The Official Polo Tyre Thread

[noone]

generally you drop the tyre pressure as the heat from track use increases the tyre pressure.

Like you said, it all depends on what you are expecting. When I went for my last track day, the contis were awfull with the H&R springs and rear sway. Now i've got coilovers, f/r sway and some other toys I'm expecting better grip. My rear sway is set to soft for normal driving, think it will be on hard for the track.

[seangti]

generally you drop the tyre pressure as the heat from track use increases the tyre pressure.

We might be going too far off topic, though while increasing tyre pressures technically means less grip (decreased surface area), without doing so on a street tyre you'll flog out the shoulders, increased wear and make the car less predictable on the limit, also if you slide off track you increase the risk of the tyre coming off the rim or being "tripped" if you hit a hole. I run 42-44psi when on the track, ~36 on the street. Wear to the centre of the tyre is irrelevent as the braking and cornering forces far exceed the time its rolling in the centre of the tyre. Perhaps give it a shot for a session.

Drags are obviously a totally different story.

[robihe]

anyone know where i can pick up a set of these tyres in Melbourne anywhere?
- Marangoni Zeta Linea
- Yokohama AD07 or 08

called up 'Tyrepower' and the assistant told me the Marangoni's are more of a lower budget/cheap set of tyres, and recommended to go for the Toyo's. HOwever reading through the thread there seems to be a few good reviews on the Marangoni's and not so much the Toyo's. Marangoni's quoted $170-180 fitted.
Also got a quote for the Yokohama's for $280 a corner fitted.

Tyrepower seems like the only place that can order in these tyres. Tried Beaurepaires, Bridgestone and The tyres Factory but no luck!

[DarkCloudNebulae]

Tyre question

Hi Guys and Gals,
Can anyone tell me if they have run 215/45R16s or 215/40R16s on the front of the Polo GTI (stock suspension)? If so can you tell me which brand/size and/or how you have got them to fit (if you needed to), as I have heard that there can be some rubbing issues?!

Cheers!!
DCN

[philthy]

Does anyone have experience running on Kumho KU 36's as their daily tyre? Not sure the KU 31's will be up to the regualr track assualt, but at that price I'm really not too fazed.

Hi Sean. Did you end up getting your hands on some KU-36's? I rang Option 1 today and they said they should be in in a couple of weeks.


To DCN: I'm planning on buying KU-36's in 215/45/16 (if I can get them).

-Phil

[bfeboi]

215/50/16 start to rub on stock suspension. i know this from experience

[kangfu]

Please anyone able to confirm if 215/45/16's fit ok on stock Polo GTi 16" rims and stock suspension? I want KU36's but not sure if the extra width will be a problem. If not i'll go KU31's i spose.

Edit: If i can find them! Everywhere in sydney seems to be sold out

[Catfish]

Will not be a problem at all. Go for it!

[pog]

Please anyone able to confirm if 215/45/16's fit ok on stock Polo GTi 16" rims and stock suspension? I want KU36's but not sure if the extra width will be a problem. If not i'll go KU31's i spose.

Edit: If i can find them! Everywhere in sydney seems to be sold out

Won't be a problem, depending if you're lowering or not. But based on my experience, you should be fine lowered on H&R's 35mm if you're running 16". I've just placed 215/45/17 on mine but have opted for Eibach.

[seangti]

a little off topic, but I'm chasing 2 standard wheels to run semi-slicks on for trackdays. Any ideas where I can source 2 wheels from? Condition doesn't really matter as long as they can be balanced.

[philthy]

Stumbled across this for anyone who's in the market:

Goodyear 4 for 3 deal.

25% OFF when you buy 4 selected Goodyear tyres, Goodyear Autocare, Australia

[seangti]

Car - 08 Polo GTI
Rim size - 16" stock
New tyre - Kumho KU 31
Tyre size - 205/45/16
Tyre Replaced - Continental CCS2
Km's on new tyre - 1000km
Thoughts on new tyre: On the street, it's fine. Handling at street speeds is ok. For $100 a tyre, it's very good.

On the race track: The KU31 isn't a track tyre, no surprises there. Compared to the Conti's, there's more understeer, it's harder to be consistent and doesn't like to trail brake - so braking must be done in a straight line as it otherwise washes wide to understeer. It was difficult to get the nose in to find the apex and was less adjustable on the limit. i.e. couldn't balance the car so well between front and rear with throttle steer. I was consistently 0.9-1sec slower per lap than on worn (30,000km) continentals.

My mate with a clio sport also with KU31's was 1.5sec slower. For that difference, he was running standard struts with lowered springs (H&R) and a Pirelli tyre, compared to yesterday with Koni's, H&R springs and the KU31's. However, I had a few laps in his car and forgetting drivering style, his car seemed a lot happier hitting the apex, but the clio's are wicked on a track.

In saying all that, forgeting lap times, while it was a bit more difficult to drive, for $100 a tyre who gives a rats. I still finished the day with a smile once I put the times behind me.

[philthy]

Car - 2006 Polo GTI
Rim Size - standard
New Tyre - Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 - 205/45/16
Tyre Replaced - Kuhmo KU-31
Km's On new Tire - 150km
Price - $780 with 25% off promo
Thoughts on New Tyre -

Took the polo out for a run in the hinterland on Saturday after the new tyres were fitted. First impression: nicer steering feel and better ride compliance. Much more grip taking off. Kuhmo's were scrabbling on boost in first then doing the same in second. Fairly quiet. The kuhmo's had developed a nasty contant whirring noise which is thankfully gone now.

Through the twisties the car seems much more neutral, turn in is improved. A yank of the wheel now results in a decent turn in response followed by a little rear end steer on lift-off. I'd read how these tyres are a bit noisy through corners due to the tread design but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

All in all I'm happy and think these tyres are a pretty good deal with the current sale. Would have liked to try some KU-36's but couldn't get my hands on any and the KU-31's were stuffed.

[kaanage]

Doesn't anyone else think that the Polo is over tyred as standard?

I'm intending to narrow down once the OEM tyres wear out.

[kangfu]

So i need new tyres for my new rims, 17 x 7.5 and i'm not sure if i should go 225/45/17 or 215/40/17. I'm lowered on Bilstein B8's and HR springs and am worried the extra rubber on the 225/45 will rub ... new rims are ET38 i believe.

Can anyone confirm?