Stafford Tyres

[Alesto]

Took my car to Stafford Tyres last week and had 4 new tyres fitted. While they were being fitted one of the lads called me out and showed me (while the wheels were off) that my front bushes needed replacing and that they could do it the following week for about £140 - £160 in my lunch hour. Now I'm no car expert so I asked him to write it down what I needed doing and said I'd come back to him later. Luckily the car was being serviced a few days later and was then told that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the front bushes and they certainly did not need replacing.
Now this kind of thing really annoys me, I always try and support local companies but when they try and rip you off it makes my blood boil.
Also, the bill came to something like £132.98 and when I looked at my credit card receipt later they rounded it up to £133.00! I know it was only 2p but are times that hard!

 

[Gareth]

That is unfortunate always had good experiences at Stafford Tyres, they corrected the mistake at Kwik Fit for me who have been telling for 3 year I need new brakes, everyone else says not at all. Car places eh?!

 

[shoes]

Premier tyres near homebase recently gave my other half some great service.

We had a pair of their 'almost new' (95% tread) tyres fitted to the front of her festa, and then drove to a couple of stores and then home without any apparent issue. The following morning, I came out to wash the car and noticed her front nearside tyre was flat, so flat in fact the rim was sat on the driveway.

We had to wait until monday as they are shut sunday, however they said bring it in, which she did. Apparently there was a small hole in the tyre which would have explained why it took so long to deflate. They said it could well have been on the tyre already but weren't sure, however to be on the safe side they will fit a new tyre free of charge.

Considering there is a possibility that this damage occurred after leaving their premises I was very impressed at their service. We are fairly regulars there which may have had something to do with it, but all in all very pleased.

In the past we've never had any complaints about their service.

 

[shoes]

Additionally, when AA Silencers did some work on my mazda, they informed me that the majority of the bushes were kaput and that, and I quote ' should probably do something about it'. They didn't even bother quoting me, let alone try to rip me off, as they knew there was a fair chance I'd be doing it myself.

 

[Gramaisc]

New tyre-labelling legislation comes into force today - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18870978 - I do like the idea of getting some info on the noise level, apart from the economy and safety-related aspects.

 

[AA Silencers]

Additionally, when AA Silencers did some work on my mazda, they informed me that the majority of the bushes were kaput and that, and I quote ' should probably do something about it'. They didn't even bother quoting me, let alone try to rip me off, as they knew there was a fair chance I'd be doing it myself.

How's the Mazda coming on Mr S? Guessed you'd been a busy man as we'd not heard from you. Have dug that diff out for you if you want it. (Now all I need to do is wait for The Mighty Admin to kick us off into the 'Cars' Thread!)

 

[shoes]

New tyre-labelling legislation comes into force today - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18870978 - I do like the idea of getting some info on the noise level, apart from the economy and safety-related aspects.

I can give you some help on a particular tyre G - Toyo R888 GG compound. Noise - horrendous (i challenge you to find another passenger car tyre which is louder, no you can't suggest studded snow tyres :p ), fuel economy - horrendous, due to the immense amount of dry grip you tend to use more fuel for some reason :confused: and finally wet weather performance - ok up to about 2mm, anything more than that and you're in the hands of whatever god you choose.

How's the Mazda coming on Mr S? Guessed you'd been a busy man as we'd not heard from you. Have dug that diff out for you if you want it. (Now all I need to do is wait for The Mighty Admin to kick us off into the 'Cars' Thread!)

Hi AA! Yes, I've been incredibly busy, and not had much of a chance to come on here hence my absence. The mazda hasn't changed much since you last saw it, save perhaps a couple of mm less tread on the tyres. The bushes have almost given in all round now, I'm jusw awaiting some info from a bloke about a press and then I'm going to buy a full set of polybushes (did you know there are 38 bushes on the mx5 ). I'm hoping that once that's done it'll feel a lot less vague when driving, it's knocking like nothing else, too.

I might seize the opportunity to install some adjustable top mounts and ebach ARBs whilst it's in pieces.

As for the diff, I'm very interested, when could I collect it? Do you guys want to have a go a welding it for me (no idea how long it'll take so shall we work it on a per hour basis?) so I can go skidding over the winter? It'll be for non-road use only (obviously) but I could do with and experienced welder doing it as opposed to my clumsy technique as I don't want it disintegrating mid slide.

