tire wear

surphr · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 07:26 PM

I recently purchased a dealer demo Cayman S with 2,170 miles on it. The tires (all four) were severely worn from the center of the tread to the outer edge only. The dealer replaced the tires at my request (no charge)and stated that they were worn becasue test rides with potential buyers typcially involve numerous turns and the tires were under inflated. Any comments?

kmaness · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 07:33 PM

what he meant to say was 'rides with potential buyers are usually performed with the 'drive it like you stole it'mentality.

But seriously though, I have a hard time believing that story. Center to outside wearing is an alignment issue (my guess). With some crazy positive camber??? Im not expert but I would definately get the car aligned by the dealer.

**Santa Fe** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 07:34 PM

Yep, this isn't a Cayman complaint but an 'abuse by test drives' complaint[img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/img] and a dealer complaint about not 'properlyinflating' the tires (I guess he wanted a soft ride?). I'm glad the dealer did the right thing and put new tires on it for you and I hope your Cayman wasn't abused in other ways...

By the way Welcome to Cayman ownership!

Edited by - Santa Fe on 08/07/2006 1:37:01 PM

Poindexter · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 11:37 AM

What kind of miles are people getting out of the stock tires? Mind stating which brand you have and whether you're on 18' or 19' wheels?

Thanks [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/regular_smile.gif[/img]

Edited by - Poindexter on 08/08/2006 05:37:40 AM

surphr · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 12:23 PM

The tires are 19' Michelin Pilot Sports. The tires are supposed to be good for 20-25,000 miles. The dealer checked the alignment when the tires were replaced and said it was OK. I am concerend about how that kind of tire wear can happen. I had the same tires on a CLK with no unusual wear at 15,000 miles. However, the recommeded inflation pressure for the CLK was 45 lbs. I asked the servcie manager why Porsche recommends 32-35 lbs. and he was unsure. The Michelin website was not helpful.

**Santa Fe** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 01:05 PM

It is not the tires or the Cayman you need to worry about. It is how the car was driven and by whom that is a concern. Could this be one of the introduction cars? They were driven pretty hard in most places. You might ask the dealer for a print out from the engine computer to make sure it wasn't over rev'd. It is too late now but an extended warranty would have been a nice thing for the dealer to throw in if he is admiting that they wore the tires out so quickly because of hard driving.

**mpollard** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 01:52 PM

surphr, It's not too late to request that your dealer run a report on engine revs, especially because you have good reason to suspect test drive abuse. it is best to document the over revs now, so that any finger pointing down the is aimed at the dealer, i.e., before you started driving it. Engines are much more expensive to repair or replace than tires and you down the road you don't want PCNA saying you are stuck with the engine, clutch, etc., bill because of abuse that someone else did to what is now your car..

surphr · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the info on the printout. I'll ask for it. It could be an intro car. It was titled in January. When I complained about losing 6 months of the original warranty, the dealer gave me an extended warranty (2 years/100,000 mi)which kicks in after the original expires.

**Helo Driver** · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 09:29 PM

Surphr,

You should be fine with the extra warranty. I'd still get the print out of the possible engine over-revs and make sure that it is documented properly. You should be fine. Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the board.

Shane

**jim@tirerack** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-14-2007, 03:19 PM

The wear you are describing is not from inflation it is an alignment problem. If it was inflation they would have been worn on the inside and the outside shoulders of the tire. Real aggresive driving will wear the fron outside shoulder of the tires as well. I would say you are not going to get 25K out of Pilot Sports on this car though.

Naybor · #11 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 05:22 AM

With the extended warranty you got, and the new tires, you are in fine shape. My CS is doing fine after several track days. I am sure nobody could test drive the car on public roads and test it more than what one does on the track. The car can handle this, and the warranty gives you a safety net. Enjoy your car! Drive it hard! Take it to the track!

**bdklein** · #12 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 05:32 AM

If I ain't replacing tires every 10,000 miles I ain't having fun.

**MrClean** · #13 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 02:06 AM

I'd have to agree with bdklein, 10k miles out of a set of Pilot Sports is about right.