Volkswagen Golf V (2004 - 2008) - Latest version of tyre

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Tue 17 Jun 2008 00:33
Latest version of tyre - Rudedog
I'm in the process of replacing the front tyres on my new car for the first time.

I've always preferred Continental tyres so I'm going to switch from the Bridgestones that came with the car.

Now is it always best to go for the latest version of a tyre, i.e. the tyre that is OK for my car is the Sport Contact, but the Continental site only shows the newest version which is the Sport Contact 3, I'm assuming that the others (Sport Contact & Sport Contact 2) are no longer made although they can still be bought.

From my internet searches all three are about the same price (£100), the older ones have a slightly different tread pattern and have good reviews.

So is it best to go for the newer version of the tyre?
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Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:17
Latest version of tyre - MikeTorque
So is it best to go for the newer version of the tyre?


Only if it's better than the tyre it replaces and to know that you need some test data or recommendations. If you're happy with the Sport Contact 2 (about £82 fitted) then use that one, it's a good tyre and has prove it over time.

It's worth scanning the web for reviews of the Sport Contact 3 to see what people reckon so far before making your decision.

Edited by MikeTorque on 17/06/2008 at 01:18

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Tue 17 Jun 2008 10:32
Latest version of tyre - Rudedog
Thanks MT, any chance you could tell me where you have seen the Sport Contact 2 for £82 fitted, I've searched the many internet sites and I can only find it for about £104 fitted.
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Tue 17 Jun 2008 11:35
Latest version of tyre - MikeTorque
Check out www.etyres.co.uk/ they do 205/55R16W Conti Sport Contact 2 for £81.90 inc VAT each.

I've used etyre and they did a first class job fitting Goodyear Excellence which I notice have gone up £15 since they fitted them a few months ago, price of oil increase no doubt etc.
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Tue 17 Jun 2008 13:16
Latest version of tyre - Rudedog
Unfortunately mine are 225/45 R17, which come out as about £104.
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Tue 17 Jun 2008 13:20
Latest version of tyre - VR6
You can get Conti sport contact 2 in 205/55/R16 from mytyres for £66.40 each inc delivery & VAT, but this does not include fitting, and they do say there is a 'longer than normal' delivery time on them.

I've used the company a few times, and they have always been good.
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Tue 17 Jun 2008 13:26
Latest version of tyre - Rudedog
Sorry I've just looked again and my tyres would be £114 and it seems they only do the reinforced ones (SC2) which I guess I don't need, so on etyres the only option would be for the original Sport Contact.
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Wed 18 Jun 2008 00:32
Latest version of tyre - hypocrite
I've only used them for supply and fit but www.elitedirect.co.uk who are based just inside the M25 in East London/Essex quoted me £98 for Sport Contact 2 225/45R17 91W KB this morning for my 2002 MB C220CDi Sports Coupe originally fitted with Sport Contacts (probably Sport Contact 1s). Up from £89 two years ago. Probably to go up more when fuel/resource prices increase. They do "mail" order if that's too far to travel.

Hope that helps,

Simon
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Thu 19 Jun 2008 00:01
Latest version of tyre - JohnM{P}
FWIW, as I've previously posted, the OE tyres on my Golf V 1.9TDi were Continental 3's. The fronts were replaced at 43k miles with Continental(no number)s - these lasted just 29k miles (same journeys!). They were replaced by Michelins, which have now done 30k and still have approx 4mm left.
The original rear nearside Conti3 has just been changed after it wore unevenly on one half of the outer edge; the original offside rear still has around 4mm at 103k.
(The fitter at a national tyre chain didn't believe that a tyre could last more than 45k...)
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