JCT600. A great deal(er)
Discussion
Last month,I posted a photo of my V12V shod in its winter tyres on the OEM rims, which prompted a few of you to post that such a combo wasn't approved by Aston and could invalidate my insurance. As the winters had been supplied and fitted by JCT600 when I bought the car in 2012 and was now the third winter I'd swapped the Corsas for the Sottozero's on the same rims, without issue, I replied I was happy with the set up.
For peace of mind, I connected Rochelle (service manager) at JCT and asked her to clarify the situation with Aston.
She called me a week later and explained that after some discussions with the technical staff at the factory, it was confirmed that Aston don't approve the tyres on the OEM rims (as per the website) due to the fact they'd not tested them.
This clearly left me in a position where to carry on driving with them would be foolish, but a few grand for new rims a month after a service and extended warranty!
However, Rochelle said that as JCT had supplied and fitted the tyres in good faith, she felt some responsibility was with them and therefore would provide me with a brand new set of approved winter rims AND a brand new set of Sottozero's free of charge!
Although I've built a good relationship with JCT over the last 7 years of Aston ownership and consider the staff I deal with as friends, this generous gesture was both unexpected and welcomed. I can't recommend them highly enough.

For peace of mind, I connected Rochelle (service manager) at JCT and asked her to clarify the situation with Aston.
She called me a week later and explained that after some discussions with the technical staff at the factory, it was confirmed that Aston don't approve the tyres on the OEM rims (as per the website) due to the fact they'd not tested them.
This clearly left me in a position where to carry on driving with them would be foolish, but a few grand for new rims a month after a service and extended warranty!
However, Rochelle said that as JCT had supplied and fitted the tyres in good faith, she felt some responsibility was with them and therefore would provide me with a brand new set of approved winter rims AND a brand new set of Sottozero's free of charge!
Although I've built a good relationship with JCT over the last 7 years of Aston ownership and consider the staff I deal with as friends, this generous gesture was both unexpected and welcomed. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Good result that JCT600 realised they had not read the AML memo.
When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
Those wheels aren't just approved for the V12VR, but for V8V 12.5 MY onwards, V8Vs, V12V and V12Vs
I can't see why the OEM rims aren't approved. An 11x19 wheel is suitable for 275 to 305 widths. They seem to just approve the ones they've tested which doesn't mean others are either unsafe or unsuitable.
Edited by handyman 1417 on Sunday 8th February 11:44
JohnG1 said:
Good result that JCT600 realised they had not read the AML memo.
When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
WTF talk about turning a positive into an negative.When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
bentley01 said:
JohnG1 said:
Good result that JCT600 realised they had not read the AML memo.
When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
WTF talk about turning a positive into an negative.When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
Darren, why the need to have a pop at the Indie's 
AMDBSNick said:
Darren, why the need to have a pop at the Indie's 
Nick my post was no reflection on the Indie garages but rather a question on why when a garage gives good service as in this case someone posts a reply which turns a good deed into one doubting their capability in the first place. As you know I am the last one to cast a negative light on independent garages having had such good work carried out by them on my car. Have you been on the wine again ???bentley01 said:
JohnG1 said:
Good result that JCT600 realised they had not read the AML memo.
When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
WTF talk about turning a positive into an negative.When I bought winter wheels and tyres I spoke to six different dealers in SE England and they were all absolutely clear that Sottozero tyres required new wheels.
I doubt any good indie garage would make this schoolboy error in the first place...
If a firm screws up and then puts it right that's hardly a positive, it's trying to right a wrong.
But maybe you think it's a positive. Let's just agree to disagree...
Like I've said before, the tyres where the correct size for the OEM rims, just not approved by AML. As for insurance, I can't see it was an issue as it wouldn't have been if I'd have bought aftermarket rims etc.
I should also say that although JCT fitted the winters originally, I had them swapped over twice a year at my local BMW dealer. So considering have had no involvement for nearly 3 years and still replaced the worn tyres and supplied new rims is a positive and great service which ever way you look at it.
Maybe it was my fault for not calling six dealers in the north of England before I fitted them originally!
I should also say that although JCT fitted the winters originally, I had them swapped over twice a year at my local BMW dealer. So considering have had no involvement for nearly 3 years and still replaced the worn tyres and supplied new rims is a positive and great service which ever way you look at it.
Maybe it was my fault for not calling six dealers in the north of England before I fitted them originally!
Edited by handyman 1417 on Monday 9th February 09:58
handyman 1417 said:
As for insurance, I can't see it was an issue as it wouldn't have been if I'd have bought aftermarket rims etc.
Interesting point here. Let's be silly here just for the sake of discussion. Imagine you had replaced the 19" very wide, very sticky OEM tyres with a set of 19" wheels from a little moped. Imagine you skidded and crashed. Would you expect to be covered then? Even though the act of fitting such tyres is clearly grossly silly?So why expect an insurer to cover you when you're driving around on something non-standard?
Perhaps someone who knows a bit more about insurance could chip in?
PS - to the OP - lovely colour car Sir!
bentley01 said:
Nick my post was no reflection on the Indie garages but rather a question on why when a garage gives good service as in this case someone posts a reply which turns a good deed into one doubting their capability in the first place. As you know I am the last one to cast a negative light on independent garages having had such good work carried out by them on my car. Have you been on the wine again ???
As for the wine, naturally

JohnG1 said:
Interesting point here. Let's be silly here just for the sake of discussion. Imagine you had replaced the 19" very wide, very sticky OEM tyres with a set of 19" wheels from a little moped. Imagine you skidded and crashed. Would you expect to be covered then? Even though the act of fitting such tyres is clearly grossly silly?
So why expect an insurer to cover you when you're driving around on something non-standard?
Perhaps someone who knows a bit more about insurance could chip in?
PS - to the OP - lovely colour car Sir!
Thanks, I saw a DBS in lightning silver on the M6 at weekend and it looked fantastic. So why expect an insurer to cover you when you're driving around on something non-standard?
Perhaps someone who knows a bit more about insurance could chip in?
PS - to the OP - lovely colour car Sir!
I started this tread to acknowledge customer service over and above what I would expect.
The fact remains that the tyres are the correct size, the OEM rims are the correct size for the tyres, just not approved but still the correct size and any liability in a claim would have fallen to the BMW dealer who repeatedly swapped them and me for asking them to do it.
The insurance debate could be continued on a new thread about all mods carried out that aren't AML approved, many of which could have a real world affect on a cars handling and safety.
Got to be honest, I've not heard this tyre thing before and I'd say 90% of the people I know (probably 100% with a beater/runabout) generally just go to a tyre fitter and get whatever is on offer stuck on their cars when the time comes. I can't see insurance having any problem with it at all...... basically insurance can invalidate a stamped tyre? I don't think so.
Great result for the OP
Great result for the OP

Edited by ds2000 on Monday 9th February 10:52
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