[Closed] "Tourist Tax" rip off....

Not much less than they tried to charge the dudes of hazard to repair the big bus. 10k for an engine swap after what sounds like the big ends went....

<shrugs shoulders>

*throws an onion at allthepies*

Is that a lot?

Jeez,

I think some of their mega super market places have tyre fitters like Costco do here.

Is that a lot?

I've just been booking us two tyres to be fitted in Chatel down the road for €160.... He quoted €214, which I nearly agreed to for convenience, then confirmed that was per tyre...!

French law says we have to change two tyres.

I did check that one. You have to basically have two tyres the same, including wear...

Where's Bikebouy when you need him to mention the B word.

French law says we have to change two tyres

Do opposing corners just to make a point

There are second-hand tyre specialists. You give them the dtails of the tyre you have including wear and they sell you one to match.

Is it not the case that imperial and metric tyre sizes are different, and the R17s you need are imperial and therefore much less common and hence more expensive in France?

Just a guess, based on the anecdotes that metric tyre sizes are expensive here.

Is that a serious post Molgrips?

I'd have rung somewhere like [url= http://www.pneus74.com/ ]this and asked for a pneu d'occasion[/url]

"Alors, I will charge you a cent for each post on your brexit thread Monsieur.."

Is that right about the wear having to be the same? I know the tyres have to be the same on an axle, but I've not heard about the wear before.

It's not necessarily a tourist rip-off.....

Nor-Auto might be your friend. As a minimum I would try another garage. If you're up in the hills drop down into the valley. So for Morzine that would be Bonneville/ Cluses.

Is that a serious post Molgrips?

Yes. But the question marks and the phrase 'just a guess' should indicate that I don't really know and was asking a bit of a question expecting someone knowledgeable to help me out. Instead of handing out a veiled insult 🙂

[url= https://www.norauto.fr/0/0/0/0/0/215-60-17.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjw1ufKBRDYrqLzrY3dy88BEiQAPI_r4c3T9w_SXuJU68pgbYCMuG06OpNolnV3kVJhMlzzmQ0aAmVZ8P8HAQ ]allo allo[/url]

Annecy, Thonon or La Roche sur Furon

Alternatively allopneus will come to you:

[url= http://www.allopneus.com/find?activite=1&type=3&marque=&d1=215&d2=60&d3=17&sort_by=grade&order_by=desc&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1ufKBRDYrqLzrY3dy88BEiQAPI_r4SnRDDZBjJMqVly-bHaTx5_r5md1IGkargPz__91_WAaAtTm8P8HAQ ]allo pneus[/url]

Don't compare it to England as everything is more expensive here. England is a cheap place to live for pretty much every day to day goods.

Just a guess, based on the anecdotes that metric tyre sizes are expensive here.

Metric tyre sizes are expensive everywhere 🙂

I thought you were probably joking, Molgrips. Tyres are one of the comical examples of mixing units. The diametre is in inches but the width in mm, and that whether they are p or normal.

Edit to add something [url= https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46 ]useful assuming your question was genuine[/url]

That size of tyre is a rarish one *
I had a puncture last week and was quoted £158 for a replacement (same size as yours ), but would need to wait 24 hours.
The chap suggested a different width / height tyre that gave the same overall ,and it was £102 for a pair ( same axle)
In stock ready to go

*They were van rated though

I thought you were probably joking, Molgrips. Tyres are one of the comical examples of mixing units. The diametre is in inches but the width in mm, and that whether they are p or normal.

Metric tyres are a real thing.

They all are: have a read of my link, Simon.

Ah yes, I can see how you would think I was on a windup if you'd not heard of metric tyres.... A friend of my Dad was dead proud of his Merc til he found out how much the tyres were.

They all are: have a read of my link? Simon.

Your link wasn't there when I posted. The diameter isn't always in inches.

An example of a car that isn't?

Ed - 'normal' tyre sizes are indeed metric for the first two numbers, but the wheel size is in inches. That link you posted is an American site.

In the UK there are metric sizes that have the wheel diameter in mm as well, e.g. TD 230/55/ZR390 being 390mm in diameter.

https://www.ctyres.co.uk/general/metric

However according to that link the culprits have given up on this idea so that is probably not the case any more.

An example of a car that isn't?

Why do you need that? Even your link mentions them. Maybe you haven't read it?

If you really want an example, old BMW 525s used 200/60 VR 390 tyres. HTH.

Not much less than they tried to charge the dudes of hazard to repair the big bus. 10k for an engine swap after what sounds like the big ends went....

Ooft, it's actually not done much mileage, 30 odd k IIRC.

Last time I got a puncture in France I just told the guy it wasn't a legal requirement for English cars and he was fine just swapping one. It just won't pass a French mot..

I suppose there's going to be a bit of loading for being a 1000m up.

Ta.

