Kwik Fit strike again

[BTB 500]

A rear tyre on the Vito was flat yesterday. Pumped it up and it was flat again this morning, so obviously a puncture. Hoping it would be a nail/screw and therefore repairable (tyre has lots of tread), so wife briefed to pump it up again (with compressor) this morning and take it to the tyre centre about a mile away.

Unfortunately it had been taken over by Kwik Fit.

Tyre was not repairable (had a sharp-edged cut). They didn't have any Continental Vancos, so they kindly fitted a Michelin Primacy HP (W rated = 168 mph!) instead ... nitrogen filled ... for a mere £250 (after discount)

Obviously I'm not thrilled to have a Continental on one side and a Michelin (totally different tread pattern) on the other. Rang the manager who was adamant that it was the only tyre they had that would fit a Vito, and there was absolutely no issue with mixing makes. End of story.

Looking on the Kwik Fit website they do the same Michelin for £176 if you pay online, or the original Continental for £127! And probably available cheaper elsewhere. So no not impressed, to say the least.

I have an unused Continental on the (steel) spare, so I will get that swapped with the Michelin. And never use Kwik Fit again (well I wouldn't have used them in the first place if I'd known they had taken the place over).

Hey ho.

 

[davidjpowell]

You would probably be surprised at how many outlets Kwik Fit own, and trade under other names with no clue as to parentage. I have known them to own virtually all the outlets in some more regional towns.

 

[richard]

You would probably be surprised at how many outlets Kwik Fit own, and trade under other names with no clue as to parentage. I have known them to own virtually all the outlets in some more regional towns.

They apparently owned Humphreys in bagshot for ages before its name changed to Kwikfit a short while back ..

Their online pricing if you buy 4 tyres was substantially lower than anyone else for my 19" p-zeros for the SL

R

 

[Mudster]

See what happens when you let the wife deal with a mans job.....

Ducks and runs for cover..........

 

[hitenhirani]

I think I remember my local Northway Tyres, saying they are owned by Kwik Fit.
And went on to say soemthing about Tyre Plus.

http://www.tyreplus.co.uk/

This is Kwik Fit owned, and so every trading name you see along the bottom, is owned by Kwik Fit.

 

[BTB 500]

They apparently owned Humphreys in bagshot for ages before its name changed to Kwikfit a short while back ..

Yup that's the place.

 

[BTB 500]

See what happens when you let the wife deal with a mans job.....

At least I'll end up with a spare tyre that's rated for 168 mph

 

[SilverSaloon]

on kwikfit's defense they would of asked your wife what tyre she wanted??? if not then thats bad.

 

[Smiley]

they should have offered the option of ordering the right (continental) tyre in (24hrs?)and putting the spare on the van for now

 

[BTB 500]

She wanted a straight replacement for the tyre that was on there but was put on the spot when they said the Michelin was the only option. With hindsight she'd have got the spare put on and driven off to think it over.

What do you guys think about having mixed make tyres on the same axle? I know it's legal, but surely not desirable. Grip will certainly be different depending on temperature/water/etc.

 

[BTB 500]

they should have offered the option of ordering the right (continental) tyre in (24hrs?)and putting the spare on the van for now

Yes that would have been perfect. It's not like they don't do Continental at all.

 

[nick mercedes]

What do you guys think about having mixed make tyres on the same axle? I know it's legal, but surely not desirable.

I would not worry too much, it's only a van, so it's not like you're going racing.

Paying £250 for a tyre for a vito is more of an upset.

 

[jaymanek]

Mixed makes wont affect anything really unless you are planning on going around the ring on a snowy day..

 

[BTB 500]

Not planning on going racing, but it does get driven on unrestricted autobahn (up to 115 mph last time). I would be more concerned about going round corners in the wet at home though.

 

[Dryce]

S
What do you guys think about having mixed make tyres on the same axle? I know it's legal, but surely not desirable. Grip will certainly be different depending on temperature/water/etc.

Is it really any different from having the same brand but a part worn tyre one side and a new tyre on the other?

 

[BTB 500]

Is it really any different from having the same brand but a part worn tyre one side and a new tyre on the other?

Yes, because (a) the tread pattern is different and (b) the rubber compound isn't the same. The first means the grip will be different in the wet, and the second means grip will be different when cold.

 

[BTB 500]

Oh, and to add insult to injury ... have just looked and the M-B valve cover has gone

 

[lynall]

I reckon im a bit sad like a few one here and like all the same make tyres on their cars, but we are very def in the minority

Whenever i look at a car if they are all the same i always think they care about the car/van.



Lynall

 

[KNU7S]

What size tyres is it on your van?

 

[BTB 500]

I wouldn't be so bothered about one make at the front and another at the back (so long as they were good quality). It's having different tyres from one side to the other I'm not keen on.