44 AM

Anonymouse20910,

Regardless of where you go to get tire/wheel work done in the future, ask about the equipment. Older shops, for instance, do not have the equipment to work on 17" or 18" rims. Other shops have equipment that can handles these wheel dimensions, but the machine might have a steel jaw mechanism that can scratch the wheels...instead of a rubber clamping system and polymer mount/demount heads.

Also, after the wheel is repaired by a reputable shop, I would suggest taking the receipt to the store manager at Walmart (along with any documentation you might have from when the damage occured) and very politely explain what happend. I think you'll be amazed at what they will do to make you a satisfied customer.

Good luck and I hope this helps. Regards, Bill Shaw

TubeDriver · 11-21-2003, 09:34 AM

I have used Radial Tire for years. Never had a problem, they have a large selection of tires in stock (including R compounds) and they shave tires if you race. Highly recommended. There is a small shop nearby (Allen Automotive) that will do alignment (including custom specs if desired) for $75. They have experience with WRX and do a great job and have the latest and greatest Hunter (?) alignment rack. You may want to get an alignment if it has been a while and since you are putting new tires on. BTW, I have never used either but have heard good things about Ye Old Tire Shop and bad things about Currys.

ButtDyno · 11-21-2003, 10:17 AM

Just to be clear - when I said YOWS was expensive I meant for refinishing stuff (around $85 a wheel to do em from scratch). Mounting/balancing is the standard $15 a wheel I think.

-john

CurrysAuto · 11-21-2003, 10:33 AM

TubeDriver,

We obviously have at least one satisfied customer as evidenced by Poppa smurf's recommendation two posts ahead of yours.

But before writing any further negative comments about Curry's, however, I would ask that you first come to one of our shops to see for yourself. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the level of customer service we provide to everyone who comes in and the quality of our work. I think that's only fair.

Regards, Bill Shaw

Adrift · 11-21-2003, 11:31 AM

I have had wheels(with cheap painted finishes) and tires mounted and balanced at Curry's and they did a very good job. They even asked me if the wheels would see track use, and used aluminum tape to re-inforce the weights...

Anonymouse20910 · 11-21-2003, 12:54 PM

Thanks for all the responses fellas!

- TubeDriver
Thanks for informing me about Radial Tire, I just dropped my tires and wheels with them - theyre only 10 minutes away.

- Bill
Thanks for the advise - very good to know. I started asking Radial Tire about steel jaw mechanisms etc and the guy smiled and said don't worry we wont scratch em. We'll see when I pick em up after work.

I'm so glad these are only Rota's and not more expensive rims. I'm only using these for winter abuse so I'm not so concerned about the scratches, but it does piss me off that something new of mines was effed up by a so-called "professional."

TubeDriver · 11-21-2003, 01:11 PM

I have been to both your shops (dropping off a friend who needed to pick up a car). I know of several cases involving expensive engine damage were the owners felt it was Curry's fault. I know of one case were a dyno day was badly mishandled and a bunch of WRXs were detonating left and right due to inadequate airflow (fans). I know of a WRX that had it's fenders rolled by Curry's with significant paint damage to the fenders. There are at least two cases on this site were badly botched UTEC/Unichip tuning was done (running much too lean). These are all public knowledge, you can do a search here on NASIOC and find out about the complaints for yourself. Lastly, I understand that mistakes happen but a large measure of how I judge a shop is it's response in those situations. Curry's did not own up and fix the problem. Instead they sidestepped and denied any responsibility (while charging what might euphemistically be described as "premium fees"). Actually, I did have minimal contact when I was quoted $700 to install a set of Prodrive spring in a WRX. An e-mail to Curry's to confirm that silly price was not answered. Glad I just did it myself. Nothing personal but you mentioned one satisfied customer, do a search and you will find several dissatisfied customers.

Quote:

Originally posted by CurrysAuto
TubeDriver,

We obviously have at least one satisfied customer as evidenced by Poppa smurf's recommendation two posts ahead of yours. But before writing any further negative comments about Curry's, however, I would ask that you first come to one of our shops to see for yourself. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the level of customer service we provide to everyone who comes in and the quality of our work. I think that's only fair.

Regards, Bill Shaw

ButtDyno · 11-21-2003, 02:04 PM

Please let's keep the Curry-bashing out of this thread...

Anyone who wants to learn about Curry's can do a search.

