Facelift Pirelli Tyre Defects - Response

[19tommo85]

So driving out of my estate today my front left tyre pressure warning light came on. Limped to a car park and found it completely flat along with significant inner wear as reported here. The RS3 is 16 months old and has 9800 miles approx on the clock

Took it to Kwik Fit who have replace BOTH front tyres due to this wear on both tyres, rear remain unaffected

Have emailed Pirelli the photos now will see what happens. Has anyone posted on their social media?

 

[selleym]

So driving out of my estate today my front left tyre pressure warning light came on. Limped to a car park and found it completely flat along with significant inner wear as reported here. The RS3 is 16 months old and has 9800 miles approx on the clock

Took it to Kwik Fit who have replace BOTH front tyres due to this wear on both tyres, rear remain unaffected

Have emailed Pirelli the photos now will see what happens. Has anyone posted on their social media?

Companies hate heat on twitter. Usually get quick resolution. Sounds like this is dragging on for lots of people. Tag all audi and pirelli accounts. Good luck

 

[RGBARGEE]

Bridgestone don't give a ****** about complaints on Twitter. Hope you have more luck with Pirelli although I would have thought the tyre supplier is best placed to help.

 

[GW1]

I think it’s an issue you should be taking up with Audi U.K. if you bought a Sony TV from a store and it went wrong would you contact Sony in Japan or go to the supplying company.

 

[RGBARGEE]

I think it’s an issue you should be taking up with Audi U.K. if you bought a Sony TV from a store and it went wrong would you contact Sony in Japan or go to the supplying company.

Agreed, it depends where the 'allegedly faulty' tyres came from. If on car new Audi Dealer, if sold by Kwik Fit then the supplying Kwik fit dealer. I recently sold a new RS3/S3 tyre on here and the guy came back saying it did not match his. I pointed out that OEM spec Zero are (AO) Audi only and he had been running on non AO tyres. Worth a check. To let a tyre get so bad does indicate that it had not been regularly inspected but who knows!!

 

[19tommo85]

Agreed, it depends where the 'allegedly faulty' tyres came from. If on car new Audi Dealer, if sold by Kwik Fit then the supplying Kwik fit dealer. I recently sold a new RS3/S3 tyre on here and the guy came back saying it did not match his. I pointed out that OEM spec Zero are (AO) Audi only and he had been running on non AO tyres. Worth a check. To let a tyre get so bad does indicate that it had not been regularly inspected but who knows!!

My tyres are originally straight from the dealer however 1 was replaced by kwik fit 3 months into having the car thanks for Taylor Wimpey leaving nails all over their building sites

Surely must be worth us all kicking up a stink to Audi? Too many people with same problems for it to be co-incidence?

 

[GW1]

I know tyres are considered to be consumables, like disc pads and clutches but there is also a safety aspect here as well. There also appears to be to many other owners with the same issue for Audi to just dismiss it as a one off. Perhaps a phone call to the dealership first, don’t bother with Audi UK, it’s the dealership who you have a contract with. Perhaps a chat with Trading standards or a chat with the small claims as a last result.

 

[19tommo85]

Cheers mate,

I've tweeted Audi UK privately, will make it public if they don't respond in a satisfactory way. Just want to get to the bottom of it, wouldn't have bought the car if the tyres were going to fail after 9600 miles, especially as there's plenty tread across the middle so you can see it's not been ragged.

 

[RGBARGEE]

Cheers mate,

I've tweeted Audi UK privately, will make it public if they don't respond in a satisfactory way. Just want to get to the bottom of it, wouldn't have bought the car if the tyres were going to fail after 9600 miles, especially as there's plenty tread across the middle so you can see it's not been ragged.

I don’t recall getting much more than 10k miles on PZeros on an RS!!

 

[19tommo85]

Is that across the whole tread? Mine have the significant wear down to bare on the inside like the other guys.... I could understand if the wear was consistent across the whole tyre where previous tyres tend to wear

 

[RGBARGEE]

Is that across the whole tread? Mine have the significant wear down to bare on the inside like the other guys.... I could understand if the wear was consistent across the whole tyre where previous tyres tend to wear

There was predominantly more wear on the inside from memory. PFL 3 + years ago.

 

[royalsteve68]

So, I noticed this just now. I sure don't recall hitting any potholes that could have done this, but I suppose it's possible. I've never seen such a low profile tyre bulge, I thought they were much more rigid. Can't say for sure it's a defect, but I guess it's probably time for michelins alway - still at 2800 miles on a. new car its a bit mad.

