Michelins at last ! Thank you AA

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Ade B

Guest
Just passed 35,000 miles and the front tyres need replacing. Yep, you guessed it, nowhere in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire or Warwickshire has any Michelins in stock, and some are quoting delivery times of up to four weeks because this size is on back order. Almost had to laugh at times, though - virtually all the tyre fitters responded with, "They're for an A2, aren't they?"

Now, no Michelins - but what about Pirellis? There's a few of those about. Trouble is, I don't like Pirellis - and compare the respected German Reifentest results (www.tyretest.com) of Pirellis vs Michelins, and you'll see why...

So the search for fitted Michelins continued (mytyres.co.uk could have sent them by post, but then need fitting at extra cost). Had previously looked at AA's Tyre Fitting website, but dismissed on grounds of cost (£130 per tyre). But in desperation, I rang them this morning. First piece of good news, Michelins in stock, for fitting at home or work on Monday. But they're still quoting £260 for the pair. I asked the girl if she would price match on my best quote, she had a word with her supervisor and lo and behold, I'm having two Michelins fitted on Monday for an all-in cost of £180. And I'm not even an AA member!

So, fingers crossed that the AA service is OK - I'll post again on Monday with a verdict!



2002 A2 1.4TDI SE
Pine green/beige
 
I did a search for 185/50/R16V Michelins on mytyres.com but couldn't find any. Can you remember what the German Reifentest results were? I was shocked to see that the tyre plus fitting cost you £90 each. I'm presuming the mytyres prices was near £75-80? I wished Audi had chosen a more sensible tyre size :(
 
I got mine replaced by the AA at my house 15k miles ago and they've been great - can't remember the price but I do know it was competitive
 
I prefer the 185/65R14 to the 185/50R16. It gives a much better ride and really helps to absorb those potholes without putting the suspension out of align.

Soon we won't be able to fit 14" wheels to our cars because manufacturers keep making the front brake discs bigger.
 
Yes, it does seem ironic to me that despite the lightness of the A2 that Audi insist on fitting such heavy wheels and tyres. And like you said, it would also improve the ride by fitting smaller wheels.
 
Will, the 185/65R14 is actually a heavier tyre than the 185/50R16. However they both have about the same outside diameters.

Continental are bringing out a new size. It's the 165/65R15 EcoContact3. It would give the A2 an even better ride than the 175/60R15, and have light nimble handling.
 
Well, the AA tyre fitting service won't be getting my custom again. Received a call from them on Monday morning from the tyre fitter to say that he couldn't fit a pair of tyres because he couldn't get hold of a pair from anywhere. This was despite the reassurance on Saturday that they had some in stock (he admitted that he was trying to source them from the likes of ATS, Kwik-Fit, etc - precisely the very places I had tried myself). And to add insult to injury, they'd already debited my card for the tyres, despite not actually having them!

So a week later, my front tyres are fast approaching the limits of legality - as I can't find anywhere that's got 185/50s in stock. This is definitely the low point of my A2 ownership...

2002 A2 1.4TDI SE
Pine green/beige
 
Will - mytyres cost was something like that, but their basic price doesn't include fitting/balancing. Reifentest is at www.tyretest.com

2002 A2 1.4TDI SE
Pine green/beige
 
If you are pushing the legal limit I can recommend the Kuhmo KH11 (185-50-16) their not as good in the wet as the Mich. but come close and are getting better (or I am getting use to them).

£54 each fitted, I had no choice but to change, Slicks are not good in the wet!

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey
50% Brighter Bulbs : Audi 6 CD Changer : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System : Chrome Numberplate Surround : A3 Transmission Nets : Heated Mirrors
 
Ade B

If you are looking for tyres for your A2 in Glos/Wilts try Bathwick Tyres in Tetbury, i spoke to them some time ago and they told me they could get them in a day but having only covered 31,000 i don't need them just yet.
I've used Bathwick Tyres for 20 years and find them best on pricing.

Nomadix
 
Nomadix

They will think that they can get them from Michelin - little do they know!!!!!

As I have learned you have to ask them to check that their distributor has stock.

Ian

2002 1.4 Petrol SE, silver with climate control for SWMBO, Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 iCDTi for me.
 
Just ordered some Dunlop SP9000's from mytyres. £75 each then £15 to have them fitted when they arrive.

2002 TDi SE, Dolphin Grey,Black/grey interior,climate,CD.
 
I found the best thing to do is ask your dealer who they use for tyres, then go to them direct. My dealer recommended a place in Fleet and because they deal with Audi all the time they always have loads in stock. My other hals has an Allroad, couldn't get tyres without ordering, we went there and got them no problem AND saved over £100 on 2 tyres!

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue, winter pack, leather, rew
 
I have just ordered and had fitted a pair of Toyos as replacements for my two worn fronts, I decided to use them not only because they are cheap (£106.00 the pair )but they have excellent test results and have brilliant rim protection too!
On the down side, when being changed though I was informed by the fitter that one of the alloy wheels had a slight buckle in it, as it has no other damage on the wheel (hasnt been curbed etc) I am going to speak to Audi about having replaced under warranty, anyone have any thoughts on whether they will accept liability?

John - 2003 1.4 SE TDI, Red, Black interior,
 
I have been lucky to buy the last two Michelin pilot 185/50/16 from the local tyre depot and since I only needed one to replace a damaged original I am considering buying a wheel to put the "spare" tyre on so that I have a spare wheel for emergencies. I have located a 16" steel VW wheel that has a 6.5" rim and Michelin tell me the tyre is OK on this wheel, but can anyone tell me whether this wheel will fit OK on the car which has 6" originals? Since I will only use it in emergencies, it does not need to be perfect.
 
The 6.5x16 VW wheel should be ok as a spare. Check the ETxx number that is stamped on the wheel. It might be ET42.

Bolt the steel rim on (no need for a tyre) while jacked up to check that the wheel bolts go in about 8 threads. I expect they will be the right length.

You could fit a set of four 205/45R16 tyres on the 6.5" steel rims. Add wheel trims from the new VW Beetle and it would look good. No more worries about kerbing or buckled wheels, and excellent as a spare set!
 
Thanks smartboost - I have the wheel on sale or return, as you say it is ET42, and it seems to fit perfectly. Will know better when tyre is fitted on Monday, but looks very encouraging.
 
6.5" rims are the widest allowable for the 185/50R16 size tyre, but I don't like the look of the angle of the sidewall when it is stretched so much.

Stretching the sidewalls to the maximum also gives a slightly harsher ride.

The new front wheel drive ForFour Smart car is using 205/45 R16 83H Bridgestone Turanza ER30 tyres on 6.5" rims on some models.
 
Jessie

When you do the check Smartboost suggested check that the studs do not go too far in (steel wheel is thinner) and foul anything behind the hub.

Ian

2002 1.4 Petrol SE, silver with climate control for SWMBO, Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 iCDTi for me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top