Hello,

 I run a 2013 Fabia TSI  estate. I bought the car at 16000 miles and it had the original 4 Continental Premium Contact 2 tyres on. 195/55/15H.  The fronts had 4mm tread and the rears 6mm. I was told that the previous owner had not had the tyres rotated front to back during his ownership. I had them rotated when i bought the car and again last October. When I checked them for tread in April of this  year the fronts were down to 3mm at the edge and slightly more at the centre and I  decided to have two new tyres. My local independent bought one new Premium 2 and they also  brought the brand   new tyre ( part of the deal when I bought the car) on the spare into play. My calculations tell me that  the old tyres that were replaced would have lasted until 27000 miles when they would have been at 2mm. I appreciate that the tyres were not rotated before I became the owner but even so 27000 miles doesnt seem that good. I had a Mark One Corsa with appreciably smaller tyres, only 13inch rims on Firestones and I got 38000 miles from them. They still had 4 mm of tread left and the only reason I changed them was because they had cracks on them owing to the age of the tyres; 11 years old. I have had several cars in the past, non Skodas, whee tyre wear exceeded 40000 miles. I would have thought the Contis should  have easily exceeded 30000 miles but that clearly didnt happen. I understand that Conti Premium 2s are not that good on longevity and Conti 5s are better in that respect but I didnt want to shell out for 2 new Conti 5s when I had a brand new 2 sitting on the spare wheel and I didnt want to mix different tyres on the same axle. Was i wrong in thinking that or did I do the right thing? Any views on the longevity of the Premium 2 tyres will also  be appreciated as I was frankly disappointed with how short their life was.I would add that I check the pressures each month with my own reliable tyre pressure gauge and footpump and strictly observe the recommended pressures . Thank you.

 

I go through a set of fronts in 12k

 

I think 27,000 is a fair mileage as an average. You got more out of a Corsa, most likely as it was a lighter vehicle. Also, different brands/tyre constructions wear at different rates. A winter tyre will almost certainly wear out quick if used all year. a low rolling resistance tyre might last longer. The faster you drive and harder you brake will all impact the longevity of the tyres, along with the brake pads/discs and the suspension components. Drive gently and you will not only increase the tyre longevity, you will improve the life of many mechanical parts and save fuel. You mentioned rotation... This is a good thing but also be aware that tyre pressures will need altering too if the vehicle you drive has different front to rear pressures, which many do! As for mixing tyres, it may be ok if they are the same type and size but I prefer to keep the same pattern on each axle, if not all round. Not always possible but better. Just an opinion!

@hetty1 2 things:-

1. I don't know how you drive, but that's not the highest wear rate ever.
2. Continentals want replacing at about 3mm because that's the legal limit in Germany, and they use a much harder and less grippy compound below that.

hetty, my Mk2 Fabia Estate diesel fronts lasted just 25k miles before needing replacement. All quite normal. Driving style, low down engine torque that the TSI engines produce all increase tyre wear. My diesel was slightly heavier at the front than a petrol and also produced lots of low down torque so wearing the fronts out at the mid 20k miles mark is not uncommon. Same for your TSI motor. I also had a 1.6 105ps 6spd Tiptronic petrol Fabia Estate that also wore out it's front tyres at 25k, again all normal so 27k on yours is very good. 

If you ran a motorcycle, you would absolutely LOVE to get that mileage, especially from a rear tyre! A powerful bike can kill a rear in around 3000 miles! I know its apples and oranges but it makes you feel better about getting 27,000 I hope!

I got about 33k from a pair of the original Dunlop Sport Maxx that came on my monte estate, although one was very heavily worn on the inside edge despite the wheel alignment being spot on.

 

I have moved to non directional continental sport contact 5's which seem good so far

27k would do me fine, thats about 4 years worth for me