Puncture, New Tyre?

[AudiNutta]

Hi Guys,

After a bit of advice. I'm at 1800 miles now, while at the exhaust shop last week I spotted the worst.. metal in the rear tyre I took it to the tyre shop who put a drop of water on and there was no air leak, so the metal was removed. It has penetrated the tyre in two places and probably went in a good 3/4mm but is not leaking air.



I have topped up the pressures as I normally do every week and made sure the TPMS is reset, I've had no problems in the last 5 days.

Question is, it's a performance motor and should I be preloading the tyre out of precaution? I'd rather not because I'm sure as most of it would be, I'd rather keep my £150 in the back. Plus then I have the thing of the tyre wear will be slightly out on the one side.

My question is, if it was your car would you leave it and hope it doesn't possibly get worse and lead to a sudden deflation? (God forbid) or replace the tyre? It's a really tough call to make. I'd have to get Audi to replace the tyre, I can't risk any damage to the stunning wing arm alloy with the diamond cut edge.

Thanks,

Matthew

 

[Martinbanshee]

That's repairable, should be about £15, take it straight to a tyre depot and get it plugged.
If the metal was barely in the tyre it'll be ok but if you're not happy then I'd fit a new tyre.

 

[Rob2k68]

Some really good info here, page 11 showing how a modern radial tyre is made up of multiple plies.

http://blobs.continental-tires.com/...1011ab47715e911/download-tire-basics-data.pdf

This page on cuts recommends getting it checked out by your local tyre specialist :-

http://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/car/technology/tyre-knowledge/lex-1-3-3

 

[AudiNutta]

That's repairable, should be about £15, take it straight to a tyre depot and get it plugged.
If the metal was barely in the tyre it'll be ok but if you're not happy then I'd fit a new tyre.

It doesn't actually need repairing, it's not leaking any air.. so it must have been on a fine line to penetrating or not.

 

[AudiNutta]

Some really good info here, page 11 showing how a modern radial tyre is made up of multiple plies.

http://blobs.continental-tires.com/...1011ab47715e911/download-tire-basics-data.pdf

This page on cuts recommends getting it checked out by your local tyre specialist :-

http://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/car/technology/tyre-knowledge/lex-1-3-3

That's great thanks for the information.

I'm not sure whether to take it to our regular tyre shop to check, but I'm not 100% confident in letting them touch the wheel.. or whether to take it to Audi and have them check. I can see Audi turning around and saying it needs a tyre, easy money for them.

 

[AudiNutta]

Audi's price for this tyre is £209!! That's crazy money for a continental, could get MPSS for that.

 

[Martinbanshee]

I know it hasn't penetrated but if you didn't know how far it had gone in it could be plugged at the affected part, it takes away some of the doubt.
I had a tyre on the S3 plugged and it was fine for 6 months, unfortunately the same tyre picked up another screw so it was replaced.
I wouldn't buy tyres from Audi though, far too expensive.

 

[Audi Bairn]

I wouldn't leave it as it's risking a blow out as it's a weak point.
Did you get that price straight off Audi's website?
Reason I ask is that my dealership will price match any quotes i get elsewhere and I know if they do it i won't have an argument with them about damaging alloys too.

 

[Martinbanshee]

I feel your pain, I nearly cried when I saw this...

Could be worse though, my van picked up screws in three different tyres in one month alone an all were at the edge of the tyres and not repairabled.

 

[Pederson]

I have about as much luck as you guys with punctures, this is why I went for maintenance with my lease, a couple of punctures alone would cover the cost!

 

[Jassyo06]

Here's my story my valve cap have rusted on to all 3 of my tyres including the 2 fronts, tyre pressure sensor has now been activated....**** it,l am just going to wait til the new year and buy 2 new front tyres....

 

[Jassyo06]

I feel your pain, I nearly cried when I saw this...

Could be worse though, my van picked up screws in three different tyres in one month alone an all were at the edge of the tyres and not repairabled.

Check oot the sexy tyre dressing......plus the screw of course....lol

 

[Martinbanshee]

Haha, I know. I was massaging the tyre with some Zaino when I discovered the damn screw. I contemplated polishing the screw head with Autosol but thought that was going too far.

 

[AudiNutta]

I know it hasn't penetrated but if you didn't know how far it had gone in it could be plugged at the affected part, it takes away some of the doubt.
I had a tyre on the S3 plugged and it was fine for 6 months, unfortunately the same tyre picked up another screw so it was replaced.
I wouldn't buy tyres from Audi though, far too expensive.

Problem is, I either leave it or scrap the tyre.

Reason being for this, the metal penetrated in two places. Imagine it like a staple, but it wasn't one haha. So there was two punctures roughly an inch apart, but neither are leaking air.

 

[AudiNutta]

I wouldn't leave it as it's risking a blow out as it's a weak point.
Did you get that price straight off Audi's website?
Reason I ask is that my dealership will price match any quotes i get elsewhere and I know if they do it i won't have an argument with them about damaging alloys too.

I know that's my worry, with a car capable of speeds up to 155.. not that I'd do anything near that of course, in an ideal world it needs replacing.

Yes that price is off the website. Cardiff Audi is in the middle of nowhere pretty much, so there aren't many tyre places in a close radius that would be cheaper to get a price match.

 

[Martinbanshee]

I would personally replace it if I had ANY doubt about it. A new tyre is a bitter pill to swallow but it'll give you peace of mind. I first got my tyre repaired but when it picked up another screw and was forced to put a new tyre on I was happy knowing that the tyre was new.

