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MG MGF Technical - Tyres at Kwik fit

I went for a quote at Kwik fit Harlow for Bridgestone RE720 185/55, as recommended on this bulletin board. They inform me that they are only allowed to fit Goodyear tyres on the MGF.
My rear tyres still have plenty of tread provided I can find somebody to fit Bridgestones can I just replace the font tyres only?
Roger

Just a not on prices - how much did they quote for Goodyear? Kwik Fit wanted to charge me well over £80 per tyre!!!!

I told them where to shove it and then went to my local garage (a proper one - with real mechanics) and had two Goodyears fitted for under £120.

Equally - I presume I could have had Bridgestones
Steve Jones

Kwik fit had a power failure so no quote.National tyres have quoted £180 total, less 10% discount with on-line order.
roger

Steve, which garage? I'm in Lytham St Annes. Were they 16" GY F1's (this year's 03's or last? 02's) or 15" NCT's? Front size or rears?

I was quoted about £70 on the internet for 16" rears for my TF. local tyre place (mate) said they couldn't get them for that and they would be happy to fit whatever I got myself for £3.50/wheel.

Ian
Ian Walker

Should be able to get a significantly better price than those quoted so far. Micheldever do mail order, and usually are very competitive (probably 40+% less than the prices so far quoted) and apparently do mail order for those not close enough to go there in person.
Rob Bell

I got this from Kwik-Fit after a puncture in my RE720.
It gave Micheldever tyres a laugh - they guessed it was Kwik-Fit who had taken the tyre off and then given up !

Micheldever also have a very good tracking rig.

Steve
Steve

Often the advise on this BBS is to order tyres from a cheap online supplier (such as the one shown on the link below), and then get them fitted once they've been delivered to your front door.

http://www.mytyres.net/

Sounds like a grand idea if it'll save cash, but I was wondering, what's the advise on where to get them fitted, and how much does it cost per shoe?

I guess your average TyreStop or Kwik Fit wouldn't be too happy to fit a tyre they haven't sold to you, or would they?

Jim

Jim

Circa 4.50 per wheel - fitted, balanced with new valve :o)
Rob Bell

try www.etyres.com they do a good deal and they come to you.....
richb


I've done some more investigating and found out the following:

Mytyres.net (link on my earlier post) appear to be v. reasonable, as their quoted prices include VAT and postage. They also have an e-mail link so you can enquire as to the nearest fitting centre. Thanks for the info on fitting costs by the way Rob.

Example prices for Bridgestone RE720's:
205/50/15's = £63.60
195/50/15's = £40.90

Both the above rated T (to 118 mph)

Review of these tyres says:

"Leading wet performance such as abraking and cornering as well as maximum hydroplaning resistance.
RE720s appeal to sporty drivers is further ensured by superb dry grip and sharp, responsive handling".

...ideally suited to the 'F' I'd say.

Anyway, hope this helps Roger.

Jim <---having a very slow day :(
Jim

I think you should have at least a V rated tyre - T sounds at 118 too low - even on my ancient N reg MPi I can and often do get 120 out of it - on permitted autobahns or race tracks of course!

And that BTW is 120mph according to 'Betsie' my GPS, the speedo goes way past that point.

Ted
Ted Newman

>>I think you should have at least a V rated tyre - T sounds at 118 too low<<
You would have to agree this with your insurance company.
My V rated RE720 205/50 was 64.08 fully fitted from Micheldever.

Steve
Steve


Oops, my mistake, the Bridgestone's mentioned above are V rated tyres, which should keep you firm and steady up to 149 mph, and that should be enough even for boy racers like Ted! ;)

Jim
Jim

OK Jim - thought it sounded too low for tyres that I know others have had fitted - my preference was Z02 Pole Position absolutely brilliant and they are Z rated so no problems for us 'Boy Racers'.

Ted
Ted Newman

>>...ideally suited to the 'F' I'd say.<<

And indeed they are - a number of BBS'ers use them and rated them highly (7.4/10 on the survey - results at http:www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/tyres.htm)

Must run another survey some time to take into account the new tyres on the market... :o)
Rob Bell

Roger, just realised no-one has answered your original question yet!

>>My rear tyres still have plenty of tread provided I can find somebody to fit Bridgestones can I just replace the font tyres only?<<

Yep, this would be fine. In an ideal world it would probably be recommended to replace all 4 tyres at once (however, in reality this isn't often done given the uneven wear between front and rear). The important thing is to replace in pairs (i.e. don't just replace one tyre at a time). It sounds like your rear shoes have plenty of life (especially important with Winter approaching), so can't see any problems.

>>I went for a quote at Kwik fit Harlow for Bridgestone RE720 185/55<<

Just to clarify, standard front tyre size is 195/50/15 (presuming you have the original alloys)

Jim

Jim

but don't fit better tyres at the front than the back or you will end up travaling backwards too much
Will Munns

>>Just to clarify, standard front tyre size is 195/50/15 (presuming you have the original alloys)<<
Not on my '97 VVC - it's 185/55/15; although there are no problems in going to 195/50/15 (the 185/55 is much rarer)

>>but don't fit better tyres at the front than the back or you will end up travaling backwards too much<<
This is excellent advice !
Any tyre shop that puts good tyres on the front and leaves poor tyres on the rear should be put out of business.

Steve
Steve

Sorry I guess I was a bit ambigious, what I meen is that you shouldn't have a 'good' tread pattern at the front and a bad one at the back (like RE720's at the front and NCT3's at the back), this is just as important as good depth at the front and poor depth at the rear advice (which is still valid)

Will
Will Munns

>>Steve, which garage? I'm in Lytham St Annes. Were they 16" GY F1's (this year's 03's or last? 02's) or 15" NCT's? Front size or rears?<<

Ian,

It's the garage opposite BAE SYSTEMS, Warton Aerodrome with the petrol station out front (can't remember their name - which is really annoying me!!!) They were 15" GY Eagle NCT 5's. The NCT 3's were same price and amazingly the rear tyres were a little bit cheaper than the fronts - about £60 each fitted.

Steve
Steve Jones

Its Townsends.
Joe

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2002 and 02/10/2002

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