New Tyres for 2001 WRX

[davrostavros]

Hello,

I noticed since getting my 2001 WRX last week that the tyres were looking a bit flat and so I deccided to pump them up. A few days later they were looking flat again. Low and behold they were. I have just taken them to the garage thinking that the valves might be loose or something.

The guy said at first glance that it looked like the alloy would need re-laquering to seal as it has been kerbed a bit. When he took the tyre off he showed me that the inside of both front tyres was pretty much bald, more than likely due to the tracking being out. I asked about whether I would need four tyres (as the car is 4WD) and he said that as the rear tyres had over 6mm left I would only need two fronts.

A couple of questions, is this OK to just get the two fronts and what tyres should I be getting.

I have just bought the car, insurance and a whole bunch of other stuff so money is to say the least a bit on the tight side. The tyres that are on it are Wanli 1099 and although they would appear to be a budget brand they have seemed fine for me (at least my style of driving).

SO basically, two fronts are OK and what type of tyres would be OK to put on it?

Thanks

[_Batty_]

Bridgestone Re050's, Avon ZZ3's, Falken 452's/ZE912, Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta, Kuhmo KU31's etc etc etc
All decent tyres, and less than the OEM equipment (mine are RE050's which are OEM i think).

[ScoobieWRX]

Ideally you should replace all 4 tyres every time if you can. It is a permanent 4X4 setup so it matters that all 4 tyres are wearing at the same rate and keep the same circumference otherwise it could mess with your centre diff although 2mm difference isn't the end of the world. Rotating your tyres (back to front) every 5,000 - 7,500 miles is a good idea when you buy all 4 new.

As you have 6mm left on a set you should perhaps put those on the rear and a new set on the front. My WRX always used more tyres on the rear than the front when geometry was set up as factory, other way around now with my front camber setup however, others say the fronts wear more under factory setup so you'll have to see how it works out on yours.

Just keep an eye on tread depth every week with a tyre gauge to see which end wears quickest. Don't let them go too far out of circumference otherwise you may well get some diff issues. Same with any perm 4x4 though.

[jeff8407]

The inside edge of the front tires wearing prematurely is a "traditional" Subaru quality. It comes from the factory alignment. You can have the alignment adjusted, but it makes the front more edgy, removing some of the built-in underteer.

[zombies]

Might not be relevant but
I had this on my Renault, its fitted with pressure sensors and was always getting warning messages about low pressure in the tyres

A mate has a mate who has a wheel place (wheel specialists Manchester!) and he told me about the weights on the alloys
If they are clip on type and not stick on then this is the cause.

I went to my tyre place where I had them fitted and told him, he said it was rubbish and couldn't possibly cause it
anyway, I had them all removed and never had a problem since, he still refuses to accept this!

Bridgestone RE050 are good tyres, had them on a S2000
I bought mine off oponeo.co.uk

Edited by zombies on Friday 9th November 21:49