Hello all, I recently had to replace a relatively new tyre (3months on the car and about 1.5k on it) and it developed a small bulge in the sidewall. this bulge never changed for the 2-3 weeks I drove on it like this after  I noticed it.

 

the bulge is tiny but I didn't want to risk it blowing up halfway down the tyres life so then I would have an uneven set of tyres or have to replace both.

 

It's a Pirelli P-Zero 225/35 R19 so the replacement was not cheap. Now I was in contact with Pirelli and they said that I can get the tyre sent in for free for them to have a look for manufacturing faults as I do strongly believe it was not I who was at fault especially if you see my driving style. I do understand there is a low chance that I will be reimbursed for the tyre but as it's free to send it to them so why not. The issue I have is that it needs to be done though a dealer or tyre fitter as then are the ones who need to fill out the paperwork. I have called so many garages and all say they don't know how to do it or don't want to. 

 

Im looking at this in the way of entering a prize draw of £170 for free. 

 

What is the best plan of action for this situation and would love to hear if anyone has had any luck with the tyre warranty. 

 

If no luck i'll just clean it up and hang it on the wall somewhere, better than throwing it away. even better... make a coffee table out of it.😂

 

The tyre is in perfect condition otherwise, no cracks, cuts or uneven wear. manufacture date is from week 18 year 22 and was fitted start of October 22.

Edited 26 January, 20233 yr by WillRB

Low profile tyres, bad roads.  Real world damage. 

 

If the dealers that sell Pirelli tyres or others are not interested in helping then you are stuffed.

 

You will have hit a pothole or iron works on the road.

Not really a manufacturing fault. 

 

I did get a pair of very new Maxxis AP11 replaced with a bulge, but then they had cracking as well. 

It was the seller credited me.   That was MyTyre, not Maxxis.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/382657-maxxis-ap2-all-season-tyres

 

My Michelin Alpin 6 bulged this winter, that was me again driving and hitting potholes.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/488370-michelin-alpin-6-winter-tyres

 

 

Edited 26 January, 20233 yr by toot

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Credit to you for actions with the tyre on a performance vehicle and taking into account tread wear to the set.

 

If you contact a proper tyre place that sells Pirelli they should be able to arrange this through their supplier or Pirelli direct.   Surely the place that sold you your new tyre should be able to sort this(?).  What about contacting Pirelli again and see what they can suggest.  If the tyre is defective from production then it could well be worth your while.

 

I know you've got a VRS but to me a 225/35 R19 is a bloody silly fashion size and the 18" size just as silly but I doubt you could go to more sensible sizes.  I seen a few VRS owners of different model put that they have preferred (relatively) smaller wheels in real world use.

 

Edited 28 January, 20233 yr by nta16
ETA: Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

On 26/01/2023 at 02:36, WillRB said:

contact with Pirelli

There is an industry standard form to fill out that I can email you, but not until Monday.

 

The process can take months for you to get an answer.

 

Michelin have just started using their own method using a portal and photos. ( even harder than the form. )

 

It will be from impact damage.

 

You only need to runover a stone that is 1-2 inches high just on the one sidewall edge for this damage to happen.

 

So you don't feel a bad thump like when you go through a pothole.

 

I see this regularly.

 

As Toot said:-

On 26/01/2023 at 07:28, toot said:

Low profile tyres, bad roads.  Real world damage. 

 

As quoted to me;-   'Aesthetic looking wheels / tyres are expensive.'

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

15 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

There is an industry standard form to fill out that I can email you, but not until Monday.

 

The process can take months for you to get an answer.

 

Michelin have just started using their own method using a portal and photos. ( even harder than the form. )

 

It will be from impact damage.

 

You only need to runover a stone that is 1-2 inches high just on the one sidewall edge for this damage to happen.

 

So you don't feel a bad thump like when you go through a pothole.

 

I see this regularly.

 

As Toot said:-

 

As quoted to me;-   'Aesthetic looking wheels / tyres are expensive.'

