Having borrowed Bromp's tyre thread to air my own pre-trip rubber deliberations, I came to the conclusion that (a) my Hankook / Nexen combo will last the trip, and (b) work meant I'd run out of time to order new tyres anyway.
But then another thought occurred to me, and a bit of googling confirmed it: Michelin tyres appear to be cheaper (130€ against £140) in France than in the UK. So might I think of getting all four done while we're away?
And if I did, who might I go to? Who, in other words, is the French Merityre rather than the, erm, Monterapide? Can any of our Continental contributors suggest somewhere, please? If it helps, Toulouse and Pau are our nearest major towns.
}:---)
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Make sure that the price includes fitting balnce disposal etc. The feuvert site ( below) shows some attractive prices but it is not clear if fitting is inclus. I suspect not!
Various companies are doing special multi buys but ' a foreigner abroad' is ripe for the taking:)
www.feuvert.fr/pneu.html
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Unless it's an occasional special offer I find it hard to believe that Michelin tyres, in particular, are cheaper in France. Here they sell at a premium price, like cars, on the fact they are made in France.
And, indeed, watch out for the 'extras'. In France it is common to bill separately for fitting, valve, balance and disposal of the previous tyre on top of the advertised price. And often TVA (VAT) goes on top of all of it. And they will charge extra for fitting to alloy wheels. AND they will still damage them anyway.
I was looking at the Bridgestones on the back of the Honda this morning and chewing over whether the Honda dealer's special offer on Yokohamas was worth it or, because it isn't pressing, whether to wait till I get to the UK in September, where I am certain I can get a good deal.
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WDB, why not give us your tyre specs and let us see what's the cheapest we can come up with, all inclusive, in the UK? You might be surprised.
The last time I bought two Michelins for my 2 litre Focus it was cheaper (even including the petrol) to do a round trip of 140 miles north from my Hertfordshire base to a trusted firm I have used in the past in Cambridgshire. I did a lot of shopping around and the variation in price was huge.
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OK, FP - 225/55 16 95W . 95V would do but there seem to be very few about and the price saving is minimal. (Car has 95W on the front and 99W behind at the moment.)
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The best I can do in the UK is £139 each for Michelins 225/55 16 95W, incl. VAT, fitting and balancing. There is a promotion from Michelin at the moment, until 31st August, with a £15 fuel voucher if you buy at least two tyres.
The above quote is a personal one from a trusted place in Peterborough (which usually undercuts other places) and they are one of the participating dealers in this promotion.
I'm slightly disappointed I can't do better, WDB, but it may provide you with food for thought.
I did some checking on French websites and it seems you should allow €10 - €20 per tyre above the quoted price to cover fitting and balancing. They will charge more towards the top end for alloys. Check also the quote includes TVA (=VAT).
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Here's a thought. Who do you work for and do they have a fleet of vans, trucks or similar?
I found out the other day that the place I went for tyres also have our van tyre contract. The way I found out was they spotted my company badge and asked if I wanted the 20% corporate discount rate.......(!)
They were right to mention it. I did.
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Thanks for the advice and info, chaps. Back last night on the original mixture of Korean / made-in-Hungary rubber, which refused to wear out despite close to 2,000 miles in two weeks.
Our route home did take us through Michelin's home town of Clermont Ferrand, though. I feel it would be nice to give the car a full set of proper tyres as a memento.
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COSTCO sometimes have amazing promotions, specifically on Michelin tyres, here in UK
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>> COSTCO sometimes have amazing promotions, specifically on Michelin tyres, here in UK
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They used to, but they're not that good now. I think the last offer was £50 off a set of 4 tyres and their non-sale prices aren't any cheaper than the usual suspects now.
Last few times we've been to Costco (we live quite near one and pop in there regularly) the tyre bay has been deserted.
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Acheter des pneus en France - sherlock47
