New Jetta tyres @ $165 each and lost VW badge

[Rileyowner]

I bought a set of new tyres for my Jetta on Monday - Conti Premium Contacts at $165 each fitted. Apparently, BMW ordered 205/55/16 Premiums for a new model and didn't go ahead with it. Continental Tyres Australia bought several thousand of them and are doing deals. I remember paying around $250 plus each for a couple of Sport Contacts a few years back.

After the tyres were fitted I noticed that the centre badge was missing from one of the mags. I can get a new one for just over $20 but what can I do to stop this from happening again. Any ideas?

[blutopless2]

are they only pressed in or meant to be glued?

[warhead]

Not sure if it's the same with the jetta, but on my golf the badge is part of a cap that covers up the nuts on the rim. Maybe someone just forgot to put one back on?

[jets]

After the tyres were fitted I noticed that the centre badge was missing from one of the mags. I can get a new one for just over $20 but what can I do to stop this from happening again. Any ideas?

My guess is that as the cap needs to be removed for balancing, the operator forgot to put it back in.It is wise to just walk around your car when you pick it up to make sure everything is in order. I am a fussy owner & never drop my car in for tyres, I have heard & seen too much damage.I don't hold tyre fitters in high regard. I remove the wheels at home [generally two at a time] & take in just the wheels, that way your caps are safe & your car is not damaged on the lifting device. There is less chance your alloys will get damaged & overtightened by power tools.


blutopless2 They just clip in.

[jets]

I bought a set of new tyres for my Jetta on Monday - Conti Premium Contacts at $165 each fitted.

I think I did even better for my Mk5 Golf. One of the original Goodyear South African tyres suffered from a tread lifting in one spot that quickly wore done to the wires [it was on the rear & I didn't spot it, just felt it]
The new Michelins 195/65 R15 were Chinese & was quoted $165 ea. I happen to go to Used Tyre Mart & spotted some stacks of new Michelin Pilots in my size, $90 ea fitted & balanced. Three were made in Germany & the other in France. They were bought in from Japan & I reckon they may have been a superseded by a different pattern, these are HX.

[Speed]

Like jets said, always a good idea to walk around the car after the job is done.
If you are really concerned, then take the caps off beforehand and fit them after the tyres are fitted.

[seangti]

After the tyres were fitted I noticed that the centre badge was missing from one of the mags. I can get a new one for just over $20 but what can I do to stop this from happening again. Any ideas?

You can buy new caps on ebay, get the 4 caps for less than that (I did). I'd lost em when driving, seems to be quite common on the VW's, could be due to the heat/expansion/bad glue... Could always glue the new ones in, a small drop of super glue should suffice and also allow the caps to be popped off in future for wheel balancing. For track days I'll just put sticky take across em.

[Rileyowner]

Like jets said, always a good idea to walk around the car after the job is done.
If you are really concerned, then take the caps off beforehand and fit them after the tyres are fitted.

I should have explained it better. The badge was lost over the weekend before I took it to the tyre company. It was there on Saturday moring when I fitted mud flaps but it was gone on Monday when I put the Jetta in for the new tyres to be fitted.

I noticed the the adhesive residue was discoloured. What should I use to fit the new one(s)?

[HiTorque]

You can use auto grade double sided sticky tape (e.g. grey with red top) - I have glued them all as they became loose.

[ian]

I should have explained it better. The badge was lost over the weekend before I took it to the tyre company. It was there on Saturday moring when I fitted mud flaps but it was gone on Monday when I put the Jetta in for the new tyres to be fitted.

I noticed the the adhesive residue was discoloured. What should I use to fit the new one(s)?

I recently fixed new badges to my Navara ute .very cheap from China all i used was liquid nails very effective.

[Rileyowner]

You can buy new caps on ebay, get the 4 caps for less than that (I did).

Thanks for that info. I bought one from VW ($20.60) today noted the OEM part number and then found a set of four on the net for less than $25 Aus (including delivery). That should see me out.

[sirmoe]

Where did you get the tyres from?

[Speed]

Thanks for that info. I bought one from VW ($20.60) today noted the OEM part number and then found a set of four on the net for less than $25 Aus (including delivery). That should see me out.

VW could have given you the part number over the phone or emailed you a quote with the part number on it.
But good to hear your sorted now

[Rileyowner]

Where did you get the tyres from?

I bought them from QTR - an excellent Continental distributor at Rocklea in Brisbane. But I understand that it is an Australia wide offer. So ring your local Continental tyre shop.

[Rileyowner]

I didn't know the part number until I bought one. The two VW dealers I rang both said I had to give them my VIN as there were too many different ones. I was told they cost from $20 to $35 each. I guess if you go to the dealer you bought the car from it's $20 approx. If you go to the nearest one, It's probably $30.