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

 

I recently saw a secondhand Octavia MK3 VRS for sale with 19" rims.

 

The owner had changed from the standard 225/35R19 tyre size to massively over size 235/40R19 from the Superb MK3.

 

No doubt, as a result of previous damage to the damage prone 225/35R19.

 

He might not have realized that fitting 235/40 tyres to 7.5J rims is technically illegal as they officially need 8J rims, although the tyre fitter should have refused to fit them.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

225/35 7.5-8.0-9.0

235/40 8.0-8.5-9.5

 

Edited 28 January, 20233 yr by Carlston

On 26/01/2023 at 07:28, toot said:

Low profile tyres, bad roads.  Real world damage. 

 

If the dealers that sell Pirelli tyres or others are not interested in helping then you are stuffed.

 

You will have hit a pothole or iron works on the road.

Not really a manufacturing fault. 

Thanks for the reply, I know that's what it could possibly be but if it's all free to get it sent out and checked I fell its worth it.

 

On 28/01/2023 at 14:44, nta16 said:

Credit to you for actions with the tyre on a performance vehicle and taking into account tread wear to the set.

I mean if the bulge blew or got worse half way through the life then I'd have one new tyre and one half used and there is no playing catchup with tyre wear. I suppose I could drive around a nascar track though!

 

On 28/01/2023 at 22:09, AGFalco said:

There is an industry standard form to fill out that I can email you, but not until Monday.

 

The process can take months for you to get an answer.

 

Michelin have just started using their own method using a portal and photos. ( even harder than the form. )

 

It will be from impact damage.

 

You only need to runover a stone that is 1-2 inches high just on the one sidewall edge for this damage to happen.

 

So you don't feel a bad thump like when you go through a pothole.

 

I see this regularly.

This gives me at lease a little hope. I will have a look around and try to contact someone 

It could possibly be the stone you mentioned as you don't hear them but fingers crossed luck is on my side. 

On 28/01/2023 at 22:19, Carlston said:

I recently saw a secondhand Octavia MK3 VRS for sale with 19" rims.

 

The owner had changed from the standard 225/35R19 tyre size to massively over size 235/40R19 from the Superb MK3.

 

No doubt, as a result of previous damage to the damage prone 225/35R19.

 

He might not have realized that fitting 235/40 tyres to 7.5J rims is technically illegal as they officially need 8J rims, although the tyre fitter should have refused to fit them.

This might be something I have to look into doing if they become a pain. Just currently wishing for summer and repaired roads as it's such a pain to drive so carefully at the moment. 

Just got of the phone from Pirelli and had a really helpful woman explain that the new tyre fitter replacing the bulging tyre or the original fitter of the bulging tyre can 'legally' decline my request to send the tyre to Pirelli, guess that's good news and hoping we get somewhere. Will update if anything progresses.

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

2 hours ago, WillRB said:

I mean if the bulge blew or got worse half way through the life then I'd have one new tyre and one half used and there is no playing catchup with tyre wear. I suppose I could drive around a nascar track though!

Yeap, I used to change my tyres in sets of four, if after a thousand miles I didn't like them I'd replace that set, no point having a performance vehicle with tyres you don't like and don't all perform as they should as a set - but those days are long gone.

1 hour ago, nta16 said:

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Yeap, I used to change my tyres in sets of four, if after a thousand miles I didn't like them I'd replace that set, no point having a performance vehicle with tyres you don't like and don't all perform as they should as a set - but those days are long gone.

Yes that is so true, Feel like my P-Zero's are great in the dry but shockingly bad in the wet and cold.

 

Also where I got the replacement tyre from said they will take the bulging tyre and send it to Pirelli, they were unsure how to as nobody has done it before, interested to see how it goes.

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

1 hour ago, WillRB said:

Feel like my P-Zero's are great in the dry but shockingly bad in the wet and cold.

