With my car's MOT due in the next couple of months it was time to make a decision on the tyres. Do I replace the worn rears, keeping the runflats on all four corners or take the plunge, take the initial hit of replacing all four and go for the Falkens.
Long story short, the Falkens won over and I'm pleased I went for it.
Firstly, the research. I spent a good half day on the net looking for the best deal. It was a frustrating experience. Not all the main sites (blackcircles, etyres, etc) had both the rear and front sizes in stock. Whilst I was on the sites I also looked at the Avon ZZ3s, Toyo Proxes T1-R and the Vredestein Sessanta (as recently recommended by a fellow forum member).
The average price for the Falkens and the Avons on the sites that had both front and rears in stock was circa £480. A rise on the prices I had found back in August last year by about £60.
In the end I decided to also call a local garage that was actually listed as a recommened fitter on the blacktyres website. At this point I would like to point out I am in no way affiliated with any of the garages and I do not work in the motor industry.
I have to say it was a near perfect experience.
Firstly, the phone was answered within 2 rings. I gave the guy at the garage the specs. He had the front Falkens in stock but needed to contact the warehouse for stock levels on the rear.
I got a call back within 30 minutes to say he could get them in next day.
Final price all in £420.
Got to the garage this morning and was first up on the ramp. Polite service, free coffee and happy for me to check over the arches once the wheels were off (to check the notorious springs).
The job took around 40 minutes no problems to report.
An exceptional experience and I only wish good customer service always went hand in hand with good value. He did ask if I was aware the Falkens weren't runflats and if I was sure I wanted to make the change.
The company in question is Kipling in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The guy at the front desk, Gareth.
I've only done 10 miles on the Falkens so far but the difference was noticeable from the off. A much, much better ride and I find I am no longer looking out for and swerving to miss potholes. The car feels better all round. Obviously early days and the roads are wet right now where I am but I'm looking forward to some spirited driving in the dry near future.
A fairly long post but a noticeably high level of customer service and value for money are becoming increasingly hard to find in my opinion and are worth sharing when found.
Long story short, the Falkens won over and I'm pleased I went for it.
Firstly, the research. I spent a good half day on the net looking for the best deal. It was a frustrating experience. Not all the main sites (blackcircles, etyres, etc) had both the rear and front sizes in stock. Whilst I was on the sites I also looked at the Avon ZZ3s, Toyo Proxes T1-R and the Vredestein Sessanta (as recently recommended by a fellow forum member).
The average price for the Falkens and the Avons on the sites that had both front and rears in stock was circa £480. A rise on the prices I had found back in August last year by about £60.
In the end I decided to also call a local garage that was actually listed as a recommened fitter on the blacktyres website. At this point I would like to point out I am in no way affiliated with any of the garages and I do not work in the motor industry.
I have to say it was a near perfect experience.
Firstly, the phone was answered within 2 rings. I gave the guy at the garage the specs. He had the front Falkens in stock but needed to contact the warehouse for stock levels on the rear.
I got a call back within 30 minutes to say he could get them in next day.
Final price all in £420.
Got to the garage this morning and was first up on the ramp. Polite service, free coffee and happy for me to check over the arches once the wheels were off (to check the notorious springs).
The job took around 40 minutes no problems to report.
An exceptional experience and I only wish good customer service always went hand in hand with good value. He did ask if I was aware the Falkens weren't runflats and if I was sure I wanted to make the change.
The company in question is Kipling in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The guy at the front desk, Gareth.
I've only done 10 miles on the Falkens so far but the difference was noticeable from the off. A much, much better ride and I find I am no longer looking out for and swerving to miss potholes. The car feels better all round. Obviously early days and the roads are wet right now where I am but I'm looking forward to some spirited driving in the dry near future.
A fairly long post but a noticeably high level of customer service and value for money are becoming increasingly hard to find in my opinion and are worth sharing when found.