Purchasing a Superb from Platinum Skoda this coming Monday found it on the Skoda approved dealer website.
Vehicle was advertised with Hi res pics of alloys and tyres which were Michelins 

Sale girl has now told me car has been serviced,MOTed and 3 replacement tyres fitted...

I questioned if sat nav would have v13 maps on and tyres were replaced like for like?

I got the following reply

The sat nav will be updated. We do not replace
tyres like for like. They have been replaced with Three tyres which are
approved by our servicing department. 

Where does this leave me as I am going to phone then tomorrow quite unhappy about this and find out what kind of tyres have been fitted.

I allways look at what kind of tyres have been fitted to cars to give an indication of service it has received if you know what I mean..

2012 Skoda Superb 2.0 Elegance (L&K) Estate DSG 4X4

Thanks Del

Edited 2 March, 201610 yr by del80y

I bet you'll find the sat nav has not  been updated either.

I think I'd be concerned that the car would have 3 new tyres and 1 part worn, especially on a 4x4. As long as the tyres are a good make I think that would be ok, but I'd want 4 the same!

I think I'd be concerned that the car would have 3 new tyres and 1 part worn, especially on a 4x4. As long as the tyres are a good make I think that would be ok, but I'd want 4 the same!

Plus 1 from me.

I'm the same, having one odd tyre isn't kosher. What brand are the replacements? If they are good just deduct the cost of one more from the purchase price. They'd be silly not to agree.

Leaves you wherever you want to be.

I assume you have seen the car, negotiated the purchase price based on its condition and you saw the original Michelin tyres were worn or below the Skoda used approved minimum limit and negotiated their replacement or asked them for a "like for like" replacement in your original negotions?

And I assume you have also seen the inferior tyres (In your opinion) they have fitted?

Skoda dealer must, as part of the approved scheme sell a car with a minimum tread depth, so they changed them.

At least you know you will be the first to drive on the new "inferior" ones, whereas the old Michelin's may have been mistreated/kerbed/repaired.

Expecting dealers to replace with "like for like" is not a prerequisite.

The fact the advertising photos showed some nice worn Michelin tyres, is in itself a good indication that the previous owner looked after it and kept premium tyres on

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by Defenderben

Looking at that pic, those michelins appear to have sipes, so have they left one winter tyre on one corner or replaced the other 3 with equivalent tyres? That's definitely something I would complain about on grounds of safety. Also just changing 3 is odd.

I don't think there's any ground for you to complain about them not replacing them with identical tyres, but they should definitely match in type and I'd even say reasonable quality. Replacing michelins with ditch finders wouldn't be acceptable to me as I would be forced to strip them straight from the car.

I've always worked on the principle of having the same tread pattern on both ends of an axle, so at least one of the tyres should be like-for-like with what was on the car....

Also ensuring that speed ratings match on each axle too

Leaves you wherever you want to be.

I assume you have seen the car, negotiated the purchase price based on its condition and you saw the original Michelin tyres were worn or below the Skoda used approved minimum limit and negotiated their replacement or asked them for a "like for like" replacement in your original negotions?

Nope bought from up here in Glasgow with Hi res pics

And I assume you have also seen the inferior tyres (In your opinion) they have fitted?

Nope not seen them (never said they were inferior)  Still waiting to find out what they have fitted..

Skoda dealer must, as part of the approved scheme sell a car with a minimum tread depth, so they changed them.

At least you know you will be the first to drive on the new "inferior" ones, whereas the old Michelin's may have been mistreated/kerbed/repaired.

Expecting dealers to replace with "like for like" is not a prerequisite.

The fact the advertising photos showed some nice worn Michelin tyres, is in itself a good indication that the previous owner looked after it and kept premium tyres on

My point exactly which is why I am thinking they should be replaced with premium tyres

Hey I would even accept Uniroyal Rainsport 3 which from Camskill are only £50.90 each

Still waiting for a reply from them as they are busy with all the new car sales ...

Ah it just got worse Salesperson has EMailed me back

Hi Derek,

Sorry, I should have been clearer. The brand of tyres is called
Three.

Kind regards,

I thought this was a typo in her first email with capitalization of the T

The only thing google gives me on Three tyres is an Ebay link works out at £33.50 a tyre

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-New-225-40-18-THREE-A-P606-92W-XL-225-40R18-2254018-B-WET-GRIP-2-TYRES-/161805132488
 

Away for a phone call me thinks.......  

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by DEL80Y

So, Chinese ditchfinders then, not at all equivalent to the Michelins it had.

