Blackcircles Quality Choice brand tyres

[f1nn]

No, I'm sorry to disappoint you but you think wrong, that never happened. You've made that up.

Anyway, never mind.

Sorry OP, carry on....

[nickfrog]

Yes, sorry on behalf of our resident trolling weirdo who can't get over himself and has to pollute a thread and mention winter tyres in August.

[f1nn]

Because discussing winter tyres in August is definitely something you don't do, right Nick?

Shall we both agree not to post in this thread anymore? Great.

[RafflesNH]

Fox- said:

I can't see how any user experience is going to be much use as you've no idea if they are even talking about the same make and model of tyre.

Honestly i cannot see a single reason why you'd buy tyres this way for a car like yours, especially given how long you've managed to get out of your existing tyres.

Yep, after much soul searching, I have decided I can't bear the prospect of having no-name rubber on my P&J! Just wish now that Bridgestone Drive Guard did them in my size for the rears, as they promise a more compliant ride than my Michelins. Have written to them to ask if they plan to do so, but I really don't want to have different makes on each axle.

Thanks to all for your input. Still like to know if anyone has actually bought/used the Black Circles QCs though.

[f1nn]

OP, also try Kwikfit online, as they beat the fitted price I was getting from black circles etc by about £30 around a year ago, and fitted on my drive away, for the same size tyres as you are shopping for although not for run flats.

I

[RafflesNH]

f1nn said:

OP, also try Kwikfit online, as they beat the fitted price I was getting from black circles etc by about £30 around a year ago, and fitted on my drive away, for the same size tyres as you are shopping for although not for run flats.

Cheers, but still the usual disappointing choices.
I won't touch those rock-hard Bridgestones, but the P Zeros got good reviews in this year's Autoexpress test, so might be the best compromise pricewise.

Edited by RafflesNH on Monday 29th August 11:01

[apotts]

As a matter of interest, why not non runflats? Better, cheaper and legal. If you are worried about a puncture then remember that for many puncture types runflats don't work.

If I couldn't afford a decent car on decent tyres, then I'd rather have a budget car on decent tyres than a decent car on budget tyres.

[RafflesNH]

apotts said:

As a matter of interest, why not non runflats? Better, cheaper and legal. If you are worried about a puncture then remember that for many puncture types runflats don't work.

If I couldn't afford a decent car on decent tyres, then I'd rather have a budget car on decent tyres than a decent car on budget tyres.

It's worth a thought, but what if....

/ring ring/ /ring ring/...
"Hello this is BMW Assist, how may I help you?"
"Hi, I've broken down on M25 with a flat tyre, can you rescue me please?"
"Well sir, I'm pleased to tell you that your car is equipped with runflat tyres, and you can safely drive another 50 miles at no more than 50mph to get a new tyre"
"errrm...."

Not to mention any argy-bargy with my trusty "how-can-I-get-out-of-paying-this-claim" Insurance company. /sigh/
I suppose those issues are not insurmountable but I just don't want the added aggro all the same.

[E-bmw]

RafflesNH said:

"Hi, I've broken down on M25 with a flat tyre, can you rescue me please?"
"Well sir, I'm pleased to tell you that your car is equipped with runflat tyres, and you can safely drive another 50 miles at no more than 50mph to get a new tyre"


Not to mention any argy-bargy with my trusty "how-can-I-get-out-of-paying-this-claim" Insurance company. /sigh/
I suppose those issues are not insurmountable but I just don't want the added aggro all the same.

Scenario 1. Carry a compressor & can of "goo" this is as effective as runflat in as many cases.

Scenario 2. Speak to them before you do it & check if it is OK with them.

[apotts]

Scenario 1: as above. Except I add an AA card. Many cars come like this now.

Scenario 2: they will be fine when you make that call. Especially when you remind them that bmw sell the same car with non runflats in some countries.

[RafflesNH]

apotts said:

Scenario 1: as above. Except I add an AA card. Many cars come like this now.

Scenario 2: they will be fine when you make that call. Especially when you remind them that bmw sell the same car with non runflats in some countries.

