Tyre Prices

[Derek Uzzell]

Michelin began to use the “Agilis” name in 2001. “Agilis” replaced Michelin’s “XCA” range of light-commercial-vehicle (LCV) tyres and was originally marketed with a suffix indicating the tyre’s ply-rating (eg. Agilis-61 (6-ply), Agilis-101 (10-ply)).

 

In 2008 the suffix was dropped and all Michelin LCV tyres were subsequently marketed under the umbrella-name of “Agilis”. Also in 2008 “Agilis Camping” was announced, replacing the “XC Camping” pattern that, for many years, had been the sole tyre aimed specifically at the motorhome market.

 

There’s also “Agilis Alpin”, a specialised ‘cold weather’ LCV pattern that (again in 2008 I believe) replaced the "Agilis-41/51/61/81 Snow-Ice" ranges.

 

 

 

[catinou]

Just had the same size fitted today - Continental brand - £120.21 incl balancing VAT etc.

[Basil]

Hi 747 don't feel chasened, all in jest!

 

The Aglis were normal van tyres not camping in that era, can't remember exactly but probably around 2003/4, suffice to say they didn't last well (about a month) and had to be changed. The Goodyears lasted very well, changed two on front part way through the total life (we do a lot of miles in our van), but when I decided to change them I wanted to uprate the load carrying capacity as at least one wheel was at the limit of recommended load. The difference in the sound levels alone make the Avons better, the van has never been so quiet, they are brilliant in my opinion.

 

Bas

[747]

Basil - 2012-11-22 6:56 PM

 

Hi 747 don't feel chasened, all in jest!

 

The Aglis were normal van tyres not camping in that era, can't remember exactly but probably around 2003/4, suffice to say they didn't last well (about a month) and had to be changed. The Goodyears lasted very well, changed two on front part way through the total life (we do a lot of miles in our van), but when I decided to change them I wanted to uprate the load carrying capacity as at least one wheel was at the limit of recommended load. The difference in the sound levels alone make the Avons better, the van has never been so quiet, they are brilliant in my opinion.

 

Bas

 

I feel much better knowing that. ;-)

 

My spare tyre is a Mohawk RA12, 10 ply rating and has never been on the road yet. It has a real industrial looking tread on it and I would suspect that if I fitted a set of 6, I would need ear defenders when driving. 8-) Still, it's only as a spare and was a lot cheaper.

 

Just for information, the owner of the garage where I bought the spare knows a bit about motorhomes (and how they are often overloaded but that's another thread ) :D , he told me that he was surprised that Agilis tyres were fitted (111/113). he reckoned the front ones should be of a higher load rating as they were right on their limit. The problem seems to be that there would not be much choice apart from something like the Mohawk (112/114).

[Cliffy]

747 - 2012-11-21 8:58 PM

 

Cliffy - 2012-11-21 7:29 PM

 

Kwikfit supplied and fit four Conti Vanco CP the same size as yours for us in September at a total cost of £408.

It was a promotional weekend at a local branch. 25% Discount.

 

They replaced Michelin Agilis. I now get around 2 to 3 mpg more and the van runs much quieter and smoother.

 

Well pleased

 

 

 

Are you sure they were the 'Agilis' Michelins ?

 

They have only been around for 3 or 4 years. Yours might have been the previous Michelin camping tyres which were atrocious on grass and (very slightly) muddy surfaces. many people have commented on the improvement with the Agilis, I have them and I am very happy with them. The only downside will be when they reach the end of their life and I have to fork out for 6 new ones.

 

 

Thinking about it one axle had Agilis (The front I think) on it and the other had the older Michelin Camper on it.

 

[coach2000]

I replaced my old Michelin Xc for new Michelin Agilis Camping lst month, the price was £140 each at ATS with a special offer of £20 back from Michelin. Anyway I recieved it today. It is a Mastercard valid for 1 year that you can use at any garage that takes credit cards. Not sure about the continent. So this brought the price down to £135 each.

Also paid ATS £2 to fill them all with Nitrogen, just curious to see the process and to see how the ride is with 4 balanced and exact pressure filled tyres.Will see how I go on and decide when it is time to top up what to put in.