-john

Adrift · 11-21-2003, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TubeDriver
I have been to both your shops (dropping off a friend who needed to pick up a car). I know of several cases involving expensive engine damage were the owners felt it was Curry's fault. I know of one case were a dyno day was badly mishandled and a bunch of WRXs were detonating left and right due to inadequate airflow (fans). I know of a WRX that had it's fenders rolled by Curry's with significant paint damage to the fenders. There are at least two cases on this site were badly botched UTEC/Unichip tuning was done (running much too lean). These are all public knowledge, you can do a search here on NASIOC and find out about the complaints for yourself. Lastly, I understand that mistakes happen but a large measure of how I judge a shop is it's response in those situations. Curry's did not own up and fix the problem. Instead they sidestepped and denied any responsibility (while charging what might euphemistically be described as "premium fees"). Actually, I did have minimal contact when I was quoted $700 to install a set of Prodrive spring in a WRX. An e-mail to Curry's to confirm that silly price was not answered. Glad I just did it myself. Nothing personal but you mentioned one satisfied customer, do a search and you will find several dissatisfied customers.

Bad news travels fast, good news doesn't travel at all.

So let me get this straight, the only dealing with Curry's you have had was that they quoted you a bad price? You are def. qualified to discuss their merits!

TubeDriver · 11-21-2003, 03:20 PM

I have MUCH MORE detailed information about the problems I mentioned. And as you so adroitly noticed, I clearly stated that my only personal dealing with Curry's is them quoting $700 to install a set of prodrive springs. On the other hand I mentioned a bunch of other cases, some of which were good friends of mine. So since you seem a big fan of Currys let me ask you a question. What kind of people ask $700 for a spring swap? What’s that work out to (7 hours of labor at $100/hour or 2 hours of labor at $350/hour?). This is pretty simple, a member asked opinions about a shop to do installs. Buttdyno posted a favorable opinion of Currys, I did not. I did not post until Curry’s (an NASIOC vendor?) chimed in. Your right about one thing, bad news travels fast.

Quote:

Originally posted by Adrift
Bad news travels fast, good news doesn't travel at all.

So let me get this straight, the only dealing with Curry's you have had was that they quoted you a bad price? You are def. qualified to discuss their merits!

ButtDyno · 11-21-2003, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TubeDriver
Buttdyno posted a favorable opinion of Currys, I did not.

No, I didn't, I asked that it be kept out of this thread

the Curry's experiences that people on the board have had are well documented and easy enough to search on.

-john

TubeDriver · 11-21-2003, 03:38 PM

Sorry John, your right. It was Papa smurf who posted the positive review not Buttdyno. Well, I just added another opinion but like you said: people do a search before taking your pride and joy in for work.

Quote:

Originally posted by ButtDyno
No, I didn't, I asked that it be kept out of this thread the Curry's experiences that people on the board have had are well documented and easy enough to search on.

-john

Anonymouse20910 · 11-21-2003, 05:33 PM

Anyways

Radial Tires did a great job with em. No dings on the SDR's, no dings on the stockers, no dings on the car.

Not sure if I like the bronze SDR's on my wrb, but we'll see if I do in the daylight tomorrow.

Sorry my post brought up some hot issues.

TubeDriver · 11-22-2003, 05:01 PM

Glad to hear it went well. Bronze/gold on WRB is a standard combo, should look great.

Quote:

Originally posted by Anonymouse20910
Anyways

Radial Tires did a great job with em. No dings on the SDR's, no dings on the stockers, no dings on the car. Not sure if I like the bronze SDR's on my wrb, but we'll see if I do in the daylight tomorrow.

Sorry my post brought up some hot issues.

11-20-2003, 06:15 PM	#1
Anonymouse20910 Scooby Newbie Member#: 29019 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Clarksburg, MD Vehicle: 2012 Impreza WRX STi DGM	Any Good Tire/Wheel Mounting Shops in DC Metro Area? Folks: Just went to Walmart to have some tires mounted to my new Rota SDR wheels. I know...shoot me. Anyways, they f'd up one rim and couldn't mount the tires. Yeah yeah, shoot me again. Can anyone recommend a good shop in the DC Metro area that can mount my tires on to my rims and balance them? (without scratching them) Thanks in advance. Anonymouse20910 (A lil bit pissed) * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-20-2003, 06:45 PM	#2
ButtDyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Why do they always say the Evo Vehicle: is the "dark side" 06 Evo #7 STU, 05 Saabaru	Ye Olde Wheel Shop. 6363 Washington Blvd. Elkridge, MD They refinished my V7 wheels after they got scratched shipping, and then fixed one of them after NTB scratched it mounting a tire. They will not eff up your wheels. The only downside is that they're expensive and that they are in Elkridge (dunno where you live) Walmart should pay for the refinishing if they scratched it. NTB did. If Silver Spring is closer, take it to Radial Tire. They too have proven they can mount a tire without f'ing up the finish -john

11-20-2003, 08:19 PM	#4
Poppa smurf Scooby Specialist Member#: 8257 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Washington & Frederick CO. MD Vehicle: 2004 STI Silver\Silver	Curry's in ashburn, it may be a hike but the quality of work is worth it.

