Passat Bluemotion 'special' tyres?

Andreg

I have recently bought a 2009 VW Passat Bluemotion. All the reviews I read of the car before I bought it said it has special low-rolling-resistance tyres that are inflated to 6psi higher than normal Passats'. Looking at the tyres though they seem to be a pretty bog-standard Continental Premium Contact 2.

Could anyone advise whether there is anything really different about these Bluemotion tyres or can I replace them with any mid-range tyres?

Also can I reduce the inflation to the normal Passat levels and get better ride and handling? (Obviously I know the fuel consumption won't be so good!)

I hope someone who has some knowledge can advise.

flashg67

According to the Conti website, the Premium Contact 2 is a 'fuel efficient' tyre so you are correct in that you can fit any other tyre but will lose some fuel efficiency due to higher rolling resistance.

One question I've never got to the bottom of though is that the Bluemotion package (and other manufacturers similar products) combine various measures to often give a lower CO2 output, and hence a lower car tax rating. My question is, if you take some of these fuel efficiency measures away (eg tyres), could this then push it into a higher CO2 band - perhaps they'll ask you what tyres are on it when you come to tax it? EG, I know some Volvos even have 'special' (and ugly) alloys that decrease wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency!

A bit off topic but thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts?

Hintza

flashg67 wrote: »

A bit off topic but thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts?

Can you imagine the hassle to collect any variances.

Take the new Fiat 500 Eco you don't even need to change the tyres you just hit a switch.

TiTheRev

The Bluemotion variants also have lighter and smaller alloys to reduce weight and increase efficiency. I largest I believe is a 16" wheel, but the polo's have 13/14". The Conti is an 'approved' fuel efficient tyre, and the figures for MPG etc are based on the use of those. If you change tyres etc you may notice some reduced MPG (but not increase emmissions, lol!), but it will not effect the car other than that. Tyre pressures are listed in the fuel cap of the vehicle, but as far as i'm aware they are the same as the standard Passats at approx 30psi.

johnnyroper

the conti tyres are nothing radical and new just for the bluemotion,they have been around for a while as have other manufacturers like michelin.
the higher end tyre brands all seem to offer a eco tyre whether it really makes a noticable difference i dont know,i would hazard a guess and say it only makes a noticable difference when combined with other fuel saving measures used on the bluemotion.

as for the tax band thing once the car is given a band it stays that way no matter what you do to the car.

davetrousers

There are several tyre companies that have tyres that claim they will improve you mpg. Why not get prices for fuel-saving tyres ann non-fuel-saving tyres and then decide?

fred7777

flashg67 wrote: »

My question is, if you take some of these fuel efficiency measures away (eg tyres), could this then push it into a higher CO2 band - perhaps they'll ask you what tyres are on it when you come to tax it?

No they don't ask you any questions they send you a form telling you how much you have to pay based on the CO2 rating of the car when manufactured.
Don't change anything but don't service it, let the tyres deflate, fill the boot with stuff you don't need and put a roof rack on it and you will also see a decrease in economy. The list of things they would have to ask you if they started is endless.

harveybobbles

The only problem I see with all these BlueMotion, BlueEfficienty, EcoNonsense cars is that due to the lower Co2 etc you have to drive the cars harder to make them give decent performance and end up getting lower MPG lol.

Lum

harveybobbles wrote: »

The only problem I see with all these BlueMotion, BlueEfficienty, EcoNonsense cars is that due to the lower Co2 etc you have to drive the cars harder to make them give decent performance and end up getting lower MPG lol.

Don't forget that when all the emissions lowering gadgetry, such as DPFs, eventually fails, it costs a lot more to repair, orften so much that it's cheaper to buy another car and scrap your old one. Not good for the environment.

The EcoMuppet cars are really only good for company car drivers as all they pay is tax and fuel.

motorguy

harveybobbles wrote: »

The only problem I see with all these BlueMotion, BlueEfficienty, EcoNonsense cars is that due to the lower Co2 etc you have to drive the cars harder to make them give decent performance and end up getting lower MPG lol.

My Passat Bluemotion had 110BHP - the same output as the regular 2.0CR TDI S cars, the difference being mine averages an easy 62-64mpg over every fill compared to early 50's in a regular passat over the same sort of journeys. 1000 miles to a tank was not uncommon for me.

AND i got it for less new than the equivalet 'S' model. :money:

motorguy

Lum wrote: »

Don't forget that when all the emissions lowering gadgetry, such as DPFs, eventually fails, it costs a lot more to repair, orften so much that it's cheaper to buy another car and scrap your old one. Not good for the environment.

The EcoMuppet cars are really only good for company car drivers as all they pay is tax and fuel.

I dont see how you can say that? DPF's are fitted to the 'regular' diesels in the range too. Most of the 'gadgets' on the bluemotion are now starting to come as standard to other models in the ranges. The more cars have them the cheaper the parts.

There was no difference at all in driving the Passat Bluemotion over a regular Passat TDI (other than the lack of noise at tickover in mine) AND i got an easy 10mpg extra.

How is that not a good deal?

I would go as far as to say that if you are otherwise buying a boggo Golf or Passat, you would be as well to get the Bluemotion and benefit from the extra economy too.

Its the standard cars i can no longer see the sense of - not the 'eco muppet' variants.