 

[Gramaisc]

fuel economy - horrendous, due to the immense amount of dry grip you tend to use more fuel for some reason :confused:

Elastic hysteresis loss?

 

[shoes]

Elastic hysteresis loss?

Heavier right foot

 

[Gramaisc]

Heavier right foot

Cross your legs.

 

[shoes]

Stunning!

 

[AA Silencers]

Gramaisc is right about the losses though. Have you ever tried cross legged driving? You need your right leg underneath your left so it can reach far enough to push the clutch down and it also means you can only press the accelerator and brake with the tips of your left toe which stop you making massive movements as your clutch foot normally would. It's very difficult and I guess some people (normally dressed in dark colours driving cars with flashing blue lights) might consider it a bit dangerous. So don't try it on the road boys and girls.

As for the diff, I'm very interested, when could I collect it? Do you guys want to have a go a welding it for me

We can weld up the diff for you, it shouldn't take long. Drop down one day and we can sort out a payment schedule plan for you. Bring the deeds to your house as security. Have fun doing the bushes on your Mazda, great fun in the cold! It does make a huge difference though, the care will feel pin sharp afterwards.

 

[Gramaisc]

Just try braking with your left foot.

Not anywhere near anybody or anything. On an abandoned car park, please. The first time you try it can be very exciting....

 

[thatbaldguy]

Took my car to Stafford Tyres last week and had 4 new tyres fitted. While they were being fitted one of the lads called me out and showed me (while the wheels were off) that my front bushes needed replacing and that they could do it the following week for about £140 - £160 in my lunch hour. Now I'm no car expert so I asked him to write it down what I needed doing and said I'd come back to him later. Luckily the car was being serviced a few days later and was then told that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the front bushes and they certainly did not need replacing.
Now this kind of thing really annoys me, I always try and support local companies but when they try and rip you off it makes my blood boil.
Also, the bill came to something like £132.98 and when I looked at my credit card receipt later they rounded it up to £133.00! I know it was only 2p but are times that hard!

Ok Firstly I'd like to point out that the difference in final value shown on your reciept and your card is due to the software we use being unable to calculate down to the penny . This is across all purchases and indeed invoices made through the software which I might add is the most commonly used in our industry . The price which you would have agreed upon before purchase would have been to the value of £133.00 so you have not been misled in any way
Stafford Tyres would only ever advise on additional work if our qualified staff deemed necessary . The fact that one of our technicians actually called you over to show you issue , would suggest that he was not trying to quote/sell work that was not required , because if that was the case why would he take you to the vehicle ..Furthermore I would just like to point out that with issues such as this , we often find tyres that have just gone through an M.O.T to be dangerous , some times up to 10 years old, brakes with hardly any friction material left on them , yet in the eyes of an M.O.T inspector have passed the relevant criteria ,, point im getting to is that its quite often down to the individual and theyre opinion which leads to these conflicts .
Stafford Tyres has survived through 22 years of trading and we have a huge customer base which is growing , surely that alone is testament to our commitment to giving the best service ,prices, and indeed an amount of trust to all our customers , weather they are spending £15 or £1500 ?
In fact it was one of our customers who alerted us to this site in the first place because they felt we were being unfairly criticised , either way feel free to pop in or give us a call if you wish to discuss it further . Ade

 

[shoes]

We can weld up the diff for you, it shouldn't take long. Drop down one day and we can sort out a payment schedule plan for you. Bring the deeds to your house as security. Have fun doing the bushes on your Mazda, great fun in the cold! It does make a huge difference though, the care will feel pin sharp afterwards.

Excellent! I'll bring a bottle of fluid for it also, I believe the Castoral dex 3 is the recommended fluid for the mx-5 torsen, I'll check if it's the same in this unit. I've not yet inspected the setup, but I presume it's easy enough to get the diff on and off the mazda?

I've requested the house deeds from the solicitor, should be with me post haste.

As for the mazda - I'm really not looking forward to the bush replacement but it does need doing, when you told me the bushes were kaput the car didn't feel too bad, perhaps a little vague, but it's degenerated into quite the challenge to drive since then, although that's a worryingly short period of time. I'll be moving it into the garage to disassemble so hopefully the cold won't be too much of an issue.

I find going for a good spirited drive before pulling into the garage, and then opening the bonnet, warms the space very effectively, albeit in the short term.

I am tied up this weekend, our retired greyhounds are arriving at their new home and as I have to bond with them over the weekened I think a weekday visit would be better. I'm not a million miles from you as you know.