 

Clive.

[starvin marvin]

catinou - 2012-11-22 6:53 PM

 

Just had the same size fitted today - Continental brand - £120.21 incl balancing VAT etc.

 

Thats more like it, a reply with cost info as requested.

[Derek Uzzell]

starvin marvin - 2012-11-25 9:54 PM

 

catinou - 2012-11-22 6:53 PM

 

Just had the same size fitted today - Continental brand - £120.21 incl balancing VAT etc.

 

Thats more like it, a reply with cost info as requested.

 

You might want to ask catinou whether the "Continental brand" tyres he had fitted were "VancoCamper" or (the normally significantly cheaper) "Vanco 2" pattern.

 

You originally asked whether the prices you've been quoted locally were reasonable. A bit of GOOGLE-ing suggests that you should be able to undercut those prices. For example

 

http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/tyre/215-70-R15-R/CONTINENTAL/Continental-Vanco-Camper-109R

 

However, there's much to be said for buying tyres locally, particularly if you've obtained tyres from a local supplier before and been satisfied with their service.

 

 

 

 

[Patricia]

RogerC - 2012-11-21 8:47 PM

 

Can't comment on prices but I'm wondering why anyone would want their tyres inflated with nitrogen

 

Took my car to Halfords for MOT and picked up a flyer advocating nitrogen filled tyres. Advantages given include safer motoring (better road holding and handling); longer tread life (up to 25% increase in tyre life); reduced fuel consumption (up to 5% reduction in fuel consumption); no oxidation - no water vapour or oxygen means no corrosion of wheels); tyres remain at the correct pressure for longer.

 

No idea if any of these claims can be corroberated but if you are planning to go to the moon (reliability) or turn your vehicle into an airline (safety) or race it in formula 1 then, according to them, you should fill your tyres with nitrogen!!!

[snowie]

starvin marvin - 2012-11-21 4:52 PM

 

I'm on the hunt for a couple of tyres for the van 215/70R15. The best price I've found so far are:-

 

Mich Agilis £135

Pirelli Corona? £127.75

Cont Vanco £120.75

 

Are these reasonable prices?? No need to guess which ones I will be buying if I can't find cheaper.

 

Hi Tony; I got 2 Cont Vanco's for £104 each , back in July, all in except nitrogen, and I'm very happy with them. Got them from our village garage. Can't remember the website they use but they show me the tyre on screen and I get them fitted for the quoted price,

 

regards

 

alan b

 

 

[Wooie]

Having had " Nitrogen " in my tyres previously i can confidently state 2 facts.

 

1, They maintain their pressure much much longer, it was over 12 months before they needed

a top up of pressure.

 

2 , They remain a lot cooler especially on the motorway after a good run.

 

These are not " Speculation, Estimation or Guesstimation "... ( if that`s a word )...........LOL

 

I would have it in my tyres now, but my local depot has twice said they did not get a " Nitrogen "

delivery when i rang them to try and book my van in.

 

It costs £4 to have them filled and i`m convinced it felt different and i was more than happy

with the result.

[nowtelse2do]

Anyone wanting tyres, especially if in the Cumbria area, contact sales@camskilltyres.co.uk They are at Whitehaven and they are excellent to deal with and only charge £2.99p per tyre for delivery nationwide.

 

Dave

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

nowtelse2do - 2012-12-03 6:32 PM

 

Anyone wanting tyres, especially if in the Cumbria area, contact sales@camskilltyres.co.uk They are at Whitehaven and they are excellent to deal with and only charge £2.99p per tyre for delivery nationwide.

 

Dave

 

I'd second that, and don't rule out Kumho 857 brand, I had four fitted last year at just under £400, and seem to be wearing very well, and with a better and quieter ride than the Michelin camper tyres I had.