Worst part of it is finding a tyre shop locally that will even touch diamond cut wheels let alone not scratch them all up, and I'm 1.5 hours from the nearest dealer.


View attachment 210770

That's exactly what happened to one of my tyres after i hit a huge pot hole a fairly narrow road in Surrey (can hear the sighs - they have the worst roads in the country). It was about 1 foot deep and 2 foot wide. Thought it damaged the alloy, but luckily it didn't.

It was on a hill so didn't see it till last second, couldn't have avoided it as a lorry was coming the other way and cars behind me - so it was either

• Violently swerving around it and risk getting wiped out by the lorry
• Braking hard and risk getting rear end shunted
• Drive over the pothole and hope it doesn't damage tyre and wheel

As it was in Surrey - council there are utter c..ts - and their lawyers refused point blank to replace the tyre (I personally think that's wrong as long as people are genuine). Apparently, it had been reported a few weeks before my incident, they had inspected and it was filled a couple of days after i reported it. Lying lazy c..ts!

I reckon you hit a pole hole to do that damage.

 

[RGBARGEE]

That's exactly what happened to one of my tyres after i hit a huge pot hole a fairly narrow road in Surrey (can hear the sighs - they have the worst roads in the country). It was about 1 foot deep and 2 foot wide. Thought it damaged the alloy, but luckily it didn't.

It was on a hill so didn't see it till last second, couldn't have avoided it as a lorry was coming the other way and cars behind me - so it was either

• Violently swerving around it and risk getting wiped out by the lorry
• Braking hard and risk getting rear end shunted
• Drive over the pothole and hope it doesn't damage tyre and wheel

As it was in Surrey - council there are utter c..ts - and their lawyers refused point blank to replace the tyre (I personally think that's wrong as long as people are genuine). Apparently, it had been reported a few weeks before my incident, they had inspected and it was filled a couple of days after i reported it. Lying lazy c..ts!

I reckon you hit a pole hole to do that damage.

What political party are Surrey CC? If your MP is of a different persuasion write to them for support. Much of the Public Sector has been screwed in recent years however I did have a successful claim for a tyre in 2017. You need photos, evidence, receipts. It can be done. Required a lot of perseverance and time.

 

[royalsteve68]

What political party are Surrey CC? If your MP is of a different persuasion write to them for support. Much of the Public Sector has been screwed in recent years however I did have a successful claim for a tyre in 2017. You need photos, evidence, receipts. It can be done. Required a lot of perseverance and time.

Until recently I had the tyre.

I sent them tyre pics, road pics, loads of calls/emails to the council/solicitors - just received a blank refusal/quotes of the road act.

The most annoying thing is I bet it would've been cheaper to check the claim is genuine and then pay. But oh no, stupid public sector people with an endless pit of money would rather just waste public money fighting it.

Reluctantly gave up as too busy. Did consider suing them. ****** annoying.

 

[royalsteve68]

Surrey council response to my claim for the tyre damage/pot hole incident on 16th June 2019:

The liability for the damage to vehicles caused by defects on the highway is governed by the Highways Act 1980. In addition to the duty which is placed on Highway Authorities to maintain the highway, the Highways Act also has a provision under section 58 which states that where a defect arises, provided that there is a proper highway inspection and maintenance regime in operation for the road in question, the Council will not be considered negligent or in breach of its statutory duty. Therefore unless it can be shown that the Council was negligent or in breach of its statutory duties, it will not be liable to pay any damages for the costs of repairing a vehicle.

Please be advised that the Chertsey Road is subject to a monthly driven safety inspection regime in accordance with its Highway Safety Inspections Policy.These inspections are always undertaken by an experienced highways inspector.The previous inspection prior to the date of your incident was undertaken on 23rd May 2019. During this inspection, no defects were found at the location where your incident occurred, or along Chertsey Road generally.

The first notification we received about this specific defect was on 11th June 2019. As stipulated in our maintenance policy, safety defects reported by the public will be reviewed within 5 working days and then actioned where necessary in accordance with Surrey County Council’s defect severity matrix timescales. Upon inspection of this particular defect on 17th June 2019, it was assigned a repair to be completed within 5 working days of the inspection. Therefore this time period had not expired at the time of your accident. This defect was then duly repaired on 20th June 2019.

With the above in mind, I regret that I cannot make an of offer compensation in this matter as you have requested. Whilst I sympathise with the inconvenience that the damage to the vehicle has caused you, it is the Council’s position that it has undertaken all action reasonably necessary to fulfil its statutory obligations and that the damage caused to the vehicle was not as a result of any negligence of the Council. Liability for this claim is therefore denied, and the Council seeks to rely upon the statutory defence afforded to it under section 58 of the Highways Act 1980.


