Michelin Tires - Costco versus Discount Tires

Michelin Passenger/Touring Tires

grand touring -all season
Michelin Primacy MXV4 = wet/dry/winter/comfort
235/65/17
60,000 miles  620aa
p235/65R17 $150 ea

standard touring -all season
Michelin Defender = wet/dry/ok winter/comfort (tread)
90,000 miles  820ab,
225/65/17  - $152 ea

passenger all season
Michelin Harmony = ok wet/ok dry/winter
80,000 miles 740ab

Michelin energy saver =ok wet/dry/bad winter
65,000 miles 480ab

HydroEdge with Green X(Passenger All-Season)
90,000 miles wet/dry/bad winter/ok comfort

Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season
Dueler H/L Alenza(Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
65,000 miles - $146 ea

Light Truck/SUV Studless Ice & Snow

Latitude X-Ice Xi2
40,000 miles wet/dry/winter/comfort
225/65/17- $140

COSTCO VS DISCOUNT TIRES

I like both tires shops for different reasons..

Discount Tire stores are everywhere.  The wait time is short, asking for tire rotation and re-balancing is easy. The tire selection is plenty.

Costco stores are limited. There are only 3 in San Antonio, TX (I-10 near UTSA,  281/1604 North Loop, and I-35 near Garden Ridge).  The tire selection can be limited (3 to 4 brands).  The wait can be hours for tire rotation and re-balancing.

You can get great tires from Discount Tires, but I feel Costco offers a more consistent higher quality tires - it may not be cheaper than other retail stores, even though it requires membership.

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At Costco, the tire installation seems to be more diligent (slow) than making check boxes (rushing). At Discount Tires,  I had to ask and remind the mechanics to "check" "verify" of their works.

Costco tires include "road hazardous" where discount tire is an extra fee.  A $20 fee/per tire on a set of new tires will set you back another $80.  The "life-time" tire rotation/balancing is same for both shop, but Discount Tire tag on $2.50/$10-a set to dispose your old tires where as Costco includes that on all inclusive $15 fee.

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Michelin - HydroEdge® Tire Size: P225/55R17 95T

Costco $155 ea/$620 for 4, $671 with tax and $15 all inclusive fees per tire = $731.

Discount Tires $155 ea/$620 for 4 , add  $10 tire dispose fee, $60 for installation  $86 - replacement/refund + $52 taxes=$828.

That's $97 difference in price.  

This week - Costco offers a $75 off coupon on a set of Michelin, then the price difference is a whopping $178, or $45 a tire.

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Tire speed rating and Load rating

Load Range A, B, C, D, E ETC, indicate the number of ply (load rating)

Speed rating -

R - 106 MPH
S - 112 MPH
T - 118 MPH
H - 130 MPH
V - 149 MPH
W - 168 MPH
Y - 186 MPH