Tyre Advice

[pinzvidz]

The poms on Briskoda seem pretty keen on Falken 452s

Currently have FK452s on the wife's GTI. Good wearing, excellent grip (wet and dry), and not too noisy.

If we decide on getting a vRS, which I'm pretty sure we will, when the time comes to replace tyres on it, I'll definitely be going the FK452s again.

[wombatoutofhell]

Ok-time for an update. I ended up going for Falken ZR912 (225/40 R18XL 92W). They were recomended to me by a tyre place and when looking at reviews online they seemed like they were worth a shot. I've done about 2000km on them now and I'm quietly impressed. They aren't as good as the Pilot Sports that were on it, but I don't tend to thrash around alot so decided that I really didn't need the best money could buy. The Falkens are quieter that the Michelins, grip well in wet or dry and have a very comfortable ride. The only real problem is that if I get enthusiastic I can chirp the front tyres in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The Michelins would also do this but only when they were almost worn out. They were better at gatting power to ground when they were newer. Best part was price-Michelin Pilot Sports-$580 each was the best price I got. The Falkens were $260. Even if I only get 1/2 the wear I'm ahead. Of course they may not be as good when they are 1/2 worn-time will tell.

Not such a positive review for the supplier. When I asked about tyres, I was told these are good-true from what I can tell. I was also told they could give me a good price as they had ordered a set in for a customer who had cancelled. I booked it in for a Saturday so I could do some shopping while they had it and I didn't have to worry about rushing after work or anything. So far so good.

About an hour later, they called me (different salesman that the one who'd sold me the tyres) and said the supplier had sent the wrong sized tyre. Apparently they hadn't checked before they went to fit them. Sort of makes the statement "we have them in stock as someone else cancelled" sound like B/S.

So I had to rebook it for Monday after work. "get it here by 4 and we'll have you out about 5:15" I was told. I thought I'd do the right thing and I had it there by 3. I went off for a coffee. The car was ready by 5. I wasn't overly happy. Then I realised that the 2 front tyres weren't in the back (I had asked to keep them as they still had a few mm tread left and it seemed a shame to waste them). So I asked for them back. No problems.

All was well I thought, although I looked at the bill and saw I was charged for the disposal of 4 tyres but I decided it wasn't worth argueing over $4. However when I went out later that night the tyre pressure alarm went off. I put this down to the fact I hadn't reset it so did the reset. It seemed Ok. On the way to work the next day it went off again. I checked the pressures when I got to work and found the right front was down about 16 PSI. I pumped it up and rang the tyre place who said to bring it back. Of course I'm bringing it back dip****!

I had to pump it up during the day as it lost 10psi sitting for 8 hours. They took about an hour and found it was a leaking valve and replaced it. So third time lucky and they finally had it right. Well almost-when the car went in for the tyres it had metal valve caps (although 1 was missing). When I got it back it had plastic. I decided I didn't want anything else to do with them so let it slide-I'll buy some metal ones myself.

Tyres good-dealer bad. I wont deal with Bob Jane again. For anyone interested it was the Fountain Gate store. I think I'll send a copy of this post to their head office.

Oh-I have a pair of Michelin Pilot Sports 225/40/18's if anyone wants to sling me a few bucks for them. Thay only have 2 or 3 mm left to the wear indicators but could get you out of strife if you need something to tide you over or something to kill on a track day.

[backdoc]

My MkV R32 came with Conti Contact Sport II. They were a bugger of a tyre. Soft and puncture prone. I've never had a flat driving for 13 years and I had 5 with these tyres. At $550 a corner that ain't good. Tread was gone by 20,000km and I was not keen to use them again.

I went with the Marangoni's. They won a Motor Tyre test couple of years ago. Italian rubber. 225/40 R18 Y rated at about $250 a corner from Total Tyre Factory, but I believe there is a place in Fawkner that have them for under 200 bucks. Best thing is they have a lifetime warranty (obviuosly for the life of the tyre) on punctures. If it can't be repaired it is replaced free.

A week after I had them fitted I hit a black painted kerb that was within a petrol station. Sliced the side wall open, end of tyre and nice ding in alloy. Went to TTF were tyre were fitted and within half an hour brand new tyre fitted free of charge. Awesome!

[K1W1]

Well almost-when the car went in for the tyres it had metal valve caps (although 1 was missing). When I got it back it had plastic.

There must be dumpsters full of metal valve caps somewhere. I have never had metal ones returned yet. My wife is so paranoid about it she takes the metal ones off before she goes in for new tyres then throws the plastic ones away when she gets home and replaces them with the metals.

[gregozedobe]

My wife is so paranoid about it she takes the metal ones off before she goes in for new tyres then throws the plastic ones away when she gets home and replaces them with the metals.

That is a perfectly reasonable thing to do - saves all the hassles. I do that too (when I remember)

For those that are reading this and wondering why the fuss about metal valve caps - here are two useful tips:

1 Metal valve caps with a good seal are a useful safety thing. If your valve happens to leak, metal valve caps will stop your tyres from losing pressure, most plastic valve caps allow your tyre to go flat.

2 Only buy cheap plain black ones (eg from Supercheap), pretty coloured or chrome ones will get nicked (often by kids for their pushbikes).

[woofy]

The wheel chirping worries me with those falkens, I have pretty much never seen it with the PE2s.

[gregozedobe]

The wheel chirping worries me with those falkens, I have pretty much never seen it with the PE2s.

The PE2s on my RS have been known to utter the odd "squeek" (of excitement ?) if I get a bit too enthusiastic with the accelerator pedal, especially in 1st and 2nd gear when taking off hard.