1) Yes they have, although that is still quite cheap.
2) My 19 inch Pirelli's cost £500, fronts last about 15k and rears 10k depending on how gay your driving is. Fuel sounds about right, again, depending on how you drive. Service prices you've been quoted sound about £50 overpriced. Discs will last anything upto about 30k......pads about 15k-20k
3) Add a female driver to your policy, should lower it.
4) Loads of owners in and around Manchester
Liam