Carlston

You are talking about petrol heads driving around a race track comparing UHP tyres. This is a world away from setting up a luxury comfort car like the Superb, Mercedes S-Class, etc.

The example I gave was for a PS4S, but I could have used the similar PS4 to reach exactly the same conclusion. The PS4 in the link below has exactly the same specification including the Euro label as the PS4S that I linked to in my post above. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 235/40R19 96Y XL https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pilot-sport-4/235/40/R19/Y/96/m?tyre=36913765 The main point that I wanted to make, was that a seemingly small change in tyre including size, can make a very big difference to the ride. For Superb MK3 owners, they may prefer the hard core PS4 or PS4S in size 235/40R19. But for many, a more balanced tyre like the Primacy 4 in size 245/45R18 would provide a much better ride, plus the other benefits that I mentioned above.

I would prefer a more balanced tyre like the Primacy 4. The PS4 is an UHP (Ultra High Performance) tyre so is likely to have stiffer sidewalls for maximum cornering performance. Here's an example: Michelin Primacy 4 245/45R18 96W (Euro label B A 68dB) https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/primacy-4/245/45/R18/W/96/m?tyre=39475655#reviewsOverviewOuter Michelin PS4S 235/40R19 96Y XL (Euro label C A 71dB) https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pilot-sport-4-s/235/40/R19/Y/96/m?tyre=35790930#reviewsOverviewOuter As you can see from the above, the Primacy 4 has a much lower 68dB noise level (as measured outside the car) and better rolling resistance. As they are both likely to be fitted to 8J rims if standard Skoda Superb MK3 rims are used, the 245/45 tyre's sidewalls will bulge out more. This not only protects the rims much better from kerbing damage, but provides a more comfortable ride...especially taking into account the higher sidewall height of 245/45 compared to 235/40. Sidewall height 235/40 94mm 245/45 110.25mm So the 245/45 tyre has a sidewall height 16.25mm higher than the 235/40 tyre, or over 17%...again resulting in a much improved ride. The example above, shows the PS4S to be a Y speed rated and XL (eXtra Load) tyre. This will also add to the stiffness of the tyre compared to the Primacy 4's W speed rating and Standard Load tyre. 235/45R18 is the standard 18" tyre size on the Superb MK3...but 245/45R18 only increases the outside diameter by about 1.1% compared to the 235/40R19 tyre size. So to summarise the above example, the Michelin Primacy 4 in size 245/45R18 with a 96 Standard Load index and W speed rating will ride much better than a Michelin PS4S in size 235/40R19 with a 96 XL (eXtra Load) index and higher Y speed rating...especially when fitted to the same width rims...8J in this case...and be quieter when measured outside the car...have lower rolling resistance...and is a cheaper tyre size. It looks like a win, win, win, win, win, win situation for the 18" tyre compared to the 19" tyre in these specifications.

Outside diameter 205/55R16 631.9mm 125/70R18 632.2mm 215/60R16 664.4mm 215/55R17 668.3mm 235/45R18 668.7mm 235/40R19 670.9mm As you can see from the above chart, both the 205/55R16 and 125/70R18 have similar outside diameters, ie. about 5% smaller than standard Superb MK3 tyre sizes. Skoda are up to their usual tricks, and not supplying spare tyres with the correct outside diameter. Rather than 125/70R18, it might be better to use a 135/80R18 space saver tyre as this size has an outside diameter much closer to the standard Superb MK3 tyre sizes. Outside diameter 135/80R18 673.2mm 135/80R18 space saver tyres listed on camskill https://www.camskill.co.uk/m129b0s7672p0/Temporary_Spare_Tyres_-_Space_Saver_Tyres_-_18_inch_R18_inch_-_135_80_18_135_80R18_R18_inch_-_135_18_135R18