My response was "Your response is unacceptable as my claim is genuine. I also find it hard to believe that a pot hole that size was created in 2 weeks!"

I also asked for all the reports they mentioned, no response and they didnt provide them. I simply didnt have time to keep chasing them as so busy. I had already done 20+ emails/phone calls/letters as they firstly gave me the run around who actually manages the road as i was told its on the border between 2 or 3 councils.

 

[RGBARGEE]

Most Council Services are now Private sector sun. Like NHS Track and Trace is actually PRIVATE Serco . Run by Dildo Harding.

 

[19tommo85]

Just called Salisbury Audi who without even checking the tyres or car yet are trying to fob me off saying it's likely to be the geometry - the guy said he thinks it will be outside of the 6month warranty but they're going to look at it. Definitely won't be letting this go, my dad says he had a Hillman Imp and even with their cambered tyres he's never seen inner wear like that.
No reply from Pirelli as of yet

 

[Riko0073]

So after 13,000 miles on the Pirelli’s my fronts have the inner tyre wear! Not through to the threads but pretty bald.

To save any worry I’ve removed and replaced with 4 new Michelin PS4’s, kept the staggered set-up though.

Looking forward to testing these out on a good spirited drive.

 

[JohnM100]

Surrey council response to my claim for the tyre damage/pot hole incident on 16th June 2019:

The liability for the damage to vehicles caused by defects on the highway is governed by the Highways Act 1980. In addition to the duty which is placed on Highway Authorities to maintain the highway, the Highways Act also has a provision under section 58 which states that where a defect arises, provided that there is a proper highway inspection and maintenance regime in operation for the road in question, the Council will not be considered negligent or in breach of its statutory duty. Therefore unless it can be shown that the Council was negligent or in breach of its statutory duties, it will not be liable to pay any damages for the costs of repairing a vehicle.

Please be advised that the Chertsey Road is subject to a monthly driven safety inspection regime in accordance with its Highway Safety Inspections Policy.These inspections are always undertaken by an experienced highways inspector.The previous inspection prior to the date of your incident was undertaken on 23rd May 2019. During this inspection, no defects were found at the location where your incident occurred, or along Chertsey Road generally.

The first notification we received about this specific defect was on 11th June 2019. As stipulated in our maintenance policy, safety defects reported by the public will be reviewed within 5 working days and then actioned where necessary in accordance with Surrey County Council’s defect severity matrix timescales. Upon inspection of this particular defect on 17th June 2019, it was assigned a repair to be completed within 5 working days of the inspection. Therefore this time period had not expired at the time of your accident. This defect was then duly repaired on 20th June 2019.

With the above in mind, I regret that I cannot make an of offer compensation in this matter as you have requested. Whilst I sympathise with the inconvenience that the damage to the vehicle has caused you, it is the Council’s position that it has undertaken all action reasonably necessary to fulfil its statutory obligations and that the damage caused to the vehicle was not as a result of any negligence of the Council. Liability for this claim is therefore denied, and the Council seeks to rely upon the statutory defence afforded to it under section 58 of the Highways Act 1980.


My response was "Your response is unacceptable as my claim is genuine. I also find it hard to believe that a pot hole that size was created in 2 weeks!"

I also asked for all the reports they mentioned, no response and they didnt provide them. I simply didnt have time to keep chasing them as so busy. I had already done 20+ emails/phone calls/letters as they firstly gave me the run around who actually manages the road as i was told its on the border between 2 or 3 councils.

Hmmm. Probably won’t help but the negligence seems more around their repair policy than inspection policy, especially if
a) previously reported to them
b) assessed as not warranting repair at time of inspection with no regard to how quickly it will grow.

Hiding behind bureaucracy that’s difficult to cut through.

 

[LaRocK]

Surrey council response to my claim for the tyre damage/pot hole incident on 16th June 2019:

The liability for the damage to vehicles caused by defects on the highway is governed by the Highways Act 1980. In addition to the duty which is placed on Highway Authorities to maintain the highway, the Highways Act also has a provision under section 58 which states that where a defect arises, provided that there is a proper highway inspection and maintenance regime in operation for the road in question, the Council will not be considered negligent or in breach of its statutory duty. Therefore unless it can be shown that the Council was negligent or in breach of its statutory duties, it will not be liable to pay any damages for the costs of repairing a vehicle.

