MK6 Wheel / Rim / Tyre Thread

[Fixxxer]

Lots more things to consider aswell - the development of better tyres over the 3-5 years since you last bought, the difference in tyre types (all season/summer), as well as tyre brands being better than others, e.g., Michelin vs Kumho vs Goodride.
These will all impact on whether it is appropriate to change a few tyres, put the best on front/back, etc.
I'm looking at getting 2 new tyres soon, the Michelin PS3's that are half worn will go on the rear, because I believe these are better than the 'cheap brand' rears of a similar age (but more tread depth).

Newies will go on the front.
Fixxxer

[Diesel_vert]

It's best practice to replace tyres as a complete set.

I understand that not everyone follows this for whatever reason (which is perfectly legitimate), but fitting two new tyres will always have compromises, irrespective of which axle they're fitted to - this is generally indisputable.

It's more a question of exactly how much of a compromise there is - the problem being that, the degree of compromise will be different for everyone, as it depends on countless variables with many factors need to taken into consideration.

[moda]

Recommendations for places/stores to look for wheels?

Getting a 103TDI and want to get some nice wheels for it, over the stock 16s.

Something similar in style to the GTI/R/S4 wheels?

[DionM]

Well I've gone through a set of front Asymmetric 2s on the Jetta. 1.5mm on front, 5mm on rear.

I was lazy and didn't rotate them, got 14000kms.

Oh well. Learnt my lesson. Don't be so lazy.

[Bel]

I find it odd that my tyres are wearing so well... 45k service coming up (42k on the clock) and same tyres as always with a decent amount of tread. I do get them rotated ever second (15k) service, must make a difference?

[brad]

Depends on driving style & where you drive.

I have Michelin Primacy at the moment. They're just on 65,000km & get x-rotated every 10,000-15,000km. They've still got about 15,000km left on them. Then again, at 115,000km my front brakes are on 8mm & the rears on 4mm. I do mostly motorway driving & would be lucky to use my brakes 10 times in a 45km commute. I usually only accelerate briskly once in 2nd or 3rd gear.

I got 45,000km out of the original CSC2.

[walbjj]

Depends on driving style & where you drive.

I have Michelin Primacy at the moment. They're just on 65,000km & get x-rotated every 10,000-15,000km. They've still got about 15,000km left on them. Then again, at 115,000km my front brakes are on 8mm & the rears on 4mm. I do mostly motorway driving & would be lucky to use my brakes 10 times in a 45km commute. I usually only accelerate briskly once in 2nd or 3rd gear.

I got 45,000km out of the original CSC2.

Also depends on tyres. Those michelin tyres are more of a touring Tyre and have a harder compound. Great for longevity but not so for performance. Then again. U said u do mostly motorway which wouldn't necessitate cornering abilities of a performance Tyre.
I've gotten 38k km from my dunlop sport max and it has plenty left before the indicator.

[brad]

Also depends on tyres. Those michelin tyres are more of a touring Tyre and have a harder compound. Great for longevity but not so for performance. Then again. U said u do mostly motorway which wouldn't necessitate cornering abilities of a performance Tyre.
I've gotten 38k km from my dunlop sport max and it has plenty left before the indicator.

Indeed they *are* a touring tyre. TW 340 IIRC. Same as what they fit to the slippy/slidy GT86/BRZ & Prius.

Keep in mind the 45,000km I got on CSC2 (with life remaining). Some have got a lot more but others were throwing them away at 20,000km

[Cplus]

my 118TSI (2009) came stock with Dunlop SP Sport 1a.

these were nice tyres, but did not last long at all. I think the wheel alignment from factory was also less than ideal (too much front camber)

got around 15,000 km before the wear was starting to be uneven and rotating was not an option. replaced the fronts at the advice of the dealer/tyre shop with Michelin Pilot Sport 3's at around 20,000. the Dunlops were hard to find and were crazy price ($450+!) when I did. Replacing all 4 is ideal, but the rears were in good nick, so would have been throwing money away.

The new fronts and the OEM rears then went to 35,000km (rears now gone, fronts still had a reasonable amount of life) and then I replaced all 4 with Yokohama Advan DB Decibel. These are Yoko's premium "luxury/sports" tyre and they are brilliant. Very low noise and better grip than either the Dunlop or Michelin.

These (and a good alignmnet) have now been on for 15,000km and they look like new still.

Cracking tyres. I will definitely buy them, or their replacement again.

[slam]

My Mk 6 GTi was delivered with Bridgestone Turanza ER300 tyres. Never understood why VW would fit touring tyres on a GTi, when I’ve seen plenty others delivered with performance tyres such as Conti Sport Contact, Dunlop Maxx Sport, etc.

Have been considering getting some better tyres since I plan to take the car to the track once in a while. Current short list includes Michelin PS3, Conti SC5, Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2, Bridgestone RE002, Bridgestone S001.

Tirerack is selling Bridgestone S-04 at USD 118 each, Conti Extreme Contact DW at USD 115 each, and the GY F1 Asymmetric 2 at USD 104 each. Sounds like a bargain but shipping is around USD 400, add another $80 or so for fitting & balancing and it is no cheaper than buying locally.

Any thoughts / comments / suggestions? Can I expect a big improvement in grip levels going from the ER300 to any of the above tyres?