TDi Tyres

51octytdi · 05-07-2005, 17:37

Hi everyone,

The front tyres on my Octy TDi (110) have worn down to the tread wear indicators after having the car for just a month. I'm sure there was about 4mm on there when I bought them, but I guess I have done quite a few miles since then (around 3k I think). There's some steering wobble under braking so it's possible there's an alignment issue. But anyway, I'll discuss all that with the dealer when they get around to looking at it (in about a week

).

I was wondering though:

1) How many miles would you expect out of the front tyres on a sensibly driven TDi? (I do about 70% motorway miles). I read a lot on here about vRSs, but they have 17" rims (I've got 205/55R16s) and slightly more power.

2) I've got Dunlop Sport SP2000Es on there at the moment. They seem to retail at about £80-£100 a corner! I paid about £40 a corner on my old car

Are there any tyres that are known for a) Lasting a long time or b) Being a bargain?

Thanks!

J

Dr Zoidberg · 05-07-2005, 17:47

I have Michelin Pilot HX on my Octy TDI and like you do mostly motorway miles.
The fronts were changed at 40k and the backs are nearly due at 56k miles.

They aren't cheap , but they grip well and as you can see , last for ages.
They are pretty hard to find now but have been replaced by Pilot Primacys

logiclee · 05-07-2005, 17:54

Done 20k miles now and my fronts are around half worn, they are Michelin HX's.

To be honest I think they are noisy and don't give straightline stability.

I'll be going for Continentals next, either Premium Contacts or Sport Contacts.

As for brake judder, I'm on my third set of discs in 20k miles and they are starting to judder again.

Lee

51octytdi · 05-07-2005, 18:12

Dr Zoidberg: Well 40K/56K intervals on the tyres I can just about afford. Thats the kind of life I was expecting.

logiclee: Three sets in 20k! Ouch! Is there a brake wear indicator to tell you to replace them, or do you inspect them regularly?

Looking at prices on E-tyres.co.uk, I could go cheap with some P6000s (£79/corner) or pay a little more for Conty Premium Contacts (£95/corner). It's a shame you can't road test them first

Of course, the Dealer may have his own suggestions...

Thanks peeps, at least I now know if it stops eating tyres then I can afford to keep the car

,

J

logiclee · 05-07-2005, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51octytdi

logiclee: Three sets in 20k! Ouch! Is there a brake wear indicator to tell you to replace them, or do you inspect them regularly?

J

No brake pads are fine it's just the brake judder that I can't put up with.

Lee

51octytdi · 05-07-2005, 19:51

Quote:

No brake pads are fine it's just the brake judder that I can't put up with.

What causes that then?

J

johnmb · 05-07-2005, 20:42

It may be worth looking on the AUTO EXPRESS car mag web site , on the REVIEW PRODUCTS section , they did a review last year on TYRES , and although some of the Pricey named types were good , 2 that come out as best buys which included all the rolling road , wet and dry brake etc were BARUM ( National tyres sell them ) and VREDESTEIN ( which are made in chech rep ) Have checked out for the Barum on my OCTY Diesel and a full set 16 inch tyres is about £280 all in fitted . The VRS Types most likely need something a little special .

**TaviaRS** · 06-07-2005, 10:14

I get about 15k from a set of tyres on mine, with rotation. Might try some longer lasting ones this time, seeing as I don't do trackdays in it no more.

Graham Pollitt · 07-07-2005, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51octytdi

Hi everyone,

The front tyres on my Octy TDi (110) have worn down to the tread wear indicators after having the car for just a month. I'm sure there was about 4mm on there when I bought them, but I guess I have done quite a few miles since then (around 3k I think). There's some steering wobble under braking so it's possible there's an alignment issue. But anyway, I'll discuss all that with the dealer when they get around to looking at it (in about a week

).

I was wondering though:

1) How many miles would you expect out of the front tyres on a sensibly driven TDi? (I do about 70% motorway miles). I read a lot on here about vRSs, but they have 17" rims (I've got 205/55R16s) and slightly more power.

2) I've got Dunlop Sport SP2000Es on there at the moment. They seem to retail at about £80-£100 a corner! I paid about £40 a corner on my old car

Are there any tyres that are known for a) Lasting a long time or b) Being a bargain?

Thanks!

J

I put Goodyear Eagles(£50 each) on my SLX TDI (all round)and MPG dropped from 55.3 to 50.3 overall. The tyres also only lasted 9000miles which I found disappointing. I got no satisfacory help from Goodyear cutomer services in fact quite the opposite. I replaced them( front only) with Vredestine Sportrac 2 from local independant dealer cos £58 each for 195/65 R15 VR rated. MPG immediately went back up, car is noticeably quieter and handling especially in wet is improved.(can't comment on the wear rate yet though) They are made in Holland, directional and seem to come out consistently well in Which? test sand Auto Express.
Dealers aren't that common though go onto Vredestein website to locate your nearest if interested.
Hope that's of some help.

gregs · 11-12-2005, 20:32

Just to resurect an old thread.. I use Firestone TZ200 tyres on mine, only last ~35k, but a full set is £148...... no problems to note in terms of handling/braking, and I usually see ~60mpg on my journey to work.

