Yep, we still have our 2010 Volkswagen GTI. We sent it on some errands off the radar for the past few weeks. Now it is back, well, until we sell it. Fortunately for the sake of the LTRTB our GTI got a flat while on its secret mission. But not just any flat...
You don't need a magnifying glass to see that puncture above the "P." You do, however, need $275 and a few hours to track down a replacement Dunlop SP Sport. Stokes Tire Pros handled the tire location part. We handled the cash part.
Total Cost: $274.27
Days out of Service: None
Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 23,793 miles
louiswei says:
09:18 AM, 06/ 9/11
Secret mission? Hmm...
Does it have anything to do with the 1M?
shaddai says:
09:24 AM, 06/ 9/11
$275 for an 18" all season tire? Color me unimpressed.
bc1960 says:
09:45 AM, 06/ 9/11
If you want a specific OEM-matching replacement and buy locally and want it today you won't get the best price. It would be $283 installed plus 7% sales tax where I live. If you're lucky, the Pirelli PZero Neros which are an alternative OEM tire and seem to have better reviews than the Dunlops are only $213.
ptcdawg says:
10:02 AM, 06/ 9/11
Tires have gotten outrageously priced...I'll say that.
ms3omglol says:
10:10 AM, 06/ 9/11
Hmm, how many miles are on the current set of tires?
gaiakai says:
10:12 AM, 06/ 9/11
Glad to see you guys haven't forgotten the GTI afterall! :D
seppoboy says:
10:27 AM, 06/ 9/11
This car would be better on 17" or even 16" wheels, and no lower than 50 profile, 55 would be even better. Steering feel improves, less tracking on uneven pavement, less prone to damage, and far cheaper to replace, along with a better ride/handling tradeoff. Ultra low profile tires are a waste of time, and they encourage automakers to get sloppy in chassis and suspension development since they can "make the numbers" with impractical, fast-wearing, damage-prone tires.
greenpony says:
10:40 AM, 06/ 9/11
Wasn't/Isn't there a global rubber shortage contributing to high tire prices?
altimadude05 says:
11:54 AM, 06/ 9/11
@ greenpony
Well, with what their doing with the Mustang, no wonder there's a shortage of rubbers.
What? What did I say?
bc1960 says:
12:09 PM, 06/ 9/11
@greenpony
I don't know about shortage, but the synthetic polymers in a tire use about 7 gal of oil, and you see what's happened to the price of that.
soareyes says:
12:22 PM, 06/ 9/11
Looks like you got a little bumper rash just in front of that wheel too. Must have been quite a bump!
90in55 says:
12:45 PM, 06/ 9/11
@Inside Line,
Back when the GTI was part of your regular rotation, I think it was Erin who wrote an entry about the car "showing its age". Are there any new rattles, or anything else requiring a trip to the dealer?
cr_driver says:
07:02 PM, 06/ 9/11
Goodness, that expensive for a simple 18 incher all season?
What the heck?
litewerk says:
11:24 PM, 06/ 9/11
@seppoboy
Am in complete agreement with you. Only wish more people understood that.