Hi all.
Pretty simple question this one: Where is the best value place for tyres?
I was thinking on the lines of the large national chains like Kwik fit, as ones which are local to you may be 100s of miles away for me. But if you know a one near the little town of Ashington, that would be great.
I have had a quote from National who gave a price in the region of £80 for 2 155/70R13 tyres of reasonable quality. Or £67.30 from Blackcircles.co.uk for 2 Firestones. But I don't know if this kind of service is any good. Can anyone advise through experience?
National have cheap tyres advertised in the press, but are these as bad as I think they are? I know the best way is to ring around, but you people will have more experience of the quality of service than I will and maybe know something I don't.
All thoughts welcome
Roberson
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Live nowhere near you but I go to a private place which is mainly for commercial vehicles, HGVs etc. I phone them, they get a price for the tyres and order them for next day. No coffee machines, not even a waiting room, but for the exact same tyre, Kwik Fit wanted £25 more for each tyre, and that was for a Scenic.
Don't know if there is a similar place near you?
BTW, for anyone living in the M8 corridor in Scotland, I am referring to Auchinlea Tyres, just off Junction 6.
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Ah, the best value place to buy tyres...
Good job you stressed that, because when I read the title, I thought the best place for tyres was obvious: One on each corner! ;-)
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Which of the four Ashingtons in my UK atlas are you at?
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I've always found Costco very good. Have bought Goodyear, BF Goodrich and most recently Michelin tyres from them over the years at excellent prices (fitting/balancing included). They have a very limited range of brands though, you do need to become (not difficult) or know a member and of course there might not be a branch near you.
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I should add that their customer service and returns policy is very good indeed and periodically they have fantastic special offers on tyres, so if you're not after a specific brand/spec. you might try calling your nearest depot to see what they've got.
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Volvoman,
My Dad's a member of Costco and I've never been to get tyres done. I've always seen them with lots of cars in the fitting area. There are 2 near us fortunately. Would you recommend it over Kwik Fit, ATS etc...?
Cheers
Adam
Adam
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Anybody tried any of the online, come to you to fit them, services like
www.tyres4u.com www.mytyres.co.uk etyres.co.uk
?
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Adski - Yep, have tried many of the tyre chains over the years and Costco is best IMO. Service and quality control is very good and I suppose that's because they're dealing with 'members' as opposed to occasional customers who just shop around for the cheapest deal and may never come back. The only slight problem is the limited range but since I'm not too hung up on what tyres I buy and I'm certain Costco wouldn't sell rubbish that doesn't concern me too much. The last time I checked at Thurrock they were selling Michelin at very good prices, although that was last year. Next time your old man's heading that way why not pop along and have a look? Take your cash though 'cos your bound to see something you want to buy!
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Hi all, and thanks for your help so far.
I am indeed a member of Costco (well my parents are), and their automotive stuff can be had at unbelievable value (oil and batteries in particular). Thanks for mentioning it, because I had totally forgotten about them! I am going through there soon, so i'll drop in to the garage section, as the touch screen computer for customers to browse through, does not contain my car (1993 Polo). Before I go, what kind a price are we talking about and as Adski asks, are they better than ATS etc?
Ashington in Northumberland is my exact location.
Thanks Big Vern, hadn't thought about them neither, even though they do have adverts every week in our local paper. (servicing deals seem excellent)
Thanks again
Roberson
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surprisingly my local Vauxhall dealer has cracking tyre prices.. I assume because they have the purchasing power of GM worldwide behind them and as they are not as obvious as the run of the mill fast fit center they have to work a bit harder to shift them.. They are happy to fit them to any car, not just Vx
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UPDATE...UPDATE....UPDATE....
Shortly after this initial thread was started, I ended up going to KwiK-Fit for tyres. I enquired about prices and makes etc (even got a handy printout) and considering that all tyre places were pretty much the same, price wise, I decided to go with them. I was told I?d have to come back in a few hours to have them fitted, which I did. The customer service was OK, but not exactly 5*. Here is the bill:
155/70/13 Pirelli P3000 x2 = £63.74
Wheel balence x2 = £10
Eco tyre disposal x2 = £2
Valve x2 = £5.98
TOTAL: £81.72
(They had discounts on Pirellis at this time, Buy 2 get 10% off IIRC)
But, last week I noticed the two front tyres were perished, one of which had a 3" hairline crack in the wall. Although they still had plenty tread on, after 4-5 years, they were past their best. Remembering advice in this thread, I decided to check out Costco prices, with current kwik-fit prices ranging from £93 (Firestones) to £105 (Michelin) with £59 for cheap tat.
