OE Tyres

[Dubberlover]

'Cos we just have to talk tyres!!!!!!!! Just took delivery of our new 2008 mkv GTi, 3dr DSG ( luv it ) It is shod with Michelin Pilot Primacys but have also seen GTis & R32s with Continental CS2s, Bridgestone Potenzas & Dunlops !!! VW Australia has advised the OE may be either Michelin or Pirelli! Would like to know what you know! Is the suspension 'tuned' to a specific tyre?

[Lima]

Obviously not.

It is fairly common place for manufacturers to have more than one OEM tyre option as it helps to cover any supply issues should they arise.

[fbruxel]

i wish mine had come with michelins... conti's are ok but i'm a big fan of the fat michelin man even if Valentino Rossi ditched them as did the F1!!

[gareth_oau]

They often market that a car is tuned for a particular brand of tyre. I can imagine this might be the case for high spec, expensive sports cars, but i suspect its also got a lot to do with which tyre manufacture won the contract to supply tyres for that vehicle (so, more price driven).

also, if the vehicle has already been imported from O/S then its highly unlikely the dealer will offer you alternative tyres, unless yr willing to take a bath on the changeover price

[PhilMart]

My GTI MY08 has continentals and is a five door rather than a three door. I believe 3 doors are made in Europe and 5 doors in South Africa .. maybe that is a difference?

[Splashalot]

........if the vehicle has already been imported from O/S then its highly unlikely the dealer will offer you alternative tyres, unless yr willing to take a bath on the changeover price

Some tyre dealers are happy to trade the relatively un-used OEM tyres for a new set at minor cost. I did this with the wife's new Accord Euro - Bob Jane swapped the OEM Bridgestones to Michelin Pilot Precedas at minimal cost.

SS

[mrx]

My GTI MY08 has continentals and is a five door rather than a three door. I believe 3 doors are made in Europe and 5 doors in South Africa .. maybe that is a difference?

Yeah, I doubt VW buy tyres for one car at a time. Assuming they just go for the best deal at the time, then it's quite conceivable that some factories would still be getting rid of their stockpile of Conti's while factories in other parts of the world have moved on to the next cheapest deal.

[gareth_oau]

I remember a few years ago reading an article which advised that the oz dollar was so weak (0.49 vs today of 0.94) that Toyata were putting absolute crap tyres on their cars to keep the imported costs down

then again, most toyatoa buyers probably thin tyres are just those round black things

[pinzvidz]

I remember a few years ago reading an article which advised that the oz dollar was so weak (0.49 vs today of 0.94) that Toyata were putting absolute crap tyres on their cars to keep the imported costs down

then again, most toyatoa buyers probably thin tyres are just those round black things

You'd be amazed at some of the crap Toyboata get up to cost cut... as a matter of fact they are the kings of cost cutting!

Getting back to on-topic, our GTI is a 3 door and it had German manufactured Dunlops fitted as OEM. 23K done now and pretty much shagged.

[Dubberlover]

OEM tyres - Price vs Performance

Thanks to all who responded! It's good to hear what came on your 3dr & 5dr cars, Pinzvidz & PhilMart.
I'm really interested to know your thoughts on those particular OEM tyres and if you would replace them, with the same again? If not, is it the price or the performance?
Is there a tyre that you 'spirited' drivers of unmodded GTi cars prefer and why? Talkin' about performance NOT road noise or other trivialities!

[Dubberlover]

Obviously not.

It is fairly common place for manufacturers to have more than one OEM tyre option as it helps to cover any supply issues should they arise.

Thanks, minigolf - kinda guessed that was the case but good to have it confirmed.

[Dubberlover]

i wish mine had come with michelins... conti's are ok but i'm a big fan of the fat michelin man even if Valentino Rossi ditched them as did the F1!!

Fan of the man or his tyres?!?!

[Dubberlover]

They often market that a car is tuned for a particular brand of tyre. I can imagine this might be the case for high spec, expensive sports cars, but i suspect its also got a lot to do with which tyre manufacture won the contract to supply tyres for that vehicle (so, more price driven).

also, if the vehicle has already been imported from O/S then its highly unlikely the dealer will offer you alternative tyres, unless yr willing to take a bath on the changeover price

'Tuning' seemed rather unlikely for a 'mere' GTi!

[Dubberlover]

My GTI MY08 has continentals and is a five door rather than a three door. I believe 3 doors are made in Europe and 5 doors in South Africa .. maybe that is a difference?

Yes, PhilMart, you're on the money with country of origin for 3dr vs 5dr. How do you like your Contis?

[Lima]

Yes, PhilMart, you're on the money with country of origin for 3dr vs 5dr. How do you like your Contis?

Our November 06 delivered 3 door GTI came with CSC2s. We've done 24,500kms and they're still looking pretty good. Mind, I don't drive the car as often as my wife.