[MegaWhat]

Got the tyres changed on my Polo 1.2 MPI two months back. I wanted to target a plushier ride and hence had decided to go for the Continental UC6 with standard 185/60/15 size - mainly for the softer compound. I expected a big change considering I've been running on MRF ZVTVs for these 6 years. But the dealer did not have the UC6 in stock and I had to leave for a long-ish drive the next day. So I settled for the Yoko Earth-1, but decided to upsize to 195/60/15 to counter the slightly harder compound and still have a relatively comfortable ride. I am not 100% certain of this logic, so do let me know if I was mistaken in this understanding.

I can say my primary target was achieved, but the side-effects are not that easy to live with. To list it down, here it goes:

Pros:
1. Plushier ride than the MRF 185/60/15, as expected. The rumble strips on most roads are no longer as jarring and the ride on the Mumbai Pune expressways concrete is substantially silent.
2. Pothole resistance. The softer compound absorbs a lot of shocks (especially at speeds) and I'm sure the shock absorbers will thank the tyres for taking their load off a bit.

Cons:
1. FE for short drives has reduced quite a bit
2. I need to push the throttle a bit more than I did before, to get the same acceleration as earlier (with 185/16), and this is clearly noticeable. The upsizing has adversely affected the torque - especially at low rpms. This point in a way gets linked to Point 1 above.
3. My steering was creaking before the upsizing, but barely. Within two weeks of upsizing, the creaking has increased substantially. Not exactly sure how this works, but I'm guessing the loads on the steering column have changed.
4. The suspension has started making weird thumping noises. Not sure if it's associated with the tyres, but it started within a month of the upsizing. No other significant event had occurred during this time.

Around the same time, my dad got the UC6 installed on his Verna and I can feel the difference in ride between that tyre and the Earth-1. Maybe it's a phantom feeling combined with some subconscious bias to this rather subjective comparison, as there is more to ride quality than just tyres.

In any case, I would strongly suggest the Earth-1 or the UC6 for the Polo 1.2 MPI, but only at the rated size (185/60/15). This has more to do with the "just barely there" 1.2 MPI engine rather than the tyres themselves. Probably the GT owners will not notice much adverse impact of upsizing. But the difference in compound as compared to the stock tyres (MRF or Apollo) will make a noticeable improvement in ride quality by itself.

[rnkaushal]

Originally Posted by Epic

Yes of course! The car is the same and so is the suspension set up. The Trendline & Comfortline comes with 14" rims with 175/70/R14 and Highline with 15" rims with 185/60/R15 tires.

This thread is old but very relevant even after polo phase out.
One quick question: my 2012 polo 1.2 mpi trend line came with 14’ steel rims & NO ABS. Will a move to 195/55r16 on stock high line plus alloys still make sense , considering no abs on the car?

Originally Posted by shaikhmimran

My relative has a 2017 VW Polo trendline with 14" steel rims. He wants to upgrade to 16" OE alloys. Can anyone please clarify based on REAL WORLD experience :

In the same boat as you! Did you end up getting 16” rims?

[Epic]

Originally Posted by rnkaushal

This thread is old but very relevant even after polo phase out.
One quick question: my 2012 polo 1.2 mpi trend line came with 14’ steel rims & NO ABS. Will a move to 195/55r16 on stock high line plus alloys still make sense , considering no abs on the car?

I don't think it will be a problem. As a matter of fact, braking will actually improve due to the wider tyres.

[rnkaushal]

Originally Posted by Epic

I don't think it will be a problem. As a matter of fact, braking will actually improve due to the wider tyres.

Thanks epic! That’s my thinking too, since polo as a platform in India didn’t change all that much and it was being offered with r16 alloys back in uk in those days. Just better choice of soft grippy rubber at that size.

[rnkaushal]

Originally Posted by Epic

I don't think it will be a problem. As a matter of fact, braking will actually improve due to the wider tyres.

Thanks epic! That’s my thinking too, since polo as a platform in India didn’t change all that much and it was being offered with r16 alloys back in uk in those days. Just better choice of soft grippy rubber at that size.