Went to the tyre centre at Costco and couldn't believe my eyes! £23.99 (Exc. VAT) for Michelin Energy. What was better was there was no hidden charges, that price included everything, fitting, balancing, disposal, valve, rotation, and pressure checks all round. It was a no brainer really. Handed the keys over and an hour later (17:45) it was ready again. The service was excellent, staff very helpful and standard of work very good (Nuts tightened properly and Michelin trained too).
2x 155/70/13 @ 21.99 = £43.98
2x Tyre fit and balance = £2
TOTAL = £56.37 inc. VAT. (Almost half the price of kwik-fit)
Only fault? 30 instead of 25psi.
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I do not understand. You started a thread which clearly led to Costco to which your parenets had a members card But you went o Kwik Fit and paid seriuosly over the odds. Now you discover Costco are great on price for run of the mill tyres. So why did you ask for advice in the first place. I do not know what car you have but that 25 PSI typre pressure is too low for that size tyre on a front so it could be a rear on a very light car. Tell us what it is out of interest. Anyway as long as you have seen the light your motoring just got cheaper. Regards Peter
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We've got several branches of Formula 1 near us (Essex) and whenever I've rung around for tyre prices, they always say ring us back last after you've had all your quotes and we'll undercut your best one. And they do. Normally by only a couple of quid but they will beat anyone (not sure about members only outlets like Costco though).
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I do not understand. You started a thread which clearly led to Costco to which your parenets had a members card But you went o Kwik Fit and paid seriuosly over the odds. Now you discover Costco are great on price for run of the mill tyres. So why did you ask for advice in the first place.
In order to get the tyres, I'd need my parents there. As they used to work 5-6 days a week, the chances are I couldn't get there any time soon, with all spare time doing other commitments (My grandparents had both passed away in quick succession shortly before). As a result we probably never went and (IIRC) I needed the new ones pronto, so couldn't hang around. Thus the only available option was Kwik-fit as its a dam sight closer than Costco (and I didn't need a card).
I do not know what car you have but that 25 PSI typre pressure is too low for that size tyre on a front so it could be a rear on a very light car. Tell us what it is out of interest.
Check my profile. But to save you that, its '93 Polo 1.0. Both the handbook and label on the filler cap say that up to half load is 25psi. Haynes however, say 26. I don't know what you'd call very light, but unladen its about 770kg
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Formula 1 in our area(essex).They have a website which will tell you if they have one near you.
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Volkswagen Polo Recommended Tyre Pressure
1.0 L - All 94 - Onwards 30 30 36 42 ( light and laden loads)
1.3 CL 94 - Onwards 28 28 30 35
1.3 L 94 - Onwards 30 30 36 42
Same in 92 and 93 for the tyre size. My kids had them.
Peter
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There were some trye options dependant on the model but if you had the little estate rather than the coupe then that expands it. Glad your all fixed up. Regards Peter
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Pretty simple question this one: Where is the best value place for tyres?
>>I know the best way is to ring around,
>>
I do not have access to Costco but lots of tyre places nearby.
I have just had 3 tyres fitted to a Yaris today. I wanted to match the almost new Conti already fitted when the car was bought.
I looked at well known suppliers on the web and prices looked good at £33 ish plus fitting
Fitting at the agents varied from £5 to 9,10,11,12,16 up to £17.50 and up to 10 miles away in SW London.
Two national chains, not Kwikfit, quoted £60 and £69.
My local smart looking 5 bay plus MoT depot said I can get them in tomorrow morning £47 each without me waving internet prices at them.
Some of these quoted prices are crazy.
I may have paid £3 more per tyre than the nearest web offering or I saved £13 or £22 per tyre for just 3 phone calls.
The instant result is attractive so my local man got the job.
So for most of us ringing round can certainly find some pretty good deals.
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25psi fine for old Polo. Anymore and it will ride like an old bucking horse.