I must admit that being able to buy (much) cheaper branded tyres that are a) more comfy b) quieter and c) more fuel efficient does seem veeeery tempting.
Or, I could change the car, as getting into/out of an E91 without trashing the door rubbers is no mean feat for me these days!

[craigjm]

RafflesNH said:

As a low annual mileage user I'm not too concerned about longevity, as I still have 3 corners on OE Michelins having covered about 14K since new (Late 2008). Now showing signs of cracking due to age, but with loads of tread left,

Are you suggesting that you are going to change one tyre and leave the others on 8 year old tyres? Tyres should be replaced in pairs of you risk causing an imbalance on the axle. If you are hell bent on only changing one then match it with the other three. A used car with mismatched tyres points to an owner that has been skimping on maintenance.

[RafflesNH]

craigjm said:

Are you suggesting that you are going to change one tyre and leave the others on 8 year old tyres? Tyres should be replaced in pairs of you risk causing an imbalance on the axle. If you are hell bent on only changing one then match it with the other three. A used car with mismatched tyres points to an owner that has been skimping on maintenance.

I know what you mean and quite agree. However, the former owner (I am the 2nd) must have changed one of the rear tyres when it was about 2 years old and very few miles on the clock as the date code for that tyre is later than the other 3 which have identical date codes. That's why I only referred to 3 tyres as being OE, but ALL are still the same make/type. However, both rear tyres are of identical tread depth, hence why I said very little use during first couple of years before one of them was changed.

ps. I shall be renewing ALL tyres, due to age.

Edited by RafflesNH on Monday 29th August 14:03

[RafflesNH]

RafflesNH said:

Yep, after much soul searching, I have decided I can't bear the prospect of having no-name rubber on my P&J! Just wish now that Bridgestone Drive Guard did them in my size for the rears, as they promise a more compliant ride than my Michelins. Have written to them to ask if they plan to do so, but I really don't want to have different makes on each axle.

8<

Update: Just received a reply from Bridgestone (Brussels) to say no current plans to produce a Drive Guard tyre for my rear tyre size. Nice of them to reply so promptly though.

[craigjm]

RafflesNH said:

ps. I shall be renewing ALL tyres, due to age.

Edited by RafflesNH on Monday 29th August 14:03

If you are going to replace them all, ditch the run flats

[pointedstarman]

Enter your required size into ebay and search by distance from your location. I have found local fitters advertising branded tyres at excellent prices including fitting.

Only last week I bought 2 x 275/35 r19's (non rft) Bridgestones for £300 fitted off e-bay having been quoted £400 for 1 tyre (!) from the local dealer (I needed them quickly and was only looking at suppliers with the tyres in stock).

[Trabi601]

E-bmw said:

Scenario 1. Carry a compressor & can of "goo" this is as effective as runflat in as many cases.

Sadly didn't work for me the only time I've needed it to work.

Best off carrying a 'sticky rope' type repair kit for such scenarios.

[RafflesNH]

pointedstarman said:

Enter your required size into ebay and search by distance from your location. I have found local fitters advertising branded tyres at excellent prices including fitting.

Only last week I bought 2 x 275/35 r19's (non rft) Bridgestones for £300 fitted off e-bay having been quoted £400 for 1 tyre (!) from the local dealer (I needed them quickly and was only looking at suppliers with the tyres in stock).

Never thought of that. TYVM

[E-bmw]

Trabi601 said:

E-bmw said:

Scenario 1. Carry a compressor & can of "goo" this is as effective as runflat in as many cases.

Sadly didn't work for me the only time I've needed it to work.

Best off carrying a 'sticky rope' type repair kit for such scenarios.

I don't doubt it, but the point I was making is that if the hole is bigger than a can of sealant can fix, the runflat tyre would have disintegrated by then anyway, I wasn't suggesting for one second that the stuff is the be-all-&-end-all.

[craigjm]

Be careful of cheap branded tyres. Legally you can advertise tyres as being brand new if they are up to 5 years old and new if they are up to seven years old. This is how outlets like Asda tyres are able to offer low prices. Check the manufacture date.