Vredestein Tires: Avoid at all costs

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

They also require that the Tires be rotated every 8,000 mi. and that proof of this be presented with any claim. Again, a reasonable requirement to insure that you were properly maintaining the Tire during your ownership.

This kind of sucks. Since our fronts and rears are different sizes, are we just limited to an 8000 mile warrantee?

[blue2000s]

black_bi-turbo - how old were those tires, I've had old tires do that after they had dried out.

Lil Bastard - Much of the heat build-up in a tire comes from repetitive flexing of the sidewall, overinflation actually decreases sidewall flex and lowers tire temp rise. As you noted, it's still not good for the tire though.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

This kind of sucks. Since our fronts and rears are different sizes, are we just limited to an 8000 mile warrantee?

Yea, staggered tires can be a pain (this is the 3rd car I've owned w/ staggered tires - you'd think I'd learn ).

But, you can still rotate them.

If you have Uni-directional tires, you just swap them side-to-side.

If your tires are Directional, you can still rotate them, but it involves more hassle and expense.

You need to remove them from the wheel and reverse and remount them on the opposite side of the car.

What makes Directional tires directional is that they have special water channeling tread on the outside of the tire designed to throw water away from the car. If you don't reverse them, the water channels are now on the inside of the tire and you throw the water toward the car's centerline and under the opposite tire dramatically increasing the potential for Hydroplaning.

Unfortunately, this is not the Tire Mfgrs.' problem, it's ours - chalk another one up to the Price of Admission!

[black_bi-turbo]

Sorry for the confusion, but for one, they aren't on a boxster. Also, the inflation specs are specific for the original factory tires/and wheels, which can change when moving up in wheel size. The tires were on the car for about 8 months, which is well under 5 years, and this is not a result of dryrot. I have the receipt of purchase necessary and i was right around 8000mi. on the tires. I appreciate the fact that these questions are being raised and i understand the tires are a consumable product, but this tire was not worn out. As i said, this has been my experience, ongoing since December.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by black_bi-turbo

Sorry for the confusion, but for one, they aren't on a boxster. Also, the inflation specs are specific for the original factory tires/and wheels, which changes when moving up in wheel size. The tires were on the car for about 8 months, which is well under 5 years, and this is not a result of dryrot. I have the receipt of purchase necessary and i was right around 8000mi. on the tires. I appreciate the fact that these questions are being raised and i understand the tires are a consumable product, but this tire was not worn out. As i said, this has been my experience, ongoing since December.

Tire pressure requirements don't necessarily change with tire size.

There is a date of manufacture on the tire that will tell you how old it is. They can be sitting in a warehouse for quite some time at a dealer before they get mounted.

[Lil bastard]

Well then, I'd say you need a different approach, or to be talking to a different person. If you could get a letter or such from a qualified mechanic, that couldn't hurt either. Try to get hold of their Customer Relations people, they are sometimes more amenable.

I once was in a similar situation as you (not tires, but another warranty dispute) and was able to get some interest (when everyone else stonewalled me) by contacting the V.P. R&D Dept. directly. The R&D guys have a vested interest in how their products perform. In my case, not only did they send me a direct refund for the defective product - $950 (totally skirting the Warranty altogether), but they sent me the newest updated version of the product FREE to 'Beta Test' 5 mos. before it was released for sale. Don't know if this would work for you, but it couldn't hurt.

I know that Michelin and Dunlop (possibly others) have an arbitration procedure set forth in their warranty, this may be an option, though possibly more hassle and possible expense.

You could also try writing to the The Royal Netherlands Embassy - Washington DC - http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/NABID.asp and present them with your documentation, that might help as they're always bringing in Trade Ambassadors to promote their country's products and services - they don't like negatives or dissatisfied customers. They may intercede in the dispute.

I'm just still confused why Vrdestein would put up such a fuss. This is really the 1st truly negative thing I've ever heard about them. Good Luck!