11-21-2003, 08:44 AM	#5
CurrysAuto Scooby Newbie Member#: 44935 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dulles, VA	Anonymouse20910, Regardless of where you go to get tire/wheel work done in the future, ask about the equipment. Older shops, for instance, do not have the equipment to work on 17" or 18" rims. Other shops have equipment that can handles these wheel dimensions, but the machine might have a steel jaw mechanism that can scratch the wheels...instead of a rubber clamping system and polymer mount/demount heads. Also, after the wheel is repaired by a reputable shop, I would suggest taking the receipt to the store manager at Walmart (along with any documentation you might have from when the damage occured) and very politely explain what happend. I think you'll be amazed at what they will do to make you a satisfied customer. Good luck and I hope this helps. Regards, Bill Shaw

11-21-2003, 09:34 AM	#6
TubeDriver Scooby Specialist Member#: 14987 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Vehicle: Gods Speed #57 Lemons/Chump #77	I have used Radial Tire for years. Never had a problem, they have a large selection of tires in stock (including R compounds) and they shave tires if you race. Highly recommended. There is a small shop nearby (Allen Automotive) that will do alignment (including custom specs if desired) for $75. They have experience with WRX and do a great job and have the latest and greatest Hunter (?) alignment rack. You may want to get an alignment if it has been a while and since you are putting new tires on. BTW, I have never used either but have heard good things about Ye Old Tire Shop and bad things about Currys.

11-21-2003, 10:17 AM	#7
ButtDyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Why do they always say the Evo Vehicle: is the "dark side" 06 Evo #7 STU, 05 Saabaru	Just to be clear - when I said YOWS was expensive I meant for refinishing stuff (around $85 a wheel to do em from scratch). Mounting/balancing is the standard $15 a wheel I think. -john

11-21-2003, 10:33 AM	#8
CurrysAuto Scooby Newbie Member#: 44935 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dulles, VA	TubeDriver, We obviously have at least one satisfied customer as evidenced by Poppa smurf's recommendation two posts ahead of yours. But before writing any further negative comments about Curry's, however, I would ask that you first come to one of our shops to see for yourself. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the level of customer service we provide to everyone who comes in and the quality of our work. I think that's only fair. Regards, Bill Shaw

11-21-2003, 11:31 AM	#9
Adrift Scooby Newbie Member#: 15528 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Vehicle: 2006 Aspen White 20G'd STi - Long Gone :^(	I have had wheels(with cheap painted finishes) and tires mounted and balanced at Curry's and they did a very good job. They even asked me if the wheels would see track use, and used aluminum tape to re-inforce the weights...

11-21-2003, 12:54 PM	#10
Anonymouse20910 Scooby Newbie Member#: 29019 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Clarksburg, MD Vehicle: 2012 Impreza WRX STi DGM	Thanks for all the responses fellas! - TubeDriver Thanks for informing me about Radial Tire, I just dropped my tires and wheels with them - theyre only 10 minutes away. - Bill Thanks for the advise - very good to know. I started asking Radial Tire about steel jaw mechanisms etc and the guy smiled and said don't worry we wont scratch em. We'll see when I pick em up after work. I'm so glad these are only Rota's and not more expensive rims. I'm only using these for winter abuse so I'm not so concerned about the scratches, but it does piss me off that something new of mines was effed up by a so-called "professional."

11-21-2003, 02:04 PM	#12
ButtDyno Street's closed, pizza boy Member#: 17301 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Why do they always say the Evo Vehicle: is the "dark side" 06 Evo #7 STU, 05 Saabaru	Please let's keep the Curry-bashing out of this thread... Anyone who wants to learn about Curry's can do a search. -john

11-21-2003, 05:33 PM	#17
Anonymouse20910 Scooby Newbie Member#: 29019 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Clarksburg, MD Vehicle: 2012 Impreza WRX STi DGM	Anyways Radial Tires did a great job with em. No dings on the SDR's, no dings on the stockers, no dings on the car. Not sure if I like the bronze SDR's on my wrb, but we'll see if I do in the daylight tomorrow. Sorry my post brought up some hot issues.