159 / Brera / Spider tyre wear issues - VIP - Revised Information

[Squadrone Rosso]

Evening all.

Following a good discussion with ARUK Customer Services today, I'm want to catalogue all the posts to do with premature front tyre wear (inner edges) so as to evidence the problem.

I'll stick this thread like the 2.2 hesitation thread / 2.4 economy thread.

Please provide details of the mileage when your tyres got changed, the wear pattern, the size of the tyre, the cost and any response from your dealer or support from ARUK Customer Service. Also, feel free to mention anything else you feel relevant.

To note, please be factual & constructive

Over to you

[mwuk]

I think this is a great idea, more power to your elbow Si. Did they suggest that they are actually interested in the experiences of forum users then?

[Squadrone Rosso]

Originally Posted by mwuk

I think this is a great idea, more power to your elbow Si. Did they suggest that they are actually interested in the experiences of forum users then?

The chap said that they are told to take what's on the net with a pinch of salt but when I steered him to the 9+ pages on the hesitation issue, he seemed genuinely interested

[Hunter]

I'm with you on this SR

3 x 159's and Ive had awful tyre wear. Tracking setup seems wrong from factory and even though 4-wheel re-alignment helped loads, it's still not acceptable.

[TRACER]

I have just replaced the two fronts on my 2.4 Brera the inside egdes were bold had the tracking checked by the dealer they said it was ok had them recheck it after I said that the inner edges were bold they then said the tracking was just out, now thinking of taking it to an independant to see what they say about the tracking. I've only done 14k shorely you should get more than that out of a set of front tyres?

[k3lvc]

Originally Posted by TRACER

I've only done 14k shorely you should get more than that out of a set of front tyres?

If you look at the rest of the threads your lucky to have got 14k miles.

[Squadrone Rosso]

So guys, how should I collate the evidence

[k3lvc]

Is there a multiple option on polls e.g. front/rear, brand, size, mileage ?

If not then look like it's a simple sticky with everyones responses

[cj romeo]

On my 2.4 Ti at 7000 miles teh tyres are still legal, but the fronts worn on teh inside and the rears on the outside, so i rotated them as I didnt want to be arguiung with Fiat Auto Contracts in Kwik Fit!

[cj romeo]

Originally Posted by TRACER

I . I've only done 14k shorely you should get more than that out of a set of front tyres?

On a heavy front wheel drive car, I would not expect to get any more than that, in fact 10-12,000 is more like it.

[euroboy]

Count me in for this one. I complained about it as well but they werent interested.

1st set. 7k miles, bald inside, 4mm outside.

2nd set. 8k miles.

3rd set. 6k miles!!

4th set on the car now.

Also had to replace one set of rear tyres at 18k (which I consider acceptable).

This is with a lot of mway work too..... as an example of how crap it is my dad has got over 33k out of the front set of Pirellis on his Zafira (total mway work and I know its exceptional, but still!)

[RicksAlfas]

2006 Brera 2.4

- fronts replaced at 9,500 - even wear across tread.
- fronts now due for replacing at 19,000 - even wear across tread
- rears getting low - even wear across tread.

All Bridgestone RE050s. Might give some of those Vredestein Sessssssannttaaas a go.

[Squadrone Rosso]

OK. I'll stick this thread and edit my first post to be more explicit about what we are looking for.

Cheers,

Simon

[Squadrone Rosso]

My experiences.

Fronts changed in July at 9k miles. Bulk of the tread at just over 2mm but inner worn down to one of the base layers

Dealer (Chris Variava) first spotted this in May at 6k miles and said it was a common issue with the 159's, especially the Ti's

I was advised that ARUK were aware and got told that I would be supported if I was to write a letter (which I haven't).

New tyres cost £420 from event tyres, Stuck with the original PZN's and put the new tyres on the rear bringing the fronts forward.

Car went in to Variava's in July (other issues) but they could not check the tracking due to a problem with their equipment.

Car was at Guests yesterday (2k since tyres fitted) and they checked and adjusted the tracking to parallel which is just outside of the tolerances stated by ARUK. Car feels fine to steer.

I'll keep you posted regarding wear.

Cheers,

Simon

[caradoc]

Two tyre changes (4 tyres) on the front at about 9000 miles each (from memory) on the Brera 2.2. Both sets of front tyres badly worn on inside fronts so much so canvas starting to appear on second set. Both sets were Bridgestone 235/18's. Budgens spotted second instance of worn tyres and tried to track down replacements.

[k3lvc]

Originally Posted by RicksAlfas

Might give some of those Vredestein Sessssssannttaaas a go.

Rick

Any idea where to get hold of these - trawled t'interweb a couple of nights ago with no joy.

[alfarmus]

Just to add a little balance (no pun intended!), I thought I'd throw in my tyre experience here too

I've had the Brera (3.2 see left!) since October '06, so nearly two years. It came with the Bridgestone's and so far its done just over 20,000 miles on the original set of tyres!

Tread is still at around 3-4mm and tyre wear is even across the tread on all four tires.

Go figure!

[ally]

Out of interest, does anyone know what the geometry setting are?

[RicksAlfas]

Originally Posted by k3lvc

Rick

Any idea where to get hold of these - trawled t'interweb a couple of nights ago with no joy.

My local mobile tyre fitter can get them. Not sure he'll come out to Switzerland though!

He said they normally take a couple of days to come through. Very popular with the Subarunutters apparently.

Camskills list them:
VREDESTEIN TYRES / CAR / VREDESTEIN ULTRAC SESSANTA - 235/45R18 98Y XL : £129.00

[RicksAlfas]

Originally Posted by alfarmus

Just to add a little balance (no pun intended!), I thought I'd throw in my tyre experience here too

I've had the Brera (3.2 see left!) since October '06, so nearly two years. It came with the Bridgestone's and so far its done just over 20,000 miles on the original set of tyres!

Tread is still at around 3-4mm and tyre wear is even across the tread on all four tires.

Go figure!

I think that's the Q4 benefit!

are wheels rotated when servicing your beauty's?

[Squadrone Rosso]

ARUK's Nick Jackson called again today to update me on my issues. Alfa claim not to be aware of any problems with front tyre wear I asked him to speak to his dealers to clarify this. As usual, i advised him to take a look on here but they are told not too. We had a constructive conversation and a promise to talk again soon.

[k3lvc]

Haven't read all the different threads about this but is it only a UK issue or are other markets suffering too ?

[alfarmus]

Originally Posted by 68alfa

are wheels rotated when servicing your beauty's?

Well, its only had the one service so far (next one due in October) and then, not unless its something they would do automatically?

[mamalasagne]

Last set were Pirelli P0 neros, £207 a tyre (incl fitting). They lasted about 10,000 miles, we had to take them off due to the inside front tyres being completely smooth, no tread left at all


We bought the car with 17" tyres - we ran the first set for 9000 miles, and they had even wear, if anything the inside was better than the outside, as you'd expect. Then, we got a set of 18" - we did 10,000 miles on those, and had to put the 17" back on, as the inside wear was ridiculous. We were really annoyed with these tyres, as it's ridiculous to spend twice as much on a set of tyres that last a fraction of the mileage, but it might be the car? Could it be because of the wheel size?

We told Alfa, and they told us that 10,000 miles was to be expected - in fact, they told hubby they've never heard of any Alfa going for longer than 12,000 miles ( ). We've put the 17" back on - they'd done 9,000, and we've done another 4,000, and they're still OK. I'd be really interested to see how you get on.