[vedirah]

Hi all,

The stock Goodyear assurance triplemax tyre got a slight sidewall bulge which I happened to notice today while washing the car. Now I'm thinking of replacing the tyres. My priorities are as below in this order:

1. High speed handling and stability
2. Wet grip
3. Braking performance
3. Road noise

I want to keep the stock size (195/55R16). What are my best options? I'm slightly leaning towards Continental UC6, but then there's Michelin P4ST, XM and also Yoko Advan Sport.

[RaghuVis]

Friends in Pune, can you please suggest a good shop to buy tyres, preferably in the eastern part of Pune (Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Kharadi) area. Looking to upgrade both the front tyres. Would be happy to get some brand suggestions as well since it is my first change (not planning any profile change)

[s4ch]

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Friends in Pune, can you please suggest a good shop to buy tyres, preferably in the eastern part of Pune (Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Kharadi) area. Looking to upgrade both the front tyres. Would be happy to get some brand suggestions as well since it is my first change (not planning any profile change)

TyreTrax on Nagar Road opposite Novotel is a good shop for alignment and balancing. They have excellent Hunter equipment and their main technician Raj is a very knowledgeable guy. I have not bought tyres from them but only done WA/WB, but you can surely check them out as they are a very professional setup with no hassle and nonsense. Nice big area to park too.

[RaghuVis]

Originally Posted by s4ch

TyreTrax on Nagar Road opposite Novotel

Thanks for the suggestion. Went there today morning and met Raj as well as other technicians. I personally wanted to change all 4 tyres even though the two at the back were the ones that were in really bad shape. They quickly dismissed my suggestion and said that two existing tyres at the front can easily last another 10-15K! They just swapped it to back. the Alignment and Balancing cost just 500 bucks and I did not want to bargain as VW showrooms charge close to 1.5K for this!

Overall, very good service and no unwanted hassling for extra work.

PS: Two school kids came with a football asking for putting air in it and they did it in a jovial way.

[rana_kirti]

my 205/55/15 yoko s drives have completed 50k/10 yrs on my gt tsi 2014.

they did well. very few punctures. can recommend whole heartedly. though they still drive well, they seem to be worn out now and road noise has increased.

out of the game for 10 yrs. this time looking for a slightly better ride quality/less road noise.

2024, which is the best 205/55/15 right now with best mix of good grip/less noise/comfortable ride ?

thank you.

[Carlove_83]

I am planning to upgrade my GT 1.2 tyres (195/55/R16).
Currently it is apollo alnac 4G. I want to upgrade the size to 205/55 R16

My requirements are below
1. Better Road Grip and Braking
2. Ride comfort
3. Low noise

I am considering the following options.
1. Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51
2. Continental ContiUltraContact UC6
3. Michelin Primacy 4ST

Which one will be good and do you have any other suggestions?

[NA-driver]

Originally Posted by Carlove_83

I am considering the following options.
1. Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51
2. Continental ContiUltraContact UC6
3. Michelin Primacy 4ST

Which one will be good and do you have any other suggestions?

Out of the three options you mentioned, P4ST is the best option but the availability of freshly manufactured Michelin in India is a problem, UC6 is a good alternative for P4ST, you can also have a look at MRF Perfinza.

[Cynosure]

Does anyone here have experience upsizing from the 16" to 17"? Pondering an upgrade from 16" inch Portago alloys to 17" inch Lensos on my 2021 Polo GT TSI.

My car is daily driven in Delhi/NCR (70KM-80KM daily) therefore not sure if 205/45/17 or 215/45/17 will be viable.

[v.anand]

I changed the tires on my Polo 1.6 Highline to Bridgestone Turanza 6i in the stock size of 185/60 R15. They feel better than the Michelin XM2 it replaces, in all the parameters. It is one of the best options for old Polos in my opinion.

[Nomad01]

Originally Posted by v.anand

I changed the tires on my Polo 1.6 Highline to Bridgestone Turanza 6i in the stock size of 185/60 R15. They feel better than the Michelin XM2 it replaces, in all the parameters. It is one of the best options for old Polos in my opinion.

Hello, I have been searching to replace my aging Continental UC6 R16 for quite some time now. You changing your tyres recently is a boon not only to you but to me as well , as I plan to draw definite conclusion keeping in mind your review of the tyres !

In this context, could you please let me know the comfort aspect of the tyres ? Specially road noise ? And how is the braking and gripping ?
Thanking you in anticipation.