 

[Brian Kirby]

Patricia - 2012-12-03 5:06 PM

 

RogerC - 2012-11-21 8:47 PM

 

Can't comment on prices but I'm wondering why anyone would want their tyres inflated with nitrogen

 

Took my car to Halfords for MOT and picked up a flyer advocating nitrogen filled tyres. Advantages given include safer motoring (better road holding and handling); longer tread life (up to 25% increase in tyre life); reduced fuel consumption (up to 5% reduction in fuel consumption); no oxidation - no water vapour or oxygen means no corrosion of wheels); tyres remain at the correct pressure for longer.

 

No idea if any of these claims can be corroborated but if you are planning to go to the moon (reliability) or turn your vehicle into an airline (safety) or race it in formula 1 then, according to them, you should fill your tyres with nitrogen!!!

Quite! :-) I understand the same advantages can be gained by coating the tyres with snake oil! :-D

[coach2000]

Wooie - 2012-12-03 6:30 PM

 

Having had " Nitrogen " in my tyres previously i can confidently state 2 facts.

 

1, They maintain their pressure much much longer, it was over 12 months before they needed

a top up of pressure.

 

2 , They remain a lot cooler especially on the motorway after a good run.

 

These are not " Speculation, Estimation or Guesstimation "... ( if that`s a word )...........LOL

 

I would have it in my tyres now, but my local depot has twice said they did not get a " Nitrogen "

delivery when i rang them to try and book my van in.

 

 

It costs £4 to have them filled and i`m convinced it felt different and i was more than happy

with the result.

 

I'm not sure how the machine does it but the one at ATS that they used to fill mine does not have a nitrogen supply. It just deflates all the tyres 4 times and recirculates it without the air content till it gets to near 100 %pure nitrogen.

On the short milage I have done since refilling I can tell the difference in the handling, this is probably a combination of level pressures. For the price it is worth a go.

 

Clive.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Brian Kirby - 2012-12-04 12:01 AM

 

Patricia - 2012-12-03 5:06 PM

 

RogerC - 2012-11-21 8:47 PM

 

Can't comment on prices but I'm wondering why anyone would want their tyres inflated with nitrogen

 

Took my car to Halfords for MOT and picked up a flyer advocating nitrogen filled tyres. Advantages given include safer motoring (better road holding and handling); longer tread life (up to 25% increase in tyre life); reduced fuel consumption (up to 5% reduction in fuel consumption); no oxidation - no water vapour or oxygen means no corrosion of wheels); tyres remain at the correct pressure for longer.

 

No idea if any of these claims can be corroborated but if you are planning to go to the moon (reliability) or turn your vehicle into an airline (safety) or race it in formula 1 then, according to them, you should fill your tyres with nitrogen!!!

Quite! :-) I understand the same advantages can be gained by coating the tyres with snake oil! :-D

 

Brian I would have said the same, now I'm not so sure, have a read it all sounds very plausible especially given the extended tyre life projections.

 

http://tirenitrogen.typepad.com/

[Wooie]

coach2000 - 2012-12-04 12:04 AM

 

Wooie - 2012-12-03 6:30 PM

 

Having had " Nitrogen " in my tyres previously i can confidently state 2 facts.

 

1, They maintain their pressure much much longer, it was over 12 months before they needed

a top up of pressure.

 

2 , They remain a lot cooler especially on the motorway after a good run.

 

These are not " Speculation, Estimation or Guesstimation "... ( if that`s a word )...........LOL

 

I would have it in my tyres now, but my local depot has twice said they did not get a " Nitrogen "

delivery when i rang them to try and book my van in.

 

 

It costs £4 to have them filled and i`m convinced it felt different and i was more than happy

with the result.

 

I'm not sure how the machine does it but the one at ATS that they used to fill mine does not have a nitrogen supply. It just deflates all the tyres 4 times and recirculates it without the air content till it gets to near 100 %pure nitrogen.

On the short milage I have done since refilling I can tell the difference in the handling, this is probably a combination of level pressures. For the price it is worth a go.

 

Clive.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Clive,

 

I`m glad someone else has noticed the difference using Nitrogen.

 

I was beginning to think it was all in my imagination...................LOL.

 

Thee and Me must be a breed apart mate.

 

I think it might be down to " Something in the Water " up here in the " Grim North ".

