Jump to content

Tyres


CRC

Recommended Posts

My 2.5TDI is fitted with the 17" alloy wheels and has always run on 225-45-17 tyres, but looking at a new Superb (the estate version) yesterday, I noticed that while it still runs on 17" alloys, the aspect ratio of the tyres is 55, which gives the tyres noticeable increase in side wall height.

 

Speaking to the driver, he said that the ride quality was a lot better than his previous Superb which was fitted with 45 aspect ratio tyres, expecially over pot holes and bumps.

 

Having had a quick look around, I notice that 225-55-17 tyres are pretty common these days and wonder if anyone has tried these on the Mk 1 Superb's alloy wheels, what it did to the ride and did they like the mod?

 

The diameter of the tyre will obviously be bigger, but as my speedo seems to read 10% low anyway, I can't see that the speedometer would be an issue.

 

I have considered looking for some steel wheels to give a better ride, but am wondering if just changing the tyre on the alloys might be a better move?

 

Thanks 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 2.5TDI is fitted with the 17" alloy wheels and has always run on 225-45-17 tyres, but looking at a new Superb (the estate version) yesterday, I noticed that while it still runs on 17" alloys, the aspect ratio of the tyres is 55, which gives the tyres noticeable increase in side wall height.

 

Speaking to the driver, he said that the ride quality was a lot better than his previous Superb which was fitted with 45 aspect ratio tyres, expecially over pot holes and bumps.

 

Having had a quick look around, I notice that 225-55-17 tyres are pretty common these days and wonder if anyone has tried these on the Mk 1 Superb's alloy wheels, what it did to the ride and did they like the mod?

 

The diameter of the tyre will obviously be bigger, but as my speedo seems to read 10% low anyway, I can't see that the speedometer would be an issue.

 

I have considered looking for some steel wheels to give a better ride, but am wondering if just changing the tyre on the alloys might be a better move?

 

Thanks 

 

 

You may(or may not!) have problems with the 255/55/17 due to the bigger diameter - eg overfilling wheelarches etc Insurance may be an issue if the tyre size hasn't been specified for the car

 

I had a Superb I classic with alloys that were fitted with 205/55 r16 tyres that gave a great ride quality, didn't cost much and lasted 33k miles (Michelins) 

 

Infact it's one of the reasons I bought an "S" model Superb II as this was also shod in 205/55 16 tyres - The original Continental tyres have got over 35k miles on them (ignoring one puncture replacement) and over 5mm remaining

 

[EDIT] - Wouldn't a larger diameter make the speedo read even lower?

Edited by bigjohn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, I should have said that my speedo reads 10% high (not low), so an indicated 30 mph is 27mph with a sat nav.

 

I hadn't realised that they did 205/55/16 alloys on any of the MK1 Superbs and had assumed that all the alloys were 225/45/17 (and that all the steel wheels were 205/55/16), that's interesting.

 

I see what you mean about the wheel arches .... I calculate that the tyres would increase the overall diameter of the tyre by 45 mm, which might get a bit close under heavy braking.

 

35k miles and still got 5mm left, that's amazing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the standard alloys were 205/55/16.  I notice a significant increase in comfort when I switch from 225/45/r17 summers to 2015/55/r16 steel winters.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I checked the size on my steel spare wheel for reference ( 205/55/R16) (7J x 16H2 ET 37) and was surprised to see it plastered with yellow 50 mph max stickers.

 

I can understand that with one of those very thin space saver tyres, but it seems a bit extreme for a "normal sized" spare!!

 

Puzzled .....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I checked the size on my steel spare wheel for reference ( 205/55/R16) (7J x 16H2 ET 37) and was surprised to see it plastered with yellow 50 mph max stickers.

 

I can understand that with one of those very thin space saver tyres, but it seems a bit extreme for a "normal sized" spare!!

 

Puzzled .....

 

It's because you'd be running it with different tyres/wheels - they may have a similar overall outer diameter but they will drive differently - hence the 50mp speed limit

 

The steel spare on my Superb I had the same 205/55 r16 tyres as the alloy wheels and didn't have the yellow 50mph sticker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the steel spare is the same wheel as used for standard steel wheels, just stickered due to the mismatch likely between wheel and tyre on the axle.

