Bristol - Tyre fitter that can balance centreless alloys

[rowey200]

Folks, just had a new set of boots fitted on the GFs (recently purchased) car - run into an issue as the tyre fitter I use cannot balance the wheels as they are centreless (car is a Peugeot 306 HDI with the Cyclone wheels fitted that are also found on the 306 GTI-6) and as such will not fit a conventional tyre balancing machine .

I had a quick phone around this morning but the only place I could find that can balance them is a Peugeot main dealer (Cribbs), but they want £72 to do the four corners. This really does feel like a bit of a pi$$ take to be honest!

So, with that in mind can anyone recommend a decent tyre fitter in or around Bristol that can do the job!

Thanks in advance

[bitwrx]

rowey200 said:

Folks, just had a new set of boots fitted on the GFs (recently purchased) car - run into an issue as the tyre fitter I use cannot balance the wheels as they are centreless (car is a Peugeot 306 HDI with the Cyclone wheels fitted that are also found on the 306 GTI-6) and as such will not fit a conventional tyre balancing machine .

I had a quick phone around this morning but the only place I could find that can balance them is a Peugeot main dealer (Cribbs), but they want £72 to do the four corners. This really does feel like a bit of a pi$$ take to be honest!

So, with that in mind can anyone recommend a decent tyre fitter in or around Bristol that can do the job!

Thanks in advance

Pug at Cribbs did mine the other week after the tyre fitter where I had them fitted tried and failed to do a decent job. £12.50 a corner just for balancing (which was £2.50 more than they charge for a normal wheel). Did a really good job as well - thought the extra cost was fair enough as well, given the extra setup time.

Only trouble is:

• they banged the wheelnuts up so tight, I could barely get them off.
• they used clip on weights on the inner edge, so now I have scratched paint on the alloys.
• some of the clip on weights have unclipped themselves, so after 3 wks/1000mi, I need my wheels balanced again...

Search continues for someone who is willing and able to make a round thing not wobble. If I find someone I'll PM you, as long as you promise to do the same?

[rowey200]

bitwrx said:

Pug at Cribbs did mine the other week after the tyre fitter where I had them fitted tried and failed to do a decent job. £12.50 a corner just for balancing (which was £2.50 more than they charge for a normal wheel). Did a really good job as well - thought the extra cost was fair enough as well, given the extra setup time.

Only trouble is:

• they banged the wheelnuts up so tight, I could barely get them off.
• they used clip on weights on the inner edge, so now I have scratched paint on the alloys.
• some of the clip on weights have unclipped themselves, so after 3 wks/1000mi, I need my wheels balanced again...

Search continues for someone who is willing and able to make a round thing not wobble. If I find someone I'll PM you, as long as you promise to do the same?

Interesting, Pug at Cribbs quoted me £18 a wheel when I called up Don't think I'll be going down that route, especially reading your experience above!

Bit of success today though, I called Citroen and they put me on to these chaps http://www.venturetyresltd.co.uk/

They have the gear to do centreless wheels and I'm pretty sure the person I spoke to on the phone quoted £4 plus vat a corner No need to book the car in, just roll up - I'll probably go down sat morning, so will let you know how I get on

[BristolRich]

I always used TyreDirect UK on Gypsy Patch Lane, Patchway when I had my Citroen wheels done (also centre less AKA 'Lugcentric'). The only thing I would say from experience its a pain to get right first time so budget (time) for a return visit.

I cant say I ever had a problem getting them balanced, however for the fitter its not as quick to do as a standard wheel so "a bit too much like hard work" finding the dummy hub and fitting it on...

Edited by BristolRich on Thursday 3rd October 19:39

[rowey200]

Got the wheels balanced on Saturday, think I ruined the fitters morning - he took one look at the wheels and grimaced

They actually charged me £3 per corner + vat....or to put it another way, it cost less to balance the whole car than Pug wanted to do one wheel That said I have not had a chance to take it up to motorway speeds, but it feel great at 50 / 55 mph

[quote] Interesting, Pug at Cribbs quoted me £18 a wheel when I called up Don't think I'll be going down that route, especially reading your experience above!

Bit of success today though, I called Citroen and they put me on to these chaps http://www.venturetyresltd.co.uk/

They have the gear to do centreless wheels and I'm pretty sure the person I spoke to on the phone quoted £4 plus vat a corner No need to book the car in, just roll up - I'll probably go down sat morning, so will let you know how I get on
[/quote]

[bitwrx]

Good news. Haven't heard back after I wrote to pug to say I was disappointed, so guess I'll give em a call.

[bitwrx]

+1 for Venture Tyres.

Good service. Used a torque wrench to do the bolts up. Used adhesive weights. Not as good a balance as when Pug did it, but hopefully it'll last a bit better.

Had the tracking done as well, and it came to pretty much the same price as just the balancing at Pug.