Good tyre fitters in Essex - Recommendations?

[George7]

My ZT is due for some new rear tyres soon, and to save a bit of money, I'm planning on picking up a pair of good partworn tyres off Ebay and then having them fitted. I live in Witham (between Colchester and Chelmsford), but anywhere within about 30 miles would be fine. A recommendation would be fantastic. Also, how much does it generally cost to have tyres fitted? I usually buy tyres fully fitted so I'm not sure. Has anyone ever had any problems with bringing your own tyres to a normal garage to be fitted?

Thanks!

[Donatello]

It is probably worth ringing round a few to find out what they charge. I've got a friend locally who does mine for me but just be warned, a lot of garages are refusing to fit tyres not supplied by them.

[checkmate91]

STS in Braintree (Coggeshall Road) are good. I use them when I CBA to run down to Elite.

[George7]

Yeah, I'd expect a few to refuse, as I guess they make a good margin on the tyres, although with sites like Camskill doing so well, I'd assume a lot of garages are willing to do it.

checkmate91 said:

STS in Braintree (Coggeshall Road) are good. I use them when I CBA to run down to Elite.

Thanks, is that the one which says 'TYRE PROS' in big letters on the sign? Driven past it many a time. Do they definitely fit tyres bought elsewhere? Any idea how much they charge?

[Mikesinclair88]

Georges Tyres in Maldon did the tyres I supplied from Camskill on the BMW and were reasonably priced for fitting and didn't charge for the disposal of the old knackered casings.

[jimmy the hat]

I've got stupid wheels that have no hole in the centre so finding somewhere to balance them can be a PITA. I recently couldn't be arsed to run down to Elite and found National Tyres in Braintree (Rayne Road) to be good value and nice and helpful. Not only did they beat Elite on price but they fitted and balanced two tyres on the front wheels, swapping the older back ones onto the front in the process, but while it was on the ramp having the tracking done let me have a poke around at the faulty oxygen sensor (and the stunning design/deliberate mistake that caused it).

Went back a few weeks later with a puncture which they fixed and then put back on, swapping the budget spare back into the boot. Not a huge thing but it saved me doing it and as it was freezing cold I was quite grateful.

I'm not sure how their tracking equipment stancks up to Elite's but anywhere that only uses an impact gun to undo wheel bolts/nuts is fine by me.

Cheers, Jim

ETA bolts, being as that's what I've got.

Edited by jimmy the hat on Thursday 7th February 15:04

[checkmate91]

George7 said:

Thanks, is that the one which says 'TYRE PROS' in big letters on the sign? Driven past it many a time. Do they definitely fit tyres bought elsewhere? Any idea how much they charge?

Yes, I've done Black Circles tyres there and self-source. They just charge fitting and balance.

jimmy the hat said:

I've got stupid wheels that have no hole in the centre so finding somewhere to balance them can be a PITA. I recently couldn't be arsed to run down to Elite and found National Tyres in Braintree (Rayne Road) to be good value and nice and helpful. Not only did they beat Elite on price but they fitted and balanced two tyres on the front wheels, swapping the older back ones onto the front in the process, but while it was on the ramp having the tracking done let me have a poke around at the faulty oxygen sensor (and the stunning design/deliberate mistake that caused it).

Went back a few weeks later with a puncture which they fixed and then put back on, swapping the budget spare back into the boot. Not a huge thing but it saved me doing it and as it was freezing cold I was quite grateful.

I'm not sure how their tracking equipment stancks up to Elite's but anywhere that only uses an impact gun to undo wheel bolts/nuts is fine by me.

Cheers, Jim

National in Rayne Road are ok, but their balancing machines aren't as sophisticated as STS for me, no across-the width balancing. Price-wise they're all very similar IME

[steveo3002]

intresting thread , a sticky with county by county listings would be very usefull

one to avoid ..costco thurrock , damaged all 4 of my wheels and said they were already like it

[9xxNick]

Bit of a thread resurrection, but does anyone have any recommended tyre places in Chelmsford, Braintree or thereabouts?

I used to use ATS Euromaster in Chelmsford but I believe they've stopped trading.

[sjc]

9xxNick said:

Bit of a thread resurrection, but does anyone have any recommended tyre places in Chelmsford, Braintree or thereabouts?

I used to use ATS Euromaster in Chelmsford but I believe they've stopped trading.

Tyre Smart in Witham,very good and know their stuff .

[9xxNick]

Thank you. I'll give them a try.

[BikeSausage]

Is Billericay too far? Queens Park Tyres are well priced, extremely competent and very skilled at finding rare tyres for old or niche cars.

[TurboTerrific9]

BikeSausage said:

Is Billericay too far? Queens Park Tyres are well priced, extremely competent and very skilled at finding rare tyres for old or niche cars.

Agreed, solid guys

[9xxNick]

Billericay is just about OK, given that tyre work is relatively rare so I won't need to go there more than a few times a year. I just need to find a company that I can trust to do the work competently.