JohnMorr · 11-12-2005, 22:42

Just replaced the fronts on our Elegance TDi 110 bhp at 35,000 miles. The originals (and replacements) were (and are) Pirelli P6000s. Can't say if other tyres are better, but that's the sort of mileage I'd expect if you drive sensibly. And in fact I only had to replace one ofthe fronts, because he other was the unused spare.

rogerzilla · 12-12-2005, 18:49

Just over 30,000 a set from the originals (Firehawk). I replaced them with Continental Premium Contact which seem to return the same mpg.

**TaviaRS** · 13-12-2005, 05:35

I've been trying the Goodyear Hydra grip, just rotated them at 25k miles and stilll plenty of life left in them. Fairly cheap and avoid aquaplaning well.

cmcm789 · 13-12-2005, 14:27

Has anyone got any experience of Dunlop SP Sport tyres??

I have been quoted £48/ tyre fitted and balanced for 205/55/16 for my Octy.

JD

bk1 · 13-12-2005, 14:51

Dunlops are usually fitted on the VAG cars by default.
Personally I found them to wear their shoulders very fast and to not have much grip.
I always go for Michelin Pilots as replacements, they seemed to have a lot more grip, and my last set were still on my Audi A3, with plenty of life left, after at least 25k miles. They are about 90 or 100 quid a corner though.

**TaviaRS** · 13-12-2005, 14:56

Don't like the dunlop tyres that much, they seem to be afflicted with the "german syndrome" ie when the tread gets to the German legal limit they change compound and get dodgy if it has rained within aboput 100 miles of where you are

Try the Goodyear Hydragrip or the NCT5, or possibly the Pirelli P7, all last well, P7 not quite as long lasting but offer better dry grip. Should be about £60 per corner...

cmcm789 · 13-12-2005, 15:33

The dunlops retail at about £75+ usually, but i go to a local dealer who is always much cheaper than the bigger names. But i don't ask any questions

JD

StuartB · 14-12-2005, 00:23

I've had SP2000Es on my TDI 110 from new, current mileage is about 41.5K. I Have just changed the fronts for the second time and the rears for the first time. £71.46 per corner fitted, ordered online via Black Circles.

cheezemonkhai · 19-01-2006, 18:53

I had the michalen Pilot HX mxm tyres on my octavia Elegance TDI, and found they gave poor grip, but did last quite well. (My old BX cornered better than the octavia on these).

I replaced the rears recently with Pilot Exalto tyres and the increase in grip and cornering performance is massive. I am sure they will have a shorter life, but i feel worth it.

05-07-2005, 17:37	#1
51octytdi Mile Muncher Join Date: May 2005 Location: East Midlands, UK Posts: 266 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	TDi Tyres Hi everyone, The front tyres on my Octy TDi (110) have worn down to the tread wear indicators after having the car for just a month. I'm sure there was about 4mm on there when I bought them, but I guess I have done quite a few miles since then (around 3k I think). There's some steering wobble under braking so it's possible there's an alignment issue. But anyway, I'll discuss all that with the dealer when they get around to looking at it (in about a week ). I was wondering though: 1) How many miles would you expect out of the front tyres on a sensibly driven TDi? (I do about 70% motorway miles). I read a lot on here about vRSs, but they have 17" rims (I've got 205/55R16s) and slightly more power. 2) I've got Dunlop Sport SP2000Es on there at the moment. They seem to retail at about £80-£100 a corner! I paid about £40 a corner on my old car Are there any tyres that are known for a) Lasting a long time or b) Being a bargain? Thanks! J

05-07-2005, 17:47	#2
Dr Zoidberg Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,538 Thanks: 23 Thanked 186 Times in 137 Posts	I have Michelin Pilot HX on my Octy TDI and like you do mostly motorway miles. The fronts were changed at 40k and the backs are nearly due at 56k miles. They aren't cheap , but they grip well and as you can see , last for ages. They are pretty hard to find now but have been replaced by Pilot Primacys __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

05-07-2005, 17:54	#3
logiclee Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Notts, UK Posts: 787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Done 20k miles now and my fronts are around half worn, they are Michelin HX's. To be honest I think they are noisy and don't give straightline stability. I'll be going for Continentals next, either Premium Contacts or Sport Contacts. As for brake judder, I'm on my third set of discs in 20k miles and they are starting to judder again. Lee __________________ Another Ex-Scooby owner. Mondeo TDCi 130 6 Speed Ghia, Octavia 1.9TDi Elegance (Now Sold), Fabia 1.9TDi Comfort and Felicia 1.9D GLi

06-07-2005, 10:14	#8
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,931 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	I get about 15k from a set of tyres on mine, with rotation. Might try some longer lasting ones this time, seeing as I don't do trackdays in it no more. __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

11-12-2005, 20:32	#10
gregs Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres Just to resurect an old thread.. I use Firestone TZ200 tyres on mine, only last ~35k, but a full set is £148...... no problems to note in terms of handling/braking, and I usually see ~60mpg on my journey to work.

