[Em135eye]

Pete - they must love you!!

Sorted now and I watched every move - they either took note of this or are genuinely careful because it appeared to adhere to every process mentioned above!

Both rear wheel balances were "out by 10" - I don't know what that means (10 degrees, 10mm?!) but it's sorted.

I guess I could get narky about WHY they went out so quickly but I'll save the anger unless it happens again.

They know I'm a good (i.e. tend to buy four tyres at a time and only the best ones for my car) customer so they appear to make a decent effort.

Doughboy - doesn't seem too OTT to me. May well pick one up this weekend.

[ed335d]

Sorry for going OT a bit, but can you buy the jack on its own? - I've just purchased a torque wrench.

Already got a digital pressure guage, 12V compressor, cans of tyreweld, spare metal valves, gloves, so would like to complete the set!

[doughboy]

I don't think you can buy that scissor jack on its own, but it would be the bulk of the set cost anyway.

The torque wrench is short and pre-set, much better for using in the pissing rain / dark, no faffing with settings then. Keep your pukka torque wrench for DIY work at home.



335d - you'll need to get them to order it in for you...they should do that by phone and you pay on collection.

[Em135eye]

Doughboy - will give them a call.

About to move into a gaff with an electric garage door and loads of space for car fettling and bird cack/frost avoidance - feeding my car cleaning "obsession" rather nicely.

[Ham09]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Now you have proper tyres on, go and buy the lovely BMW jack kit that comes with, amongst other things, an even more lovely pre-set torque wrench for the wheel nuts.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...00&hg=71&fg=95

Fits a treat under your boot floor.

You even get gloves... Can I get a MJ Shamone!

[Dr Dave]

Out by 10 means a ten gram weight was added. Not a lot but *might* make a difference.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I guess I could get narky about WHY they went out so quickly but I'll save the anger unless it happens again.

You are assuming of course that they were right to start with.

Before I bought the car off the lease company I used the KwikFit mobile van for tyres (because I was not paying, was forced to use KwikFit and had a nasty experience with my local KF depot).

After they fitted some new front tyres, the wobble was incredible so I called them out (the same guy in the same van) again. He checked the balanced and "observed" that one of the wheels looked as though it was bent and asked if I had kerbed it.

He balanced it "as best as he could" and left.

Worried that either the wheel was bent or he had damaged something getting the wheel off, my local dealer suggested they get it up on the ramps and check it over for me.

After various testing they came back with the answer.

In the words of the mechanic, he had never seen a wheel so far out of balance in his entire working life!

20 minutes later and my car was back to being silky smooth at all speeds again.

The lease company were a little upset at first when I hit them with the bill until I pointed out that it was the fault of their appointed agent at which point they sent me a cheque by 1st class mail.

I am guessing the balancing machine on the KwikFit van was faulty (although KwikFit would never admit such a thing).

I have learnt over the years having bought far too many tyres in that period that the quality of work can vary big style. I have yet to have a trouble free experience with a KwikFit fitter but at least now the car is off lease I can now choose who I entrust with one of the most important parts of my car.

[Em135eye]

Cheers Mark - I think.

I've had four sets of tyres from these guys and do generally rate them. Had a bad experience with an exhaust (many years ago) on a Golf but they gave me a full refund. I know they shift numbers but my experiences have generally been positive and they are able to get the tyres I want quickly and relatively cheaply.

Will take it for a proper test run ASAP but it felt better on the short distance I drove - as I mentioned, the vibration was very minor. If it persists, I'll take it as far as I need to go. Wife actually knows Sir Tom Farmer from work should we need the contact. That will make sure things happen if necessary.

[rsmallwo]

Op - What was this in the end?

I seem to get slight vibration at 80+ on my private airstrip etc. Seems to be coming from the rear. I've had tyre balances checked but are spot on they report. I know my rear brakes will need new discs according to BMW dealer as they are below their recommended thinkness.

Will see if putting my summer tyres back on with some of the methodsical wheel fitting methods described in this topic.

[Em135eye]

I had the car Hunter aligned and the wheels were quite out of line for toe and camber. Best £50 I've spent in ages! I also got two more rear tyres - excessive negative camber meant my tyres got pretty bad inner edge wear.

That and initial poor balancing is what did it.

Probably not related but my front brake disk also recently warped at only 31k miles -sorted now and probably bad luck but a bit annoying.