New tyres and Catalytic Converter needed

Desperate_Dan_3

Its time for new tyres for my Escort GTi. The sizes are 195/50/15, I need four of them!

Can anyone recommend places to buy tyres either online, or in my local area (Reading, Berkshire)? Not to concerned about having top range ones, but not budget ones either. So ideally I want middle range ones. Can anyone help?

Also I need a new Catalytic Converter, I have a price of £37.95 (+VAT) from Cats Direct. Can this be beaten, or can anyone recommend Cats Direct's service?

Many thanks for reading!

westy69

tyres - tyreshopper.co.uk fitted at your local tyre branch a lot cheaper than they would quote in my experience or event tyres

Tight_Git_3

If you have a Costco nearby, have a look at their prices. They only do Michelin, but I found them to be at least £20 a tyre cheaper than the local tyre fitters.
The price you have been quoted for the cat seems very cheap. Check it comes with a warranty and have a look at this link I've borrowed from the MGF owners club (thanks guys). They put on a brand new aftermarket cat which failed the emissions test!!!
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/exhaust/catalysts.htm

cyclonebri1

I'd forget about online tyres if I were you, unless you need motorsport stuff that is difficult to get hold of. By the time you've paid delivery, and found somewhere to get them fitted, (some places are very reluctant to fit your own tyres), it will probably cost you rather than save you money.;)

Quote;
"I have a price of £37.95 (+VAT) from Cats Direct"

Is that right?, I'm a bit out of touch, not having had to change one for 6 years or so, but you couldn't get anything under £150 then.

Bob63

Tight_Git wrote: »

If you have a Costco nearby...

There is a Costco behind the Madejski Stadium in Reading. Another recommendation for Costco tyres from me.

goldspanners

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I'd forget about online tyres if I were you, unless you need motorsport stuff that is difficult to get hold of. By the time you've paid delivery, and found somewhere to get them fitted, (some places are very reluctant to fit your own tyres), it will probably cost you rather than save you money.;)

you dont need to worry about getting them fitted,go to https://www.blackcircles.co.uk choose your tyres,choose a local fitting centre,pay for it online and then take your car to the local fitting station on the day you chose,get the tyres fitted and drive off with new tyres fitted balanced etc...
thats what i done,i needed 1 tyre, got a firestone supplied fitted for £50.
the more you buy the cheaper it is aswell.

cyclonebri1

goldspanners wrote: »

you dont need to worry about getting them fitted,go to www.blackcircles.co.uk choose your tyres,choose a local fitting centre,pay for it online and then take your car to the local fitting station on the day you chose,get the tyres fitted and drive off with new tyres fitted balanced etc...
thats what i done,i needed 1 tyre, got a firestone supplied fitted for £50.
the more you buy the cheaper it is aswell.

Hmm, I remain to be convinced, I have tried them, I used to do trackday cars etc. Always found it cheaper to order through the local, small discount place, sometimes a wait of a week, but only one place to complain to if it goes wrong. It never did by the way.

goldspanners

i think the competition online is good now,with so many different companies doing it,but i found black circles to be the best website to use and has a good list of local fitting stations.
i got budget tyres last year on my car after haggling i got them for £50 each,they are absoloute crap,for an extra £3.50 i could have had original spec pirellis fitted by using black circles. im a fan.and will use them again.

cyclonebri1

goldspanners wrote: »

i think the competition online is good now,with so many different companies doing it,but i found black circles to be the best website to use and has a good list of local fitting stations.
i got budget tyres last year on my car after haggling i got them for £50 each,they are absoloute crap,for an extra £3.50 i could have had original spec pirellis fitted by using black circles. im a fan.and will use them again.

Yeah, I stopped buying really budget tyres years ago, there was real crap out there then, but the stuff from Hankook, Kumho, and particularly Toyo are good value. But like most things as online competition makes inroads into they retail outfits profits, they too have to update and my local tyre fitters, not a national, will order and fit any tyres you specify and for a fair price:money:

happycatuk

I can recommend Blackcircles - I made an order for a tyre on Friday, but after logging in to my account (for the first time!) after making my payment, I found out I had £8 credit in my tyre account! I emailed them, and a very nice guy cancelled my order and refunded my payment!

I have now ordered a different tyre from the 2 I purchased from Black Cirlces last time - having read on tyrereviews.co.uk that my P6000s are 'dogs' (and the Blackcircles review was so positive!!), I've opted for a Toyo Proxes CF1. Fingers crossed the fitting will go as smoothly as last time!