 

[shoes]

Ok Firstly I'd like to point out that the difference in final value shown on your reciept and your card is due to the software we use being unable to calculate down to the penny . This is across all purchases and indeed invoices made through the software which I might add is the most commonly used in our industry . The price which you would have agreed upon before purchase would have been to the value of £133.00 so you have not been misled in any way
Stafford Tyres would only ever advise on additional work if our qualified staff deemed necessary . The fact that one of our technicians actually called you over to show you issue , would suggest that he was not trying to quote/sell work that was not required , because if that was the case why would he take you to the vehicle ..Furthermore I would just like to point out that with issues such as this , we often find tyres that have just gone through an M.O.T to be dangerous , some times up to 10 years old, brakes with hardly any friction material left on them , yet in the eyes of an M.O.T inspector have passed the relevant criteria ,, point im getting to is that its quite often down to the individual and theyre opinion which leads to these conflicts .
Stafford Tyres has survived through 22 years of trading and we have a huge customer base which is growing , surely that alone is testament to our commitment to giving the best service ,prices, and indeed an amount of trust to all our customers , weather they are spending £15 or £1500 ?
In fact it was one of our customers who alerted us to this site in the first place because they felt we were being unfairly criticised , either way feel free to pop in or give us a call if you wish to discuss it further . Ade

Very good of you to sign up and post, welcome to the forum. The forum has a well established history of local firms signing up, sometimes as a result of good service, sometimes as a result of poor service comments having been brought to their attention. This has, almost without exception, resulted in great things for both the firm and the community (take WMR computers, AA silencers and Randles as examples).

Thank you for taking the time to sign up and comment, and hopefully once this issue has been solved you will continue to be active on these here forums in the future

 

[AA Silencers]

It takes about half an hour to swap the MX diff once any bolts are freed off. I wouldn't worry so much about having the correct oil in the diff. Once it's welded up it's not really a diff any more and certainly not a viscous one. I guess any decent Gear oil would do. Good luck with the Greyhounds. If you wanted us to have a scout over the MX and check it's nothing more than worn bushes then we can have a look for you. Maybe you're just leaning on it harder now you're used to it!

I don't want to jump into a political debate regarding Stafford Tyres, but if we can't come up with a competitive price on tyres for our customers (mostly because we don't shift a high volume of tyres so don't always get great rates on them) then we do tend to refer them to Stafford tyres. They get our recommendation above other large chain fast fit tyres (and exhaust) companies that I won't name. I'd also have to agree with the comments about what is 'serviceable' and what isn't. Some times we see work that we think is an oversight on the part of whoever worked on it previously yet may have just been the previous mechanic trying to keep the cost down for the best interests of the customer. Car's are massively technical, complicated intertwined systems and it can be hard to judge what is best for each customer and their own standards and budget. I don't want to comment on anything specific or imply who may be right or wrong in any case, but we also see cars with a fresh MoT's that are dangerous or are asked to carry out 'necessary' MoT work that isn't justified. It's frustrating for us so I can well understand how annoying it must be for the customer.

 

[My Name is URL]

Have used Stafford Tyres before and had good, fast service from them, they even re-seated a tyre that they had fitted but it went down and it was fine after that small hiccup.

Did have one small issue with them - the covers that go over the wheel nuts on my alloys have to be lined up precisely or else don't go on properly and actually bend the clips - unfortunately whoever did my tyres at Stafford Tyres didn't realise and just pressed em on. Luckily I noticed and corrected before it fell off and got lost. An easy mistake to make, i'll admit - I even did it myself until I realised why it wouldn't fit quite properly, but I did think they should have known this or at least realised it didn't go on properly.

Anyway ignoring that one small issue, I will definately use them again, but will just make sure to tell them to line the covers up properly.

 

[grumpystaffordguy]

I've used Stafford Tyres several times before with no problems. I think its unlikely they were making up work especially as they offered to show you what needed doing.

 

[ChrisLewis]

I recently purchased four new tyres for my Chelsea tractor! The National companies in and around Stafford quoted over 20% more than Stafford Tyres, us local firms don't get it right all the time, but I believe any company that has survived the last recession must have just one thing in focus and that is keeping its loyal customer base LOYAL. My experience of the people at Stafford Tyres is certainly so and I suggest if you have had a problem just give them a call, I'd certainly always welcome the opportunity of keeping rather than losing a customer. I bet it will be the case with them as well