Carlston

Your winter tyre performance will have more to do with the model of tyre than whether you go for 195/65R15 or 205/55R16. Continental TS870 will work well in all cold/winter conditions as it's a balanced winter tyre and has done really well in the latest winter tyre reviews. If you go for 15" rims, check that you don't have front brakes discs with a diameter bigger than 288mm. It might just be the Octavia MK2 VRS models that use the 312mm diameter front brake discs, in which case you won't be able to use the 15" rims if you've got one of those.

I would go with 195/65R15 for winter tyres as they are a lot cheaper than 205/55R16 and provide a better ride (more comfort). Steel Rims 6Jx15 ET47 5/112 57.1 https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/plechovy-disk-15-/p/1K0601027C+03C Continental WinterContact TS870 195/65R15 91T https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Continental/WinterContact-TS-870/195-65-R15-91T/R-420993 Continental WinterContact TS 870 205/55 R16 91H https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Continental/WinterContact-TS-870/205-55-R16-91H/R-420995 Steel Rims 6.5Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1 https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/plechovy-disk-16/p/1K0601027K+03C

I would go for either 175/65R14 or 185/60R14 on the standard 5Jx14 ET35 4/100 57.1 steel rims. 175/65R14 is the most sensible option out of these two sizes as it's a Skoda approved size. 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 5 185/60R14 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 One of the problems with the Michelin CrossClimates is that they have a directional tread pattern, so using one as a spare means that you can only correctly fit it to either the left or right side of the car, depending on which way the tyre has been fitted to the spare rim. Another problem with Michelins is that like many of the big brands they are prone to cracking after 5 to 7 years. This causes an MOT failure, so early replacement is often needed even if there is still a lot of tread depth remaining. However, if you do at least 8,000 to 10,000 miles each year on average, the tyres will need replacing before the cracking issue occurs. The spare tyre doesn't crack as it's kept out of the sun and out of the elements.

The problem will come when the suspension fully compresses and/or the steering wheel is turned to full lock. Having plenty of clearance is a good idea. That way, when you get some wear in the suspension components, perhaps wear in the wheel bearings/rubber bushes/ball joints/bump stops, etc., the tyres won't rip off the wheel arch liners or cause other serious damage.

195/65R15 has almost 10% bigger outside diameter than 185/60R14. That's a lot more than 3%. Octavia size tyres don't fit Fabias because they are from a bigger car with more space in the wheelarches.

wheel-size.com list a 235/35R19 fitted to an 8Jx19 ET45 rim. However, information on wheel-size.com and "skoda eshop cz" shows that the standard 19" rims are 7.5J width (235/35 tyres officially need at least an 8J rim width). 7.5J is officially too small. ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) are the body who decide what tyre sizes can go on what rim widths. Some people have fitted 235/35 onto 7.5J rims without problems. The benefit of fitting 235/35 to a relatively narrow 7.5J rim is that you get improved ride comfort, improved rim protection from kerbing damage, and a small improvement in resistance to pothole damage. However, if you want a major improvement in resistance to pothole damage then increasing the sidewall height by going down to 225/40R18 or 225/45R17 would be the way to go (with suitable rims). "skoda eshop cz" https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/hlinikove-disky/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BIII%2B%282017%2B%29&page=1 Skoda Octavia 2017 2.0TSI Tire Rim 225/40ZR18 92Y 7.5Jx18 ET51 2.2 225/35ZR19 88Y 7.5Jx19 ET51 2.2 235/35ZR19 89Y 8Jx19 ET45 2.2 https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/octavia/2017/

