New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98)

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 11 Feb 2003 17:11
New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98) - bagge
Original ContiEcontact (195/65 R 15 91T) on front worn out (of alignment) after 22k miles - replaced with Michelin (-EXT2) which now need replacement after 38k, which I presume is well done. Also, I am happy with dry/wet grip, etc.

Original Conti rear tyres also need replacing now (after 60k) - so I don't have problem of good ones on front or rear! (should be rear, according to other thread on Techn Matters). -

I do abt 60% milage on motorways, rest on country roads/winding lanes, and very occasionally in snow/ice. Consequently, I plan to revert to my former (Astra) habit of using Michelin Mud and Snow tyres 12 months a year - although these were/are (?) not officially "all-year" tyres.

Has anyone experience with Conti, Michelin or other M&S tyres on a Golf TDI Mk4, please ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 11 Feb 2003 17:48
New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98) - daryld
My wife has a Mk IV Golf Automatic (petrol). The car has ContiEcontacts. The front tyres were replaced at 28K miles with the same tyre type; rear tyres are also wearing and will need replacing in about 5K miles.

I suspect that a diesel will waer the front tyres out more quickly since these engines are slightly heavier.

Note that our Golf has pulled to the left since new; it has been laser aligned twice by VW and unless it it driver on flat asphalt (like in a new car park), it pulls to the left. Other Golf drivers have the same experience. Note that the front tyres were worn relatively evenly over their treads.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 11 Feb 2003 21:27
New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98) - Big John
On the subject of pulling to the left, I think this is a common problem with VW golf/bora based cars including the Skoda Octavia. I thought my Octavia was pulling to the left (from new) until I went abroad, it then pulled to the right!!! I think it follows the road camber more than most cars.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 12 Feb 2003 10:42
New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98) - 547HEW
Have a 2001MY Tdi PD, from new.

At 48,500 mls still on original ContiEcontacts. My mileage is 90% motorway, and I try to avoid harsh accels and braking. The fronts will need replacement by 50,000 mls. I will be seeking identical replacements.

On the rears the o/side is OK, but the n/side is almost due for replacement, having worn at its outer edge... I think this may be partly due to the tyre being fitted the opposite way round when I had a puncture early on.

I have noticed a very mild sensitivity to camber effect.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 12 Feb 2003 20:48
New Tyres - Golf TDI Mk4 (S-98) - bagge
Thanks feedback.

1. Michelin and Conti websites both list proper winter tyres, only, not so-called "all-year", and I guess they will be somewhat noicier. Particularly when not driving in snow! - and recent experience has shown my present Michelin Energy XT2 to handle slight snow quite nicely (as also claimed by the mfr.).

2. My Golf TDI used to have a slight tendency to pull left - even when driving on the Continent. However, over the last say 10,000 mls this has deteriorated to the extent where a steady, firm handling of the steering wheel at 5-10 degrees to the right is required. Hopefully this will be rectified with alignment after new tyres fitted. - I shall report in due course ...
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.

Honest John's Guide To Winter Tyres

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...