Tyres on the 2.0 TDIe

[Gary_W]

Hi all,

I still don't have mine yet (hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks). In the brochure I had at the time of the order, it was saying that the TDIe has 'low rolling resistance tyres'.

Call me old fashioned, but don't you kind of want tyres to have a fair bit of resistance on the road so as they stick to it? Especially in this kind of weather... When it comes to the time to replace the tyres, do you HAVE to replace them with more low rolling resistance ones? I guess if you don't it could affect the road tax band. But who would know? How do they compare with regular tyres in terms of grip vs fuel vs lifespan vs cost?

Looking these things up on Wikipedia seems to indicate that modern ones don't suffer from grip problems. But it then ranks a whole bunch of tyres in terms of how good they are. Can any TDIe owners let on which brand are fitted?

Thanks

Gary

[ScottyUK]

Hi,

I don't know about the specific tyre but I do recall that the Eu were trying to force a rule that says cars must stick with the OEM supplied tyre. It's because the cars are tax rated for emissions per km and hence changing the tye could effect the emissions. I guess they feel people could be getting away with more emissions then they're paying for.

AFAIK this hasn't been finalised yet though.

I assume the thought behind having lower rolling resistance is that the tyres don't need to perform as well as tyres on a more performance variant as if you wanted to drive sportily then you wouldn't be buying the e model.

[Andy Grob]

Hi all,

I still don't have mine yet (hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks). In the brochure I had at the time of the order, it was saying that the TDIe has 'low rolling resistance tyres'.

Call me old fashioned, but don't you kind of want tyres to have a fair bit of resistance on the road so as they stick to it? Especially in this kind of weather... When it comes to the time to replace the tyres, do you HAVE to replace them with more low rolling resistance ones? I guess if you don't it could affect the road tax band. But who would know? How do they compare with regular tyres in terms of grip vs fuel vs lifespan vs cost?


Just to play devil's advocte on the tyres aspect, low rolling resistance tyres is only for the official emissions spec testing really. I'm pretty sure that the car puts out more than 120g when it's loaded up...or pulling a trailor etc....however the Govmt don't then up the BIK tax band etc. Hence making the emissions banding a bit of a joke really. Hence, any tyres should be ok at the time of change!!

[Geordie Amanda]

My brother was asking about low rolling resistance tyres recently as he was possibly getting a works car with them fitted. From what I gather the tyres are described as ‘low rolling resistance’ because whilst moving they have exactly that. The special rubber compound allows the tyres to generate more grip when you stress it eg in a corner or when braking. Once moving again and the tyres is singing away happily to itself, it becomes less ‘sticky’ and more economical, ready for the next time you require a bit more grip. I have driven BMWs with this sort of tyre and personally I don’t like them too much, as they don’t seem to ever be quite as grippy as normal tyres.

[Andy Grob]

When you look at the tread formation of these new 'low resistance' tyres it is very much a radial pattern. Can you imagine how useless they will be diring winter months??? :aargh4: :aargh4:


That is one of the things that put me off the new BMW 3 series 'efficient dynamics'. BMW's are shocking anyway in winter, however this model can only be fitted with a specific low rolling resistance tyre. You cannot even specify a different wheel or tyre option when ordering. Nightmare!!!

[jonnyc1973]

i got a TDIe last month and it came fitted with Michelin Primacy HPs. Seem to have very good performance but they are new after all.

Looking on the web it doesnt suggest that they are designed for low resistance?? :confused:

[A1287210]

i got a TDIe last month and it came fitted with Michelin Primacy HPs. Seem to have very good performance but they are new after all.

Looking on the web it doesnt suggest that they are designed for low resistance?? :confused:

I had those fitted to mine.