A tyre company I have known for years (and was a mates recommendation who used them for years - so I trust them) cant get hold of any Michellin 205/45R16 W 83 for my VRS but they can get 205/45R16 V 83 they do work out cheaper and I am assured its only the speed rating it affects and so long as you fit the same on the same axle it will be ok, however I think I need 4 anyway.

I have had good wear and are happy with the Michellins and so would prefer that brand. Otherwise I am thinking of getting Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 in the same size on the car 205/45R16 W 83. I have been quoted prices for other manufactures but the Goodyears would be the next choice .

So can 205/45R16 V 83 be fitted, I have spoke to a lot of people on this and each person changes my mind on what I can do.

Thanks to all who post, there is loads of good stuff on here its been helpful.

Fine

V is rated to 149 mph and since as the limits 70 im guessing you'll be fine + the vRS only does 130

more than adequate for the car mate:thumbup:

For what its worth - I changed mine over to the goodyear gsd3 and love them, more grip, good wear & less noise but a little lower on the mpg.

beware , as it is a lesser spec tyre than those originally fitted to the car , you may invalidate your insurance , it was a "W" rated tyre for a reason

It is also rated by the weight of the car aswell as the top speed.

Don't forget that diesel engines are notroiously heavier than petrol engines, so i would go for the higher rating and have peace of mind that they can more than cope with the speed and weight of your car.

Might cost a couple of extra ££ per tyre but always cheaper than a write off after a blow out...?

mmm, its not just speed rating, the speed rating is linked to how the tyre handles heat build-up, and the vRS puts alot of strain on its front tyres.....

however unless you are hairing around a track, I doubt it will make much differance at "normal" speeds....

I have F1 gsd3's on the front of the fiat, bloody great tyres

beware , as it is a lesser spec tyre than those originally fitted to the car , you may invalidate your insurance , it was a "W" rated tyre for a reason

Might also be an MOT faluire?

not an mot faliure as the tyre is rated fine for load and top speed. As for insurance it would be an "interesting" case if they refused to pay out on legal tyres that were for the correct load and speed rating. I would be more intrigued as to the brand of v rated tyres given most of the "names" dont make v rating in such a low profile.

my F1's on the fiat are V's... however my OE tyres were V's too.....

thanks all for the replies.

I was concerned about the insurance side (I should have rung them but then I would have to get what they said in writing). The 'tyre speciaists' seem to think so long as i dont exceed the speed rating it should not be a conern (but then I would have to get that in writing)

Anyway one of the tyres I have to replace has a slow puncture and the nail is too near the edge for a puncture repair, but that and one of the other tyres is 5mm. Others are just 2-3mm and I got to replace them now. Been happy with the Michellins but I was only expecting to pay for 2 new tyres this year so looks as if it will just as cheap to get 4 brand all the same but Goodyears. It seems high mileage/low thread wear goes out the window with some puctures.

- by the way the V rating was for Michellin exalto pe2 same make size and thread pattern as I already have on the front (those do have a W rating) but with a lower speed rating. Funny thing is .... I have since put in SKODA FABIA VRS on the Kwik fit online site (rather than the tyre size) they also quote prices for V rated tyres on this model, but they are supposed to be W rated.?? Michelin also dont seem to have a helpline number to pose a question directly if the V will do the job. Also I am told V is more common on similar sports models and is more widely avialable and so lower in price. I have now confused myself even more as the continental sport contacts come out with good reviews as well as the goodyear eagles.All I wanted was a straight swap, does anyone else feel tyre makers change their products rather quickly?