175/65R14 tyre size on 5Jx14 ET35 4/100 57.1 steel rim would match up well to a 195/45R16 as they both have about the same outside diameter and 175/65R14 is a standard size on the Citigo. Outside diameter of 195/45R16 is 581.9mm Outside diameter of 175/65R14 is 583.1mm 165/70R14 tyre size on 5Jx14 ET35 4/100 57.1 steel rim would match up well to a 185/50R16 as they both have about the same outside diameter and 165/70R14 is a standard size on the Citigo. Outside diameter of 185/50R16 is 591.4mm Outside diameter of 165/70R16 is 586.6mm One of the following two OEM part numbers could be used to order a suitable steel rim from a Skoda dealer: 1S0601027 1S0601027G (1) 1S0 601 027 steel rim additionally to be used items: 5JX14 ET35 5 1 PR-1G1,1G2 1S0601027 03C rally black 2010.11... (1) 1S0 601 027 G steel rim additionally to be used items: 5JX14 ET35 5 4 1S0601027G 03C rally black 2010.11... https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/citigo/cit/2013-727/6/601-601012/ mytyres also list this specification of steel rim https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=185747096349971044&rimCode=ALCAR6795 Skoda Citigo 2013 1.0MPI 60PS Tire Rim 165/70R14 81T 5Jx14 ET35 2 / 1.8 175/65R14 81T 5Jx14 ET35 2 / 1.8 185/55R15 81T 5.5Jx15 ET41 2 / 1.8 185/50R16 81T 6Jx16 ET43 2.1 / 2 Skoda Citigo 2013 1.0MPI 75PS Tire Rim 175/65R14 82T 5Jx14 ET35 2 / 1.8 185/55R15 81T 5.5Jx15 ET41 2 / 1.8 185/50R16 81T 6Jx16 ET43 2.1 / 2 195/45R16 84H 6.5Jx16 ET38 2.1 / 2 https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/citigo/2013/

What diameter front brake discs have you got? 280mm, 288mm, 312mm, etc. ATE have some wavy ones in the 280mm and 288mm diameters (and probably the 312mm diameter too). These might be better than drilled discs as with these wavy discs you still have the full 3mm of allowable wear, ie. 22mm thickness when new can go down to 19mm and 25mm thickness when new can go down to 22mm, before needing replacement...as shown in the listings on the below link. The drilled discs I've seen only allow about 2mm of wear before needing replacement. https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/skoda/octavia/octavia-1z3/17970-1-9-tdi?supplier[0]=3&criteria[100][1]=VA

The car's speedo over-reads on standard tyres. At an indicated 70mph you might only be doing about 67mph. By fitting tyres that have up to 5% bigger outside diameter you increase the accuracy of the speedo. It's easy to check using GPS, as google maps now has a speedo option. If you want more sidewall height, changing to 225/45R17 and suitable rims would be better than fitting oversize 225/45R18. 225/45R17 is a common size so would be much cheaper than 225/45R18. Michelin CrossClimate2 225/45R17 94Y XL £98.15 https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/crossclimate-2/225/45/R17/Y/94/m?tyre=42160770 Michelin CrossClimate2 225/45R18 95Y XL £146.64 https://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search?width=225&profile=45&rim=18&manufacturer=michelin&delivery=1&id=10015 So if you buy 5 tyres, the 18" ones will cost £242.45 more than the 17" ones. That's a huge increase, or in percentage terms almost 50% more. Changing from 225/45R17 to 225/45R18 will increase the gearing by 4.0%. With such a big increase, the car won't pull the gears so easily.

Octavia MK2 front discs are vented. https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2012-663/6/

What diameter front and rear brake discs does your Octavia MK3 have? As you can see from the information below, there are four different front brake disc diameters and two different rear brake disc diameters. Once you know this information, you can find out the OEM part numbers for the brake pads and brake discs from the below link to the Skoda parts catalogue. This is the best way to find suitable aftermarket parts. Knowing your car's build codes makes it easy to find what front and rear brakes are fitted. For example, build code 1ZE would mean that you have 288mm diameter front brake discs, and build code 1KD would mean that you have 253mm diameter rear brake discs. Front Brakes 1ZF 276mm TRW 1ZE 288mm TRW 1ZA 312mm TRW 1ZB 312mm TRW (Same as 1ZA, except calipers are red) 1LG 340mm TRW Rear Brakes 1KD 253mm TRW 1KS 272mm TRW 1KT 272mm TRW (Same as 1KS, except calipers are red) https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2016-753/6/ The EuroCarParts that you have selected can't be correct, as you have selected 276mm front brake pads and 288mm front brake discs. EuroCarParts doesn't know what build codes you have (ie. what brakes you have), even though you have entered your registration number.

