Who should I trust to fit new tyres?

[moveover]

Can I trust any high street chain to fit new tyres for my V8V? I will specify the OEM Potenzas, but is there anything I should look out for when getting them to fit them - damaged rims, balancing etc.?

Probably a stupid question, but I don't want to give it to some half-wit and end up with a bodged job. So any recommendations for decent fitters in the Tunbridge Wells area would be great.

Many thanks.

[blackice1]

Make sure the tyre has AM9 on the sidwall, as bridgestone make the same tyre but with a softer sidewall and it is cheaper, so many people fall into this trap.
Also tell them about the TPM valves as these are nearly £100 to replace.

[Knights of Aston]

There's an issue with the tyres themselves to be aware of. Bridgestone changed the compound of their tyres about a year ago, basically stopped using oil in the construction of them. The older tyre had a CNB (very early had CNJ) designation on the side, the new one has a DAM designation. Bridgestone and Aston have found their handling properties are different so do not recommended that they are fitted cross axle or with DAMs on the front and CNBs on the rear (you can have DAMs on the rear and CNBs on the front). This code is stamped into the sidewall near the AM9 logo Blackice mentioned. There are a few varieties of Potenza RE050s out there. Make sure they give you the right ones. The Porsche ones seriously screw up the handling on an Aston.

[moveover]

Knights of Aston said:

There's an issue with the tyres themselves to be aware of. Bridgestone changed the compound of their tyres about a year ago, basically stopped using oil in the construction of them. The older tyre had a CNB (very early had CNJ) designation on the side, the new one has a DAM designation. Bridgestone and Aston have found their handling properties are different so do not recommended that they are fitted cross axle or with DAMs on the front and CNBs on the rear (you can have DAMs on the rear and CNBs on the front). This code is stamped into the sidewall near the AM9 logo Blackice mentioned. There are a few varieties of Potenza RE050s out there. Make sure they give you the right ones. The Porsche ones seriously screw up the handling on an Aston.

Thanks. Well I've gone for the safe option and asked the dealership to change them. It's the front two that need changing and they didn't mention anything (yet) about needing to swap all four due to different compounds. The rears were fitted about 18 months ago. Cheers.