 

Interestingly enough the official 16" steel wheel for winter use is different yet again - it is a 6J x 16" ET40 (8D0601027A03C), which I guess presents the tyre differently to the road.  Annoyingly, the two 16" steel wheel types have different hubcap designs... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's interesting.

So it seems that 205 tyres can be fitted to any 16" wheel that is between 6 to 7 inches wide, and that lies between ET37 and ET40.

I was going to have a look at a set of winter tyres on ET35 alloys, but thought better of it when I realised the tyres were Chinese.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I try and stick to what is listed in the official "wheels and tyres" guide from ERWIN.

 

For V6:

 

205/55 R16 - 91V
6J x 16H2
ET40

 

5 x 112
205/55 R16 - 91V
6J x 16H2
ET37

 

205/55 R16 - 91W
7J x 16H2
ET37

225/45 R17 - 91Y
7J x 17H2

ET37

 

On the 1.9PD and 1.8 and 2.0 petrol you are allowed 91H rating on the 6J wheels, the 7J ratings remain the same.

 

Snow chains are only permitted on the 6J wheels.

Edited by jimbof
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Just as an update, I looked around at the price of new steel wheels and tyres, but wasn't too keen on spending the £600 or so that it was going to cost as I had no real idea if I was going to like the outcome, so had a look at the local Gumtree ads and found a set of 16" alloy wheels fitted with almost new tyres from a Passat ( the owner had just bought some "bling" wheels and low profile tyres)  that were on offer for  a bargain £90.

 

So I checked all the numbers, went and had a look and the wheels were 7J x 16, ET45 fitted with 215/55/R16 tyres. The number of bolts, pcd and bore diameter were identical to those on the Superb. I know that the ET45 meant that the wheels would sit 8 mm more in to the car than the standard wheels would, but, after checking the tyres and wheels over very carefully, thought I'd give it a go and find out. At the worst case, I could just re-advertise them.

 

The wheels needed a bit of re-furbing as they had come with that strange "chrome" finish that seemed to have been glued to the spokes, so I used a scotchbrite wheel on my drill to easily take the glue etc off the spokes, then just used some "Rub'n Buff" silver finish to very quickly tidy them up.

 

That stuff is quite amazing ... it costs about £5 for a small tube, but goes a long, long way. It's a carnauba wax heavily impregnated with silver particles and is very good to rub onto cast aluminium to make it look clean and almost new. Lasts a long time and can be re-applied whenever you feel like it. The wheel centres were sourced on E-Bay for £8 and while of good appearance, I felt they need a little more to hold them in place, so just applied a bead of clear Bostick, which is like a rubber solution glue that stays quite soft, but grips well. They should come out fairly easily when the wheels need to be balanced in future.

 

One of the tyres was a Yokohama, but the others were .... shock, horror .... Chinese, Far Road make to be precise.

 

I was dubious to say the least, but looked them up ... state of the art factory, 20 million tyres a year output, 97W rating on the tyres and they were there in front of me, all new, all fitted and balanced, so I thought I'd try them, albeit with a fair amount of apprehension.

 

After a few weeks and a few hundred miles in wet and dry conditions, I've come to the conclusion that the Chineses are producing tyres that should really worry the mainstream manufactureres. They grip well and are smooth and quiet.

 

But the main conclusion is that the Mk 1 Superb must have been designed to run on 16" wheels with higher profile tyres, because the ride quality, steering and overall feel of the car is just so, so  much better than on the 225/45/R17 tyres that were fitted when I got it. 

 

I really am amazed at the transformation.

 

 

 

 

 

post-41127-0-66001500-1478551237_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A lot of wheel and tyre for £90.  I have found winter tyres to be a revelation; the amount of extra grip in cold and wet conditions is quite unreal.  If your tyres weren't so new I'd suggest getting a set :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A lot of wheel and tyre for £90.  I have found winter tyres to be a revelation; the amount of extra grip in cold and wet conditions is quite unreal.  If your tyres weren't so new I'd suggest getting a set :)

 

Yes I found my Continental TS850s brilliant last year (despite the lack of snow)  BUT.............  I've just seen the weather forecast and haven't yet managed to put them on for this year (was going to do it today but I've got the cold/lurgi from hell)

Edited by bigjohn
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.