buying new tyres on the web...........

[nickg]

Just been checking tyre prices..the SL60 needs 2 rears and 1 front

If I buy them on the web - much cheaper - how much should I expect a fitter to charge for fitting, balancing and wheel alignment?

 

[stats007]

£10 a wheel normally. They're not that much cheaper on the web - if at all compared to a good tyre dealer. Micheldever take some beating on price. Just had all four of mine done for £600 ish IIRC.

I started a thread about Johnsons tyres - very cheap but I had all sorts of problems - delivery appears to be a month.

You shouldn't replace one front if the other is part worn either.

 

[saorbust]

Try www.etyres.co.uk - been good for me.

 

[BTB 500]

IIRC the charge at my local to "fit customer's own cover" was under a tenner. In my case that was actually to swap a tyre onto a spare rim I'd got on eBay, so wheel off, remove tyre, fit tyre to new rim, balance, re-fit wheel.

 

[stats007]

New tyres need new valves usually - so some may do all four for £20 without.

 

[Shude]

Try www.etyres.co.uk - been good for me.

Not good for everyone though...
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27331

I last used mytyres.co.uk
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=13131

Fitting was done at a local garage for £9.50 per tyre, including disposal of the old tyres, valves, weights etc.

I used mytyres because no-one else wanted to sell me winter tyres.

 

[Will]

I have to say that before people go rushing off to buy tyres online, have a proper chat with a few local tyre places first.

As Stats has said, Micheldever are known to be very competitive and offer good service.

When I had to buy four new tyres for a set of staggered AMG 18" rims I negotiated locally and got them supplied and fitted for less than the online retailers (£499 for 2x 225/40/18 and 2x 255/35/18 Goodyear F1s).

Not sure if it'd be easy or cheap to do on the R129 but with tyres getting this expensive it may be worthwhile checking the wheel alignment and tyre pressures too - could pay for itself over time?

Will

 

[nickg]

black circles seem to be coming up as the best option as I can get them fitted at a local fitters.
fitted price comparisons (for 2 rear and 1 front):

kwik fit £489
etyres £514
black circles £444

will get alignment done once new tyres are on.

 

[stats007]

That's the reason I also went to Micheldever - they did a full geometry check for £27 (minor adjustments).

 

[Satch]

Indeed. I ordered winter tyres off the internet only because it proved difficult to source the ones I wanted locally in the required time. (Got them off mytyres, which is a division of Delti so they came from Germany)

Worth noting that Micheldever now have a 4x4 line:

http://www.4site4x4.co.uk/home.aspx

 

[fuzzer]

black circles seem to be coming up as the best option as I can get them fitted at a local fitters.
fitted price comparisons (for 2 rear and 1 front):

kwik fit £489
etyres £514
black circles £444

will get alignment done once new tyres are on.

no way .. is that just for one?

 

[stats007]

3 I would imagine!

Nick what tyres are you opting for?

 

[nickg]

no way .. is that just for one?

one car.........
2 rear (275/35/18)
1 front (245/40/18)

will probably buy dunlop SP Sport 9000 on the basis that:
- they are OEM recommended
- they are a decent brand
- I've had no problem with them before
- they are cheaper than michelin

 

[stats007]

They're exactly the same brand and size as the ones I had fitted. Micheldever charged £604.20 for all 4 including fitting and alignment.

245/40/18 £104.00 + vat
275/35/18 £128.00 + vat

Black circles weren't cheap when I looked - local fitters offered better deals (C43_AMG knows a good guy). Alternatively if you can wait 4 weeks for delivery - Johnsons are very cheap for the tyres.

 

[nickg]

I saw johnsons - they work out at £379 but then I've got to wait for delivery and then find/pay someone to fit/balance them - not worth it on balance I think.
Seems like I'm getting a good price from Black circles.....................
This is always an expensive time for me with the car - I've just renewed my insurance as well!!!

 

[C240Sport97]

try elite in Rainham in Essex ...

www.elitedirect.com

I had my new 18" rears fitted by them a few weeks ago. I made clear my wheels were pristine and they returned them in the same state.

I got a pair of 255/35 18 ZR Pirelli P Zero Rossos for £320 fitted. They tried me to get my tracking done, which I declined as the tyres have all worn evenly. Just that the rears wear out a whole lot quicker

 

[nickg]

Having checked my car yesterday evening, the tyres on there at the moment are Dunlop SP 01 Sport DSST which are apparently run flat tyres, according to a couple of tyre fitters I've spoken to.
These are more expensive than the 9000s and I may just change all 4 to 9000s instead - will probably improve the ride a little.......

or should I stick to run flats????

 

[fuzzer]

one car.........
2 rear (275/35/18)
1 front (245/40/18)

will probably buy dunlop SP Sport 9000 on the basis that:
- they are OEM recommended
- they are a decent brand
- I've had no problem with them before
- they are cheaper than michelin

Im just curious cause thats just over the price of one tyre for me

 

[stats007]

Having checked my car yesterday evening, the tyres on there at the moment are Dunlop SP 01 Sport DSST which are apparently run flat tyres, according to a couple of tyre fitters I've spoken to.
These are more expensive than the 9000s and I may just change all 4 to 9000s instead - will probably improve the ride a little.......

or should I stick to run flats????

Run flats are hideous - I'd go with normal tyres personally.

 

[nickg]

the ride is fairly harsh - but that is to be expected on the car.
I will probably now change all 4 to non run flats.
Just weird that they were on, and I didn't know.