6.5Jx16 ET41 is the correct specification of 16" rim for the Superb MK3. 215/60R16 might not fit flush in the wheel well, but 195/65R16 could be used to make the spare tyre a bit thinner. Alcar 8426 Steel Rim 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1036500815411418224&rimCode=ALCAR8426 Michelin Energy Saver 195/65R16 92V https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s8631p114095/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Energy_Saver_-_195_65_R16_92V_(MO)_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB Michelin CrossClimate 2 195/65R16 92V https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s13718p208582/Michelin_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Michelin_Cross_Climate_2_-_195_65_R16_92V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_A_Noise%3A_69dB

Alloy Rim from Octavia MK3 6.5Jx16 ET46 5/112 57.1

New shock time.

205/60R16 (load index 92) and 205/60R16 XL eXtraLoad (load index 96) can support the same load when inflated to the same pressure. The XL tyre can only support a higher load than the non-XL tyre in the same size when inflated above 44psi (3 Bar). So if you inflate 205/60R16 tyres in non-XL and XL say to 36psi (2.5 Bar) they can only support the same weight as each other.

Those tyre pressures seem rather high. Maybe they are eco pressures? It's surprising that Skoda is recommending the same tyre pressures for both the 205/60R16 size and the 215/45R18 size, as the 205/60R16 has a much higher load index (92 vs 89). With the 205/60R16 tyre size, 2.5 Bar front and 2.5 Bar rear can support 2,100kg. With the 205/60R16 tyre size, 2.7 Bar front and 3.3 Bar rear can support 2,520kg. I doubt the Kamiq weighs any where near these amounts. To keep things simple, I would try 32psi front and rear (with just two front passengers) and then 29psi. You should easily notice the ride improvement everytime you drop the pressures by 3psi.

The photo shows that you are using the wrong pads. The rear brake pads on the Octavia MK3 VRS don't look like that. Here's some photos of what they do look like.

The 272mm diameter rear brakes are a TRW system. Genuine TRW rear brake pads are available on ebay for £27.38 including postage (2 days for delivery is quoted). https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234132660460?hash=item368364e0ec%3Ag%3A3UkAAOSwbythE5h-&LH_ItemCondition=3 № part code title note quantity data model information floating caliper brake brake caliper housing calliper carrier brake disc rear 272X10MM 5/112 PR-1KS,1KT 10 5Q0 698 451 B 1 set of brake pads for disk brake D >> - 02.11.2014 rear 15" 1 PR-1KS,1KT (10) 5Q0 698 451 F 1 set of brake pads for disk brake D - 03.11.2014>> rear 15" 1 PR-1KS,1KT https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2016-753/6/615-615062/

On the Skoda online parts catalogue there is a list of shock absorbers for 0N1 cars and another list of shock absorbers for 0N4 cars. Without using the VW/Skoda codes decoder, you wouldn't know that you need the 0N1 list and not the 0N4 list. The 0N1 list is for cars fitted with standard rear suspension, whereas the 0N4 list if for cars fitted with multilink rear suspension. It's only cars such as the VRS and 4WD models that use the multilink rear suspension.

