Leon FR Tyred Out!

[Razoo]

I went to look at a SEAT Approved Used Leon 2.0TSI FR at a Main Dealer today. The car is a 2010/60 with less than 3,000 miles on the clock. Generally it was very tidy, with only a few minor stone chips on the bonnet and front bumper to detract from its newness. However, one thing that did concern me was the front nearside tyre. The full width of the tread was worn right down to the warning bars and the beads where quite ragged. The other three tyres were fine, showing the appropriate light wear for the low mileage. The tyres are Pirelli (P-Zero, I think).

I'm wondering what might have caused this excessive wear to the tyre. If it was down to a boy-racer, then both front tyres should have been equally worn.

The tyre was very evenly worn, so I don't think there's a suspension/tracking problem. I can only think that either there's some problem with the ABS/ESP/Electronic Limited Slip Differential at that wheel, or someone has done a sneaky wheel/tyre switch before the car was shipped to the dealer.

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks.
--
Razoo

 

[manhota]

passenger side or drivers side?

 

[Dabbalz]

Or someone has been driving the car hard especially off the line (wheel spin) and as the left wheel is the main driving wheel it'll wear out quicker. I'd guess this is the cause of it. Or a burnout!

 

[Dabbalz]

passenger side or drivers side?

Near side = passenger side

 

[xander_leon]

roundabouts and I had this with my old colt czt that wheel always span up and wore out faster

 

[manhota]

Near side = passenger side

you make me laugh not everyone knows that, thats why i said passenger side.

 

[Razoo]

passenger side or drivers side?

Front nearside (passenger side) (RHD car).

Thanks,

Razoo

 

[Redemption]

Seems a bit odd. Did you get to drive it at all? Would imagine there'd be a warning light on the dash if there was a problem with the ABS/XDS etc.

 

[manhota]

depends on the side if its off side it might be mechanical, near side someones ragged the **** out of it probably the garage.

 

[manhota]

Front nearside (passenger side) (RHD car).

Thanks,

Razoo

ansa above

 

[Razoo]

Seems a bit odd. Did you get to drive it at all? Would imagine there'd be a warning light on the dash if there was a problem with the ABS/XDS etc.

Yes, I drove it for a few miles. There were no warning lights and it drove just fine.

I didn't spot the worn out tyre until after the test drive.
--
Razoo

 

[Razoo]

Or someone has been driving the car hard especially off the line (wheel spin) and as the left wheel is the main driving wheel it'll wear out quicker. I'd guess this is the cause of it. Or a burnout!

Isn't the Electronic Limited Slip Differential supposed to prevent wheelspin (or at least limit it)?
--
Razoo

 

[Redemption]

Could have had the traction control off but even then you'd expect the offside tyre to be worn to some degree as well. Strange one.

 

[tonto]

the diff, is electronic not mechanical, so it still runs an open diff, allowing one wheel to always have more power than the other.

getting through a PZR in 3k, is good going! really good going! i would imagine someone had a sneaky swap over, or it had a blow out / punc that was unrepairable and they had a 2nd hand tyre put on. did you by any chance see the DOT code on the tyre?
cross the date of the tyre - to the others, and that will soon tell you if its been repalced or jsut work!

any suspension fault, or even drive chain fault, woudl cause the wear to be uneven. again making me think, its been changed.

also, NS or OS - i work in a garage and the amount of people that come in saying yeah my NS tyre this, or OS that and then have a go when i jack it up, saying " NO THE OTHER SIDE"
douches lol.

 

[nicklaus27]

Always thought Near side was the drivers side? as that's the closest side to the driver on a RHD drive car....off side was always the passenger side?

 

[mrabz]

Near side comes from The side of the car nearest to the edge of the road

 

[Razoo]

Or someone has been driving the car hard especially off the line (wheel spin) and as the left wheel is the main driving wheel it'll wear out quicker. I'd guess this is the cause of it. Or a burnout!

Thanks - I think your first assumption is correct, especially if the diff is biased to the left-hand (nearside) wheel as you say.

The problem with these SEAT Approved Used Cars is that usually they're registerd to SEAT Group UK and there's no history of who has actually driven them. Also, the person who is given the car has no vested interest in looking after it. Basically, it's their's for a few months to abuse and then it's taken back and sold.

It seems this car is a victim of the traffic-light Gran Prix, probably from day one and before the engine had bedded in. The clutch and dual-mass flywheel have probably suffered too.

I've looked at three one-year-old SEAT Approved Used Leon FRs so far and they have all had issues. I think I'll give this one a miss, it's a bit overpriced anyway.
--
Razoo

 

[Razoo]

the diff, is electronic not mechanical, so it still runs an open diff, allowing one wheel to always have more power than the other.

With the left-hand (nearside) wheel getting the extra power as Dabbalz suggested?

getting through a PZR in 3k, is good going! really good going!

The car has actually only covered 2,670 miles, so it really is good going!

I would imagine someone had a sneaky swap over, or it had a blow out / punc that was unrepairable and they had a 2nd hand tyre put on.

I'm more inclined to go with the 'thrashed off the line' theory.

did you by any chance see the DOT code on the tyre?

Unfortunately not - I wish I'd thought to look.

cross the date of the tyre - to the others, and that will soon tell you if its been repalced or just work!

Missed opportunity I'm afraid, and the car is nearly 60 miles away.

also, NS or OS...

Definitely nearside - passenger side - left-hand side - side nearest the kerb - side furthest from the centre of the road.
--
Razoo

 

[nicklaus27]

Near side comes from The side of the car nearest to the edge of the road

Well you learn something new every day! lol

 

[jezyg]

Sounds like maybe the wheel has got swapped either by accident or on purpose at some point as that sort of wear even if driven hard it a tad excessive.