While in France recently I clipped a loose kerbstone whilst going through roadworks in my Skoda Octavia 1.4TSi, and got a puncture on my front offside wheel. I didn't have a spare, only a repair kit and the valve proved impossible to remove, so I had no choice but to call Skoda Assist, which turned out to be the RAC in the UK. Despite having only the vaguest idea of my location, they rang me back within five minutes as promised, telling me a breakdown truck would be there within 45 minutes. In fact a specialist repairer was there within 10. The driver took one look (the tyre wall was split so the repair kit wouldn't have worked anyway), put me on the back of his flatbed, and took me back to his base for new tyres to be fitted. From the time of my first call the whole process was done in 65 minutes. Well done, RAC. But questions out of this, please.

First, I can't help but think that the new tyres (Mastersteel Pro-Sport 91H) are noisier than the originals (Dunlop SP Sport 91V), both 205/60 R15 on alloys, but of course it might just be my imagination. Is that a possibility, and would I be better changing the front and back tyres round? Second, Skoda has quoted me £130 for a spare wheel, jack and fitting kit. On balance do you think this is a worthwhile investment? I'm not sure I want the hassle of trying to cope with the repair kit again.