 

[AudiNutta]

I would personally replace it if I had ANY doubt about it. A new tyre is a bitter pill to swallow but it'll give you peace of mind. I first got my tyre repaired but when it picked up another screw and was forced to put a new tyre on I was happy knowing that the tyre was new.

My dilemma is knowing my luck I will replace the tyre and pick up a screw on the way home! I've made a habit of getting a few punctures of late.

An example a few months ago, I can remember pulling into the local tip and thinking "it's a wonder people don't get a load of punctures coming in here". Got home, washed car.. flat tyre.. great!

I've found a tyre online for £136, but I know from previous experience Audi want to charge £50 a tyre to fit!!!! They said they don't offer to fit outside tyres so they would charge as per their labour rate, ridiculous. They wanted £200 off me to fit 4 tyres. My local tyre shop has an £8000 pneumatic tyre machine and charge £12, in theory it's 99.9% safe but again knowing my luck....

Now I'm worried having done 2000 miles on this tyre, if I replaced one with new I am going to upset the Haldex.

 

[Martinbanshee]

I use a tyre depot I trust with tyre fitting but always remind them to be careful with my wheels. Used them for years and never had a problem.
As for the Haldex, I don't have any issues after fitting a new rear tyre.

I did have a weird problem with the TT when the rears were 2mm different from the fronts, it made the S-Tronic box clunk into 6th gear but the Quattro worked fine. Audi were baffled by it.

 

[glospete]

Audi's price for this tyre is £209!! That's crazy money for a continental, could get MPSS for that.

Not sure if they still do it but Audi were advertising earlier this year that they would match tyre prices so maybe worth a chat with your dealer.


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[RichardT]

Here's my story my valve cap have rusted on to all 3 of my tyres including the 2 fronts, tyre pressure sensor has now been activated....**** it,l am just going to wait til the new year and buy 2 new front tyres....

"All 3 of my tyres". What's a Reliant Robin driver doing on here?

 

[Audi Bairn]

Not sure if they still do it but Audi were advertising earlier this year that they would match tyre prices so maybe worth a chat with your dealer.


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They do as per post #8 above

 

[desertstorm]

Personally if it's not caused a puncture I wouldn't worry about it. That is a staple and looking at the thickness of it the hole would almost have closed up when it was removed. You are liable to get more damage to the carcass of a tyre by hitting a pothole or bumping a kerb but how many people replace their tyres after doing either of these things ?

 

[Soulboy]

If it was me I would just ignore it.

My Audi dealers did the price match. I always used Event Tyres (they come and fit them at your home) as do a lot of people on other forums.
They now trade under a different name though.

I sat with the Girl on the desk at Audi.....pulled up the website and got the price and they matched it.

 

[AudiNutta]

The grumpy a**e master tech at Audi had his usual negative outlook and said to replace it without looking. They want £195, I said I can get them fitted for £150 each.. they want proof. I've found a price for £163, but I can't just go and ask for a quote it's too obvious.

I think I will leave it for now as my usual rip off tyre shop said they would leave it but it's up to me.

 

[RS3 S.]

Had to replace one of the rear tyres on my RS3 last Saturday due to a nail in the side wall. Only done 2000 miles !!.

 

[AudiNutta]

Had to replace one of the rear tyres on my RS3 last Saturday due to a nail in the side wall. Only done 2000 miles !!.

It's awful isn't it I'm holding off at the moment, can't face paying for it haha. I don't drive like a lunatic anyway.

The tech at Audi said "I've seen how you drive", I was quite offended by that statement. He came out on a test drive once and I had to pull out of a lay by onto the dual carriageway, so needless to say the gearbox went into Sport... I don't think that is worthy of a lunatic driver comment. Anyway, how many slow drivers does he expect to see own an S3......

 

[RS3 S.]

Got a good deal on mine. 145.00 Pirelli P zero Ro2.

 

[AudiNutta]

Got a good deal on mine. 145.00 Pirelli P zero Ro2.

That is very good. Audi want £195 for a Continental!!

I will change to P Zero when these wear out, I love the stretched look of the AO P Zeros.

 

[RichardT]

I think I will leave it for now as my usual rip off tyre shop said they would leave it but it's up to me.

If your "usual" tyre shop is a "rip off" why don't you go to a local one that isn't? Then if they advise that it's safe to drive you can believe them.

 

[AudiNutta]

If your "usual" tyre shop is a "rip off" why don't you go to a local one that isn't? Then if they advise that it's safe to drive you can believe them.

Well they are the most expensive in the near area, lots around. We have a good one where we can get 4 tyres swapped for no set price, he sold his hand out and whether we put £10 or £20 in it he is happy haha.

I use the ,word expensive because they have the best equipment. They have the same tracking systems that Audi use, so 4 wheel alignment is £55 rather than £90 at Audi and it's just as good. They have an £8000 tyre machine, fully pneumatic with soft nylon tools fitted to it.. so the contact with the wheel is soft contact and is only nylon pads and therefore doesn't do any damage. The most likely damage to be occurred is them scratching the wheel when undoing the bolts, it's a pretty safe process.

 

[RichardT]

They have expensive equipment to pay for. So they are more expensive that some others. That doesn't mean they are rip off merchants.

 

[RS3 S.]

That is very good. Audi want £195 for a Continental!!

I will change to P Zero when these wear out, I love the stretched look of the AO P Zeros.

........that price was from my local Audi specialist, they do look after me. P Zero also have huge rim protection, not that I'm in a hurry to try them !!!!.