Tyre Mismatch

[PeterHBne]

Had a flat on the weekend - went to change it and found that the spare is the Dunlop Sportmax while my tyres are Conts!

Anyone else found this?

And it wasn't a screw or nail - a bloody sharp rock. Went to two tyre reatilers who told me I'd need a new tyre as sidewall was damaged. I didn't agree with this so found a third who repaired it no problem. $25 instead of $250.

The rock went in where the sidewall becomes the flat surface.

[Timbo]

I'm very conservative when it comes to tyres, so I'd just suggest you use the repaired tyre as an emergency spare only. As to the mismatch, if it was a new car, I'd raise it with the dealer immediately.

[vkswgn]

Yep, mine's a Dunlop too. But until now that's what I assumed were standard - mine got treated to some Yokos with the 17"s so I never really knew.

[PeterHBne]

I would contact the dealer for a changeover except my Conts will be up for replacement in around another 15,000 (which is 15 weeks driving) and I'm thinking if I get the Dunlops then I've got a matching spare already.

Would like to hear opinions on the Dunlops for those who have them.

[Wand Weaver]

Anyone else found this?

Nope, Continental SportContact 2 in the tyre well, as well as on all four corners.

I thought spares etc were factory fit - it would seem rather weird that the factory put for ContiSports on and then pop a Dunlop in the spare. I wonder if the dealership swapped your Conti to put on another car (like their demo) which had developed a flat...

[572]

Funny you should mention that, because in the Wheels magazine which reveiwed the Polo GTI stated that it has Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres fitted...

[Adam]

Funny you should mention that, because in the Wheels magazine which reveiwed the Polo GTI stated that it has Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres fitted...

earily polo has conti2 . whereas the later ones has dunlops..

[PeterHBne]

Yeah i wonder if something funny went on with mine. When I bought it the dealer made a point of checking which tyres I had. I knew VW had changed from Conts to Dunlops at some stage. And mine is plated Mar 07. I suspect, for whatever reason, mine had Dunlops and were swapped but they failed to swap the spare. Strange.

[Funkdancer]

Yeah i wonder if something funny went on with mine. When I bought it the dealer made a point of checking which tyres I had. I knew VW had changed from Conts to Dunlops at some stage. And mine is plated Mar 07. I suspect, for whatever reason, mine had Dunlops and were swapped but they failed to swap the spare. Strange.

Why would they recall the Conts? Sounds weird..!

I got some nice Eagle F1s on mine, work exceptionally well. I also just did the wheel alignment, FL camber was off by a bit and the car handles better now - more stable on turn in. Definitely worth the $35.

Would recommend balancing and alignment to anyone changing their tyres.

My F1 pics

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=7724&highlight=eagle

[PeterHBne]

Not so much recall as maybe another polo buyer (older car) wanted Dunlops which mine probably had. dealer didi a swap to help get the sale. They got my dunlops i got their conts but dealer forgot to swap the spare.

I'm not saying this happened but it's the only explanation i can think of - particularly as the dealer at the time made a point of checking and noting down what tyres I had which at the time seemed a little odd.

Can't wait to hear the explanation - I'm guessing they blame VW

[anarchycamp]

earily polo has conti2 . whereas the later ones has dunlops..

Only got mine a few weeks ago and i have Contis?

[NickZ]

Mine is built March 07, comp May 07 and I also have Contis. Although now I am going to check my spare!

[Jmac]

I would be be questioning anyone fixing a tyre with side wall or even shoulder damage. Centre 3/4 to the shoulders. Otherwise replace.
No messing with tyres.
VW wouldnt mix and match either.

[PeterHBne]

I would barely call it shoulder. And it was a small hole. Look at the tip of your little finger and halve the diameter (or less).

I agree - VW wouldn't mix n match - a dealer would.