Online tyres and actually getting them fitted...

[Carlton Banks]

Times have been tough in the bel air household since uncle Phil passed away.


Anyway. I have always bought my tyres online as camskill and the like are always cheaper than the tyre shops (including the fitting).

HOWEVER......

It is always a massive pain in the arse to get somewhere reputable to actually fit them without damaging the wheels.

So, where do you guys go?

I am based in London (in belair)

[Jw Vw]

Black Circles are pretty good. Massive choice of garages to pick from and if you can find the same tyre cheaper they will price match.

[83TEP]

I have also found it pain in the arse to get tyres fitted when you provide them. I think garages see it as a threat to their business but if it's pure margin for them as they have no stock costs etc. some have claimed to me it's because of safety and they can't guarantee the source of the tyres

[Riley Blue]

Another satisfied Black Circles customer. My local BC fitters take great care of my alloys and show some interest in my cars too.

[knight]

I've used event tyres a few times and they come to you to fit them, had great service and good price normally too

[Axionknight]

Jw Vw said:

Black Circles are pretty good. Massive choice of garages to pick from and if you can find the same tyre cheaper they will price match.

Never had a problem with ordering for fitment through Black Circles, well worth a shout IMO.

[bungle]

knight said:

I've used event tyres a few times and they come to you to fit them, had great service and good price normally too

Pretty much exactly what I was going to type. Used them the last few times now, and will continue to.

[RKi]

Last 2 guys who fitted my wheels ruined them :@

That bloody crowbar thing they use whilst getting the old tyre off is horrific.

[2.5pi]

knight said:

I've used event tyres a few times and they come to you to fit them, had great service and good price normally too

Another vote for Event ...plus they r usually price competitive for supply

[Clivew]

I got a quote from Black Circles and they had a list of approved fitters in my area. I contacted one of them direct, (whom I had used before) and they quoted me £20 less than BC without being told I had any other quotes.
It pays to phone around.

[Carlton Banks]

Thanks for the advice- I always find black circles very expensive to be honest.
Even event are expensive compared to buying the tyres direct from camskill.

For example, there is a £100 difference on some conti's per tyre!

[Podie]

It's a case of finding someone local to you, who does a good job.

The trouble is, that can take time...

[g3org3y]

knight said:

I've used event tyres a few times and they come to you to fit them, had great service and good price normally too

My father used them and was impressed.

Podie said:

It's a case of finding someone local to you, who does a good job.

The trouble is, that can take time...

Indeed, my local chap will do a tyre swap for £10 per corner (in balancing). Even with the £40 fitting, the overall price is still a lot cheaper when I buy from Camskill.

[Depthhoar]

I've used Camskill to deliver and then an independent mobile tyre fitter. £10 a corner to fit and the guy was very careful etc but the wheel balancing machine in his van looked ancient and I wonder how often (if he ever) he gets the machine re-calibrated. It is fixed to the floor of his van but the vehicle will bump along in the normal course of events going from job to job and likely upset the fine tolerances required to balance wheels. Read somewhere that a even small error with lead weights on the wheel can be the same as not bothering with balancing at all.

P'raps I'll stick with the mainstream fitters in future?

[r11co]

Jw Vw said:

Black Circles are pretty good.

Black Circles' main line of business is leasing tyre fitting equipment to their 'recommended fitters'. They no longer keep stock of tyres and simply act as the middlemen between the manufacturers and their fitters.

[kambites]

I've found a little local independent fitter which seems to be good and stuck with that every since.

[Lowtimer]

It's easy. 1. Ring your local independent tyre fitter. 2. Ask if they do a 'balance and fit only' service (along with disposal of the old tyres if that's what you want). 3. Assuming they say yes (and I've never asked one who doesn't) get your tyres delivered either there or to you whichever is most convenient for you, 4. Turn up and get them fitted.

[Jonnas]

It's a blummin' pain in the arse and not worth the faff, I won't do it again.

Instead I've used E-Tyres a couple of times, they come to you. I think they were about £2 a corner more expensive than Black Circles but as they came to me it was worth the difference. Nice chap and was very careful not to mark the wheels. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again....

[ging84]

i saw a 2nd hand tyre fitting machine being flogged on ebay locally for a few hundred £
if i had a bigger garage it would almost be worth it

[Snowboy]

Event Tyre.
Cheap and hassle free.

They will come to your house or place of work.