mik2855 Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 I have just taken delivery of a 2008 3.0Tdi Sport with 19" alloys. During negotiations with the dealer, I got them to put a new pair of Pirelli P Zeros on the back because the existing tyres were worn. I didn't really pay much attention to the front tyres other than to note that there were a few mm of tread left on them and were therefore OK. Whilst checking tyre pressures the other day, I noticed that the front tyres were actually Dunlop Sports. So, first question is to ask whether it is permitted to mix makes of tyre front to back (on my other car, a M3, the handbook expressly forbids it)? I am a bit concerned about the front tyres. I had to brake hard in the rain yesterday from 50mph or so and easily locked the front wheels and triggered the ABS. The front end feels a bit vague on turn in as well. Second question is whether Pirelli P Zeros are recommended for the A8. The obvious thing to do is to ditch the Dunlops for P Zeros but I only want to do that if they are recommended fitment for the A8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerboy9 Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 I would have expected the fronts to go before the back on an A8. I would quite happlily put different tyres on the front - I don't think you need worry about this or the brand of tyre. I understand that the tyres should be XL (extra load) spec - would anybody care to comment on the necessity for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 yep... they should be XL because of the low profile, but I can't remember seeing anything that wasn't XL in the correct size anyway. Mixing front and back is pretty normal and allowed as long as the rolling radius is close enough (so worn front to back of the same size is OK). The front of the D3 is a little bit vague to be honest (the joys of servotronic) so I'd guess that the behaviour is pretty normal so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberto1954 Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 as long as they are the correct size the make of tyre doesnt matter 255-40-19 100Y XL and audi wont put wrong tyres on anyway doesnt the M3 have different size tyres anyway? front and rear.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 My last A8 (2008 car) had P Zero Rossos on from the factory so you are ok with them. If you decide you want the car lowered and the suspension firmed up (they are a bit vague on any of factory setting) then I have one of these for sale (used for four months and a lot cheaper than a new one, simply plug in and play): MTM F-Cantronic AUDI A8/S8 D3 for air suspension - Audi A8 D3 (3,0 TDI 171 kW (233hp) Quattro) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik2855 Posted December 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 doesnt the M3 have different size tyres anyway? front and rear.. Yes, but the handbook states that the same manufacturer and model of tyre must be used on all 4 wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik2855 Posted December 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 My last A8 (2008 car) had P Zero Rossos on from the factory so you are ok with them.If you decide you want the car lowered and the suspension firmed up (they are a bit vague on any of factory setting) then I have one of these for sale (used for four months and a lot cheaper than a new one, simply plug in and play): MTM F-Cantronic AUDI A8/S8 D3 for air suspension - Audi A8 D3 (3,0 TDI 171 kW (233hp) Quattro) Thanks, Merlot but I don't want to make the ride any firmer. The A8 is a daily driver for me. I'm learning to drive through the vagueness at the front end and trust the grip more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrundleFly Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Hi Mik Good to meet you. I have recently gone from an M3 to an A8 myself. Personally, I'm loving the A8. I sometimes miss the M3 when on the country roads but I find that the A8 with dynamic suspension setting is very impressive for the size and weight of it. Funnily enough, I was in a tyre place yesterday and they had an "about tyres" poster up saying that on 4 wheel drive cars they should all be the same. I reckon that is mainly to try and sell more tyres though. I think it's always a good idea to have your best tyres on the front though as that is where the steering happens (that was one thing on the poster I did agree with). Once they're scrubbed in maybe it's worth looking at swapping them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thanks, Merlot but I don't want to make the ride any firmer. The A8 is a daily driver for me. I'm learning to drive through the vagueness at the front end and trust the grip more Cheers mate. I might buy an S8 and put the kit on that. My first A8 (2005) had Dunlops on FWIW. How are you doing sorting this out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik2855 Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Cheers mate. I might buy an S8 and put the kit on that.My first A8 (2005) had Dunlops on FWIW. How are you doing sorting this out? Haven't had time to sort it yet but I have driven about 1200 miles in the last 4 days so I've now had time to form an opinion about the A8 generally. Bad news is that I wish I'd managed to find a Sport model with comfort seats 'coz the sports seats are a bit hard but that's about all the bad news. Great motorway car because it's quiet and refined and it tracks v straight. OK it's no sports car but with the suspension in dynamic mode and the auto box in sport, it's almost fun to hustle along country roads. The 4WD also gives a sense of security particularly in today's snowy conditions. Love the interior which manages to feel more luxurious than a 7 series although there are facets of the MMI which are almost as illogical as I-drive and the way the heated seats work is just stupid. Not enough storage space for odds and ends in the front although the boot is huge. Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase particularly the fact that I paid about half new price for a 1 yr old car. The A8 has got to be one of the best used car bargains around at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 They are great used cars and offer strong value. My first one had Sports seats but I could not live with how hard they were - it went after six months. The second had Comfort seats which are brilliant but even with the MTM suspension kit, the A8 did not handle sharp enough for me so it went. I do a load of minor A and B road driving but if I did mostly motorway/main A roads then I would probably still have the A8. Enjoy your car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat27 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Hi Merlot- I have a 2005 3.0 Tdi Sport and have done over 100,000 since I bought it -so I have gone through a few tyres(20"). I have had Pirelli, Dunlops and Kuhmos fitted - the suprising ones been the Kuhmos which gave good mileage grip and low noise (try UK Tyres Online: Discount Car Tyres | Blackcircles.com). Rule of thumb seem to be same brands on the same axle and if you replace one pair on an axle, the other axle should have treds within 2mm of those replaced . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge07 Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 mik2855 wondered if you would let us know how much you paid for your car and milage. I am thinking about taking the plunge (possibly at the British car auction next month) would be very helpful to get an up to date idea how much I can expect to pay. Real shame about the sports seats advice as they look the best by miles and are so much easier to come by! I wonder if fitting replacement comfort front seats might be a possibility for you. Don't know if this place could help they deal in A8's to break up: link Smudge07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik2855 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 smudge07, I paid £31k from an Audi dealer for a Sept 2008 3.0tdi Sport with 25k miles. Obviously, you would pay less for the same car at auction. I guess the launch of the new A8 next year will hurt values of the existing A8 so it could be a good idea to wait a few months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge07 Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Thanks for letting me know - sounds like a good deal from a dealer amazing saving on the new price. Might take your advice on the new model coming out. I really want to go for one of the earliest face lift models so waiting might increase supply of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 Waiting always makes cars cheaper but what you are driving now will drop in price too. It is true that cars like the A8 get hammered when the new one comes out - look at the S Class three years ago and the seven series last year. Personally I would buy an 05/06 car with the single frame grill as they are pretty cheap now. I have owned an 05 and an 08 A8 and the differences are pretty small whatever people tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge07 Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 Thanks for that Merlot - good to get some level headed advice. It always amazes me how my car budget starts at one level and slowly creeps up! I had a look at an 06 A8 but all the research he suggested I should go for the 57 facelift model - it was the comments about the ride being sorted that persuading me, I ad an audi before and my mum has an A3 3.2 and the ride was and is not good at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 Drive both and take a view. Personally I would not pay up for a facelift (larger wing mirrors with indicators are the quick way of spotting them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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