Discussion
I'm not sure if any other Z06 owners have had to replace tyres yet but when you do you'll be in for a shock if you go through Stratstone.
Officially supplied tyres are way overpriced (try over £600 plus VAT for a single rear tyre) - I had no choice but to order two through them earlier this year after suffering two punctures which I needed to fix on short notice in time to go drag racing.
I've just been in New York and was reading some US car magazines while I was there.
Found the following prices on Tire Rack website and Discount Tire Direct (converted to GBP @ 1.90 USD per Pound):
Front Tyre 275/35 x 18
Standard Goodyear F1 Supercar = $358 (£188)
Alternatives:
BFG T/A wet weather $204 (£107)
Nitto 555R $209 (£110)
Pirelli P Zero $206 (£108)
Nitto Competition $258 (£135)
Rear Tyre 325/30 x 19
Standard Goodyear F1 Supercar = $382 (£201)
There are no alternatives in exactly the same size.
However, close matches are in 315 25 x 19
Falken $376 (£197)
Michelin Pilot Sport $482 (£253)
So it's probably best to go with the stock Goodyear F1 supercar tyre on the rear.
Obviously there is tax and shipping to add, but this will amount to much much less than the £400 mark up currently charged by the dealer. Typically you can expect delivery in under a week from the USA from past experience.
If Stratstone would care to comment, I'm sure Z06 owners would welcome their thoughts!
Officially supplied tyres are way overpriced (try over £600 plus VAT for a single rear tyre) - I had no choice but to order two through them earlier this year after suffering two punctures which I needed to fix on short notice in time to go drag racing.
I've just been in New York and was reading some US car magazines while I was there.
Found the following prices on Tire Rack website and Discount Tire Direct (converted to GBP @ 1.90 USD per Pound):
Front Tyre 275/35 x 18
Standard Goodyear F1 Supercar = $358 (£188)
Alternatives:
BFG T/A wet weather $204 (£107)
Nitto 555R $209 (£110)
Pirelli P Zero $206 (£108)
Nitto Competition $258 (£135)
Rear Tyre 325/30 x 19
Standard Goodyear F1 Supercar = $382 (£201)
There are no alternatives in exactly the same size.
However, close matches are in 315 25 x 19
Falken $376 (£197)
Michelin Pilot Sport $482 (£253)
So it's probably best to go with the stock Goodyear F1 supercar tyre on the rear.
Obviously there is tax and shipping to add, but this will amount to much much less than the £400 mark up currently charged by the dealer. Typically you can expect delivery in under a week from the USA from past experience.
If Stratstone would care to comment, I'm sure Z06 owners would welcome their thoughts!
Cuban said:
Are Stratstone the sole supplier at this time in the UK?
I appreciate you had no choice due to time, but given more time - are there really no direct
suppliers here?
I appreciate you had no choice due to time, but given more time - are there really no direct
suppliers here?
At the time when I looked, I couldn't find any distributor that had supplies in stock, or could get them quickly enough. I think Black Circles came up with a reasonable price.
I'll leave Stratstone to respond to your individual (rightful) gripe, but all main/authorised dealers have ridiculous mark-ups across the board for tyres, brake pads etc..
Just 2 weeks ago my Smart (yes, the little bucket-cars) was in for servicing at Mercedes/Smart and they wanted £220 a tyre and £250 per pair of brake pads. Since I needed 2 tyres, £690 is pretty steep I thought...
... so I went to Kwik-Fit who did it all for £260 (£80 / tyre, same tyres).
Not sure if they're a bad word round here, but can't someone like Kwik-Fit source tyres even for a Z06?
All main dealers are going to be more expensive the other thing is they only maybe buy one pair at a time so they will never get as good a discount as Kwik fit etc.
Remember nobody made you buy them you just ended paying for the no hassle of getting them done stright away! The wise move is order a set now from the states So you have them ready!
Remember nobody made you buy them you just ended paying for the no hassle of getting them done stright away! The wise move is order a set now from the states So you have them ready!
If I can jog your memory Chris, Steve had to buy your tyres from Corvette Europe and have them shipped over for collection on a Saturday (when Steve wasn't working), and he made very little money out of it.
We are never going to be as cheap as tyre centres as we do not buy in large enough quantities, and I have seen internet companies quoting retail prices for Corvette size tyres at less than we can buy them in for, before any margin.
Corvette Europe set the retail price of the tyre (or any part) and as a Corvette dealer we are under contract to purchase our parts through them. Obviously there is a profit margin, and you can speak directly to our service centres to see what they are prepared to do for you when it comes to tyre replacement.
We are never going to be as cheap as tyre centres as we do not buy in large enough quantities, and I have seen internet companies quoting retail prices for Corvette size tyres at less than we can buy them in for, before any margin.
Corvette Europe set the retail price of the tyre (or any part) and as a Corvette dealer we are under contract to purchase our parts through them. Obviously there is a profit margin, and you can speak directly to our service centres to see what they are prepared to do for you when it comes to tyre replacement.
No need to jog my memory, I remember exactly what Steve did for me, and he was very helpful indeed for which I am thankful.