 

The trouble we now have is that we are in great danger of being " Ostracized " by the

wealth of " Experts on everything known to mankind " that frequent forums like this.

 

All the best and ................" May your pressures stay constant ".

[coach2000]

Wooie - 2012-12-04 8:41 AM

 

coach2000 - 2012-12-04 12:04 AM

 

Wooie - 2012-12-03 6:30 PM

 

Having had " Nitrogen " in my tyres previously i can confidently state 2 facts.

 

1, They maintain their pressure much much longer, it was over 12 months before they needed

a top up of pressure.

 

2 , They remain a lot cooler especially on the motorway after a good run.

 

These are not " Speculation, Estimation or Guesstimation "... ( if that`s a word )...........LOL

 

I would have it in my tyres now, but my local depot has twice said they did not get a " Nitrogen "

delivery when i rang them to try and book my van in.

 

 

It costs £4 to have them filled and i`m convinced it felt different and i was more than happy

with the result.

 

I'm not sure how the machine does it but the one at ATS that they used to fill mine does not have a nitrogen supply. It just deflates all the tyres 4 times and recirculates it without the air content till it gets to near 100 %pure nitrogen.

On the short milage I have done since refilling I can tell the difference in the handling, this is probably a combination of level pressures. For the price it is worth a go.

 

Clive.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Clive,

 

I`m glad someone else has noticed the difference using Nitrogen.

 

I was beginning to think it was all in my imagination...................LOL.

 

Thee and Me must be a breed apart mate.

 

I think it might be down to " Something in the Water " up here in the " Grim North ".

 

The trouble we now have is that we are in great danger of being " Ostracized " by the

wealth of " Experts on everything known to mankind " that frequent forums like this.

 

All the best and ................" May your pressures stay constant ".

 

I don't know about something in the water, its all the water on the ground up here, We need something like Nitrogen to keep the soles of our vans as dry as possible.

 

I would like to say thank you to One foot in the Grave for the link, looks like there's something in it after all.

 

Clive.

[coach2000]

1footinthegrave - 2012-12-04 3:18 AM

 

Brian Kirby - 2012-12-04 12:01 AM

 

Patricia - 2012-12-03 5:06 PM

 

RogerC - 2012-11-21 8:47 PM

 

Can't comment on prices but I'm wondering why anyone would want their tyres inflated with nitrogen

 

Took my car to Halfords for MOT and picked up a flyer advocating nitrogen filled tyres. Advantages given include safer motoring (better road holding and handling); longer tread life (up to 25% increase in tyre life); reduced fuel consumption (up to 5% reduction in fuel consumption); no oxidation - no water vapour or oxygen means no corrosion of wheels); tyres remain at the correct pressure for longer.

 

No idea if any of these claims can be corroborated but if you are planning to go to the moon (reliability) or turn your vehicle into an airline (safety) or race it in formula 1 then, according to them, you should fill your tyres with nitrogen!!!

Quite! :-) I understand the same advantages can be gained by coating the tyres with snake oil! :-D

 

Brian I would have said the same, now I'm not so sure, have a read it all sounds very plausible especially given the extended tyre life projections.

 

http://tirenitrogen.typepad.com/

 

Thanks for the link. I now know it is true that you do not need a Nitrogen gas bottle from an article on the link. Looks like it may be money well spent after all. Lots of good info there.

 

Clive.

[Derek Uzzell]

I’ve been driving for over 50 years and all of the tyres on the vehicles I’ve driven have been filled with ‘air’. Tyres for road vehicles are designed and manufactured to be inflated with air not nitrogen. While inflating specialised tyres with nitrogen will produce real benefits, the value-for-money advantages of inflating ordinary road-vehicle tyres with nitrogen depend primarily on the money involved.

 

If nitrogen-inflation is free, you might as well have it as it won’t do any harm. If it’s expensive, you may want to think again.

 

I’ve driven all sorts of vehicles – fast cars, fast motorbikes and (a long time ago) on the track. I can’t detect the types of ‘improvement’ that are regularly claimed on motorhome forums when people swap from one tyre make/pattern to another.

