MK6 Wheel / Rim / Tyre Thread

[hooba]

The 2011 tire test from the latest Wheels had the Pilot Sport 3 as the best tire. But they tested only a few tires.

It is a good article and worth a read if you are looking at getting some new 18" tyres, unfortunately there were no Goodyear Eagles on the test.

[MIRSAD]

... few more tests from Europe:

Tyre reviews, tests and ratings - tyre reviews, the online tyre guide

[Corey_R]

The best road tyre at the moment is the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport, which are unbeatable in dry conditions IMO. USD 228.00 each for "225/40 ZR18 (92Y) XL" from Tire Rack. I reckon the only way to improve on these (for dry performance) is to buy tyres from the next category.

Yeah - this review would support that:
2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test - tyre reviews, the online tyre guide

Whilst the Michelin Pilot Super Sport only came in 6th overall (Goodyear Eage F1 Asy 1 came #4th and Conti SC5 came #1st), the Michelin PSS came 1st in the dry performance category.

Positive: Best dry handling, fastest dry lap time, best steering feel
Negative: Poor resistance to aquaplaning, low level of comfort
Overall: The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a good example of how it's extremely difficult to achieve excellent in all areas. Michelin have prioritised dry grip and steering feedback with the Pilot Super Sport, giving the tyre the best dry lap time and handling, at the expense of wet performance and comfort.

[DionM]

Thanks for the links ...

Interesting the breakdown in tyre performance ... That Pilot Super Sport does sound like a good option for me where I'm happy to compromise for dry performance. If its raining cats and dogs I'll back off, or just take my 4WD and leave the Jetta at home.

[DeanoTDI]

Replaced my 17" Michelin's on the front at about 49 000km's on my 103TDI. The Michelin's were way overpriced ($570 each!) so some iddentical sized Yokahama's got put on, which are excellent tyres.

Anyway the tyre service centre did a wheel alignment, without asking but I did remember it was part of their package and managed to offset the steering wheel. I got this fixed at VW during a service, and then went back to the Tyre Service for a Balance & Rotation just over a week ago, and low and behold they did another friggin Wheel Alignment and once again off set the steering wheel. I am currently taking this up with Bob Jane Head Office aswell as some other issues I had with the service at their centre, has anyone else experienced the same issue?

Basically when the wheels are dead straight, the steering wheel is about 2-3 degrees off centre (leaning to the right). This becomes really frustrating when you think about it, but considering I drive buses everyday which have even worse wheel alignments than the car I adapt to it pretty quickly. Trying to get it fixed now, through some complaining etc.

[Corey_R]

I've heard from a number of other Golf owners that "tyre outlet retail chains" can be very hit and miss with the European cars when it comes to wheel alignment. A few R32 owners have stated that you're basically asking for trouble getting them to touch the alignment on them because of the setup...

I personally only get a tyre outlet to balance the wheels when fitting them. I leave the alignment task to the VW dealer or specialist.

[nat225]

Replaced my 17" Michelin's on the front at about 49 000km's on my 103TDI. The Michelin's were way overpriced ($570 each!) so some iddentical sized Yokahama's got put on, which are excellent tyres.

Anyway the tyre service centre did a wheel alignment, without asking but I did remember it was part of their package and managed to offset the steering wheel. I got this fixed at VW during a service, and then went back to the Tyre Service for a Balance & Rotation just over a week ago, and low and behold they did another friggin Wheel Alignment and once again off set the steering wheel. I am currently taking this up with Bob Jane Head Office aswell as some other issues I had with the service at their centre, has anyone else experienced the same issue?

Basically when the wheels are dead straight, the steering wheel is about 2-3 degrees off centre (leaning to the right). This becomes really frustrating when you think about it, but considering I drive buses everyday which have even worse wheel alignments than the car I adapt to it pretty quickly. Trying to get it fixed now, through some complaining etc.

I'm also experiencing a similar issue, when the driving straight on a road that is slightly tilted, the steering wheel is about 2-3 degrees off centre (leaning to the right)...

plan to get it fixed / done properly at heasmans or spinning wheels later this month after sway bars install.

i wonder if it's the effect of having a camber though...

[TDI DSG]

I've heard from a number of other Golf owners that "tyre outlet retail chains" can be very hit and miss with the European cars when it comes to wheel alignment. A few R32 owners have stated that you're basically asking for trouble getting them to touch the alignment on them because of the setup...

I personally only get a tyre outlet to balance the wheels when fitting them. I leave the alignment task to the VW dealer or specialist.

I dont think it's got anything to do with being european - the local tyre place that the VW dealer use is no better.

I recently took my car (non vw) there for an alignment and when asked why the camber was not corrected, I was told "we dont do that, we only do toe - shims would take us too long"
Needless to say I did not pay ( guy was embaressed to ask for payment in the end), and wont be going back !

[MoppaChoppa]

Hi guys,

Can anyone point me towards a definitive thread on Mk6 GTI wheel and tyre size options? I'm looking to upgrade the stock 17" Denvers on our new Mk6 but the mix of opinions out there on what will fit, rub, what won't etc. is pretty confusing.

Ideally I don't want to mod the car. Options I'm looking at are:

• Aftermarket Talledega - 18s or 19s.
• OEM VW Interlagos - 18s
• Aftermarket Audi R8 V10s - 18s or 19s.
• OEM Detroits as a last option - 18s

Any advice or direction greatly appreciated!

[Man In Black (MIB)]

Hi Guys,

need help. I've slightly flattened the inside of one of my rims on a nasty country road pot hole. It burst the tire but I had to replace them anyway so not so bothered about that part. However, after I got new tyres a wobble in the back end between 70-80km/h turned out to be a flat spotted rim.

Could be repaired but I don’t relish the thought of running the car on a space saver for two weeks.

So I rang a local dealer’s spare parts Dept and was quoted $1,300 for a new 18” standard Golf R rim.

Anyone know of any cheaper deals around Sydney/Canberra as the space saver is suddenly looking attractive?

Thanks.