Octavia MK3 Rear Suspension Online Parts Catalogue https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2016-753/5/511-511000/ № part code title note quantity data model suspension gas shock absorber PR-0N1 (7) 5Q0 513 049 EA gas shock absorber D >> - 14.07.2014 rear 2 PR-1JA (7) 5Q0 513 049 FF gas shock absorber D - 14.07.2014>> rear 2 PR-1JA (7) 5Q0 513 049 FF gas shock absorber D - 26.05.2014>> - 14.07.2014 rear 2 PR-1JA (7) 5Q0 513 049 CS gas shock absorber D - 04.03.2013>> rear 2 PR-1JA+K8D 7 5Q0 513 049 DJ gas shock absorber rear 2 PR-1JA+K8D VW Codes Decoder http://igorweb.org/equidec.aspx 0N1 = Standard rear axle 0N4 = 4-link rear suspension Here's a couple of rear shock absorbers to add to your shortlist from KYB and Sachs https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0513049ff?search=OEN+5Q0513049FF&supplier[0]=85&supplier[1]=32&tduid=a0df45c3d7658cf00fc4cb9d2a4b960b

№ part code title note quantity data model information disc brake front *RS* floating caliper brake brake caliper housing calliper carrier brake disc (vented) 312X25MM 16" PR-1LL,1ZB Front Brake Calipers ATE 1 1K0 615 123 F brake caliper housing red left painted 1 (1) 1K0 615 124 F brake caliper housing red right painted 1 Front Brake Calipers ATE 2 1K0 615 125 E calliper carrier red D >> - 24.05.2009 painted 2 2 5N0 615 125 A calliper carrier red D - 25.05.2009>> painted 2 PR-1ZB 312mm Front Brake Discs 8 1K0 615 301 AA brake disc (vented) 312X25 5/112 2 Front Brake Pads 15 5K0 698 151 1 set: brake pads with wear indicator for disc brake free cable ends must be isolated D >> - 24.05.2009 front 1 PR-1LL 15 3C0 698 151 C 1 set: brake pads with wear indicator for disc brake free cable ends must be isolated D - 25.05.2009>> front 1 PR-1ZB https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2010-663/6/615-615030/ From the above information, if the car was manufactured on or after 25.05.2009 it will have build code 1ZB. There doesn't appear to be much difference between the front brakes of build code 1LL and 1ZB. ATE sell exactly the same front brake pads for both 5K0698151 and 3C0698151C OEM part numbers. Same ATE Front Brake Pads for both 5K0698151 and 3C0698151C https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5k0698151?search=OEN+5K0698151&supplier[0]=3https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5k0698151?search=OEN+5K0698151&supplier[0]=3

What tyre pressures are shown on the tyre pressure label inside the fuel filler flap? Maybe you could put up a photo of the label? If you are lightly loaded (ie. just two front passengers) I would try 29psi front and 26psi rear whether using 205/60R16 or 215/55R17. 29psi front tyre pressures and 26psi rear tyre pressures can support a total load of 1596kg using 205/60R16 tyres and 1558kg using 205/55R17 tyres. For a full load (five passengers and their luggage) I would increase the tyre pressures to 32psi front and 35psi rear. That would be enough to support a total load of 1932kg using 205/60R16 and 1886kg using 215/55R17.

If you're looking for aftermarket shock absorbers, it's best to start off with the OEM part numbers for the original shock absorbers that came on the car. This greatly simplifies finding suitable aftermarket replacements.

It's a captive steel washer. OEM part number is N90813202 for the sump bolt including the captive steel washer. Aftermarket ones are available on ebay for £1.69 including postage. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114843270361?hash=item1abd313cd9:g:G0cAAOSwaE9gv4s3 As you can see below, the specification is M14x1.5x22 33 N 90813202 seal bolt with sealing ring M14X1,5X22-TC- S20 1

It looks like one of these will fit depending whether you need the 50mm diameter or the 55mm diameter. Bilstein B4 22-230522 Front Shock Absorber (50mm) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/7503786 Bilstein B4 22-230539 Front Shock Absorber (55mm) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/7620083 I would wait until it failed the MOT before changing shocks unless you can see oil leaking out of the shock absorbers.