I haven't seen any 18" xtremes, only 19" xtremes (and 20" xtremes on the Kodiaq). 18" is hardly extreme. Have you got a link or further information such as an OEM part number? Here's a link to a Skoda online parts catalogue https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2016-753/6/601-601080/ There's no 8Jx18 alloy rims shown there (only 7.5Jx18). 7.5Jx19 ET51 X-TREM alloy rims https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-x-trem-19-pro-octavia-iii-rs/p/5E0071499++HA7

A 2.0TDI 190HP would be far more economical than the 2.0TDI 220HP, and the on road performance of the diesel should be pretty good with 400Nm of torque compared to 350Nm for the petrol. The 2.0TDI 150HP doesn't look too shabby either. 2.0TDI 150HP 340Nm@1,750-3,000rpm Acceleration 0-62mph 8.8secs Top speed 137mph 2.0TDI 190HP 400Nm@1,750-3,000rpm Acceleration 0-62mph 8.0secs Top speed 147mph 2.0TSI 220HP 350Nm@1,550-4,400rpm Acceleration 0-62mph 7.0secs Top speed 152mph https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Superb#Third_generation_(B8,_Typ_3V;_2015–present)

The Superb MK3 has never been fitted with Y speed rated tyres.

Why would Bilstein make the damping on the B6 harder if the damping stiffness on the B4 was correct? It costs nothing for a shock absorber manufacturer to make a shock absorber stiffer, as they can simply change the valving. The idea of a more expensive shock absorber being slightly harder than a cheaper shock absorber is put out by sales people who are trying to justify the extra cost. The B6 might have slightly higher quality internals, but who knows. Someone who tried both did say that they could only just detect the difference, and that the B4 was by far the best value.

Try a 215/60R16 fitted to a 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 steel rim from the Karoq. Apparently, a 215/60R16 fitted to the standard 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 steel rim is a few milimetres too wide to fit comfortably in the Superb MK3 wheel well...or at least have the floor flush. But fitting this same size tyre to a 0.5" narrower rim (ie. 6J instead of 6.5J) will reduce the width of the 215 tyre by about 6mm. The width of a 215 tyre is never exactly 215mm, as like all tyres the fitted width of a tyre varies depending on the width of the rim that it's fitted to. 215/60R16 fitted to a 6Jx16 ET43 rim is a standard Karoq wheel size. The outside diameter of 205/55R16 is about 5% smaller than the standard tyre sizes on the Superb MK3, so it's a bit of a bodge for Skoda to supply this size as a spare for the Superb MK3. 205/55R16 is a cheap tyre size, so that might explain why Skoda has done this...ie. cost cutting. Alcar 6665 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 Steel Rim https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-6665/22248455 oponeo don't ship steel rims to the UK, but mytyres do. 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 Steel Rim https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR6665 I've purchased steel rims from mytyres before, but I've never received the make that I ordered, ie. ordered Alcar and was sent Magnetto and then Accuride. I sent them back on both occasions and then cancelled the order as by this time I had given up on mytyres ever (or at least in a timely manner) delivering the make of rims that I had ordered. For most people it probably doesn't matter if an alternative make is sent, as they should all be close copies of the original rim.

This Goodyear is a stand out tyre, due to the good Euro label B A 70dB, low rolling resistance, good wet braking, low noise, and the 94W rating should make the tyre more flexible and therefore more comfortable compared to 98Y, (ie. lower load index and lower speed index). Many wide low profile tyres that would fit the 19" Superb MK3 rims, are 72dB which would make them noticeably more noisy than 70dB. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 245/40R19 94W (Euro label B A 70dB) https://www.camskill.co.uk/m55b0s326p191492/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_Eagle_F1_Asymmetric_5_-_245_40_R19_94W_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB Outside Diameter 235/40R19 670.6 245/40R19 678.6 Therefore, 245/40R19 has an outside diameter 1.2% bigger than 235/40R19 (which is hardly noticeable). 235/40R19 and 245/40R19 both fit the same width rims, ie. 8J to 9.5J Rim Widths for 235/40R19 (8J to 9.5J) https://www.toyo.co.uk/tirefinder/index/width/235/aspect/40/rim/19 Rim Widths for 245/40R19 (8J to 9.5J) https://www.toyo.co.uk/tirefinder/index/width/245/aspect/40/rim/19 The wider 245/40R19 will protect the 8J rims better from kerbing than the narrower 235/40R19.

