Alan_uk
A2OC Donor
I know there has been many threads about tyres over the years, and reading them can cause even less clarity of thought with so many different opinions.
My 04 A2 came with Pilot Primacy Michelins 185/50/16 18V and now at 36,000 the front are at the end of their life. Having read the perennial problem of getting tyres of this size and reading various posts I decided to go for 195/50/16 and the Toyo Proxes T1-R with a V rating.
First rang the Insurance company and waited why the agent spoke to his supervisor: It's OK if you upgrade the tyres he said which wasn't a clear cut "it OK to fit bigger tyres". Incidently, this size tyre, according to various web sites, is about 1.75% bigger.
Today rang http://www.blackcircles.com Friendly and it seems knowledgeable guy says he wouldn't pick Toyo Proxes T1-R whilst they are excellent for road holding, the soft compound would mean they wouldn't last long and I'll be back complaining of their short life.
I mentioned the Continental Sport Contact 2 that had got good ratings but was pricy at £100 each. He said it was a good tyre and the best he could do was £5 off each one for 4.
Then he suggested the Kuma at £56 (can't recall which model). Though they wouldn't last as long as the Michelins they would be good value.
Later I rang back and spoke to another guy and I asked about Pirelli P6000 Powergy V which some A2s were fitted with. Apparently these had been on back order for months.
When I then suggested a 195 size he insisted I contact Audi first to ensure it would be OK re the ABS etc. etc. He definately thought it a risky move.
So, having thought I would bring this saga to a close today, I'm more than confused!
My latest thought is to take the risk and go for the 195/50/16 V Continental Sport Contact 2 and hope a) they work OK and b) the higher price is balanced by long life c) it will be some time before I have to go through this again <g>
Any thoughts anyone? Sorry for a long post.
My 04 A2 came with Pilot Primacy Michelins 185/50/16 18V and now at 36,000 the front are at the end of their life. Having read the perennial problem of getting tyres of this size and reading various posts I decided to go for 195/50/16 and the Toyo Proxes T1-R with a V rating.
First rang the Insurance company and waited why the agent spoke to his supervisor: It's OK if you upgrade the tyres he said which wasn't a clear cut "it OK to fit bigger tyres". Incidently, this size tyre, according to various web sites, is about 1.75% bigger.
Today rang http://www.blackcircles.com Friendly and it seems knowledgeable guy says he wouldn't pick Toyo Proxes T1-R whilst they are excellent for road holding, the soft compound would mean they wouldn't last long and I'll be back complaining of their short life.
I mentioned the Continental Sport Contact 2 that had got good ratings but was pricy at £100 each. He said it was a good tyre and the best he could do was £5 off each one for 4.
Then he suggested the Kuma at £56 (can't recall which model). Though they wouldn't last as long as the Michelins they would be good value.
Later I rang back and spoke to another guy and I asked about Pirelli P6000 Powergy V which some A2s were fitted with. Apparently these had been on back order for months.
When I then suggested a 195 size he insisted I contact Audi first to ensure it would be OK re the ABS etc. etc. He definately thought it a risky move.
So, having thought I would bring this saga to a close today, I'm more than confused!
My latest thought is to take the risk and go for the 195/50/16 V Continental Sport Contact 2 and hope a) they work OK and b) the higher price is balanced by long life c) it will be some time before I have to go through this again <g>
Any thoughts anyone? Sorry for a long post.