No, I didn't read my link. I wasn't looking for the exception that proves the rule, just something to say that "metric" doesn't mean measured in metric units in relation to tyres. P-metric and euro-metric both usually refer to diametres in inches. My comment that all tyres are "metric" stands because that's the way the types of tyre are refered to.

Last time I got a puncture in France I just told the guy it wasn't a legal requirement for English cars and he was fine just swapping one. It just won't pass a French mot..

Good point. UK cars can't be held to the same standards as French cars, otherwise we'd need a French MOT every time we went there.

It just won't pass a French mot..

Or a gendarmerie.

Not so, Molgrips. Try teliing a German cop on an ice covered Autobahn that you don't need Winter tyres because they aren't obligatory in the UK.

Your vehicle has to comply with national regulations. German trucks entering Spain have Guardia waiting with a fine as the German trucks often don't comply with Spanish regs so they pay a fine and continue.

So if I don't have two tyres the same on each axle, I'm breaking the law in France?

This is news to me, and also not in any of the literature about all the things you need to drive in France..... I also don't have a French driving license.

AFAIK the German winter tyre thing is an indirect requirement: the law doens't specifically state you need winters, but it does say your insurance is effectively invalid if you don't have them thereby making them mandatory indirectly.

There's a straightforward law about Winter tyres in Germany:

Der Gesetzestext schreibt vor, dass ein Kraftfahrzeug bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eis- oder Reifglätte nur mit Reifen gefahren werden darf, welche die in Anhang II Nr. 2.2 der Richtlinie 92/23/EWG beschriebenen Eigenschaften erfüllen.

As for tyres in France the tyres don't have to have identical wear but close:

Différence d’usure entre deux pneus sur un même essieu
La différence entre la profondeur des rainures principales des deux pneumatiques montés sur un même essieu ne doit pas dépasser 5 mm.

Edit: as for not having a French driving licence, that won't stop the Gendarmes taking it off you, and the car too if you're really naugty.

Yeah, last time I changed one was at the feu vert in chambery and the guy said we'd normally have to do both but you can just have one. Was enough though - recall about 160 a tyre which was probably £40 or so over what I'd have wanted to pay in the uk. Few years ago though so don't know if any things changed.

As above - how many British cars go over on matched tyres? I know the van I'm out in here now doesn't.

5mm isn't 'close'.

But still - odd that no-one ever mentions this to UK drivers, don't you think? And that other requirements such as the headlight stickers or hi-viz vests are very well known.

So having got all the facts wrong you're now dsputing what is "close".

What are you on tonight, molgrips? 🙂

Edit: to be honest I'm surprised that the UK doesn't have a similar rule about different wear. The difference in wet grip between a new tyre and one at the legal limit would be enough to provoke a spin. Maybe that's why the car in froant of Madame spun under light braking on a rain-soaked M1 the last time she drove in the UK.

Oh sorry, I forgot you know absolutely everything ever and want everyone to know. Carry on your highness 🙂

Looks like you got a fact wrong to me 🙂

Yup, I said "are in inches", and there's an exception apparently so I should have said "are normally in inches". Thank you Simon foe Edukating me.

I forgot you know absolutely everything ever and want everyone to know. Carry on your highness

[img] [/img]

So do you want people to be helpful on this forum or not CFH?

I suggested gettng just one second-hand tyre with appropriate wear because that's what locals who count their Euros would do. I provided a link to a specialist in Haute Savoie.

I corrected a poster on points of law which might save people reading the thread from breaking the law.

Linked a site about tyre specs.

Expressed surpeise about the cost of tyres being different in France because they're metric when cars are built with the same spec tyres across Europe (which still includes the UK).

So your hand clapping piss take constitutes negative use of the forum.

Report me then.

Done. Just before your post.

[img] [/img]

^ 😆

I want a ref to check he hasn't put a horseshoe in his.

🙂

If it's true, that UK cars have to adhere to French Law when visiting, and have matched tyres on the same axle.

Then how come French cars, that only have an MOT (equivalent) every two years, don't have to visit an MOT centre in Dover to bring them up to speed with the UK annual test Law ?
And how come the French cars aren't also required to get reflective front and rear number plates instead of their pressed metal ones, that are illegal in the UK ?

And how come UK cars visiting Germany aren't required to have a TuV certificate for every modification from standard, like a German registered car is required to have ?

And how come an American car, registered in Holland, with red indicators, is perfectly legal to be driven anywhere in Europe (including the UK) but when the same car was registered in the UK it required orange lenses fitting to be legal ?

The reason?

Because if it's legal in the EU country of registration, then it's legal to drive when visiting any other EU country, regardless of local law.

I typed incorrectly.

They're 215 60 r16's, so more common...

