Volkswagen Golf

No, our Golf hasn’t had the misfortune to be struck down by a double puncture. Instead, it’s tyre wear that has caused us to dig out the jacks and axle stands and get our hands dirty.

It’s no surprise that the GTI’s front wheels have a healthy appetite for rubber. Having to steer and cope with 197bhp is enough by itself, but factor in the model’s addictive nature – which makes the keen drivers in the office act like over-excited children – and it’s hardly surprising that after nearly 14,000 miles, the tyres are as bald as my head. Well, almost.

Over the past few weeks, we had started to notice the front end becoming less crisp and sharp, understeer occurring at lower speeds and the traction control having to work harder to quell wheelspin. So, the logical thing to do was switch the front and rear rubber round.

Only when we actually removed the tyres did we realise how much they’d worn, with the fronts nearly down to the minimum tread depth indicators. If you own a Golf GTI that’s covered a similar mileage, we would urge you to do the same soon – we should have kept a closer eye on ours. Having swapped them over, the difference is remarkable. Not only does the car feel better balanced with more positive turn-in, but it’s also faster. We measured the 0-60mph time at 6.7 seconds before the transfer and 6.5 seconds immediately after, while the braking distance from 60mph was one metre shorter.

So the GTI is far from slow, and although the naked brake discs don’t look that big, they’re well up to the task of keeping the VW on a tight leash. However, we’re beginning to spot the first signs that it’s time for a service. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine doesn’t feel as perky as it used to, and the mechanical responses are softer.

Worst of all, fuel economy has dropped off by about 2mpg. At 28mpg rather than 30mpg, we’re getting roughly 20 miles less to a £50 tankful of super unleaded. Still, when both the Ford Focus ST and Vauxhall Astra VXR struggle to achieve 25mpg, it seems churlish to complain.

The dashboard display has recently started warning that a service is due in 1,100 miles, so we’re hoping that a check-up will improve matters. And it won’t be a surprise if the garage suggests that we get two new rear tyres fitted...

Second opinion

The GTI may not be the most practical car for someone with two young children, but prising the three-door’s keys out of Ollie’s grip has proven difficult. I managed to snaffle them at the weekend and must admit that I also adore the Golf. It handles brilliantly, looks fantastic and the cabin design and quality are superb. Apart from a couple of stone chips and wheel scuffs, the VW looks as good as it did the day it arrived.