Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[DoggieHowser]

Got it.

Is that what caused the accident in the other pics we were shown?

[Dutch77]

Correction: the 19s were still fitted with 235s on the Mk6.

[team_v]

Got it.

Is that what caused the accident in the other pics we were shown?

Not sure on the cause yet but i seriously doubt it.
From the information mentioned it sounds like a run up Mt Nebo/Mt Glorious etc and hit a rock/pothole at speeds in excess of the reccomended road rules.

[Paul_R]

Why is it illegal again?

225/35R19 tyres only have a load rating of 88. 235/35R19 tyres are 91. VW don't have an 88 tyre approved for the R. They do for the GTI Performance which is fitted with the smaller tyre.

A 225/35R19 can go on an 8" rim but a 235/35R19 can't go on a 7.5" rim.

VW have two choices with DrK. They can replace his tyres with legal ones or they can have the R retrospectively ADR approved for an 88 tyre, print a new tyre placard and stick it on his car. The former option will be MUCH cheaper.

I can't believe they haven't replaced them yet. If it were me I'd be straight onto Fair Trading. What's the point in having ADRs if the manufacturer doesn't have to abide by them?

[tonymy01]

A 225/35R19 can go on an 8" rim but a 235/35R19 can't go on a 7.5" rim.

But looking at the photos, the 225 looks a tad stretched on R rims.
It was only my speculation about the smashed up rim, clearly they need some assistance to smash apart like that, but running lower load rating, less vertical profile due to less width, and subtle stretch to fit the wider rim would not do so well with a rock or pothole hit..

Trying to find some stretch/specs for 225/35R19, and it will go onto 8", but here is 8.5" and it is quite stretched:
Tyrestretch.com 8.5_225_35_R19
Look at 235 on 8.5", even that looks a little stretched:
Tyrestretch.com 8.5_235_35_R19
That website doesn't have any 19" x 8" rim/stretch pics

[DrK]

Ben had the correct tyres on his car. So that wasn't an issue...

Missed a call from VGA just before. Now waiting in their reply.

[Dutch77]

But looking at the photos, the 225 looks a tad stretched on R rims.
It was only my speculation about the smashed up rim, clearly they need some assistance to smash apart like that, but running lower load rating, less vertical profile due to less width, and subtle stretch to fit the wider rim would not do so well with a rock or pothole hit..

Agreed the lower load rating could cause issues on an impact/tyre failure, although that seems unlikely here - and as confirmed the R had the correct fitment.

Still disagree on 225 being a stretch on 8s though. I run that combo and I wouldn't describe it as stretched.

The R wheels should generally be strong, thus all the weight. I'm sure we will hear more, but it still sounds like other factors at play here.

[Paul_R]

Ben had the correct tyres on his car. So that wasn't an issue...

Missed a call from VGA just before. Now waiting in their reply.

Show them this:

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Jan_2011%20v3.pdf

Direct them to paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.12.

If they sell a car that is not ADR compliant they need to do a recall to rectify the problem. You might want to remind VW that they don't have a good history with that sort of thing.

[Diesel_vert]

Factory approved fitments:

Mk6 Golf

GTI, GTI Edition 35
225/35 R19 88Y XL

R
235/35 R19 91Y XL


Mk7 Golf

GTI, GTI PP, GTD
225/35 R19 88Y XL

R
235/35 R19 91Y XL

...

As determined by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (E.T.R.T.O.):

Tyre size 225/35 R19 have approved rim widths of 7.5J, 8.0J, 8.5J & 9.0J, and

Tyre size 235/35 R19 have approved rim widths of 8.0J, 8.5J, 9.0J & 9.5J.


Vehicle manufacturers are not obliged to adhere to E.T.R.T.O. standards, but most do.

...

With regards to DrK's vehicle, allow me to add fuel to the speculation:

How certain are we that the current tyres on his vehicle were fitted at the factory?

I would actually find it more plausible and be less surprised if there was a batch of wheels fitted with the incorrect tyre on the factory floor.

...

With regards to Ben's vehicle, OE wheels are strong, but not indestructible. Failures, though uncommon, are not unheard of.

Also, this is the internet, so keep in mind there are always three sides to any story: yours, mine and the truth.

[DrK]

Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

With regards to DrK's vehicle, allow me to add fuel to the speculation:

How certain are we that the current tyres on his vehicle were fitted at the factory?

I would actually find it more plausible and be less surprised if there was a batch of wheels fitted with the incorrect tyre on the factory floor.



Also, this is the internet, so keep in mind there are always three sides to any story: yours, mine and the truth.

Thought had crossed my mind. Wrong tyre code and rim combos at factory would mean that potentially more than one car will have the wrong tyres...

Show them this:

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Jan_2011%20v3.pdf

Direct them to paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.12.

If they sell a car that is not ADR compliant they need to do a recall to rectify the problem. You might want to remind VW that they don't have a good history with that sort of thing.

Handy material. Thanks!

Heard from them earlier. Decision by Monday.

[DrK]

Just set up my radio logos. Win!

[wasabiz]

Just set up my radio logos. Win!

What size and format did you have to make it? I tried PNG but no luck.

[DrK]

What size and format did you have to make it? I tried PNG but no luck.

Used jpg and less than 600x600 size

[Mikey1]

It's about the load rating, to suggest 225 on 8 inch wide tyres is a stretch is just wrong.

For tyre aspect ratios of 45 or less, there is generally a 1.5 inch variation between the minimum and maximum wheel rim width. Vehicle manufacturers tend to match specified tyres to minimum wheel rim width specification. This is probably due to a combination of factors, but does mean sidewalls sit square in the rim. Tyres are considered stretched if they are splayed, but are completely legal when fitted to wheels up to the 1.5 inch variation, or whatever the tyre manufacturer specifies. Of course, fitting wider rims to any car has to meet the relevant ADR.

Putting all technical issues aside, including load limits, the tyres fitted to DrK's car are not what he would have reasonably assumed to be correct based on the specifications listed in the product brochure, which of course are subject to change at any time, but they haven't changed. As far as I know, all R's delivered before and after DrK's have been fitted with 235/35 R19 91Y tyres, so why is Volkswagen Australia dragging their heels on this issue? This appears to be Volkswagen's modus operandi and the lessons learnt from last year's public relations fiasco seem to have been long forgotten.

[Dutch77]

Putting all technical issues aside, including load limits, the tyres fitted to DrK's car are not what he would have reasonably assumed to be correct based on the specifications listed in the product brochure, which of course are subject to change at any time, but they haven't changed. As far as I know, all R's delivered before and after DrK's have been fitted with 235/35 R19 91Y tyres, so why is Volkswagen Australia dragging their heels on this issue? This appears to be Volkswagen's modus operandi and the lessons learnt from last year's public relations fiasco seem to have been long forgotten.

I wasn't implying that DrK shouldn't complain - my response was purely the contention earlier that 225 on x 8 wheels is a stretch fitment when it's actually a perfect fit.

I agree completely with your comments, these tyres absolutely should be changed over to meet the specs as ordered/bought, but most importantly the load rating at 88 is below that specified at 91. No idea why VW plays games like this but hopefully this gets resolved on Monday. Still not sure why a resolution is required, a simple yes we shall swap that over ASAP should suffice.