R36 Tyre wear issue? 30,000kms and being told new tyres and wheel alignment?

[r1mick]

Hi All..

I have a 2009 R36 Wagon.. I just got my 30,000km service (15 months) and was called at the end of my service and told "You need a wheel alignment and also your front tyres are bald and not road worthy.. and your rear tyres aren't far off"..

The car is running the factory fitted Continental tyres.. I mostly do weekend kms driving down the coast for a surf.. and haven't driven the car hard..

My question to the service manger was "Surely it was bad pre-delivery.. 30k km's is low"..

Any comments before I either raise an issue with VW Australia or just deal with it and buy new tyres?

[blutopless2]

I understand your grief. My Jetta Tyres lasted 35000k's. I changed the brand etc for the second set and have so far got nearly 55000 with them soon to be changed again.
Not sure how you would go to argue the alignment issue unless you got it checked virtually straight away as they would no doubt argue that in 30000ks the alignment may be knocked around in general driving.
I know that from now on I will get the alignment checked on a new car asap after taking delivery to ensure maximum tyre life.

[gerhard]

Vehicle predelivery never checks wheel alignment, and it's not part of warranty.

Sadly one has to get any new car checked to be really sure if it's OK.

Then you have to find a wheel aligner that's not a complete idiot - many of them don't see the problem when the steering wheel is off-centre

[break]

30k is actually really good kays out of performance tyres, doubly so given the R36's are quite a nose heavy car meaning the front tyres really do take a lot of punishment.

I wouldn't be complaining. Unless you buy really hard tyres, which would be rubbish on a sports car, you're never really going to hit the 50k or so people get out of small cars and taxis

[r1mick]

Thanks all for your comments..

Yeah I've had other performance cars and do usually get over 45,00kms.. So was just very surprised when he told me.. Maybe the Conti's are a softer tyre as well..

Now just deciding on what brand to change too..

Thanks again all..

[blutopless2]

not sure if they would suit the R36 but i changed the jetta tyres (18") to Bridgestone Adrenalins.... they have been really good with wear and they have great grip in the wet...
but it comes down to personal choice...