I appreciate all the replies! I’m a little late responding because, as I was about to arrange the tire swap, I got a note out of the blue from Tire Rack letting me know the 18” wheels/tires I bought in September (which their online configurator offered for my M3P) might have a problem with the wheel weights hitting the parking brake. This is apparently unique to the late model ’21s like mine. They basically said it might happen, it might not. I opted not to find out firsthand.
So, the previous tires (which were still packed and in the basement) are being picked up by FedEx on Monday. Meanwhile, I re-ordered 19” wheels and tires. Between the larger tires and the fact that tire prices have gone up at least $20 a tire since my September purchase, it all cost a nice chunk of change more than the first round. Such is life, I guess.
To be clear, I appreciate Tire Rack being proactive and glad they did it when they did (and not after I had started or done the swap). They’ve also been great about actively arranging the return outside of 30 days, waiving freight fees and restocking, etc… all of their own accord. I didn’t need to ask for any considerations (though I wish I could have gotten a little break on the replacements… but that stuff just costs more anyway).
I had already started a conversation with the SC about mobile coming to install the previous set. They have held firm so far on saying I have to bring the car and all four tires to the SC (2 hours away). I’m not even sure I can cram four tires in my car - I guess it’s possible with the seats down, though I don’t much like the idea with a white interior however you look at it (though I do have nylon totes I bought with the tires that make it less messy). For all of these reasons, I’m increasingly tempted to get it all done at a close by tire shop or garage where I can make two trips (if needed) to shuttle the tires back and forth for an appointment.
I do already own a new set of the BTLE TPMS sensors that I got from Tesla in September, so those need to be installed. Because of that, there was no point in my asking TR to mount and balance (a mistake I made on the first order even if it was free - it all has to be undone). Some shop needs to assemble and balance all the bits for me before the swap.
I don’t think there is any reason not to go to a good garage or tire shop locally for this. I’m going to see if any of them have Tesla experience first. I DO also own a set of jack pads with the little studs on them to fit my car that I’ll provide to the shop. Also, I thought there was a bolt used on the assembly line that likely has to be removed for clearance… anyone know for sure on this?
So I guess my question now is: thoughts on use of a local service and not the SC for the tire swap? Or do I get a shop to prepare the tires and then see if mobile will come do the swap? Leaning toward the former, but open to advice.
Also, it’s warming up into the 60s during the day again for a week starting this weekend (the freezing overnight temps this week are a bit of an early anomaly for us). That gives me a little wiggle room on stuff, I guess.
Thanks!