With the Townie needing to have the '90' rated tyres, it is not possible to use 'budget' tyres as these are rated at '80' to '88', so not heavy duty enough for the Townie. I have just got some from one of my customers, and got a cracking deal, he say that he can do the following. DUNLOP SP2000, 195/70 HR 14 (Note it's an HR so higher speed rating as well) for £59.00 a piece including VAT, Balancing & valve etc, I was quoted £79.00 a piece by KWIK FIT for exactly the same tyre, so it's a cracker, the place is:-

FAIRFORD TYRES
UNIT 10, HORCOTT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
HORCOTT ROAD
FAIRFORD
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
GL7 4BX
01285 711500

Hope this helps those of you who live out that way. Regards Rob.

- (#3336) Rob Drinkwater, 12 Jun 02

I'm afraid your prices are silly compared to the prices quoted at my local garage in Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey. People from London, who take their weekend breaks here, do so just to buy new tyres from UK Tyres in Eastchuch.
The same Dunlop SP2000, 195/70 HR 14 tyres with vat balancing and fitting etc have been quoted to me at £35 each. If you don't believe me then give them a call for yourself, their number is 01795 880283.
They continually beat all the leading garages for miles around and at that price you could save a massive £96 for a full set.

- (#3358) Mark, 14 Jun 02

Mark, I have checked with my man in Fairford, that is about the price he pays, and obviously he has got to make some money on them, he suspects that they buy massive amounts direct from the manufacturers, rather than having to go through wholesalers. They then knock them out at silly prices & rely on shifting massive amounts of tyres to make their money. As I said in my original post, he is still £20 a corner cheaper than Kwik Fit etc. But if they come in at that kind of price down in London, then get them while you can, and buy a spare set before they go up. P.S. as you can imagine, as he is a customer of mine, I paid a similar price to the one quoted to you. Regards Rob.

- (#3359) Rob Drinkwater, 14 Jun 02