I use Renualt main dealer for tyres. Same price as a local independent tyre place. £190 for two fitted, they are expensive 89V rated Continentals.
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No main dealers round here fit tyres themselves;they all use local tyre fitters.With some they quote you the same price-others will charge full retail.It is not worth their while to buy equipment that is only used occasionally and to train the fitters.
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That was my initial concern, I didn't want to pay the dealer a premium just for some youth to drive my car around to a fast fit place that I could do. The dealer assured me that they fit the tyres themselves, although they obviously had to get the tyres delivered.
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"So for most of us ringing round can certainly find some pretty good deals"
Same with pretty much everything I guess. Not only that, but you can save money if you can establish which 'cheapo' brands are made by one of the bigger companies. I think 'Ceat' and 'Barum' (sp) are comparatively cheap tyres, but are made by one of the big tyre companies. Thus you might get a good tyre for reasonable money.
Some of these quoted prices are crazy
Too true! I just can't understand why tyre prices are so high anyway which is made even worse when , like you experienced, you find big saving for the same tyre just down the road
Volkswagen Polo Recommended Tyre Pressure
1.0 L - All 94 - Onwards 30 30 36 42 ( light and laden loads)
Same in 92 and 93 for the tyre size. My kids had them.
There were some trye options dependant on the model but if you had the little estate rather than the coupe then that expands it.
The '94> Polos were in most instances 100kg heaver than mine, which will explain why they have higher inflation prices. Michelins webpage also says that the correct reading for mine should be 26psi. 30psi is only for when carrying full loads.
"25psi fine for old Polo. Anymore and it will ride like
an old bucking horse
Yep, it sure did. It crashed its way over every imperfection on the way home but it did feel like it had power steering, which was a bit of a bonus! I let them down when I got home.
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Murphy's law still applies.
Today i took the Yaris for its MoT.
My favourite MoT only place is now able to supply / fit tyres.
They could have saved me a further £4 each which is as good at web prices.
So anyone who can easily reach the A4 by Heathrow can get a really good deal.
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Murphy's law still applies. Today i took the Yaris for its MoT. My favourite MoT only place is now able to supply / fit tyres. They could have saved me a further £4 each which is as good at web prices. So anyone who can easily reach the A4 by Heathrow can get a really good deal.
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So, what's the name/number of this place near LHR?
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So, what's the name/number of this place near LHR?
Berkeley MOT Service Ltd
020 8759 0144
718 Bath Rd.
Established 1962 and until recently just did MOTs but now in addition supply and fit tyres in a small way.
They have no connection with any garage which is why all the families cars are taken there for MOTs even though it is a 20 mile round trip.
A most helpful staff who will explain any present or future problems etc. during the MOT.
I have used them for many years so just a happy customer with no connection to them.
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One of the largest and cheapest suppliers in the UK is Micheldever Tyres in Hampshire (01962 774437). Phone them for a quote and then use that to beat local suppliers down....You'll be amazed at how much you can haggle down if you are prepared to bluff it!
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I think that it unfair to get a quote and then use it to get someone else to beat it. I always get several quotes, and then go to the cheapest. Why should a firm get a second chance when they have already overquoted you?
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For those in Central Scotland, I can totally recommend Jim Dixon tyres in Cumbernauld. Great service & prices, the only drawback is they're not open on a Sunday.
Typically they are £25-£30 cheaper per tyre than Kwik-Fit etc for the size for my car (205/55-16).
I had a puncture (tyre wrecked) and went in with my space-saver on, but they didn't have the tyre brand I wanted to match the others so lent me a tyre until it arrived for no charge. Now that's customer service.
I don't waste my time calling anyone else.
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"I think that it unfair to get a quote and then use it to get someone else to beat it. I always get several quotes, and then go to the cheapest. Why should a firm get a second chance when they have already overquoted you?"
I always do that. With everything. It is amazing how at the right time people will bend over backwards to clinch a deal.
No ask, no get. I always ask. (there is a totally unsuitable and very old joke on the same theme which I shall not repeat here..:-)
madf
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For anyone in the Bury St Edmunds area, Bury Tyre Services (01284 762996) is well worth considering.
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WWW.MYTYRES.CO.UK.
you will have to get someone/where to fit them, but i just usually give one of the guys at a garage a drink.
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