New Shoes on the GTI

"wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series" (wpudvah)
05/08/2020 at 20:18 • Filed to: None

Sorry I rarely post here! Purchased some Michelin Pilot Sport 4S’ for my MK7 6MT GTI Autobahn a few month’s back and finally got around to getting them installed today. Absolute night and day difference versus the stock tire, the grip and handling improvement are INSANE. Pricey rubber for sure, but I’ll be damned if they aren’t worth every penny. Great upgrade!

Pic from the other day, post-Svending. If you look closely in the headlight you can see the reflection of my 1979 Super Beetle Cabriolet. Not sure if I’ve ever posted my GTI here, but it’s a 2016 6MT in Autobahn trim with just over 40k on the clock. Mods include window tint, interior LEDs, clutch stop, stainless steel interior knobs, and an ECS flush kit (spacers).

DISCUSSION (15)

Svend > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 20:30

Very nice. The great thing about the Golf is it’s all roundness. You can go fast, leisurely, cruise, go for a drive, commute, holiday, etc... in it. It just fits in.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Svend
05/08/2020 at 20:47

I really do think it’s a top choice for an all-around daily driver. I’ve seen a few folks on here with Sportwagens and Alltracks, which would be a great “family” version of this (with a tune, of course).

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 20:47

My experience exactly.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/ahhhh-new-tires-1827944382

P5guy now GTIguy > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 20:50

What stock tire did you have? My 18 has the pirellis and they are super meh.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 20:53

It still amuses/confuses me how many people fail to realize that the tires are the only part of your car that touches the road in normal operation... I’m not putting you in that category, I just am reminded whenever someone mentions what a huge difference tires make, that some people still don’ t get it... Enjoy those PS4s!

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 21:16

On mine, the stock tires (of which, I’ve replaced 3, thanks potholes!) have a really hard time maintaining grip in hard 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear pulls. I only have an APR ecu tune, but it renders launch control is useless.

Do you notice a large difference in that regard with the 4Ss?

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > P5guy now GTIguy
05/08/2020 at 21:18

I have the Bridgestones and they are also quite underwhelming.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/08/2020 at 22:42

And my 2018 Autobahn came on Hankook Ventus tires. They are OK. Wouldn’t say great, but good enough that I won’t replace them until they wear out.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > P5guy now GTIguy
05/08/2020 at 23:14

they were this off-brand all season tire, called “Sentury”

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/08/2020 at 23:16

I’m running completely stock, so I can only really speak to the grip in a hard 1st or 2nd gear pull ;) but I’ll have to get back to you on that. Mostly was just testing the twisties on the short jaunt home from Costco

but even still, I would suggest investing in a nice set of summer tires. I live in Minnesota, so I have a dedicated winter set- up. Decided that my summer set- up should finally be a “true” summer set-up, so picked these up. Tires are always great ROI for driving experience.

P5guy now GTIguy > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/08/2020 at 23:28

I hate this trend of off brand tires I see more and more on cars. Iron man tires particularly bother me

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > P5guy now GTIguy
05/08/2020 at 23:30

totally agree! and these were, like, seriously bad tires. no grip in the wet, and barely any grip in the snow. These PS4s are definitely worth it!

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/10/2020 at 12:52

I’m also in MN. St Paul!

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/11/2020 at 19:27

oh nice! I probably shouldn’t be asking this, but where did you get your APR tune done? and how has it been for you?

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/12/2020 at 00:18

Imola did mine. They’re fantastic.

I’ve had no issues with it and the extra power is very noticeable .

I had the same tune on my mk5 too, again, with no issues for the 40k miles I owned it .