Please be advised that the Chertsey Road is subject to a monthly driven safety inspection regime in accordance with its Highway Safety Inspections Policy.These inspections are always undertaken by an experienced highways inspector.The previous inspection prior to the date of your incident was undertaken on 23rd May 2019. During this inspection, no defects were found at the location where your incident occurred, or along Chertsey Road generally.

The first notification we received about this specific defect was on 11th June 2019. As stipulated in our maintenance policy, safety defects reported by the public will be reviewed within 5 working days and then actioned where necessary in accordance with Surrey County Council’s defect severity matrix timescales. Upon inspection of this particular defect on 17th June 2019, it was assigned a repair to be completed within 5 working days of the inspection. Therefore this time period had not expired at the time of your accident. This defect was then duly repaired on 20th June 2019.

With the above in mind, I regret that I cannot make an of offer compensation in this matter as you have requested. Whilst I sympathise with the inconvenience that the damage to the vehicle has caused you, it is the Council’s position that it has undertaken all action reasonably necessary to fulfil its statutory obligations and that the damage caused to the vehicle was not as a result of any negligence of the Council. Liability for this claim is therefore denied, and the Council seeks to rely upon the statutory defence afforded to it under section 58 of the Highways Act 1980.


My response was "Your response is unacceptable as my claim is genuine. I also find it hard to believe that a pot hole that size was created in 2 weeks!"

I also asked for all the reports they mentioned, no response and they didnt provide them. I simply didnt have time to keep chasing them as so busy. I had already done 20+ emails/phone calls/letters as they firstly gave me the run around who actually manages the road as i was told its on the border between 2 or 3 councils.

I had a Pirelli puncture and deflate after hitting a substantial pothole. The road was looked after by a contractor who did try and fob me off. I did however use Google earth (with the drop the yellow man on the desired spot tool) and sent date stamped images of the pothole which had been there way longer than the allocated time frame they have to repair it. I think this was the thing that prompted them to pay out. Didnt get the full cost of the tyre, settled for 80% of it which softened the blow.
Like others I changed to Michelins but the noise off them was gawd awful on my car (to be fair I'm one of the only ones who's had the PS4S be really noisy on their car) so went back to Pirellis.

Hope you are able to use the Google images to support your case, dont give up these folk are in the business of fobbing you off. Road Tax???? Where's that money going lol?

 

[AudiNutta]

Hi All,

Right so I’m back, might be brief but I need to get a post in here. I can only sincerely apologise for my lack of activity in this thread all year, I’ve had a generally horrific year for personal reasons and the forum has been right down low on my list of priorities. Been telling myself for months I’d come back on here and reply to everybody, it won’t be physically possible for me to do so now so this is the best I can do I’m sorry.

In May I had a set of Pirelli’s fitted all around, I had covered 5200 miles on the fronts a few weeks ago and they have started to wear into the sidewall. I’m having another pair fitted on the front on the 9th at Pirelli themselves and will be met by the quality team who are going to inspect my tyres as they do every set to see why they’ve failed so quickly.

I’ve been informed Pirelli HQ in Milan have fed absolutely no information back and since I stopped pursuing on this thread, apparently claims for these tyres have dropped off of a cliff. I can’t stress enough to everybody how important it is you contact Pirelli about this if and when yours fail, they will arrange free collection of the tyres to have them inspected. I’m looking on this realistically and I expect at this stage, flogging a dead horse purely because of numbers but see what you as individuals can sort out with Pirelli. Obviously a very large expense went into developing these tyres and it would take an awful lot of complaints to get them redeveloped, on a car that is no longer produced may I add.

I’m still hanging onto the Pirelli’s, love the way they look and I don’t like how alternate tyres seem to give TC issues and pose a risk to the Haldex system with the varied rolling circumference on the staggered setup. But after this set, if nothing changes I’m going to be damn close to changing brands.

I cannot stress enough how incredible Pirelli have been throughout, genuinely. I’ve never experienced customer service like it they are truly second to none and all our cars now get Pirelli’s, I always make the trip from South Wales to Burton on Trent to their own performance centre. They’re totally anal with the fitting of tyres, a true flagship outlet and I can’t recommend paying a visit to them highly enough. I will continue to buy Pirelli’s for our other cars, but the RS3 P-Zero’s now are really starting to get on my tit. Pirelli as a company are absolutely superb, just unfortunate for whatever reason this particular product is letting us down.

Please everyone check your tyres as frequently as possible, it becomes habit in the end. If you suffer any kind of premature shoulder failure or sidewall bulges, contact Pirelli by way of the following details and they will pick this up from there. I do have a spreadsheet of information and failures, but I suspect offering to take this back on I’d be fooling myself to think I could keep up with it... unfortunately comes a point when life takes over.