All-season tyres work best with at least 3mm to 4mm of tread depth remaining. So that 45,000 miles might become 30,000 miles if you replace the tyres well before they reach the legal limit of 1.6mm tread depth. More tread depth also means a little extra puncture resistance.

Just because the Michelin CrossClimate 2 came top, it doesn't mean that it will work best for everyone. It depends how you weight each individual test result. For example, the South of England doesn't get much snow so the Vredestein Quatrac 6 could be a better choice due to its far superior cold, wet handling performance. To be a better guide, the tyre reviews should give different overall results (ie. weight each individual test differently) for different climates. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 isn't available in any sizes less than 15". UHP (Ultra High Performance) summer tyres like the PS4's are not balanced tyres. Much below 7 degrees Centigrade and certainly in snow, they turn into ULP (Ultra Low Performance) tyres. UHP summer tyres also have stiffer sidewalls to maximise cornering performance at the expense of comfort and I doubt they last 45,000 miles. I'll stick to well rounded all-season tyres..comfortable, long lasting, and work well in all conditions.

The Quatrac 5 is a very popular all-season tyre, and for good reason. In the 185/65R14 size on camskill, there are only four top performing all-season tyres listed...Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, and Vredestein. Out of those four brands, only the Vredestein all-season tyre is non-directional and has the lowest price. It has a 45,000 mile tyre life as claimed in US adverts, and is quiet. I'm not so keen on the latest Quatrac 6 as that is a directional tyre (like most all-season tyres) and is noisier than the previous generations (that can be one of the trade-offs you get from improving wet grip). However, this latest Quatrac 6 does have fantastic class leading handling in cold, wet conditions...much better than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, for example. In Southern England where it doesn't snow much, this is a good characteristic for a tyre to have that is used through the winter...and it will still give far superior snow performance compared to a summer tyre. Here's a 2021 all-season tyre review. Take your pick from the winners. These will often be the big brand names in all-season tyres such as (in alphabetical order), Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Pirelli, Vredestein, etc. Some big brand names in all-season tyres that work well in snow at the expense of summer performance include BF Goodrich, Kleber, and Nokian. These three are winter focused all-season tyres. They are not tyres I would want to fit, as their summer performance leaves a lot to be desired...and why they don't tend to do well in all-season tyre reviews. 2021 All-Season Tyre Review https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2021-Tyre-Reviews-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm Next time I need to replace my all-season tyres I've got this new Dunlop all-season tyre on my shortlist...but being non-directional it probably won't win any tyre review tests... Dunlop All-Season Tyre 185/65R14 86H https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Dunlop/Sport-All-Season/185-65-R14-86H/R-435489

14's are the way to go. You will get twice the improvement in ride compared to going down just one inch to 15's. I would go for 185/65R14 which is one of the standard sizes on the Roomster. However, even the standard 185/60R14 is a big improvement over the 16's. You can use either of the two standard Fabia MK2 14 inch rim sizes...5Jx14 ET35 or 6Jx14 ET37 with either of these 185 tyre sizes. Take a look at available new tyres in both these sizes before making a final decision. Good websites for new car tyres include mytyres, camskill, blackcircles, etc. One other option for the 5Jx14 ET35 rims is 175/65R14. This is a particularly low priced tyre size, although the other two I mentioned aren't bad either. Vredestein Quatrac 5 175/65R14 82T https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7975p134030/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_175_65_R14_82T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB Vredestein Quatrac 5 175/70R14 84T https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7976p144831/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_175_70_R14_84T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB Vredestein Quatrac 5 185/60R14 82T https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7979p134034/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_185_60_R14_82T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB Vredestein Quatrac 5 185/65R14 86T https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7980p144832/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_185_65_R14_86T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB Vredestein Quatrac 5 195/60R14 86H https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7982p144833/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_195_60_R14_86H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_69dB I've also added 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 as options above. 175/70R14 could be used on the 5Jx14 ET35 rims, and 195/60R14 could be used on the 6Jx14 ET37 rims.

