Tyre madness

[ab8]

I've a puncture in the o/s/f tyre and debating whether to change the pair or just the punctured tyre.

The car is a Macan Turbo PP. It was built last April and I've done 2700 miles in it, mostly city commuting (bar a few sessions on Brands Hatch Indy!). I don't know the manufacture date of the tyres that are on it or the replacements, but assume that they correspond roughly (respectively) with the build date and today's date. I also didn't have time to measure the tread depth before sending the car off to the dealership.

On my sports cars I would always change the pair but the tyres on this are *hideously* expensive for a family car, and it just seems a bit overkill. Thoughts?

[fergus]

As long as the remaining tyre on the same axle looks reasonable, i.e. still has tread above the wear indicators, I would replace a single tyre. The state of most roads means you are very unlikely to notice any difference IMHO. It's not a light weight sports car with very accurately set geometry which you are seeking to exploit on track where you *may* notice some difference.

[majordad]

Agree with Ferguson given the model and mileage.

[ab8]

Thank you for the replies. Apparently there's 7mm tread on the n/s/f so I'll keep it.

[996TT02]

Front tyres really do need to be identically worn, else you get irritating pulling to one side, but what you can do is put the rears on the front axle and place the slightly mismatched pair on the rear.

[ab8]

Different sizes front to rear I’m afraid.

[ab8]

If worth it I’m happy replace the other tyre but I get so many punctures and the OPC is confident there will be no issue. I’m not sure how sensitive they are though!

Having said that, doesn’t one typically get slightly uneven wear due to the clockwise direction of our roundabouts + most circuits?

[Ken Figenus]

Ahh you have the 21" too I can just about manage to get them for £300 each PS4-S - I think the recommended Latitudes are a bit cheaper, but I'd rather the best road tyre. Hideous cost as you say!

I wouldn't worry about a couple of mil tread depth difference across the axle.

[ab8]

Thanks again all for the comments. Yes, 21” and I must get 1-3 punctures a year!

Probably totally irrational but I don’t much fancy repairs. In any event, I’d rather an OPC do the work and take responsibility for my immaculate rims. As you say, they don’t repair.

[Ken Figenus]

I agree. Had a puncture on one of my meaty 21" rears and my heart sank. A chap came round and fixed it on my drive. They sent the boss as I said it was 21" and diamond cut with a snowflake owner. £25...

I take it you are loving the Turbo pp? Mines a hoot and a very naughty car!

[ab8]

That sounds like a result!

I do like it. It took a while to bond because I’ve driven nothing but fun cars for years (991.2 TTS, R8 ...). Then I took it to Brands Hatch and realised that driven hard it’s a hoot. The family love it too so it’s a winner!

[ab8]

Postsrcript 1: I changed just the one tyre after the OPC said the car had been tested by two engineers and steered fine. About 500 miles later I concur.

Postscript 2: I have another nail in another tyre. It appears the (larger) rear tyres are slightly cheaper than the (smaller) front tyres!

[ab8]

Another puncture and another few hundred pointless quid later - can anyone recommend (for next time) a tyre repair place in London that might handle 21 inch wheels without damage?

[Wollemi]

ab8 said:

I don't know the manufacture date of the tyres that are on it or the replacements, but assume that they correspond roughly (respectively) with the build date and today's date.

The week and year of manufacture are marked with a four digit code. (DOT code)

First two digits are the week and second two the year.

eg 3608 would be made in week 36 of 2008.

[ab8]

Wollemi said:

ab8 said:

I don't know the manufacture date of the tyres that are on it or the replacements, but assume that they correspond roughly (respectively) with the build date and today's date.

The week and year of manufacture are marked with a four digit code. (DOT code)

First two digits are the week and second two the year.

eg 3608 would be made in week 36 of 2008.

Very helpful, thank you.

This time I’ve changed both tyres on the axle.