Wet weather handling

[EliteBajan]

Good evening folks,

I have had my GTI for about a month now and have been disappointed with the way it handles in damp, greasy condition. I have convinced myself its a tyre problem  and not a handling issue. Has anyone else had experience of Bridgestone Turanza tyres?

Looking on the net I think I can answer my own question as it seems that they have had several bad reviews  . Though I'm no Jason Plato or Tiff Needel I have had my share of hot hatches from Renault 5 Turbo to every Focus, bar the Rs's and this is the worst handling car in the wet I have driven!

I think what disappoints is why VW continue to put these under performing tyres on their vehicles. For me the tyres have taken away the initial enjoyment of owning a GTI.

[ScottA]

It is almost certainly the tyres. I'm in the same boat at the mo

[Big_Dave]

Dunlops on mine, no quibbles with the handling. Goodyear's are better though

[Snoopy]

Cold weather and summer tyres.

[Hurdy]

Definitely the tyres.

[Daz Auto]

It is the horrible, plastic, hard, noisey Bridgestone tyres that come fitted to the car.

I'm getting some Goodyears for next summer. Can't wait

[EliteBajan]

Cold weather and summer tyres.

I have had Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli and even Firestone and never needed to change the tyre during the winter for fear of not being able to negotiate a bend a decent speed. The way in which the Bridgestone tyre gives up is quite alarming, no gentle understeer to warn you that your pushing too hard just sudden break away!

I have little to complain about in the dry but as soon as the surface becomes moist and you use any steering input more than about a quarter lock and with a bit of speed  the car goes looking for the nearest hedge 

I was so looking forward to owning a GTI and can remember a friend bringing round a mk5 for me to drive. I was so impressed! It felt pointy and alert, it was so responsive when changing direction and to the throttle. Where now my mk6 feels a little dull and slow witted. The steering feels a bit too heavy and throw in the issue with the tyres and I find myself getting a bit frustrated. I've racked up 1300miles in 4 weeks really trying to get to know the character of the car, and I'd be lying if I said that for most of those miles I've not had a smile on my face but I'm having to rein in my exuberance! When I should be really revelling in all the car can do.

Anyway rant over  I would like to change the wheels for Monza Shadows, so when funds permit I'll ditch these useless Bridgestone's for some Goodyears or Conti's. 

[Daz Auto]

Welcome to the wonderful world of understeer.

I think what you are experiencing is called torque understeer. Too much power with too little grip on the drive wheels causes them to spin and the car to understeer. XDS is supposed to help with this and slow down the inside tyre. But I doubt if it will work with Bridgestone tyres

They banned the use of Bridgestone tyres in our local zoo. Aparently the monkeys could not get the grip to swing from them

[ajmoir36]

Don't forget the micheln PS3's to love them.

[EliteBajan]

Don't forget the micheln PS3's to love them.

I must admit I was never a big Michelin lover but had them on the Focus I traded in to get the Golf and they handled really well and still had tread on them after 14000miles.