I had an MX-5 (1.6) new at the turn of the last century that had on (steel wheels!!) some great Yokohama tyres good in the wet but too good in the dry for rear wheel drive movement so I swapped them for tyres very good in the wet and not so good in the dry, I'm a lot more cautious in the wet.

 

The tyres supplied holding so well in the dry I think gave some driver's not so used to rear wheel drive who bought and drove the cars in spring, summer and autumn too much confidence so in winter and you'd see MX-5s off lampposts and trees.

 

I'd better stop or I'll get told off for too much thread drift (without involving car drift). 😄

 

Edited 31 January, 20233 yr by nta16
missing word

5 hours ago, WillRB said:

there is no playing catchup with tyre wear

 

Near side tyres tend to wear faster than offside tyres.

So try to fit the better tyre to the near side when not fitted in pairs.

 

On 26/01/2023 at 02:36, WillRB said:

developed a small bulge

A bulge in a tyre is an MOT fail.

 

 

Just send Pirelli a photo of the tyre ( the one above in your first post ) and they will tell you if it is worth sending them the tyre to inspect.

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

 

On 31/01/2023 at 19:11, nta16 said:

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

I had an MX-5 (1.6) new at the turn of the last century that had on (steel wheels!!) some great Yokohama tyres good in the wet but too good in the dry for rear wheel drive movement so I swapped them for tyres very good in the wet and not so good in the dry, I'm a lot more cautious in the wet.

 

The tyres supplied holding so well in the dry I think gave some driver's not so used to rear wheel drive who bought and drove the cars in spring, summer and autumn too much confidence so in winter and you'd see MX-5s off lampposts and trees.

 

I'd better stop or I'll get told off for too much thread drift (without involving car drift). 😄

 

Hard to find that balance sometimes but compromises have to be made I guess.

 

On another note, Kwik Fit took the tyre and just asked for a photo of the bulge which I had printed and stuck to the inside of the tyre. Fingers crossed I hear some good news but doubt it. The lady said she has only done this once about 5 years ago so do people not try this? I would have guessed it would be more common as there is no downside for the consumer in trying at least.

Anyway will probably be a long while until an update comes my way. See you in the future everyone.

On 31/01/2023 at 17:34, WillRB said:

Yes that is so true, Feel like my P-Zero's are great in the dry but shockingly bad in the wet and cold.

Lots of Pirelli summer tyres don't like cold rain, my P7s that factory put on were same, grip falls on rapidly in wet below about +10c

 

I am convinced that they are formulated to be optimal between about +10c and +40c.  Especially since Pirelli introduced its all season.  Brilliant for warm summer days, useless from late October to early April when the presumably expect you to fit their Soto zero winter tyre

On 31/01/2023 at 17:34, WillRB said:

Yes that is so true, Feel like my P-Zero's are great in the dry but shockingly bad in the wet and cold.

I had exactly the same with the factory fit P Zero Rossos on an RS4, was really quite glad they only lasted 9000 miles, after that I've avoided P Zeros and gone with mostly Michelin Pilot Sports or Goodyear Eagle F1 of various generations and been much happier with the consistency of grip and handling in all conditions.

 

Not impressed with the Continental's on my L&K, so easy to spin the front wheels when moving away from stop.

Edited 2 February, 20233 yr by PetrolDave

I have processed many tyre complaints over the years.

 

I have only had one where it actually looked like a faulty tyre.

This was on a week old tyre and the claim was successful.

The fault was only visible after fitting the tyre and driving it.

 

Most you know are not faulty tyres from the start.

Some people listen to my advise and don't try to claim.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

On 02/02/2023 at 19:43, AGFalco said:

I have processed many tyre complaints over the years.

 

I have only had one where it actually looked like a faulty tyre.

This was on a week old tyre and the claim was successful.

The fault was only visible after fitting the tyre and driving it.

 

Most you know are not faulty tyres from the start.

Some people listen to my advise and don't try to claim.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

I guess that's the most likely outcome but as I said it is free to do regardless of the outcome. so I know I tried at least. I mean my fingers are still crossed.