MK6 Wheel / Rim / Tyre Thread

[nat225]

i assume you don't drive your gti like you stole it.. 44000km is very good for the RE050!

ok, here are the latest and best of the crops for 225 45 17:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport (made in USA) US$692 plus shipping US$250 plus local fit and balance $80:
Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2 (made in Germany), US$600 plus shipping US$250 plus local fit and balance $80:
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

the above have wear rating of 300, the Potenza RE050 has 140 only. the higher the number, the more mileage it can do (technically).

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (made in Thailand) from Jaxquickfit Haberfield was $236 each fitted and balanced last year. The ride was pretty quiet.

Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE002 (made in Indonesia) from Costco was $250 each fitted and balanced last year.

if you are tight ass and want the cheapest but decent:

Kumho KU31 (made in Korea) around $125 each from Tempe Tyres / St George Tyres / Taleb Tyres.

but given that the GTI is a performance car, please dont go cheap on tyres... you will only find out the difference between good and bad tyres on emergency situations, on the twisties and on track.

---------- Post added at 05:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------

your keys to finding out the right tyres for the GTI:

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | Tyre Test 2011 | Auto Express

2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tyre Test | the online tyre guide

Tyres by Brand | the online tyre guide

---------- Post added at 05:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 PM ----------

or find a near new second hand set and sell the wheels, eg:

VW GOLF GTI GENUINE 17 INCH WHEELS & TYRES | eBay

[hooba]

i assume you don't drive your gti like you stole it.. 44000km is very good for the RE050!

I too am impressed, I was lucky to get 25000km out of a previous set.

but given that the GTI is a performance car, please dont go cheap on tyres.

I completely agree. If you are prepared to spend $40K+ on a performance car, don't skimp on a set of replacement tyres. Feeling good about saving a few bucks will wear off quickly, however the annoyance of having to drive around a car with a cheap set of tyres will last for a lot longer. Spend as a much as you can afford for a new set.

[Diesel_vert]

Hi All

The guys at the tyre shop tell me the Potenza S001 is the replacement for the 050 and at $275 a tire it is not a cheap change over.

Welcome to the world of low profile tyres.

$275 is in fact quite good compared to what one usually pays ($350+) for a flagship performance road tyre from a top tier manufacturer, and in that particular size as well (I'll assume you meant 225/45 R17).

So I have two questions:
1. What tyres are you guys looking at for your first change?
2. How many Km's did you get out of your first set?

Also know that wear isn't a strength with these sort of tyres, so 44 000 km is probably above average in terms of distance covered. Reading around, many owners need to replace them at around the 30 000 km mark or earlier (in general, not just Bridgestone Potenzas).

I completely agree, you get what you pay for at the end of the day. One shop offered a new set of four for a little over $400. When that is the only think keeping you on the right side of a cliff I think I will pay the extra thanks.

As for noise I have never has an issue with the RE050's so we will see how these new ones go.

According to their Japanese website, the wear life of the S001 has been improved compared to the RE050 (amongst other things), so you can expect to achieve a few thousand more km on the S001.

the above have wear rating of 300, the Potenza RE050 has 140 only. the higher the number, the more mileage it can do (technically).

That's correct, but do note that UTQG treadwear ratings aren't comparable across different brands (see Tire Rack for more info).

A good list of sporty tyre recommendations

If one doesn't drive the GTI in a sporty manner (and plenty of owners don't), the following are more suitable alternatives, particularly in regards to refinement and comfort;

Bridgestone Turanza GR-90
Michelin Primacy LC
Pirelli Cinturato P7
Toyo Proxes C1S
Toyo Teo Plus
Yokohama Advan dB V551



BTW, if you check the sticky, you'll find there is a 32 page thread on the subject, which I expect this thread will be moved to any moment now...

[gt_eye]

I have only bought cheap tyres ONCE and regretted it the first time it rained!!!!
Admittedly is wasn't in my current GTI ( was a V6 Camry....don't laugh ;P )
They were $79 each Diamondback tyres from Kmart....they were ****E!!!
No grip in the wet and I would get wheelspin from any sort of half decent stab at the accelerator...even in the dry!!
Never again!!!

[entice]

my RE050's are around 18,000km old, and I was ready to throw them out at 17,000km's.. which is also around about the time I had them rotated.. the heel/toe wear on the rears has created a horrendous noise when rotated to the front. SO, word for the wise, rotate every 5000km's or not at all....

I would not be buying re050's again, but would consider the PS3, PSS, and S001

[MACCAA]

S001's are fine,noise-wise.10000k so far so good...
Used to see some "interesting" cheaper -type tyres on cars when doing Driver Training at Oran Park.
Usual story along the lines of "I don't drive fast so I don't need anything else"
Should have seen the looks on their faces when they attempted a corner brake test on a wet road-and generally went off backwards.....from an entry speed of around 60kph.
You generally get what you pay for.
Cheers
Len

[Banzai]

The RE002s are a more progressive and a lot quieter than the RE050s. I hated the 050s and got rid of them while they still had plenty of rubber.

The 002s were about $1K for the set, fitted and balanced earlier this year. S001s are supposed to be quieter than the 002s with similar handling and grip.

And while it is quickish, I don't consider the GTI a performance car.

[kryten2001]

Advan A050's FTW.



Don't ask how much, how long or how noisy. Those are minor details that get in the way of a sound mind.

['fatboy']

I've gone from a set of 050's to Michelin PSS. It was on my non VW car, but it seriously transformed the handling and ride qualities for the better. The grip on the PSS in the dry is excellent and I get much less wheel spin in damn conditions than on the 050.

The PSS are supposed to have a decent wear rate value (from memory - 300).

Like most have said, whatever you decide to do, get the best tyres you can afford.

I purchased from Tire Rack in the US - its much more competitive than most Australian tyre retailers.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with getting a 'performance tyre' irrespective of whether you drive hard or not, its about the once a year emergency situation that could make the difference.

[vwoiler]

Hi all,

would these fit and if so what would be the best tyre for them for my mark VI

cheers

S