Just a heads up. You don't need the same tread pattern on the same axle mate.
....Surely you meant to write that you DO need the same tread pattern on the same axle, and you meant that front tyre treads could be different from rear tyre treads. Ideally it's better to have the same tread patterns all round and deeper treads on the rear - Sticky Vicky must be obeyed!
From experience, avoid running Directional treads on one axle and Asymmetric treads on the other - It kicks in the ESP more often and can feel very snatchy to drive.
No. It's a bit of a dated practice. There's absolutely nothing wrong with running different tread patterns on the same axel. I'm not saying do it deliberately but if you've got a good conti that's out of production there's no need to bin it off. Especially if its in nearly new condition.
....Sorry but I'm not sure I can agree.
If two tyres have a different tread pattern then they are very likely indeed (almost 100% certain?) to have different properties in their construction and/or rubber. For example, tyre wall stiffness. Consequently, under typical stresses and UK road conditions the car's ESP system is likely to kick in as it reads one wheel (tyre) behaving differently.
This is not necessarily a problem in itself inasmuch that the ESP will 'save the day' and help you out of trouble. However, I know from direct experience that the ESP kicking in due to tyre differences is very unpleasant and actually the first few times it happens it's quite scary until you realise what is happening and keep your foot planted through it. And that experience is with a Quaife diff installed.
Another aspect of this is that tyre wear rate is likely to be different between different tyres and again it's far from ideal to have uneven tyre wear on an axle.
So, until someone can fully explain otherwise, I don't agree that your advice on this is a good practice and especially not for any spirited driving (which GTI's are designed for).
