Tyres - Beware!!!

[Bradders]

Hi All,

Well, having covered 3.2K miles now, I decided to have a run on the track last Saturday. All in all, a fantastic drive - after 2 sessions, I decided to switch the traction control fully off, and the car handled like an absolute dream. Was running at Elvington, which as some may know, is not a "real" track, but an airfield made of concrete with a "coned track". I've run there a few times before (Subaru P1, and Noble GTO-3R), so know it can be heavy on the tyres....

BUT.....

After 5 sessions (about 15-20mins each, leaving a good 20 mins between runs), my tyres were absolutely knackered. Before the last run, they were looking a little "scrubbed", but after coming in from the last session, due to steering vibration under braking on the last lap, the damage was all too apparent.

Front nearside tyre was warn below the rubber (cord and metal visible), and all the others were almost as bad.

Car was supplied with Michelin Pilot Sports. Damage was principally on the outside edge (nearside), and inside edge (drivers side) - mainly a right turn track.

Had to get Audi Assist out to "tow" me to Leeds Audi.

Inspection this morning revealed, a complete new set of boots needed - £295 each!!!!

If you are planning on tracking the car, I strongly suggest running somewhere with a decent surface, and stay away from Elvington.

Cheers, Mark

[SimonS4MTM]

oops

[Rupert]

Or buy a spare set of wheels and cheaper tyres ...

[Bradders]

I definately think a spare set of wheels and cheaper tyres will be for me the next time I take it out!!!

Could not agree more.

Mark

[harry]

Bradders shop around on the tyres tho thats waaaay too much to pay

[Jon]

i did a set in on my s3 in one morning at elvington. cheap track day but expensive on the tyres. only suited to very light cars. did a full day at snetterton the other week and it hardle touched them. they just needed some normal driving on the way home and they were fine

[Scotty]

How much did you inflate you're tyres before the track day? I know Elvington is rough but unless you was just understeering all day it seems a little on the heavy side for tyre wear.

[waitey1]

They stock Pilot Sports at Leeds Cosco have them for the B5; worth checking.

[harry]

yup i can confirm that Costco are usually pretty competitive due to the fact that they only stock Michelin and buy them in such huge numbers worldwide thus passing on the dicount to yer average "Johnny come lately"

Have it

[Bradders]

Cheers for the hint re. Costco - will have to use them next time though, as the car was not legally drivable - the loader dropped it at Audi. Needed a visit to check it over before the run to Le Mans next Wednesday anyway. Guess I will have to suffer the high price this time.

Cheers, Mark

[HardTimes]

I don't know if anyone knows about them but oak tyres in Rainhill did me 2 x Yokahama 235 40 18 for £187. Costco are great but I couldn't grumble at a £100 saving! (they also carry a delivery service!)

[harry]

Gee thats a good price for Yokos as they tend to be high end prices in my experience...which is limited...blah blah blah....