MK6 Wheel / Rim / Tyre Thread

[brad]

Lol - yep!

VW use Continental, Bridgestone, Dunlop and Michelin. They also use Pirelli from time to time
There is no way to tell what you're going to get and you can't specify it either.

You can make a deal with the dealer.

When I got the Octy they had Continental, Bridgestone, Dunlop. I asked the dealer to only supply a vehicle with Contintal or Bridgestone with Contis my first preference. She pointed to another new vehicle in the yard with Continentals & told me they would swap the rims & tyres over if needed. SHe said it was no trouble providing there was another vehicle to swap with.

If I had a choice, I'd go Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, Hankook & Dunlop in that order.

[Corey_R]

Yeah... but we're talking about the GTI here... you know, the car with the 6 month wait atm! Possibly not much chance of spare cars just laying around with tyres to swap on!

As for Bridgestone being the 2nd choice... many people with the GTI have complained about axle tramp when the wheels spin - I had that on my GTI, until I changed tyres. Went from Bridgestone to a Federal SS595 (cause I ran out of money at the time and friends at 'track days' recommended them as the best tyre on budget). Apart from noise levels, they killed the bridgestones which were on the GTI and didn't have any of the axl tramp issues at all. Better wet acceleration as well. Others have said bridgestones are great - so I can only assume that they have a very large range of quality between their different models - so I'd be hesitant about recommending them without at least specificing a specific model....

[flappa]

Aren't Conti's Truck tyres ? Best leave them for the VW Transporters
Just kidding

As long as mine has 4 black ones , I'll be happy , and THEN I'll worry about what to fit next time around.

[MasterKevin]

I got MICHELIN Pilots with mine

[WhiteJames]

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric would be great, but not available. Goodyear are good in the dry, fantastic in the wet.

Otherwise in this order:

1. Bridgestone RE050/RE001 - best for dry conditions/average in the wet. RE001 is also asymmetrical and very progressive near the threshold of adhesion.
2. Continental CS3 - Best all rounder/ a bit snappy at the limit, quick to let go. Very pricey.
3. Michelin - great grip & comfort due to softer sidewalls, but soft sidewalls & rougher Aus roadways don't mix. Better tyre for Europe. May have problem with bubbles forming in the softer sidewalls on rougher tarmac.
4. Dunlop - average tyre in all departments.
5. Hancock - no experience with these.

Thats my order ... be happy with Bridgestone or Conti (not CS2 though) if they arrive on my GTI.

Cheers.
WJ

[pologti18t]

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric would be great, but not available. Goodyear are good in the dry, fantastic in the wet.

Otherwise in this order:

1. Bridgestone RE050/RE001 - best for dry conditions/average in the wet. RE001 is also asymmetrical and very progressive near the threshold of adhesion.
2. Continental CS3 - Best all rounder/ a bit snappy at the limit, quick to let go. Very pricey.
3. Michelin - great grip & comfort due to softer sidewalls, but soft sidewalls & rougher Aus roadways don't mix. Better tyre for Europe. May have problem with bubbles forming in the softer sidewalls on rougher tarmac.
4. Dunlop - average tyre in all departments.
5. Hancock - no experience with these.

Thats my order ... be happy with Bridgestone or Conti (not CS2 though) if they arrive on my GTI.

Cheers.
WJ

Michelins have soft sidewalls? It's the continentals (CSC2) that have that issue (and the sidewall bubbles). In general they (michelins) have stiffer sidewalls than an equivalent spec Continental and a longer laster compound.

What michelins are fitted to the Golf GTI? Exaltos? Doubt they would use PS2.

I have used CSC2 and Michelin Pilot Precedas 2 on my Polo and the Michelins have much better wear, lower tyre noise and a firmer sidewall than the original CSC2.

[Sute]

If you had a choice which would you choose???

I had Conti SC2 on my GolfV and was more than happier especially with the grip in both wet/dry conditions.
Best of all they had a remarkable wear tread life.
I did 80,000km on my original tires - put the same again and just traded in the car with 125,000 with tires as good as new (even the dealer complimented on the tires condition).

So, guess what will be my replacement tire when the dunlops are worn out (can't wait). The Conti SC2 or 3 are bit pricey though - I have to admit.

[Beaker]

Thats impressive!

I get 20-25K out of my current Dunlops. Like I said though, they grip, and grip and grip some more. Until you get crazy with them - then they melt and you slide all over the place

[WhiteJames]

Had continental CS2 first up on my MKV GTI. Great wearing tyre. More life in them than the Bridgestone Potenza imo. Have heard of CS2/CS3 developing bubbles on the track, although reported cases were on the heavier R32. I have never had an issue with Conti's. Have had Michelin tyres bubble on me. It was a while back. Michelin refused to replace an near new tyre, so vowed never to buy Michelin again. Wouldn't be too concerned if they come on my new GTI, but prefer Bridgestone or Conti. If I had a choice, it'd be Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical.

Cheers.
WJ

[mfl]

Mine came with Bridgestones - doesn't take much to get the little yellow little flashing in 1st and 2nd in the wet..........

no complaints so far.

[MIRSAD]

Bridgestone on my GTI (delivered Oct 09).

Tyres are already discussed... this is one of useful web sites from that tread showing Auto Zeitung (German car magazine) 2009 Tyre Test results (in English)

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2009-Auto-Zeitung-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

[Dave07]

Wider tyres for GTI

Is it possible to fit 235/40 18s to the Monza wheels? Stock suspension. Any rubbing? Handling difference? As there is a special promotion for Michelin PS3 <$300 each atm. (check out the passat section in the forum)

[Corey_R]

I had the Oettinger Type RE 18x8.5" wheels on my MKV GTI. 235/40 R18's is what I ran on them and they were fine. No rubbing etc. More grip was available, but also slightly more road noise.

The 19" wheels on the R also use 235 width tyres. Those 19" Talladega's are 8" wide.

But Monza's, called Detroit's in this country, are only 7.5" wide. So I think that 225's are already a snug fit.

[Diesel_vert]

As far as permitted rims go, for fitment 235/40 R18 they are 8.0", 8.5", 9.0" and 9.5", as officially determined by the ETRTO.

I think 225/40 R18 tyres are fitted with 8.0" rims which means it's okay, but if they're 7.5" then you're out of luck.

[Corey_R]

As far as permitted rims go, for fitment 235/40 R18 they are 8.0", 8.5", 9.0" and 9.5", as officially determined by the ETRTO.

Thanks for that information

I think 225/40 R18 tyres are fitted with 8.0" rims which means it's okay, but if they're 7.5" then you're out of luck.

No, the 18" Detroit/Monza rims are 18" x 7.5" only.
Check out the optional equipment list on page 13 of The Golf GTI brochure from the VW Australia website