Dunlop 8000 durability
11-09-1998, 05:16 AM
#1
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Dunlop 8000 durability
I have a 98 A4 1.8T w/ the sport package, and therefore the Dunlop 8000's. Over the 3500 miles I've owned the care, I have been very impressed with the dry and wet handling of these sporty tires.<p>Last Friday night I accidentally ran over a chunk of loose, jagged concrete (approx 6" wide x 4" tall at it's tallest point) going about 30 mph in my neighborhood. I managed to swerve a little before impact, but still managed to "tag" the rock. Sure enough, about a block down the road, the tire went down with a 1/4" cut on the sidewall. I called all over San Antonio looking for the a replacement in stock, but nobody had it. Now I'm waiting 3 or 4 days for a tire to be shipped in.<p>I know and appreciate these are performance tires, but I was amazed at the softness of the sidewall when poking it after it was flat. It's scary to think what might happen if one runs over a "road hazard" at 80 or 90 mph! Comments?<p>Dan Alwood
11-09-1998, 05:31 AM
#2
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Re: Make sure you get the right tire!!!
Your car has the SP8000E. Make sure you do not get the plain 'ole SP8000... they are NOT the same tire and should not be mixed according to Dunlop. I've been down this road twice recently... killing the new tire (with only 30 miles on it) in a situation very close to yours.
11-09-1998, 05:53 AM
#3
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How much are the SP 8000 E's running?
I've seen the 8000 for around a $100 a pop. But my service manager says that the E's are much harder to find and are about $180 a piece. ouch.<p>Enzo<p>The "A" List:<br>Wife's -- 98.5 A4 1.8T QMS with fast wearing and expensive 8000Es (after 10,700 mi.)<br>Mine -- 84 Alfa Romeo GTV-6 with crappy Michelin TRX (metric) tires<br>Dog's -- 90 Acura Integra with its 4th set of Yokohama A509s, good tires for around $60 a piece
11-09-1998, 07:45 AM
#6
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Re: What's the difference between the E and non-E?
Some of the differences I saw:<p>http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/chicane/175/info/sp8k/sp8kdiff.htm<ul><li><a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/chicane/175/info/sp8k/sp8kdiff.htm">SP8000SP8000E differences</a></li></ul>
11-09-1998, 09:34 AM
#7
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blew a tire at 80, didn't notice difference in ride!
I heard a big thump thump thump!!!!, and I thought it was the truck next to me. I slowed down and the noise changed. Whoops! It was me! Pulled off the road no problem. the quatro is so damn stable I did not notice I had a flat at 80 mph! I used to drive a K car. talk about a world of difference!<br>
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11-09-1998, 11:14 AM
#8
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Re: Make sure you get the right tire!!!
I fully agree with Don. Get the right model.<p>I encountered similar circumstances 3 days after getting my car. Fortunately, I was able to obtain the _only_ SP8000E in the SF Bay area the next day. Next closest on was in Kansas City, KS!<p>Unfortunately, another tire got scraped on the inside sidewall, developed a bubble and had to be replaced with my full-size spare. (Glad I decided to get one.)<br>With this second incident,though, I'm starting to wonder if the SP8000E sidewalls are prone to sidewall failures. Never had such a problem with my other cars and other tires.<p>Jim
11-09-1998, 11:36 AM
#9
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Just found out I have the wrong tire - THANKS!
About two months ago my front right tire got a hole in the sidewall. Took it to Discount Tire and they replaced it. After reading the above info I went down to the garage to check my tire. Sure enough! No rim protector and Made in Japan instead of Made in Germany. They put on the wrong tire.<p>Discount Tire is looking into it right now. They said that their computers are showing the 8000E is discontinued, but will call to see if they can find me one. <p>Thanks for the info!