My car needs a new front set of tyres. My main concern is that the car is fitted with alloy wheels. If I take the car to a tyre centre they are sure to damage the wheels.
Which is the best tyre centre for cars fitted with alloy wheels?
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Best moment was when a tyre fitter pointed to the neat circular scratch on my alloys (before replacing my tyres) and explained that it was clearly from last time they were done. In his humble opinion, I should go straight to the lot that did my tyres last time and have a go at them.
Err, says patently, ... I always use you lot....
Frankly Maurice, they're all much of a muchness and do it too quickly for an ND-style swoop on an errant fitter. Do ask the main dealer for their quote - they can be cheaper on occasion and have more of a reputation to keep up.
Just have a good look when you get it back.
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Maurice
Depends where you are.
Tyres Northampton have a good reputation up my way. Several forum members recommend Micheldever Tyres
See www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=20235&...f for the latter...
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Tell everyone where you are Maurice, and someone is sure to pop up with an answer.
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I live in the Blackpool area.
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Bang go both my suggestions then, unless you fancy a drive.
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Bit of a sweeping generalisation there. So many cars have alloys these days that if tyre centres couldn't change the tyres without damaging them they'd all be in serious trouble.
If you're down south, can't reccomend anyone but Micheldever Tyres. You'll have to queue on Saturdays (unless you perfect the art of smiling at the men in overalls) but it's well worth the wait as the service is excellent, and if there's anything wrong (e.g you need something doing to your suspension) and they spot it, they explain to you what needs doing, and in my case gave me a letter to enable me to go back, queue jump and get the tyres and tracking done at a later date at no extra cost, even though they were half way through the job when they spotted the issues with the suspension.
Oh and I think they'll price match too, but I'm not 100% sure.
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Can you demonstrate the smiling technique for us, PG?
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Patently... er...maybe one day if I'm brave enough to meet you all!
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Performance Tyres in Bishops Stortford did me a full computerised alignment job for £35-00 - dealer quoted about £120-00.
Need tyres quite soon and they will get the order even if not the cheapest.
Matt35.
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I just went for tyres today, 11am at National tyres, 3 members of staff, the place was deserted, the phone rang once, and no other customers came in all the time I was there, so I can recommend Wednesday mornings as a quiet time for tyres! At least when they're quiet they're less likely to rush.
You could try polishing the wheels first, may help them slip better on the machine with less friction, also make sure they're clean.
get them to use stick on weights, I never let them use knock on ones as they use ones for steel wheels on alloys.
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Off on a tangent, but this thread reminds me...
I'm being taken for lessons on how to check tyre pressures this weekend - bloke I live with really knows how to have fun!
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Micheldever staff are taking the following test pending your next visit...
www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smile...l
Broadband probably useful!
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I managed 7 out of 20.
Worth a try, then, if you bump into me PG.
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Patently... er... you don't want me to bump into you, surely... not when I'm doing so well at avoiding bumps at the moment!
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True, true....but a big smile will work wonders....
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18 out of 20 - its the eyes.....
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18/20
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Careful you two, we already know what PG thinks of girls with smiles who appear in the backroom...
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tyre fitters only come in two types - careFUL and careLESS
local independent tyre companies still make a profit but are possibly less target and quota oriented than the national chains.
For tyres and exhausts, i'd always rather go to somewhere where there is actually a chance that the bloke managing it actually owns it.
for the past 10/15 years i've only used Pemberton Tyres (wigan) or Thistlethwaites tyres (bolton) - both nearer to you than Micheldelver, but i'm sure you should be able to find somewhere in blackpool or preston
Do you know anybody else with expensive alloys - ask them where they get theirs done. - Ring TVR (pretend to own one !!) and ask if they can recommend anybody in the area
just 'cos I know what I'm saying doesn't mean I know what I'm talking about
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