Fleet companies and tyres

[Goggles]

took my car into a tyre retailer today to replace my rears (done just over 16K) and chose to have S03s fitted as they wear slightly better and are cheaper than the factory fitted 040s.

the tyre guy rang my fleet company to check and get authorisation first. apparently, the fleet company were a little bit concerned about two things:
1. my desire to change the type of tyre
2. the fact that I need new rears at 16K

Shows the ignorance of the fleet company in that they are happy for me to use premium unleaded and automatically authorise the use of Mobil 1 when an oil change is made :)

was also surprised to learn that all four of my wheels were out of alignment!! as far as I am aware, I have never hit gutters etc.

[team illucid]

its all the rough roads in the ACT - wheels go out of whack just like that :)

[jneil]

I would expect they WOULD be a little concerned after only 16k! I have 18.5k on the original 040's and have at least another 15k left on them.

Me suspects too many :burnout:

[Goggles]

I would expect they WOULD be a little concerned after only 16k! I have 18.5k on the original 040's and have at least another 15k left on them.

Me suspects too many :burnout:

I think somewhere around 20K would be the average life of 040s, so you must be lucky.

what's a burnout? :lol:

[EL2]

I called up a few places today as well, to get quotes on tyres. Just almost 25k on the clock; two are down to tread wear indicators, the others got about 10k left (I didn't get them rotated when serviced, silly me!).

I don't think I'll be going with Bridgies though, too expensive (even thou in the lease I'm allowed $380 per tyre).

[PepeLePew]

I gave up on the fleet co some time back.

I just buy em and claim.....never any argument then!

[Goggles]

I called up a few places today as well, to get quotes on tyres. Just almost 25k on the clock; two are down to tread wear indicators, the others got about 10k left (I didn't get them rotated when serviced, silly me!).

I don't think I'll be going with Bridgies though, too expensive (even thou in the lease I'm allowed $380 per tyre).

I think you may need to check with your leasing company as to the true cost of tyres - I think the cost in this situation is less than $410 that was quoted to me as full retail.

[jneil]

I gave up on the fleet co some time back.

I just buy em and claim.....never any argument then!

Exactly, this is similar to how mine works. I nominate how much the tyres will cost me (any brand, any price) and that gets added to my yearly package updates, then I get reimbursed when I get the tyres.

Ohh and Goggles, a burnout is that thing that happens when you have a few too many revs on board and dump the clutch, it is usually accompanied with this fantastic engine roar and lots of cool whiteish smoke, it smells a little though, but fun none the less :lol:

[Glenn@Autowerks]

Or just get on with your fleet controller at work, tell the fleet company to ring him to approve the higher cost, thats what I did...

[Devil CV8]

I don't think I'll be going with Bridgies though, too expensive (even thou in the lease I'm allowed $380 per tyre).
Why, 18"re040's will set you back $375 (and that price is 12 months old in a small country town)

[JBonDSS]

When i had my SS I rang, my fleet co. to see what there recommend tyre fitter & price was on the 17", b530 $400. Ouch.
Told the chap that since it was still my money i was spending & that i 'd like to make it go further. he could see it my way just fine, & told me to just mail them a copy of the receipt & they'd send me a cheque to reimbuse me,

So get a price from your local shops & then ring the fleet co back,
Its Still your money or your allowence, its up to you to make it go as far as you can.

[PepeLePew]

Its is bloody ridiculous that you can walk in and get so called fleet price, and its generally DEARER than the man off the street can get by shopping around....

Fleet co's arent quite on the ball..

[EL2]

Why, 18"re040's will set you back $375 (and that price is 12 months old in a small country town)

That's about on par with the prices here in Canberra!

My situation (and not hijacking this thread either!) sounds like the same as jneil.... I got some prices before I commenced the lease, and I have nominated how many sets of tyres and approximate price per tyre into the lease, and my lease payments were calculated to suit. So even tho it's pre-tax, it's me who will be ultimately be paying for the tyres. I source them and the dealership invoices my leasing company for payment, and the leasing company take the money out of my account. If I can get cheaper tyres that are about the same, then it's money in my pocket at the end of the lease.....

From a quick ring around, there's plenty of other brands of identical sized tyres less than $250 each. Which is why this forum is fantastic, reading the threads about peoples experiences with differently branded tyres!

[NinetySix]

careful what ya buy tho

dont wanna see your next thread as "new tyres dont grip for shit!!!!!" :p

[sloone]

I think somewhere around 20K would be the average life of 040s, so you must be lucky.

what's a burnout? :lol:
I've already got 30,000 out of mine with a few trips to the drags thrown in. But I do get them flipped so as to wear them evenly.

And I just put whatever tyre I want on the fleetcard (as others have said, it is still my money) $2000 a year for services and tyres.

[SSFreak]

Goggles, PMed you.