Hey,

What do people find they get the best deal with:-

1) buying tyres online and getting them fitted by a local garage? (if so what site?)

2) buying the tyre and fitting from your local garage or independent?

3) using a network dealer ie Kwik fit?

Discuss....

My indy http://www.tyresrus.co.uk/home.htm is unbeatable, he'll even bring them to you and fit them for £10 extra even 4 !

I usually use camskill coexist them fitted at the polish place round the corner, they know me now so its gone from a Tenner a tyre to £7.50 lol.

Went to a independent and they wanted £15 each!

I use to use camskill and get them fitted locally, but recently its become more and more expensive so I dont bother any more. All the faffing about, someone being in to collect them, then carting them all down to a tyre fitters etc etc all for a £2 saving. Went down to "just tyres" last month for two tyres, just ignore the bull**** & sales patter.

I use a local small tyre fitter. He fitted two sport contact 2's for the Octavia for £150, which is cheaper then then buying them from Camskill and having them fitted.

The only drawack is that unless you get there early you might have to queue.

I've used http://www.camskill.co.uk/ a twice and had good service (and were cheap). Last year I used http://www.tyretraders.com/ who were good and cheap when Camskill at that time didn't have any Rainsport 2s in stock. My Father used http://www.mytyres.co.uk/ last winter to order winter and Summer tyres, who were quite good, however the tyres came from a warehouse in Germany so was at least a week for delivery. The tyres from the other places are delivered within 1 or 2 days.

My local fitter used to charge a Tenner a tyre to fit. The last time I used him he charged £25 a pair fitted & balanced, which is still quite good.

My local Tyre Place, Knaresborough Tyres, Cheap as chips, same price as Internet prices but includes Fitting, new Valve, balancing and tyre disposal.

I always get Uniroyal rain experts fitted to my diesel Octys. I use Kwikfit because every time I shop around they are the cheapest. However I do go there knowing that the customer service will be crap and they will set the tyre pressures incorrectly.

I did use a local firm, as no-one could really beat them for price, but their fitters aren't very careful, and after damaging some alloys with their ham-fistedness, I've not returned to. Their wheel balancing wasn't very good either, and I didn't feel that their wheel alignment was right either! I now use a place in Chester, who initially tried to charge me near retail on the tyres I wanted. We had some discussions, and once the manager realised I'd just go elsewhere, we came to an agreement. They just give me best price possible now, as they know I'll laugh at them if they try it on with anything higher. I pay a slight premium over the previous place, but I'm happy as they are very careful and thorough.

It is worth haggling, even if it's a chain outfit, as they ultimately want your business, some profit it better than none, and the manager usually has authority to reduce prices a fair bit without authorisation.

Shockingly I been looking for two new fronts and ATS has come out cheapest.

Normally I check the online retailers then phone up the guy who does the work for BlackCircles and get his quote direct.

BlackCircles are doing 0% APR over 12 months on Yokohamas if that's your choice.

As already pointed out I use the online services to find the best price for supply only then canvass my local fitters (inc the national centres) and get them to price match (allowing for reasonable fitting charge )

I tend to use my local kwikfit, I know they sometimes get a bad rap but I've never found a cheaper deal anywhere else, they always manage to get the tyres I need on the same day, if not the next and believe it or not they are a good bunch of lads and do offer a good service.

I always use my local fitter RM Tyres, been going there for over 20 years, when i 1st started going it was one guy on his own, now he has 5 working for him, and he always beats the online sites, the only downside is what ever time you go now you have to Q.

I always use my local fitter RM Tyres, been going there for over 20 years, when i 1st started going it was one guy on his own, now he has 5 working for him, and he always beats the online sites, the only downside is what ever time you go now you have to Q.

i normally use them aswell, couldn't agree more on the waiting times, lee

My indy http://www.tyresrus.co.uk/home.htm is unbeatable, he'll even bring them to you and fit them for £10 extra even 4 !

I always used to use them, don't really know why I stopped! I will have to see what they come out with when i need some 18's soon!

Costco if you need Michellin and know someone who's a member

Costco if you need Michellin and know someone who's a member

I normally go there but last time there wasn't much difference between them and Kwik Fit due to various deals.

When I have watched the Costco guys changing the tyres I was shocked to see them actually use a torque wrench to check the wheel nuts at the end rather than the usual windy gun others tend to use. Also when you pay for the tyres the guy at the desk looks up and notes down the correct pressure on the job card, doesn't mean they use it I know but a good start.

While they do have a good stock they can also order in an Michelin tyres you want. I used to know someone who got his bike tyres from them, but they couldn't fit them.

Everywhere iv been torques the wheels up with a wrench :-/

I normally go there but last time there wasn't much difference between them and Kwik Fit due to various deals.

When I have watched the Costco guys changing the tyres I was shocked to see them actually use a torque wrench to check the wheel nuts at the end rather than the usual windy gun others tend to use. Also when you pay for the tyres the guy at the desk looks up and notes down the correct pressure on the job card, doesn't mean they use it I know but a good start.

While they do have a good stock they can also order in an Michelin tyres you want. I used to know someone who got his bike tyres from them, but they couldn't fit them.

Any decent garage should and will torque the wheels up. Locking wheel nuts are a must as air gunning them can FUBAR them, and the gun pressure doesnt always do them fully tight or tight enough!

If I saw a fitter simply gun them on then hand me the keys I'd be asking some questions and demanding they do the job properly!

Everywhere iv been torques the wheels up with a wrench :-/

Even Kwikfit do as standard!

My experience of Kwik Fit (via company cars) is that the prices tend to be good, but they can't balance wheels. Have considered the buy-online-get-fitted-locally sites, but have always found that local companies are happy to price-match (and include fitting in that). If I'm feeling lazy, I use Event Tyres who give great prices and also come to me to fit the tyres at my convenience

Chris