Separate wheels or seasonal tire swap?

[ochompsky]

So I have a 2020 P3D. I got the PILOT ALPIN PA4 N-SPEC as my winter tires. So far, i've had the tires swapped twice, both times using mobile services.

• The first swap, they really struggled with the swap. They said low profile tires are difficult to do. They also scratched up one of the rims, it wasn't too bad but noticeable. (it was pretty expensive, $250 for the swap).

• The second swap, I used Tesla themselves to do the swap. They actually use roadside service to do it, since mobile doesn't have the equipment for tire swaps. The cost was about the same (~250%) but this guy really ****ed up one of my rims. He very slightly comped the service but didn't come close to the $100 cost of repairing it.

So now before winter comes, im wondering what to do. Is it hard to do tire swaps on low profile tires, are scratches just the nature of it? Or am I just having bad luck on tire places?

I'm debating just getting another set of wheels but my problem is also that the Alpin tires are pretty large, im assuming I would need 20 inch rims to accomodate them, so im looking at $2k+. I would honestly prefer 18 inch rims in the winter for cost, comfort and range but now i've already bought these tires and they are pretty new.

What should I do? Get new tires + 18 inch rims, get new rims only for the current tires, or just continue doing the swaps until I find a better shop to do them?

 

[UncertainTimes]

Find a better shop but anytime you change tires there’s a risk for wheel damage. I’d get a set of 18” wheels for winter if I needed to do so.

 

[Stanwood Steve]

I have the 20" rims and bought the same set of winter tires. I elected to buy a second set of rims through EV Wheels Direct (see photo at left), and I just take off the summer tires in early October, and replace them with the winter tires/wheels. I use this as a chance to ensure proper rotation, labeling the new position of the tires I took off so I know what position to install them in next Spring. I have 60,000 miles on the car now, and I'm still using the original summer and winter tires. They're each on for about half the year. Works well for me.

 

[duanra]

250$ is crazy for a swap.
In Montréal Canada, I have a mobile service company who does it without damage for 90 Canadian Dollars.

 

[fuddy]

I have a summer and winter set, I swap them myself in my garage as needed.

 

[MG535]

Get new tires + 18 inch rims

Do this and sell the 20” Pilot Alpins to recoup some of the cost.

 

[DMan918]

If you are going to swap, you need to have two sets of rims, and just swap the rim/tire combo. Swapping two sets between one set of rims is just craziness. If you can sell your winter tires at a reasonable price, I would do that and get 18s (or 19s) for winter.

 

[THXULTRA]

Going to need winter tires for my performance also. Planning on getting a 18inch set of wheels and tires from T-Sportline. 18s will give you a bit better range, save you some money and have a bit more tire for pot holes.

 

[ochompsky]

thanks for the info. will the tires above fit this sit of rims?

TS5 18" Tesla Model 3 Wheel (Set of 4)

Tesla Model 3 18" TS5 zero g style flow forged wheel is manufactured exclusively for the Tesla Model 3. The TS5 is manufactured in a flow forged process for your Tesla Model 3. Get Tesla Model 3 wheels now!

tsportline.com

 

[ry-ballz]

thanks for the info. will the tires above fit this sit of rims?

TS5 18" Tesla Model 3 Wheel (Set of 4)

Tesla Model 3 18" TS5 zero g style flow forged wheel is manufactured exclusively for the Tesla Model 3. The TS5 is manufactured in a flow forged process for your Tesla Model 3. Get Tesla Model 3 wheels now!

tsportline.com

20" tires will not fit 18" wheels.

 

[Candleflame]

20" tires will not fit 18" wheels.

i presume you are talking about the brake clearance. there are 18" non tesla rims which work withthe 20" brakes..

 

[ry-ballz]

i presume you are talking about the brake clearance. there are 18" non tesla rims which work withthe 20" brakes..

The brakes aren't 20 inches. Also, that's not what he asked.

 

[eman2021]

If you have the cash then the answer is undoubtedly to purchase a separate set of wheels/tires. IMO it's the only way to go. Swapping tires on an off is only asking for damage to the wheels or tires. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Gimmethecash]

Find yourself a good tire shop that charges half what you’re paying and doesn’t F up your wheels like total amateurs & give lame excuses like saying low profile wheels are too hard for them and their lack of basic skills to swap. And buy another set of wheels.

 

[HaroldC]

If you have the cash then the answer is undoubtedly to purchase a separate set of wheels/tires. IMO it's the only way to go. Swapping tires on an off is only asking for damage to the wheels or tires. That's my 2 cents.

I would second this. Every time you mount and dismount tires, you are risking damage to the rims. Even the most experienced mechanic will slip up on the steel pry bar and mar the finish on the rim. It only takes less than half and hour to perform the swap and that's without power tools and just a basic jack.

 

[Candleflame]

The brakes aren't 20 inches. Also, that's not what he asked.

what did he ask?

 

[tezlam3]

anyone have the gemini 19s as winter wheels on their m3p?

 

[ry-ballz]

what did he ask?

He asked if his 20 inch winter tires would fit a set of 18 inch wheels.

 

[Candleflame]

He asked if his 20 inch winter tires would fit a set of 18 inch wheels.

i dont get this, why would a tire meant for 20 inch wheels fit 18 inch wheels?

 

[ochompsky]

i dont get this, why would a tire meant for 20 inch wheels fit 18 inch wheels?

it was my bad, i linked the wrong wheels