The landlady here is going to help me out with a different local garage...

larger supermarkets in France tend to have tyres. it was a 'feu vert' that was happy to fit a single budget tyre to my car - think it was about €70 all in for something similar to yours (maybe a 205 55 17?)

esselgruntfuttock - Member
Where's Bikebouy when you need him to mention the B word.

I'm here, but this has nothing to do with Brexit.

It's about having to replace two tyres, and they're a bit expensive.

I'm here, but this has nothing to do with Brexit.

Not yet, but will be soon when buying those dirty foreign tyres from Germany and Italy.
It is okay though as we will be able to buy British tyres for British people (once we have the factories up and running)

If it's true, that UK cars have to adhere to French Law when visiting, and have matched tyres on the same axle.

Then how come French cars, that only have an MOT (equivalent) every two years, don't have to visit an MOT centre in Dover to bring them up to speed with the UK annual test Law ?
And how come the French cars aren't also required to get reflective front and rear number plates instead of their pressed metal ones, that are illegal in the UK ?

And how come UK cars visiting Germany aren't required to have a TuV certificate for every modification from standard, like a German registered car is required to have ?

And how come an American car, registered in Holland, with red indicators, is perfectly legal to be driven anywhere in Europe (including the UK) but when the same car was registered in the UK it required orange lenses fitting to be legal ?

The reason?

Because if it's legal in the EU country of registration, then it's legal to drive when visiting any other EU country, regardless of local law.

But since I've been pushed on Brexit, and it's shitty connotations, I do find it a little odd that in the U.K. we seem to have more Laws, more Controlling mechanisms over our vehicles than in the EU. So, when Brexit happens we should relax the UKs laws in line with the EU.. its a topic that needs bringing up as well as so many more laws governing EU spec Trucks and Vans coming across the channel.
2 year MOTs anyone ?

Seems reasonable.

But back on topic, try buying 10" dinghy trailer tyres for a roadbase whilst in France !! Neigh on impossible.

@ molgrips, something to consider if you take your caravan to France, that has to have matching tyres on it, so I've been lead to believe.
That's not matching the car btw, just matching each other on the same axle.

Do you have breakdown cover for Europe, e.g. RAC, AA etc, and if so would they be able to sort out something on UK terms/prices?

No idea if that's possible, but talking to Brit friendly folk to arrange it might be useful.

Or, just fill up the jizz in the tyre and drive it home? Is that stuff not much like sealant in bike tyres? You can ride those with sealant acting as a permanent fix, so surely car tyres the same? Okay I suppose the warning is that you might have a tear in a dangerous place, but if it's just a small hole causing a leak, seal up and continue.

Not that I've experienced doing this yet, though I've only got the sealant stuff in my car, no spare.

Why don't you just have the puncture mended? You know, like you could over here for about £15

Deadkenny's idea of filling it up with jizz has me more than worried. I'm now thinking that Mattoab will end up very dehydrated and possible with strained forearms and chafing.

Allopneus will deliver to the local garage of your choice, who will charge you anywhere between 15 and 30€ for the fitting. They're very competitively priced, but won't let you buy less than a pair.

Not much less than they tried to charge the dudes of hazard to repair the big bus. 10k for an engine swap after what sounds like the big ends went....

Turns out its the dudes previous landship, now Chris hutchens that's shat it's engine. 30km from millau, ooft...

molgrips, something to consider if you take your caravan to France, that has to have matching tyres on it, so I've been lead to believe.

Ta. On the subject of differences - in Germany trailers and caravans have their own registration... UK caravans don't. Didn't have to re-register the caravan, I don't think.

The Department of Transport says UK drivers are free to drive abroad, but their vehicle must meet the general technical requirements for each country you visit (Or pass through). Drivers are urged to select winter tyres if they are venturing into Europe. They should also make sure that there is sufficient tread depth remaining, as well as making sure that they carry a spare wheel (Which must also be in a good condition).

They should also make sure that there is sufficient tread depth remaining, as well as making sure that they carry a spare wheel (Which must also be in a good condition).

Which is interesting when you have an S-Max that was supplied by Ford in France and is French registered....it is however a mighty PITA not having a spare wheel and relying on the jizz when theres a split 8cm long in the inside sidewall 😯

Puncture was not repairable apparently....
Garage in Morzine most helpful, but still *had* to fit two tyres, at least the price is €200 for both, less than half what LesGets wanted...

Not really a tourist tax. OP just went to the wrong place - the Norauto type places are competitive and very close to UK prices.

Matching tyres on an axle is an excellent idea IMO as water dispersion for instance can vary quite a lot between two designs, leading to obvious stability issues in emergency braking situation for instance.

In times like these when all else failsi thought the done thing was to stuff the tyres with grass and limp home?

Na, its all about the Huck Norris now.

Just came accross this thread, much entertainment and all without me 😉

But back on topic, try buying 10" dinghy trailer tyres for a roadbase whilst in France !! Neigh on impossible.