Unbeatable value... and honest too! (Roadwheel Tyre & Exhaust Ltd)

Member Name: grahamt

Product:	Roadwheel Tyre & Exhaust Ltd
Date:	12/03/04 (2318 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheaper than anywhere else, Good range of choice, Friendly

Disadvantages: Only in Fleet..., ...and Portsmouth

I have a new car. It's an MG ZT 1.8 Turbo. At the time I thought it was probably the best car I had ever had. It's certainly the fastest. Since then I've had to revise my opinion but, for the whole story, read the review.

I had had it two weeks. I had kept it sparkling clean, lavishing love and attention. My wife was getting jealous so she got her revenge by borrowing it. She had been out in it on Sunday and having eventually brought it back (actually, she loves driving it too though , now she has an MG or her own, the ZR) had left it parked, as normal, on the drive.

I was looking out of the window, wondering if I should clean it again. I noticed something shiny on the rear nearside tyre! I went and took a look. It was a nail, clean through the tyre, right on the edge of the tread where it cannot be repaired!

Boy was I pissed off. The car had only done 2000 miles. The tyres are virtually brand-new, especially the rear ones (it's front-wheel drive). But big! 225/45ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sports.

When finally the steam had stopped coming out of my ears, I resigned myself to a new tyre. Now, Sundays, only the big outlets are open, Kwik-Fit, Humphreys, ATS... Not the best places to go for value.

However, as the ZT doesn't have a spare, only one of those canisters of foam puncture repair/reinflate mix, I thought I had better do something about it although, the tyre wasn't actually losing any air. At least the tyre is good quality!

Now, had it not been a Sunday I would have automatically gone to my number one place for tyres, Roadwheel Tyre & Exhaust. It's where I always go. My wife's car has been re-shod there, as have both my kids cars.
They are unbeatable for value.

But it was a Sunday. Merityre in Frimley wanted £238. Yes, you heard right, £238 for one tyre! Unfortunately they didn't have one but they could get me one for Tuesday! But I need one now! I can't risk the tyre blowing out on me without a spare!

Kwik-Fit in Camberley wanted marginally less, but they didn't have one either. ATS couldn't even compete with Merityre! The AA Tyre Call-out service wanted £278!!!!!!!!! On your bike!

Finally I gave up and decided to take a chance and see what Roadwheel could do for me on Monday. As it happened it was definitely the right decision but then, I should have guessed.

I drove to work with great caution and, give it its due the tyre held up perfectly. I've always been a fan of Michelin, not the least because our company sponsor the MacLaren F1 team, who use them, not that it gets me any discounts mind.

A call to Roadwheel revealed that, not only did they have one in stock but, fitted and balanced it would be just £188. Now you know why I always go to Roadwheel.

They are an old-fashioned business where they value customer service and as a result receive entirely deserved customer loyalty. I've been using them for years. They know their stuff and give good, reliable advice. They are not out to rip you off. Whenever I've taken any of our cars there I can guarantee they will be 10-20% cheaper than anywhere else.

You will find them in Fleet in Hampshire. It's about 3 miles from J4A on the M3. Look the postcode up on www.streetmap.co.uk to find them. With the amount you would save they are probably the best outlet for 50 miles around, even considering the cost of the petrol to get
there. They also have a website which you will find at www.roadwheel.co.uk.

They also trade under the name Collins Tyre Service in Portsmouth. I've never been to that one but I would guess that they are just as good value for money. Try them for yourself and let me know.

Those of you who have known them in the past may remember a similarly named company in Bagshot in Surrey. It's the same company. They were driven out of the premises by swingeing rent hikes. There is another tyre outfit now occupying those premises but they are definitely not the same people. You have been warned.

Recommended, highly. Can I award 6 stars?

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