Rachel Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 It seems that VW is shipping cars to Oz that have tyres with lower speed ratings on them than they themselves specified for the car. The R36 is specified to use 235/40 R 18 95Y tyres, but VW have shipped 95W ones instead (nice ContiSportContact 3 tyres). "So what?" you say - you're not allowed to drive at those speeds (W - 270km/h, Y - 300km/h) anyway. Well there are issues around grip levels, performance in different weather, temperature and treadwear and so on. The big problem here is - it can void your insurance... So we have a manufacturer not complying with their own specifications for the car, trying to duck and weave and dodge responsibility. The game is afoot - let's see if I get 5x new tyres of the correct specifications or some nice letter covering me in case of accident. Anyone else come across a similar situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 That is a bit poor! Can you ask an insurance broker to confirm and for VW to confirm the standard fit tyres. What does the brochure for the car say? And what does your local VW dealer say the R36 needs/would fit if in for changing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 Hi Cruiser, Our weird and whacky world of wheeled wonder operates a bit differently than the UK. The simple rule re: insurance is that the tyres must be at a minimum, what is specified for the car (you can always go better). In the case of the R36 it is 235/40 R 18 95Y rated tyres (on placard and handbook). So I could put 98Y rated tyres on it without any issue. VW specify the R36 has the 95Y rated rubber, so a "lesser" tyre is either a complete mistake (but all 5???) or a cost cutting measure that they think they can get away with in some countries, as they might save $100/tyre per car (so $500) by putting a "-1" level rated tyre on the vehicle. That sort of money adds up very quickly to a hefty sum. Anyway, I've let the cat among the pigeons, can only now sit back and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 this will be an interesting one - well spotted Rachel and good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 (edited) VAG. German for ****. Edit: That's so good I'm going to make it my sig.... Edited March 21, 2011 by garcon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Brief update. VW Oz rang me after lunch today - wanted me to go & read to them the "part number for the placard sticker for the tyres". Talk about a stretch! So this afternoon I went via the dealer and picked a random "mum & dad" 2.0l TDi Passat Wagon and had a look at the tyre placard. It was different (had 4 tyre variations not 2 like the R36) but the 18" rim requirement was exactly the same as the R36 - a 95Y rated tyre. So if I get told that the hottest VW model in country requires tyres of a lower standard than a "bog standard version" of the same car on the same size rims - the fun will escalate. Friends in the motors ports and car industry I know hereabouts are very keen to be apprised of what happens next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I wonder if other marques in Aus do the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Also wonder how many others are potentially affected by this unknowingly ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIDYDUBS Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Rachel check your PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 PM sent. Update: got a call tonight @ 18:45 from the service manager at the dealer I bought the car from. VW have asked them to get the car in so they can "check it out" and start filling out some paperwork. Progress? Or more finger pointing and denial? I'll find out tomorrow afternoon. I'll take the said service manager to look at the boggo 2.0l TDi too - so he knows what is going on (or not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Well - what a bizarre 30 minutes this afternoon. VW had told the dealer to photograph the sidewalls of the road tyres, and the placard... The young tech also did the placard for the 2.0l TDi. So I noticed the cameraman had a sheaf of paper - an e-mail trail, so I asked if I could have a look at it. Basically it said "placard is correct, tyres are correct" - I had a WTF moment, but kept reading where a VW tech said "for the MY10 R36 fitted with ContiSportContact 3 tyres with ContiSeal the tyre rating has been reduced to 95W" or words to that effect. Answer to the question -> special tyres = W, standard high performance tyres = Y. So I rang the VW contact back and asked why they hadn't just told me that up front - and put it in writing, rather than all the jiggery-pokery... Didn't get a real answer. Now I am awaiting a letter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Hi Rachel, W is 168mph and Y is 186mpg, whereas car is limited to 155mph. Is it really a big issue. On my R32 I've used both W and Y rated tyres depending on what's available at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Hi 'bob, Yes - if you read the initial post - the big issue here is if you are in an accident you may find you have voided your insurance... As for speed limited - interestingly if you approach 250km/h (~155mph) in 6th, the limiter cuts in. If you stay in fifth it punches through 250km/h, then change up and let it creep up to 285km/h. Example here: YouTube - VW Passat R36 Kick down (285km/h auf der autobahn) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Sorry, I missed your original reference to insurance. I nderstand your concern. Go get them :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted April 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 Well, an interesting update... I received a call from VW Australia customer care this afternoon @ 16:30 telling me that Volkswagen would not be changing the tyres to the correct specification, and would not be putting anything in writing explaining why the R36 was shipped and delivered with under-rated tyres. But I could have a reference # (286113 - titled: Tyre dispute @ Gerald Slaven) and that was it... Funny, as I don't recall a dispute - just a question being asked. So now to look at other means to shake the tree. Have any of the TSN massive in UK/Europe come across this behaviour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted April 4, 2011 Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 Well, an interesting update...I received a call from VW Australia customer care this afternoon @ 16:30 telling me that Volkswagen would not be changing the tyres to the correct specification, and would not be putting anything in writing explaining why the R36 was shipped and delivered with under-rated tyres. But I could have a reference # (286113 - titled: Tyre dispute @ Gerald Slaven) and that was it... Funny, as I don't recall a dispute - just a question being asked. So now to look at other means to shake the tree. Have any of the TSN massive in UK/Europe come across this behaviour? Time to write to your insurance company AND VW Germany at Wolfsburg! I presume your R32 had the correct spec of tyre? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted April 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 R32 yes - it was correctly shod (as were both Porsches) from the dealer. As for a letter? You mean to one M. Winterkorn Esq. and co? -> Board of Management > Company > Volkswagen International Homepage at this address? -> Imprint > Volkswagen International Homepage ** I'm already planning a draft letter later this week (actually on the weekend while getting my hair done) - which will be sent by registered post. Oh, my friends mentioned in one of the initial posts have said they will now start asking some questions, probably starting with the head of the Motor Traders Association here. So we'll see what happens this week. ** if anyone on TSN can provided a more "targeted" address it would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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