Is your Superb a Mk 1 (B5.5 clone) or a Mk 2?

If it's a Mk 1, the setting of the front suspension and in particular the toe is both critical and unconventional. This vehicle requires the toe to be set conventionally with the suspension in the neutral position and additionally it requires the "raised toe" to be set with the suspension elevated in a special VAG jig. The raised toe is set by adjusting the height of the track rod end ball pins in the steering arms.

Nearly all alignment "specialists" and many VAG dealers have no idea of this requirement and don't have the jig. Find an interested independent to check the raised toe using tool VAS 1925.

These cars are heavy and wear tyres fairly quickly. When incorrectly set, they eat tyres for breakfast.

I use the same Continental tyres and find them fair for wear, good for grip and a bit noisy. I have ordered some more though as I have a personal feud with Michelin - who are the only other tyre maker I would have considered.

659.

Edited by 659FBE on 17/05/2013 at 22:50

I am a great fan of Michelin Energy 205/55 R16 W on my Superb MK1. Always get well over 30k. I used to get about 18k from Brigestones (fitted from new) and even less (16k) from Goodyears. I found the Michelin Energy tyres better than expected in snow and ice. Great in the dry although possibly slightly lacking in heavy rain.

Perhaps it's a quirk of the new Superbs, or maybe the front-end alignment is out, or Conti have changed their compounds ... my old B5.5 Passat got 33,000 miles out of the front pair of SportContacts, however that was a lighter car with a completely different front suspension.

For replacements, don't dismiss brands like Kumho: I fitted a set of Ecstas on the front of my Mondeo IV diesel estate and was very impressed by the grip, low noise and handling. I do drive quite briskly and I could not tell the difference between the Kumhos and the factory-fit Michelin Pilots.

Kumho Ecstas did perform well in a recent AutoExpress tyre test while being much cheaper than rivals, which is why I bought 'em.

The Sport Contact 2s are quite soft and wear at an alarming rate. I've got about 20k out of a set of four (rotating to even out wear) on my Saab 9-3. SC 2s were factory fit, but I'm going for Goodyear Eagle Assymetric 2s in the next few weeks. I haven't the receipts to be sure but I reckon the ones I've just worn out must be the cars third set (now 56k up).