 

If I inflate a vehicle’s tyres significantly above the pressure I usually employ, when I drive the vehicle I expect to be able to detect that the ride quality has harshened. If the tyres are much below the pressures I usually use I expect to be able to detect that the ride has softened. When new tyres have been fitted they will normally run quieter than their predecessors for a while until they ‘scrub in’ and lose their shininess. Until tyres have lost their shininess a road vehicle’s braking performance and grip will be reduced, while new front tyres will make a vehicle’s steering feel noticeably lighter. Once a new tyre has been ‘run in’ it should provide better wet-weather grip than the tyre it replaced simply because it has greater tread depth. New tyres WILL feel different to a driver to old tyres, but this is just kindergarten stuff...

 

Nitrogen-wise, the proof of the pudding for a motorhome would come not from having replacement tyres inflated with nitrogen and then saying “They feel different”, but from deflating tyres that have been filled with air and then reinflating them with nitrogen to exactly the same pressure. If a measurable improvement in the motorhome’s road-holding, handling and fuel consumption results, then the benefits of nitrogen inflation will have been established. I’m unaware that anyone has tried this experiment.

 

Personally, I’m uninterested in nitrogen inflation minimising gradual pressure-loss in my motorhome’s tyres, as I check my tyres’ pressures regularly and increase the pressures if (after several months) they have reduced slightly. Nor do I care if nitrogen-filled tyres run a bit cooler on motorways, as the air-filled tyres on my motorhome don’t run hot. Nitrogen inflation won’t address the type of pressure loss caused by a puncture or tyre-valve failure, nor will it safeguard against severe overheating provoked by tyres being under-inflated or overloaded.

 

If you want to spend a few quid on nitrogen inflation, please feel to do so, but don’t think it will buy a performance-enhancing miracle because it won’t.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Mmmmmmm back to the drawing board....

 

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

[starvin marvin]

Had my two tyres fitted for £120.25/tyre. The cost of the nitrogen filling was £1/tyre, so I'm quite comfortable with that cost. Going back next week for a torque recheck on the wheel bolts.

[Brian Kirby]

1footinthegrave - 2012-12-04 3:18 AM.......................Brian I would have said the same, now I'm not so sure, have a read it all sounds very plausible especially given the extended tyre life projections.

 

http://tirenitrogen.typepad.com/

Thanks for the link. It seems all the said John Lucidi is interested in is selling nitrogen inflation, and the equipment to do it. Cynic that I am, I smell self interest!

 

Air is, in any case, 80% nitrogen. Some of the claims being made for swapping 1/5 of the gas in the tyre by volume for another gas, seem to me wildly exaggerated.

 

I'll buy that nitrogen is dryer, but have never yet had a wheel that corroded in the well (if at all) faster than it corrodes externally.

 

I'll buy that it is a larger molecule, so doesn't pass as readily through the tyre wall as the 20% (mainly) oxygen does, so the tyre holds its pressure better. However, I find both van and car tyres seldom need their pressures adjusting in months, so don't consider faffing with nitrogen at any price worth the hassle.

 

I have seen no authentic independent test data to prove that tyres last any longer because they are inflated with nitrogen, not can I understand how that could be. I say that on the simple basis that tyres wear from the outside, not the inside where the nitrogen lives.

 

Whether those reporting improved ride are feeling a benefit from nitrogen, or just that of new tyres, is tricky but, with respect to those so convinced, in view of their tyres already having been 80% nitrogen inflated, I'm inclined to go for the latter. With apologies, I therefore remain "unconvinced" of Sussex! :-)

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Yes Brian, you obviously missed my later link ( just above ) from the AA, seems unless your a Jumbo Jet, or a F1 racing car it's a waste of time and money, I wonder if that's the case with my Glucosamine and Cod liver oil :-S

[Derek Uzzell]

Although the webpage carrying AA's nitrogen-inflation-related information has 25 April 2012 at its foot, the advice is not new: I mentioned the same link 3 years ago. In 2009 I also referred to this Tyresave piece http://www.tyresave.co.uk/nitrogen.html that may be worth revisiting.