Tyres

[VW GTI]

I just paid my deposit on a Polo GTI today. I'm getting a black one with leather and 17" Exor STP wheels.

They are fitting the wheels between now and delivery (early next week) and the tyres is the only thing they need. I've technically paid $310/tyre and have 4 brands to choose from. Continental, Goodyear, Michelin and something else (I think it's Bridgestone). They 'should' be 205/40 ZR 17... I think.

Has anyone got any good/bad stories about these tyres, I've had Federal and Continental on a previous car, but they were lowered so I'm not sure which ones were better cos that was a while ago and it was glued to the road even with the re-treads I put on when I sold it.

Also, does anyone know what the Polo GTI Cup Edition comes with?

Thanks for the help.

[NickZ]

It would probably be best to find out what model of tyre you are picking. For example, are the Contis Sport Contact 2s or 3s?

[mitch_gti]

Michelin Preceda PP2 is what you want

http://www.michelin.com.au/tyres/pas...lotPreceda.asp

[Timbo]

I'd go for 215/40 if you can; either the Precedas or Bridgestone Adrenalins

[VW GTI]

Nickz: He said it's basically my choice for that price (depending on if the supplier has them).

I should be getting a list of choices tomorrow.

Can you give reasons as to why you would choose those tyres?

[mitch_gti]

Conti's would be ruled out for me, even when i was due to pick up my GTI i had spoken to my local bob jane, i was going to drive straight from the dealer to bob jane and get tyres swapped with Michelin Pilot exalto's.

In hind sight i really should have. They are amazing tyres.

But since mine came with dunlops i thought i would give them a go. They have turned out to be really good.

I watched a review in which they tested tyres and the effect they have on a standard cars performance.

The car the tyres were being tested on was a renault clio sport cup 182.
Which has exalto michelins on it.
One of my friends has a 182 and says that its an amazing handler but has no doubt whatsoever that the exaltos have alot to do with the level of handling.

Anyway in this test, they did a lap with michelins, and then a lap with direct size replacement tyres of another good quality brand from memory. The car was understeering all over the place.

Ive always heard fantastic reports about michelin's, soo ill be trying them next time around

[NickZ]

I would pick the Michelin's too..... no personal experience but have always heard rave things about their tyres, especially the top end stuff. Contis arent bad, but there is better tyres for your money.

[DaveMack]

What sort of money / corner are we talking with the Michelins (both: Preceda & Exalto)?

Dave

[VW GTI]

Yeah I wanted the Michelin because of the brand name to start with

I've heard a couple bad things about their wet weather handling, but I live in Brisbane so that shouldn't bother me too much.

I think I will be going for the Precedas or the Eagle F1 (friend has them on a clio and it handles really nicely).

Thanks for ya help.

[mitch_gti]

Dave,

Michelin dont even list Exalto on their webpage. They have to be specially ordered through a tyre shop, soo apparently not many people know them.

I could be incredibly wrong but from what i read on a renault forum i think the Exalto was specially made for the 182.

Plus they come in 16'' only (another reason i think they were made for 182 clio)

Probably between about 290-320 a corner in 16inch. Depends how nice the tyre man is lol.

Think pilot sports only come in wider sizes than we can actually use. So we have to stick to Preceda pp2. From all reports the michelins are amazing in both dry and wet.

Im going to be making a few calls about the RS4 replica wheels, if i can get them ill definately be going PP2's.

Off topic. Whats the GTI stud spacing (5x100? right..?) and offset? i need to make a phone call.