Four new types

[potz1024]

Hi all,

Firstly, sorry for opening another tyre topic, but I have searched the archives and can't find comments on my particular issue.

Secondly, this is my first post about my new car. We've had the car now since May and are generally very happy with it. A very brief history; we had an Audi A3 2.0TFSI Quattro SLine from new in 2006, then went with a BMW 335i Coupe for a couple of years and now, having the need to upsize, we're back to the Audi.

I've been following the forum for a few months now, generally keeping quiet, but chipping in the occasional comment here or there.

We bought the car knowing that it only had a few thousand miles left on the tyres, but (in my opinion) the car was priced right. I now need to start shopping around with a view to replacing in the next month.

If you haven't spotted the details in my sig, the car is a 3.0TDI Le Mans Avant with the Le Mans 19" wheels, As I understood it, you should always use the same size tyres all round on a Quattro. All the new tyre receipts which have come with the car suggest its always had the same size tyres fitted. However the front tyres currently have 235/35 rather than 255/35.

The tyre history that I can pull together from receipts is:

2008-06-03 - 2 x 255 (front) 14,400 miles
2008-09-11 - 2 x 255 (rear) 18,613 miles
2009-01-31 - 2 x 255 (front) 25,182 miles
2009-09-19 - 2 x 255 (rear) 32,770 miles
2009-12-22 - 2 x 255 (front) 35,944 miles

Of course, I don't know if tyres have been swapped from front to back at any point, and in addition the spare is completely warn. There could well be a receipt missing, which might explain the different width front tyres which are currently on the car. Also, they are a different load rating, 96 on the back and 91 on the front. They have the same speed rating (Y).

Also, you might notice from the list above that the tyres haven't half warn quickly. Obviously I can't comment on there use or driving style over this period, but only 14k for the fronts seems very short.

The fronts are currently Pirelli PZero and the rears PZero Rossa.

Road noise and vibration is a big consideration on such low profile tyres and sports suspension. We all want to save money if possible, but I want to make sure I'm putting the right tyres on primarily for comfort and all round performance.

That's all the background info, now the questions:

1. Does anyone have any comments / experience on using the same/different width tyres?
2. Does anyone have any comments / experience on different manufactures on the A6 (Pirelli seems very common)?
3. Can anyone comment on the Pirelli's, I've heard they are a soft / fast wearing type, but god for performance.
4. Can anyone recommend any good suppliers/fitters in the York area?

Any comment/advise would be much appreciated.

[jame5m]

There was a thead on here somewhere about someone getting tyres from a tyre place and them fitting the wrong tyres....

It may have happened to your car?

as for recomendations, have a look in the tyre forum
https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/f...play.php?f=230

[potz1024]

Thanks Jame5m, and sorry all. For someone so into their forum etiquette, I'm ashamed I forgot to look for a more appropriate forum!

I'll go and have a good luck through the tyre forum. But still, I'd welcome comments on any specific A6 experience.

And yes, it could be that the wrong tyres were fitted, something i'll be looking out for.

[JimC64]

Hey there,
personally speaking I love the Pirelli's and it was all I ran for many years on my Mondeos / Jag and Saab 93. They are still a very firm favourite for me and I found the grip ( especially in the wet ) was amazing, a little softer than some but certainly not the worst.
Mileage v grip is always a trade off where tyres are concerned though!

Recently on my A6 I've been running either Conti's or Bridgestones, ( both good tyres ) and been very pleased both with lifetime of them and handling performance v cost.

19's are gonna set you back a bit no matter where you go...Please let me offer a tip here
If you're not too set on your current alloys, bearing in mid they are a few years old, why not try Ebay for a full set of tyres incl alloys?

I've done this twice now and bought a compleet set of 17" TT Trapeze alloys c/w Continental Contact Sport 2 tyres 225x50x17 delivered to my door for £430
The tyres alone were worth at least £600 - £700

You may find that you can get a brand new set c/w tyres for reasonably little money AND re sell yours on Ebay and get a few £££ back.
Depending on what you go for, for 255x35x19 you could be looking at anywhere between £180 - £250 per tyre I'd guess
How about these bad boys? link
B ythe time you sell yours for a few £££ depending on how bad the tyres are you could end up with new tyres and new alloys ...a new look for your car!
Sorry I can't be any more help but just thought I'd offer this up as an option to consider

[potz1024]

Jim,

Thanks, nice suggestions and something I will certainly look into. Personally I do like the looks of and am prepared to accept the courser ride of the larger 19" wheels on the A6. Those are a nice set of S5 wheels you've pointed out, and less spokes means quicker/easier cleaning!

I'll search around more, but my local indy tyre specialist has quoted £215 a corner for Pirelli PZero (inc fitting, valves, balance etc). Or £207 for Bridgestones.

I'll do a bit of research this evening and see what my wheels and tired might be worth on ebay.

Thanks.

[JimC64]

Hey there...when I sold my old 8 twin spoke 17's when I got the new TT Trapeze alloys some time ago I sold them as follows if it may help as a guide.
The alloys were in excellent condition with no kerbing and no scratches or blemishes. 2 front tyres were down to around 3mm I'd say with the rears at around 5-6 mm.
I got £220 for them and was happy.

If I were to guess, based on the alloys in excellent condition with the tyres at around say 3 mm + all round you could expect maybe £300 - £400 or thereabouts. Please by all means check as this is just an educated guess from someone who has bought alloys / tyres this way 3-4 times in the past.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

[potz1024]

Hi all,

Tyres now changed and I thought I'd just come back with an update. So firstly, I decided to keep the same rims, they were in perfect condition and both myself and my wife like the look.

On closer inspection I decided the rears could still legally do a few more thousand miles, so I've kept them in place for now. With a few calls to all my local independents, I concluded that I could match the rear wheels with PZero Rossas' for for £227 or switch to Conti Sport 3's for about £210. The PZero's were the Audi original fitment version too, so I decided to pay the extra £17 a corner and have the same rubber all round.

I wasn't expecting anything, but I thought I'd just give my local Audi dealer a call to see what price they would do on the PZero's, and it was a shocking £270!..... However, when I explained my much cheaper quote from an independent only just around the corner from the dealer, the guy spoke to his supervisor and came back to say they'd price match! It then transpired during the conversation to book the car in for the work that Audi actually use that independent for all the type work anyway, so all they would do is drive the car around the corner, but they also wash my car and give me a main dealer receipt for types! They also re-balanced all four wheels for no extra cost, and the car is riding better at motorway speed now.

So what I've learnt:

1. From an Audi dealer: Its fine to mix different tread depths front to back on a quattro, but keep them the same accross the axle.
2. Audi dealer are open to suggestions or tyre prices.