The Official Polo Tyre Thread

[Blitzen]

The larger diameter sidewall of a 205/50 R16 will improve the accuracy of your speedo, but not that much(2-3km/h), but as you will have larger sidewalls, this gives the tyre more free will to flex under lateral load, and offers less grip while cornering than the equivilant tyre in a 205/45 R16.
Even going to a larger diameter wheel(17inch with 205/40 R17 rubber) will only improve the accuracy of the speedo marginally.

[RhysQ]

Hi all,

I killed a Conti on my GTI today, and have decided to replace all four tyres with ones that don't pop at the merest brush of a feather.

Straight up, I am crap at maths. So, considering that my speedo is out to the point where if it says 100 I'm actually doing about 92, can somebody please advise if I went for 205/50/16 tyres rather than 205/45/16 as are on the thing currently, would that make my speedo more correct or even less correct?

Also, are there any potential pitfalls with this change? (Other than slightly bigger sidewalls?)

I ask as the tyres I want (and can get a very good price on) aren't available in 205/45/16. At least not in Australia.

Thanks!
PogoAmy.

yes a 50 profile tyre will increase your 'actual' speed but a 50 profile tyre will look quite silly on GTI rims. someone here got thier polo delivered with 50 profile tyres and it looked like a tractor. you're better off sticking with the 45 profile. lastly, a 50 profile tyre will feel like crap to drive on (handling wise).... it will be so sloppy in the corners.

[PogoAmy]

Thanks Blitzen and [-Polo GTI-], I really appreciate your help.

Cheers!
PogoAmy.

[mozzzy_2000]

It is said that speedos can be upto 10% inaccurate just normally! And of course as your tyres wear and get smaller the callibration will go out of wack naturally.

[Blitzen]

Its VERY longwinded, but this is the ADR spec(ADR18 ) for speedometers and instrumentation.

http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/files/ADR%201803.pdf

[PogoAmy]

Car - 07 Polo GTI
Rim size - 16" stock
New tyre - Kumho Ecsta ASX 21
Tyre size - 205/45/16
Tyre Replaced - Continental CCS2
Km's on new tyre - 100km
Thoughts on new tyre - Probably too soon to tell, as I haven't had any wet weather to play with and have done bugger all mileage, however thus far they feel grippier and nimbler than the Contis (which I gather EVERYBODY replaces when they lose one, for I'm selling three almost new ones dead cheap and nobody seems even vaguely interested). Cornering is less 'spongy' and there's less-to-no slippage on the occasional more spirited than usual takeoff.

Cheers!
PogoAmy.

[FL00DY]

What are peoples tyre of choice at the moment? I've had 2 sets of Preceda 2's and the price has gone up $200. The Preceda 2's are a great tyre and if there is nothing better for the stock size then I've got no worries getting a 3rd set.

Cheers
Paul

[Kai]

i drove a polo with toyo r1r's on them.

They are horrible.

[RhysQ]

i drove a polo with toyo r1r's on them.

They are horrible.

r1r's hey, they are meant to be nuts. wicked tread pattern!

i had T1-R's and hated them, they were meant to be top notch as well.

[pixl]

What are peoples tyre of choice at the moment? I've had 2 sets of Preceda 2's and the price has gone up $200. The Preceda 2's are a great tyre and if there is nothing better for the stock size then I've got no worries getting a 3rd set.

Cheers
Paul

I'm looking at getting 4 of these in the near future to replace the Conti CS2s. I do like the Contis, but I can't justify their price when the PP2s are just as good.

[mozzzy_2000]

What's the story with the stock tyres? I feel like I am the only one that had their GTi delivered with Dunlop SP Sportmax's. Surely there must be more? Never hear anyone talk about them. It seems most have had continentals. I wonder why the GTi was delivered with different tyres? Anyway I must say I am pretty happy with the dunlops. They're exceptionally grippy and even with the APR chip I rarely have trouble with wheel spin. Though having said that I aint looking forward to replacing them as I think they cost almost $400 a corner!

[DaveMack]

Marangoni Zeta Lineas ... $187/ corner ... great grip & performance.

Dave

[mozzzy_2000]

Yeah? Marangoni ey? I've never heard of them to be honest. They sound fancy lol. Are they Italian tyres? Sound Italian anyway. I think the overall consensus seems to favour the Michellin Pilot precedas. Actually I am wondering whether my GTi came with dunlops because its generally drier & hotter here in Perth than it is over east? Could that be the reason? The dunlops are just awesome on a hot day but nowhere near as good in the wet thats for sure. Anyway I got a bit to go before I need new tyres. The rear tyres still look new and have masses of tread left.

[RhysQ]

Marangoni Zeta Lineas ... $187/ corner ... great grip & performance.

Dave

Yeah? Marangoni ey? I've never heard of them to be honest. They sound fancy lol. Are they Italian tyres? Sound Italian anyway.

Yep I've got the Marangonis as well, except mine are over 17's so I paid $204/corner fitted and balanced. Yes they are Italian tyres and they are exceptional, very happy with them. btw, they have an awesome tread pattern, everyone loves an awesome tread pattern.

[ACTGTI]

Another fan of Marangoni's here.

http://www.marangoni.com/content.asp?L=3&IdMen=146