Tyre wear/usage

[andyj]

Hi guys,

I'm coming up to 14k in the Exeo now, and I'm getting close to needing 2 new tyres on the front.

It's currently fitted with Pirelli Pzero Rosso's, which I know are a great tyre in terms of grip/performance, but are not reknowned for theie wear/usage rates

When I had the LCR, I had Avon ZZ3's fitted, which were a fantastic tyre, but again only had a ~15k miles life-span, which on the LCR I was happy with, due to it having 265Bhp etc!

However, I'm not that impressed with only ~15k out of the Pirelli's on the Exeo. It's only the 143Bhp version, but I guess tyre wear is more down to the torque being output by the engine, rather than then power.

Anyone else finding that they are getting excessive tyre wear on the fronts?

I've also notice that I'm getting uneven wear on the rears, where-by the outer edge is wear faster than the inner edge. Having spoken to a mate who's a branch manager for National Tyres, he's said that it's a trait with the B7 A4 chassis, due to the independant rear suspension.

I mentioned about swapping the fronts/rears round more frequently, which on a new car he has advised against for financial reasons, as it would mean that you would need to replace all 4 tyres at once, rather than the just the fronts etc!

Thoughts/comments much appreciated.

Andy

 

[kjazz]

I'm approaching a similar mileage with the same tyres too and the fronts are getting low. Let me know what you decide on as I'm interested in what I should replace mine for!

 

[Stupra]

I got 15k on my original Goodyears. tThe Dunlop Sport Maxx I had on my K1 did 20K on the front & were very good tyres. Ironically, thats what Seat fitted to my original rims, as I have said before. I'd love to try them, but I dont want to use them.
My back Goodyears had only gone half way down when I swapped them, I bet its the Exeo's weight compared to the Leon's
Would be worth having the tracking angles checked Andy, doesnt sound right you've got excessive wear on outer edges. Mine certainly didnt, even across all the tyres

 

[Tangit]

If i got 15k out of mine i will be pleased. For comparrison i changed my A3 tyres every two years for the fronts and i swapped the tyres around and used to change them 6 month apart. For the 143bhp PD engine remapped to a 170 i was only getting 12k out of them. There is a lot of torque through them tyres oh i was using Bridgestones from F1

 

[FR+TDI]

Just had new tyres on my Altea XL 1.9 105 (mapped to about 130), 11500 miles & finished!! I think 15k on front tyres of a FWD is good going!

 

[Noel Ates]

Like Andy, I also have an Exeo 143 Sport with Pirelli P Zero's from the factory. I only achieved 22,000 miles from a full set and that included rotating the tyres. I replaced them with a full set of Michelin SP3 Sports. I've not noticed any change in grip or overall performance. So far done 10,000 miles on the Michelins, 5.5 mm left on the fronts and 7 mm on the rears!. No adverse wear noted on any tyres. A great improvement me finks.

 

[Tangit]

I only achieved 22,000 miles from a full set and that included rotating the tyres.

If i got 22k miles i would be over the moon with that

Its nice to see though that people arnt scraping on tyres and buying budget crap ones they are after all what outs your in contact with the road

 

[andyj]

Bit of an update from this weekend.

Popped in to see my mate who a branch manager for National Tyres, and he measured the front tread depth, which was 3/2/3mm across the width of both fronts, so recommended me to replace them.

Based on the type of driving I do (commuter/long-distance motorway jaunts) he recommended the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A's, with a load rating of 92 for the Exeo. These aren't going to be as grippy as some of the softer compound tyres, but they should give a better wear rating and therefore more milage!

They came out at £180 each (inc fitting/balancing etc), but fortuinatley he does a price match against www.tyreshopper.co.uk prices, which saved me a fortune, as he only charged me £120 each

They've been put on the rear, and the original rears moved to the front. This will mean that they will need replacing in about 10k, as the wear on them is uneven due to the independant rear suspension causing the tyres to wear more on the other edge than on the inner edge (a common B7 A4 thing appartently).

 

[M1KEH]

I'd get your tracking checked on the rear Andy. Thats more likely why they are worn unevenly. Not down to a suspesnsion design flaw.

 

[andyj]

It's in the garage at the mo for another warranty issue, so I've asked them to check the rear-alignment whilst it's in.....

Hoping to get it back today, but they've booked it in for 2 days, so might not get it back 'til tomorrow.

 

[Malice19]

I'd get your tracking checked on the rear Andy. Thats more likely why they are worn unevenly. Not down to a suspesnsion design flaw.

Im not sure if its because i live in Swindon (as you cant seem to go a mile without meeting another roundabout) or because my rear tracking is out?

As rear left tyre is just about legal now at 1.6mm but the rear right tyre has 3mm.
Its probably not worth getting the one changed is it? Might as well get both changed but feels a bit or a waste of the rear right tyre?

Also not worth the risks with all the police spot checks I've been seeing recently.... as i think its 3 points per tyrer and a big fine?

 

[andyj]

I had both my fronts changed when they were at about 2.5mm. Not worth the risk with the autumn/winter rain on the way. They reckon anything below 3mm severely reduces your braking ability.... either that, or it's a good marketing ploy to sell more tyres !!!

 

[Malice19]

I had both my fronts changed when they were at about 2.5mm. Not worth the risk with the autumn/winter rain on the way. They reckon anything below 3mm severely reduces your braking ability.... either that, or it's a good marketing ploy to sell more tyres !!!

marketing ploy


If it was the front tyres i would agree as being FWD i would notice it spinning at the lights, but like you said as winter is on it way might just get it done. Just not sure to get it down to Seat to re-alignment the rear as not sure about your neck of the woods but Wiltshire is full of pot holes

So is it really worth the £100 to get the tyre alignment?

 

[M1KEH]

A good alignment garage will only charge you if it needs adjustments. So costs can vary from £10 to £100 depending on what needs doing.

 

[Malice19]

A good alignment garage will only charge you if it needs adjustments. So costs can vary from £10 to £100 depending on what needs doing.

Ha you have not been to Seat in swindon then... well i say that its Swindon motor park

Will see if i can find a decent tyre pleace that can do it like ATS may be?

 

[andyj]

Picked the car up this evening, only to be told that they can't do rear alignment, as they haven't got the kit to do it.....

Been told to go to the local Kwik Fit etc to find somewhere to get it checked...... so that's going to have to wait until I get back from a week in France next week !!!

 

[M1KEH]

Ats and kwik fit usually aren't usually the best apparently. But you are going to need somewhere with proper 4 wheel laser technology to get it done right.

 

[runer]

Does anyone know if snow chains will fit the 18' fenix rims on the ST Sport. Would I have enough clearence. Thanks.

 

[runer]

Anyone ?

 

[Malice19]

Really don't know mate but it looks like you have alot of clearance in this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvwgWzV0PvE