Like any other aftermarket shock absorbers, each model of Biltein B4 and Biltstein B6 are sold to replace a whole list of OEM part numbers. Below, are two examples of Bilstein B4 and Bilstein B6 front shock absorbers that fit some standard ride height Superb MK3s. However, the list of OEM part numbers that Bilstein gives is full of errors. For example, all the OEM part numbers below with format xxx xxx 023 xx are for front shock absorbers that have a 50mm strut diameter, not the 55mm that the Superb MK3 uses. So that's at least six OEM part numbers that are incorrect, and there could be many other mistakes. autodoc are listing Bilstein B4 front shock absorbers for about £60 and Bilstein B6 front shock absorbers for about £200. Where are you getting Bilstein B6 shock absorbers cheaper than Bilstein B4 shock absorbers? The B6 version is often about three times the price of the B4 version. Bilstein B4 22-232342 Front Shock Absorbers OEN 5Q0 413 023 CP — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 DA — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 EB — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 GG — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 DF — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 EK — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 EL — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 ES — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 ET — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 FG — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 FQ — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 GD — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 GE — AUDI OEN 8V0 413 023 C — AUDI OEN 8V0 413 023 E — AUDI OEN 8V0 413 029 J — AUDI OEN 5R3 413 031 H — VW OEN 5R3 413 031 J — VW https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/9129438 Bilstein B6 35-229872 Front Shock Absorbers OEN 5Q0 413 023 CP — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 DA — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 EB — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 023 GG — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 FQ — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 FR — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 GD — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 GK — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 HD — AUDI OEN 8V0 413 023 C — AUDI OEN 8V0 413 023 E — AUDI OEN 5Q0 413 031 CF — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 CG — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 CH — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 CJ — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 CL — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 CM — VAG OEN 5Q0 413 031 EC — VAG OEN 5QM 413 031 E — VAG https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/7543304

205/55R16 are one of the cheapest 16" tyres you can buy. If you change to another size, such as as 205/60R16, 215/55R16, 215/60R16, etc. the price goes up a lot. The 1960's Jaguar E type had wheels that fitted within the wheel arches, and that car is widely regarded as one of the best looking cars of all time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_E-Type#/media/File:Jaguar_E-Type_series_1_coupé_1964.jpg

It's not my car. The Russian owner posted these photos on the thread that I linked to. He also runs 215/65R16 winter tyres on the same car. He didn't mention any rubbing problems, and his speedo is now spot on as the standard car over-reads by about 5%. I'm sure the extra 15mm ground clearance comes in handy, as Russian roads are even worse than UK roads.

225/50R17 vs 235/55R17

175/65 is usually fitted to either 5J or 5.5J rims. The original BMW Mini fitted their 175/65R15 tyres to 5.5J rims. BMW would have chosen the wider 5.5J rims instead of 5J to get a little more sharpness in the steering and handling, at the expensive of a small reduction in comfort. The Citigo fits their 175/65R14 tyres to 5J rims. You will be fine with 175/65R14 tyres fitted to 5.5J rims, especially if you want a sporty feel.

They are 15 spoke, not 14 spoke. What is the OEM part number? This will be cast into the back of the rim, so not visible with the wheel fitted to the car. Once you have the OEM part number, set up a search on ebay so if one comes up for sale you will be notified. ebay.de which is the German version of ebay is also sometimes useful for secondhand Skoda alloy rims. The 18" rims on the Octavia MK2 usually have a specification of 7.5Jx18 ET51 Octavia MK2 alloy rims https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/hlinikove-disky/c/alloyWheels?q=%3ApriceAsc%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BII%2B%282008-2013%29%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BII%2B%282004-2008%29&text=#