My problem certainly isn't the Stratstone service, my problem is the official price that Stratstone have to charge.
As someone who runs a business, I understand how products are priced and am happy to pay people a fair mark up for a product. 25% is generous, but the official price of tyres here is just miles out, which means that in future you'll lose the chance to make anything. Perhaps you could pass on this anomaly to your superiors who make the decision on parts pricing in the UK. I'd certaily rather make 25% of £350 than 300% of nothing.
My problem certainly isn't the Stratstone service, my problem is the official price that Stratstone have to charge.
As someone who runs a business, I understand how products are priced and am happy to pay people a fair mark up for a product. 25% is generous, but the official price of tyres here is just miles out, which means that in future you'll lose the chance to make anything. Perhaps you could pass on this anomaly to your superiors who make the decision on parts pricing in the UK. I'd certaily rather make 25% of £350 than 300% of nothing.
JenkinsComp> I think generally, with any car, you should be servicing the car at the dealer (assuming you want official stamps) but purchasing 'wear and tear' items, such as tyres, at a relevant specialist.
That's not meant to be a stab at Stratstone - the more official dealers round the country the better in my opinion, and I've liked Strastone with their other marques (I'm not a Corvette owner yet)... but you should always look at ways of being smarter with your money.
Somerled said:
JenkinsComp said:
I guess that's why I am employed as a trader!
Trader? Surely then you should be working out not only a better price, but the future, with option and in different currencies?
Set up a swap and you can remove all the risk altogether!
Equity Swaps and CFDs are what I trade. And Tax...
JenkinsComp said:
Equity Swaps and CFDs are what I trade. And Tax...
Not my field - I work as a structurer for RMBS and relevant credit derivatives.
Moving a little too far off the line of you overpaying for some tyres though...
Like anything, if we go off and buy only from the cheapest supplier, Chevy/Corvette Europe will have to lower the prices for Stratstone and co and pass on the benefits to us for market share. Power to the consumer and all that...
Indeed. I once bought a set of magnesium Caterham R500 wheels, and found that the manufacturer would sell me them for less than 50% of the price that Caterham wanted for the same items!
Back to the Z06 tyres, I'd happily pay a small premium to a UK supplier for not having the hassle of importing them myself but there is a limit!
Back to the Z06 tyres, I'd happily pay a small premium to a UK supplier for not having the hassle of importing them myself but there is a limit!
Edited by JenkinsComp on Monday 13th November 15:42
MyTyres quoted £369 each and they were apparently in stock. I bought a pair from Tire Rack in the states for the prices you stated and added them to the large shipment we had over.
Not sure that would have been worthwhile if they were on their own though.
I really want Pirelli or Michelin to bring out their R compound track day tyres in Z06 stock sizes to really make full use of the increased power I will shortly have to deal with.
Michelin do a 345/30 19 Pilot Sport 2, but I've heard mixed reports about their track ability. Some say the F1 Supercars are still better when hot.
We need P Zero Corsas or Pilot Sport Cups, then see what Ring times and 0-60s, 0-100s we get!
Not sure that would have been worthwhile if they were on their own though.
I really want Pirelli or Michelin to bring out their R compound track day tyres in Z06 stock sizes to really make full use of the increased power I will shortly have to deal with.
Michelin do a 345/30 19 Pilot Sport 2, but I've heard mixed reports about their track ability. Some say the F1 Supercars are still better when hot.
We need P Zero Corsas or Pilot Sport Cups, then see what Ring times and 0-60s, 0-100s we get!
JenkinsComp said:
No need to jog my memory, I remember exactly what Steve did for me, and he was very helpful indeed for which I am thankful.
My problem certainly isn't the Stratstone service, my problem is the official price that Stratstone have to charge.
As someone who runs a business, I understand how products are priced and am happy to pay people a fair mark up for a product. 25% is generous, but the official price of tyres here is just miles out, which means that in future you'll lose the chance to make anything. Perhaps you could pass on this anomaly to your superiors who make the decision on parts pricing in the UK. I'd certaily rather make 25% of £350 than 300% of nothing.
My problem certainly isn't the Stratstone service, my problem is the official price that Stratstone have to charge.
As someone who runs a business, I understand how products are priced and am happy to pay people a fair mark up for a product. 25% is generous, but the official price of tyres here is just miles out, which means that in future you'll lose the chance to make anything. Perhaps you could pass on this anomaly to your superiors who make the decision on parts pricing in the UK. I'd certaily rather make 25% of £350 than 300% of nothing.
Obviously I agree with you Chris, and I passed on your concerns to CCE(UK) when Stephen at parklane was trying to source tyres for you. As has been mentioned, this isn't an unusual occurence.
Whilst working for another large Plc in the motor trade it was cheaper for the sales department to go to the local tyre fitters than to use our own service department when needing tyres for stock vehicles...
888usa said:
I Think the Corvette Club should try and work together and help to get some discounts to members I will bring this up.
If any tyre outlets are looking at offering a discount to CCCUK members I am sure this would be welcome!
If any tyre outlets are looking at offering a discount to CCCUK members I am sure this would be welcome!
North Hants Tyres already offer a discount to CCCUK members!
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