I think they are as far away from Michelins as you could get .....
Still waiting on the pone call back 
I can get Uniroyal rain sport 3 for £50.90 
I would even pay the extra 15 quid a tyre myself 
cant believe that they think putting these on is allright

Tell them that you are not willing to accept the car with those tyres and that you want them removed and that you will cover difference of tyre price for a premium tyre than a budget tyre on the basis that all 4 are replaced and you would now have a new and worn tyre on the same axle. Being a 4x4 this gives inadequate traction and tyre wear on the axle in question?

Judge their response. If they aren't willing to negotiate then I'd surmise that "budget" measures have been taken on other areas of the cars "maintenance" and that would be enough for me to walk away. They need your cash more than you need that specific car. You have the power as the buyer not vice versa

If you don't fancy the car with those tyres, then don't buy it.

Plenty of other cars out there waiting for your money.

Good luck.

Nope told by the Sales manager just now that they are not willing to replace the tyres with a premium brand as the tyre that the service department put on are deemed safe for that vehicle   
If i wanted Michelins I would have to pay the full screen price of which I got a £295 discount as I was paying cash and coming some distance from Glasgow as a good will gesture  
Would not even consider taking them back off and replaceing with Uniroyals which I would of been happy with.

They know  I have booked a flight ,train and accomodation    

He then told me he could sell the car to 3 people right now if I want my deposit back it and he is sorry that I feel upset  

Have been looking for  l&k estate for 3 months and keep getting beat to them.....

Quite ****ed the now
(ah the swear filter works)

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by DEL80Y

So you have 4 brand new 'Three' tyres? I assume the Michelins where MOT failures then. If you hadn't negotiated new tyres into the deal then the dealer has fulfilled his commitment in that the car has had an MOT and is safe to be sold. It's a bit of a swizz really, but they have acted fairly, although at the bottom of that standard I reckon. When I bought my brand new Octy II many years ago, I haggled a strong deal and they delivered the car with only 6 months Tax. It was only because I used to be a bit fastidious when younger that I noticed it. But because my paperwork said I got 12 months tax they had to give me the money for another 6 months.

 

If you keep the car and want to enjoy it without feeling bitter, I'd think of it like this. You bought the car with what appeared to be Michelin tyres, but if you had received it as such, they would be very worn and need replacing anyway. As you hadn't negotiated new tyres into the deal, you were going to have to replace them at your own expense. So in a way you have to do this anyway if you want to chuck the dodgy sounding Chinese tyres away. If the advert had said the car had Michelins then they have not sold it as seen and must rectify the matter.

 

Btw have you asked about paying an extra £15 a corner to upgrade the tyres (probably be near £20+ I reckon). They will have to rebalance and refit another set and the discounts they get on Three tyres might be extreme.

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

Get your deposit back and buy mine instead (sorry couldn't help myself)

Nope told by the Sales manager just now that they are not willing to replace the tyres with a premium brand as the tyre that the service department put on are deemed safe for that vehicle

If i wanted Michelins I would have to pay the full screen price of which I got a £295 discount as I was paying cash and coming some distance from Glasgow as a good will gesture

Would not even consider taking them back off and replaceing with Uniroyals which I would of been happy with.

They know I have booked a flight ,train and accomodation

He then told me he could sell the car to 3 people right now if I want my deposit back it and he is sorry that I feel upset

Have been looking for l&k estate for 3 months and keep getting beat to them.....

Quite ****ed the now

(ah the swear filter works)

Sadly, with you flight etc booked, it seems you have to make the best of it. Good luck

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by kevberlin

Crappy as it sounds, I think Lady Elanore has it spot on.

 

Buy the car, replace the tyres, grit your teeth, then enjoy your motoring until the whole affair becomes a distant memory.

So you have 4 brand new 'Three' tyres? ...

Only 3 as I read the OP?

 

"and 3 replacement tyres fitted..."

Only 3 as I read the OP?

 

"and 3 replacement tyres fitted..."

The brand of tyre is called Three as I read the whole thread

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

Call his bluff. Tell him you're cancelling the flights and room, and going looking elsewhere. "It's a shame we can't reach a reasonable agreement about what tyres you fit on a car for sale, but there'll be another car for me somewhere with good quality tyres on it." Then go looking again.

I just have a sense that if he does find a new car he likes, it won't have brand new quality tyres unless he pays for them and the price the garage gives probably wont be as cheap as he could source elsewhere. Buying unseen is always a bit of a risk I guess :(

I kinda get the impression he's quite prepared to pay for quality tyres but the dealer has told him to do one as the tyres on the car are staying on the car, full stop. And I still bet the sat nav won't be updated as they avoided his question . "Will the sat nav have V13 maps on it?" answer "The sat nav will be updated". I don't think that's the same thing.

Shifty dealer, personally.