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 in size 245/45R18 should be ideal for the 285HP. Wide and very grippy in difficult conditions. Summer tyres are good in warm weather above about 7 degrees Centigrade. Below that temperature the rubber hardens and their performance falls off a cliff. The braking distance for a summer tyre can increase by about 40% when the temperature drops from 20 degrees Centigrade to about 2-3 degrees Centrigrade. A braking distance of 25m in the warmer weather suddenly becomes a much longer 35m in cold weather. The class leading Bridgestone all-season tyre (class leading for cold wet weather braking) went from a braking distance of about 28m in the warm weather to about 29m in the cold weather, ie. the braking distance hardly changed from warm to cold. 2021 All-Season Tyre Test Video https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2021-Tyre-Reviews-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm

The noise is one of the problems with wide, low profile tyres such as 235/45R18. Michelin Alpin 6 in size 225/60R16 would have been so much quieter and more comfortable. Although you do need at least 17" rims to clear the front brake calipers if you have those big 340mm diameter front brake discs. All the 272HP/280HP Superb MK3 models do have such big front discs, so not an option for those cars. Michelin Alpin 6 225/60R16 102V XL (Euro Label C B 69dB) https://www.camskill.co.uk/m96b0s1470p167838/Michelin_Tyres_Winter_Snow_Car_Michelin_Alpin6_Michelin_Alpin_6_-_225_60_R16_102V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_69dB

Are you going to be using them all year round, including temperatures below 7 degrees Centigrade? If so, you need at least all-season tyres. All-season tyres have the 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) symbol which you can see in the photo below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_tire#/media/File:Winter_tires_with_North_American_symbol.jpg Having a 3PMSF symbol means that the tyre has passed tests for good traction in the snow. There aren't that many top brands that make good all-season tyres. This is because a lot of research and development (and money) is needed to produce a tyre that doesn't have any big weaknesses in any conditions. Saying that, no tyre works well on sheet ice unless it's a studded tyre, or perhaps a nordic tyre. A nordic tyre is a special type of winter tyre that is made of rubber that stays flexible at very cold temperatures. You might use this in very cold winter countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, etc. You wouldn't use it much further south because once the temperature rises much above about 7 degrees Centigrade the rubber would overheat. Good brands that make good all-season tyres include in alphabetical order: Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Vredestein. BF Goodrich, Kleber, and Nokian are good winter focused all-season tyres. So although good in winter conditions, their summer performance leaves something to be desired. To some extent, these three makes of all-season tyres are a bit like winter tyres in that their summer performance is not so good. 235/45R18 is not a common size, so there's very limited choice of all-season tyres in this size, and what is available is expensive. For these reasons you might want to consider going up 10mm in width to 245/45R18. The outside diameter of 245/45R18 is about 1.3% bigger than the standard 235/45R18, but up to 1.5% difference is rarely considered a problem. Michelin CrossClimate 2 245/45R18 96Y https://www.camskill.co.uk/m141b0s8826p208551/Michelin_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Michelin_Cross_Climate_2_-_245_45_R18_96Y_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_71dB https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/crossclimate-2/245/45/R18/Y/96/m?tyre=42160849

Spigot rings won't be needed if the centre bore is 57.1mm. Fortunately, most cars in the VW group fit rims with this centre bore including all Skodas from the Citigo to the Kodiaq. However, there's other things to consider when using rims from a different car including the number of wheel bolts and the PCD. For example, the Citigo only has 4 wheel bolts so won't fit the Superb which needs five wheel bolts...and the Fabia uses a 5/100 PCD so won't fit bigger 5/112 PCD Skoda cars. PCD means Pitch Circle Diameter or sometimes referred to as BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter). Some larger cars in the VW group such as the latest Audi A6 and the VW Touareg use bigger centre bores. You can check by searching each car on wheel-size.com

The hub centre bore of Golf MK7 rims and Superb rims is 57.1mm. The hub centre bore on the rim is where it fits onto the hub. The decorative centre cap has two diameters. An outside diameter and an inside diameter. Neither of these two diameters are likely to be the same as the hub centre bore.