Pirelli Contact: contactcentertyres.uk@pirelli.com

Audi Contact: please visit your local dealer or contact Customer Services on 0800 699 888



All the best,

Matthew.

 

[craigpanthercrystal]

Just to Add my 235.25.19 RO2's have done almost 10K with absolutely no issues on the inside edge, Its an S3 with Eibach sports. but my old tyres (exactly the same were on the car for 15K miles on standard suspension - also no issues) so this must be a F/L RS3 setting issue not the tyres fault.

 

[jedster2000]

My FL was just in having an MOT and the front right is worn to the canvass in the inside. Front left is fine as it's my 4 tyre due to potholes and a curbing bulge. Less than 10k miles on the clock. Audi wanted to realign the wheels too - I told them that wouldn't help as I doubted they were out of alignment from factory. Moving to Michelin next time around.

 

[19tommo85]

I emailed Pirelli nearly 3 weeks ago and have had zero acknowledgment from them

I'm off to salisbury Audi tomorrow who have agree'd to look at the car- on the phone the guy tried to fob me off saying there's not a lot they'll be able to do warranty wise as it's outside of what's covered for an Audi warranty due wear and tear. I told him I don't accept that as an acceptable response so they've agreed to at least look at it tomorrow.

Not really sure how to continue to persue this to be honest, I accept tyres will wear but not an uneven wear on both tyres. I had plenty of tread, way above the legal minimum on both tyres where you'd normally expect wear- maybe a 3/4 contribution to the new tyres? When I took it to kwik fit they only had Michelin's which are on at the moment. They actually feel superb compared to the old tyre, will be interesting to see the wear that's happened over the last month or so they've been on.
Will let the board know how I get on

 

[19tommo85]

Got my car back from Audi... as a 'goodwill gesture' they played around with my wheel alignment. Tiny differences unless anyone with better knowledge with cars can tell me that less than a degree is significant?
Next step is to send the tyres off to Pirelli..

 

[CarterRS]

While i admire your termination i feel you are fighting a loosing battle, obviously it depends how much time you have on your hands but for me reading everyone elses issues i will just be changing to a different tyre when the time comes and forget all about the pirellis on the rs3

Good luck though!

 

[Splathead]

Not sure that the service technician really looked very closely at the inside of the front tyres.

 

[45bvtc]

Of course, the 'elephant in the room' says that as no one has reported an accident (minor or major) that is attributed to such worn Pirelli tyres on an Audi whatever RS3 then why should an Audi dealer/Audi UK/Audi GmbH/ Pirelli respond with anything other than "it's just the way you drive, Sir (or madam)!"

PS: NEVER a hint of an issue with OEM Continentals or Super Sports on an 8P RS3

 

[Pinky1959]

@ splathead I would b e taking the car back to the garage and asking what qualifications the technician has to deem these tyres safe and 4.7 or 4.9 and what else have n't they done to the car when serviced after all you are paying for a professional service .

 

[Evolution_Roy]

Could this be something specific to RHD cars? I took the original Pirellis off the car this week to install winter tyres, and there was no excessive wear on the front insides... car is a 2018 LHD with 15,000 KM on the clock.

 

[Russrs3]

Another victim of the Pirelli tyres wearing on the inside edge! I’m glad I read this thread and have been checking mine fairly regularly! Only done 9000 miles, very poor!

 

[Slowracer]

I admire the effort that's been made to try and resolve the tyre issue but its just not worth the angst and time when there is little chance of getting a result.
Mine wore to the chords on the inner edge at 14k kilometres. I replaced them with ps4s square set up. The handling improved, it reduced traction control going off and 10k km later the wear is perfectly even and it looks like they should last at least 30k. This result is consistent with many others that have made the switch.
The pirelis are just a poor design for the RS3.

 

[Splathead]

For those with Amazon Prime, I came across a series called Mega Manufacturing.
One episode is about Pirelli and the PZero. The narration is painful and technical level quite low but I found it interesting.
Amusingly, near the start, an RS3 FL Sportback wheel with a PZero mounted is shown.

 

[gazmacuk]

So driving out of my estate today my front left tyre pressure warning light came on. Limped to a car park and found it completely flat along with significant inner wear as reported here. The RS3 is 16 months old and has 9800 miles approx on the clock

Took it to Kwik Fit who have replace BOTH front tyres due to this wear on both tyres, rear remain unaffected

Have emailed Pirelli the photos now will see what happens. Has anyone posted on their social media?

Could be haldex control module problem. Tyres might possibly wear fast if car is stuck on 4wd