05-07-2005, 18:12	#4
51octytdi Mile Muncher Join Date: May 2005 Location: East Midlands, UK Posts: 266 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dr Zoidberg: Well 40K/56K intervals on the tyres I can just about afford. Thats the kind of life I was expecting. logiclee: Three sets in 20k! Ouch! Is there a brake wear indicator to tell you to replace them, or do you inspect them regularly? Looking at prices on E-tyres.co.uk, I could go cheap with some P6000s (£79/corner) or pay a little more for Conty Premium Contacts (£95/corner). It's a shame you can't road test them first Of course, the Dealer may have his own suggestions... Thanks peeps, at least I now know if it stops eating tyres then I can afford to keep the car , J

05-07-2005, 20:42	#7
johnmb Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kent Posts: 402 Thanks: 20 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	It may be worth looking on the AUTO EXPRESS car mag web site , on the REVIEW PRODUCTS section , they did a review last year on TYRES , and although some of the Pricey named types were good , 2 that come out as best buys which included all the rolling road , wet and dry brake etc were BARUM ( National tyres sell them ) and VREDESTEIN ( which are made in chech rep ) Have checked out for the Barum on my OCTY Diesel and a full set 16 inch tyres is about £280 all in fitted . The VRS Types most likely need something a little special .

11-12-2005, 22:42	#11
JohnMorr Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 334 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: TDi Tyres Just replaced the fronts on our Elegance TDi 110 bhp at 35,000 miles. The originals (and replacements) were (and are) Pirelli P6000s. Can't say if other tyres are better, but that's the sort of mileage I'd expect if you drive sensibly. And in fact I only had to replace one ofthe fronts, because he other was the unused spare.

12-12-2005, 18:49	#12
rogerzilla Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South West Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres Just over 30,000 a set from the originals (Firehawk). I replaced them with Continental Premium Contact which seem to return the same mpg.

13-12-2005, 05:35	#13
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,931 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres I've been trying the Goodyear Hydra grip, just rotated them at 25k miles and stilll plenty of life left in them. Fairly cheap and avoid aquaplaning well. __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

13-12-2005, 14:27	#14
cmcm789 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 965 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres Has anyone got any experience of Dunlop SP Sport tyres?? I have been quoted £48/ tyre fitted and balanced for 205/55/16 for my Octy. JD __________________ Octy Elegance TDI (110bhp)

13-12-2005, 14:51	#15
bk1 Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK - SouthEast Posts: 251 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres Dunlops are usually fitted on the VAG cars by default. Personally I found them to wear their shoulders very fast and to not have much grip. I always go for Michelin Pilots as replacements, they seemed to have a lot more grip, and my last set were still on my Audi A3, with plenty of life left, after at least 25k miles. They are about 90 or 100 quid a corner though.

13-12-2005, 14:56	#16
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,931 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres Don't like the dunlop tyres that much, they seem to be afflicted with the "german syndrome" ie when the tread gets to the German legal limit they change compound and get dodgy if it has rained within aboput 100 miles of where you are Try the Goodyear Hydragrip or the NCT5, or possibly the Pirelli P7, all last well, P7 not quite as long lasting but offer better dry grip. Should be about £60 per corner... __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

13-12-2005, 15:33	#17
cmcm789 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 965 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres The dunlops retail at about £75+ usually, but i go to a local dealer who is always much cheaper than the bigger names. But i don't ask any questions JD __________________ Octy Elegance TDI (110bhp)

14-12-2005, 00:23	#18
StuartB Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sheffield Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres I've had SP2000Es on my TDI 110 from new, current mileage is about 41.5K. I Have just changed the fronts for the second time and the rears for the first time. £71.46 per corner fitted, ordered online via Black Circles. __________________ StuartB

19-01-2006, 18:53	#19
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14,723 Thanks: 91 Thanked 412 Times in 383 Posts	Re: TDi Tyres I had the michalen Pilot HX mxm tyres on my octavia Elegance TDI, and found they gave poor grip, but did last quite well. (My old BX cornered better than the octavia on these). I replaced the rears recently with Pilot Exalto tyres and the increase in grip and cornering performance is massive. I am sure they will have a shorter life, but i feel worth it.

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