The Polo Tyre thread

[Wand Weaver]

Okay - I'm starting this thread even though I'm nowhere near the point where I'll be replacing tyres (only nudging 4000km at the moment), but it's one of the cheapest ways to get some improved performance from your car - and the difference between a dud and a good one is remarkable.

The Polos come with Continental SportContact 2s and/or Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres OEM, but I'm sure people - especially those who've had their cars for over a year now - will have changed or replaced them.

So - I guess the big question is...what tyres are people using, how much do they cost, and are they any good?

To those who have cut a sidewall on the Continentals - how much are replacement tyres? I have this inkling that it'll probably happen to all of us at one stage, so I guess it'd be good to know how much they cost.

The Michelin Pilot Precedas seem to be recommended, as do the P-Zero Neros, both by people who use them, as well as the Wheels Tyre test. Notably, the Contis were absent - perhaps because the CSC3s are already out and being shipped on the newer hot hatches (Pug 207GT). Anyone had any experience with the CSC3s yet?

[SilGti]

I have had quotes for the Contis ranging between $330-370 per tyre.
I too have slashed a sidewall.
If you check the tyre, it only has 1 ply of nylon on the sidewall, hence the easy punctures....

Bridgestone RE001's are going on the car tuesday, will report back.
215/40/17 RE001 are $239ea.

[PoloGTi]

From what i have found out is that conti Australia dont bring in the sports contact 2 in a 205/45/16.
I dont know why any one would go them again they are nasty fast tyre wear with no side wall strength.
I am using a second hand set of Advan ADO7 and have already out done the contis in K,s by around 3000k and they were 80% tread when i got them. It makes the car feel so much better running better rubber.

[Wand Weaver]

I have had quotes for the Contis ranging between $330-370 per tyre.

Ouch! That's getting awfully expensive for a 205/45 R16. Better watch out for those potholes! That being said - I actually like the Contis, which seem to have a huge amount of grip, but as I said above, that's awfully pricey - if not the most expensive tyre you can get as a 205/45 R16.

Bridgestone RE001's are going on the car tuesday, will report back.
215/40/17 RE001 are $239ea.

That sounds more like what I was expecting - you can get Goodyear GSD3s for about that price, too.

[FL00DY]

I can't remember how much I paid per tyre for my Preceda 2's but all up I paid $900. Great tyre, I haven't had a problem with them and they're great in the wet.

[Timbo]

Bridgestone RE001's are going on the car tuesday, will report back.
215/40/17 RE001 are $239ea.

Just make sure you do a test fit of these before buying, as I would think they will rub. The correct upsize on 17" rims -- if you can get them -- is 215/35. 215/40 may also be an illegal tyre, based on the ADR which says the speedo should not be out by more than 10%.

[evorobin]

Nexen N3000 - 205/40/17 $120 / corner. Don't knock em till you've tried em they are a nice tyre just not drug money!

[Ben_GTI]

I'm looking at some Toyo T1R's for mine. People say the sidewalls aren't very stiff, but I can bend the Conti sidewall with my hand at 40psi, so the toyo's can't be much worse.

Although it has been said that the toyo's wear out quickly, Polo's are light so there isn't much static load on the tyres which is good considering I do lots of highway driving.

[jasn78]

Nexen N3000 - 205/40/17 $120 / corner. Don't knock em till you've tried em they are a nice tyre just not drug money!

Im also running nexens on the front and im impressed was only 160 a cnr for 205/40/17s and did a quick run over cootha last night not to shabby

[naughty]

Just make sure you do a test fit of these before buying, as I would think they will rub. The correct upsize on 17" rims -- if you can get them -- is 215/35

actually 215/40/17 is around the same rolling diameter as the stock 205/45/16 that you get on the polo

215/35/18 is close but very slightly off ie around 2%

heres a calculater that you can use to compare various sizes

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

remember though you need java installed for it to work - but this will give you all the equivalent tyre sizes and how any other size compares in terms of rolling diameter - and it even tells you the actual comparative speeds you will be doing as opposed to speedo readings if you change sizes

[SoVeReIgN]

Cant recommend Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 enough - A little bit noisey but gee they have some great dry and wet weather grip!

[Veee1.8t]

anyone have info on "regal" tyres? got a quote of 200 per corner, apparently made by dunlops and are pretty good ...1500 with a set of rims.

[SilGti]

Just make sure you do a test fit of these before buying, as I would think they will rub. The correct upsize on 17" rims -- if you can get them -- is 215/35. 215/40 may also be an illegal tyre, based on the ADR which says the speedo should not be out by more than 10%.

The rolling diameter difference is around 3%, and in the favour of longer gearing, which is nice.

RE001's have proved very nice in the wet, and from a few dry quick fangs--- they have more grip than the Conti's, and should last around twice the distance.

PoloGti, you can order S/C2 in at any conti stockist, they tend not to carry them in the shop, but they certainly can get them.

All up, 4x RE001's were $980 fitted and balanced, in 215/40/17. ($245ea)
As much grip in the wet as the contis, and much stiffer sidewall, much sharper steering, and MUCH more feedback from the rear wheels to my butt when i was driving up Mt Dandenong Tuesday night.

There is still a 10mm+ space between the wheel and strut, no rubbing.

[Timbo]

Good to know, as I am a Bridgestone fan...oh, and as naughtie pointed out, I didn't do me maffs...my bad

[rba]

Timely thread. I ruined one SC2 on the weekend - don't know why it went flat, but I drove on it for a short distance before I realised and buggered it. The tyre monitoring system didn't trip - does this thing actually work?

My local tyre dealer made some enquiries, apparently Continental have no 205/45/16s in stock at the moment, "about 60" on order but no firm delivery date, likely at least 2 months. Around $245 each.

He also recommended going to a more common size. I'll likely put on the cheapest compatible tyre - 2nd hand if necessary - and use that one as spare only, until the other 4 wear out (only got 6700k on the car).