Help: Golf GTI with 16" wheels?

[Maverick]

As you have found, the sidewalls on some brands of tyres are less robust than others as well.

I can't find where he said anything about the sidewalls being the problem? All I can find is him saying that he had to get a tyre replaced because of a speed bump?

Now last week I damaged one of the front tyres (a Continental Sport Contact 2) on a stupidly designed speed bump

[Maverick]

I agree that controls are required for testing purposes but in this case, the OP hasn't asked about grip, wear, wet or dry braking, etc and has a specific issue with driving on unmade or secondary roads & damaging the tyre. The tests really don't cover that, do they?

The OP has a specific issue with a speedbump damaging a tyre. The tyre tests are still the best way to guage a tyres performance, I don't run over potholes every day whereas I do brake every day in the wet and dry and corner and accelerate. As you said tyre pressures will come into play more then anything else when you hit a pothole and also have a big effect on handling.

Now last week I damaged one of the front tyres (a Continental Sport Contact 2) on a stupidly designed speed bump

Everyone has decided that this is a sidewall issue and are recommending different tyres when there is no mention of a sidewall problem and there is nothing to indicate that the CSC2's or CSC3's are any more prone to sidewall damage then any other similar tyre.

In some ways you contradict yourself as you recomend looking at the tests and then immediately introduce your personal, non-tested, anecdotal experience regarding sidewall damage (just like the rest of us).

As I said I'm basing that on seeing no posts about sidewall damage with the CSC2's!

[brad]

Everyone has decided that this is a sidewall issue and are recommending different tyres when there is no mention of a sidewall problem and there is nothing to indicate that the CSC2's or CSC3's are any more prone to sidewall damage then any other similar tyre.
As I said I'm basing that on seeing no posts about sidewall damage with the CSC2's!

This thread to start with.
posts 5, 7, 9.

While the OP hasn't stated it, from my experience, 99% of the time an impact will damage the sidewalls as they are significantly weaker than the tread area.

Several people have mentioned the sidewalls & nobody (bar you maybe) has mentioned the tread area. The OP has revisited the thread & not contradicted our assumptions.

I run CSC2s on my car (55 profile) and they are great tyres, but there is no doubt that the sidewalls aren't as stiff or heavily built as other tyres. Under normal use, they are fine but on secondary roads I believe there is a greater risk of getting an impact fracture CSC2 than some of the other brands on offer.

[Unbelievable]

I can't find where he said anything about the sidewalls being the problem? All I can find is him saying that he had to get a tyre replaced because of a speed bump?

Just to clarify: it was sidewall damage. But I forgot to say that in the original post.

[Unbelievable]

...

One thing that I haven't noticed anyone asking the OP.

What tyre pressures are you running? As this will have an impact on the resiliance of the tyre sidewall.

I run at about 10% over the recommended pressure that is on the sticker on the back of the fuel filler cap.

[Unbelievable]

A lot depends on your what you mean by "dirt" driving. If it is a short distance on smooth dirt roads (not much in the way of rocks over 50mm in diameter) then a change of brand in tyre is probably all you need. If it is a long drive on a truly rough dirt track then maybe a GTI isn't the right vehicle for that sort of driving ?

The "dirt" driving is about as you describe. I agree - the GTI is not the right car for a very rough track. However, I have been driving a Subie Outback for the last few years so I got kind of used to driving quickish on dirt. I might need to re-evaluate that approach

[Unbelievable]

Thanks

Can I just say thanks for all the insightful comments I got to my question?

OK

Thanks.

Next time I'll post here BEFORE spending my money.

Cheers,
Unbelievable.

[brad]

I run at about 10% over the recommended pressure that is on the sticker on the back of the fuel filler cap.

That should be OK then.

There is always the possibility that your tyre damage was just one of those things & the likelihood of it happening again is quite low.

maybe buy 2 new brandX tyres & put them on the back. Keep the other CSC2 front as a spare in the garage. Run the CSC2 that are on the rear up front - if you damage another then you have a spare. Maybe it will never happen.

[Unbelievable]

You didn't give him your originals did you??

All I can say is

[VW Convert]

All I can say is

Judging by your thread re GTI wheeels I'd guess you had no luck with getting your original wheels back. I wonder would it be against forum rules to name the tyre place that gave this advice to you?



Cheers

George

[Unbelievable]

Judging by your thread re GTI wheels I'd guess you had no luck with getting your original wheels back. I wonder would it be against forum rules to name the tyre place that gave this advice to you?

Yeah you are right - they had already sold them to a dealer who had put them on a car - which had been sold: all between 12:30 on Saturday and 12:30 on Monday.

If it's not against the rules, I'm happy to name names, but I'll wait 'till I've sorted this mess out so that I can tell the good and the bad.

Cheers,
B

[Big Yellow]

Yeah you are right - they had already sold them to a dealer who had put them on a car - which had been sold: all between 12:30 on Saturday and 12:30 on Monday.

If it's not against the rules, I'm happy to name names, but I'll wait 'till I've sorted this mess out so that I can tell the good and the bad.

Cheers,
B

sounds like they purposely "traded" your wheels to make some extra cash from the dealer......

sounds dodgy!!!! super dodgy!!

oh god, you're in Melbourne too! where is this place?? pm me if you want?

[Big Yellow]

I'm sorry but all I have to say is hahahahahahahaha!

dude give the guy a break,

im sure everyone gets stooged by someone at one stage of their lives!

[Unbelievable]

I'm sorry but all I have to say is hahahahahahahaha!

Thanks for your help

[VW Convert]

Yeah you are right - they had already sold them to a dealer who had put them on a car - which had been sold: all between 12:30 on Saturday and 12:30 on Monday.

If it's not against the rules, I'm happy to name names, but I'll wait 'till I've sorted this mess out so that I can tell the good and the bad.

Cheers,
B

If the wheels and tyres are not rated for the GTI, you may have recourse available as the tyre service has a responsibility to sell and fit only wheels and tyres that are rated for the car. I would be checking out whether the wheels and tyres are in fact legal for the GTI and if not take it to fair trading or a solicitor to ascertain your status.
Cheers

George