Blackcircles Quality Choice brand tyres

[RafflesNH]

Has anyone used the more recently introduced (2015) Quality Choice range in Runflats from Blackcircles with their Beemer?
£111.53 a corner fully fitted for 255/35 R18 (Rears) with EU rating of (Fuel)E/(Wet)A/(Noise)72db seemingly better value than Bridgestone Potenzas at £160+.

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, I'm loathe to fork out £230 a corner for new Michelin rubber only to have to junk them before they even wear out!

Edited by RafflesNH on Saturday 27th August 15:44

[RafflesNH]

E-bmw said:

Just asking why you would go for "budget tyres" when there are so many good tyres out there for significantly less that the only brand you appear to be considering?

8<

Thanks for taking the trouble to post a screen grab, but which site did you obtain those quotes from please?
Also, I'm not sure why you have selected a different tyre size to mine and are those runflats?
Cheers

[RafflesNH]

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

For the avoidance of any doubt, I must have tyres that are both runflats (RFTs) and exactly the same size as my current rubber (i.e. 255/35 R18 for Rear fitment). I only mentioned the rears because the front tyre size (225/40 R18) is more readily available and generally cheaper than the rears (255/35 R18).

It would still be good if anyone with first hand experience of Black Circles Quality Choice RFT range could chime in please.

[RafflesNH]

E-bmw said:

OOPS! Sorry, typo.

If you look next to each thumbnail, you can read CAMSKILL in yellow, that is the site.

Try again.
8<

Ah my bad. Camskill, so it is. Thought I recognised it, as have already tried them. Need to add on old tyre disposal and fitting costs too, though.
Thanks again for chiming in.

[RafflesNH]

E-bmw said:

Just in case it makes a difference disposal is free for up to 4 tyres at your local recycling depot for a private individual.

Interesting. Where do you live? My nearest recycling centres in Merton and Croydon won't take car tyres as considered to be hazardous waste. Probably explains the large quantity of fly-tipped tyres adorning our highways and byways!

[RafflesNH]

E-bmw said:

Leeds do, Hull does, I assumed that was standard as most do similar things.

Several I have used in both areas have a 20ft shipping container that is just left open & when full is replaced.

Came as a surprise to me too, as I tried disposing of some tyres once and was firmly shooed away! Had to pay a tyre fitters to take them for me.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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