I dont understand why extra load tyres are fitted to cars these days. does anyone think, like me, that in order for them to be extra load they must me harder and thus have a detrimental effect on road noise and ride comfort ?

I could be wrong so I am interested in your opinions. I f i was to replace my tyres with non-XL tyres the load rating on the tyre woudl still be more than adequate for the car and the speed rating is still well over the maximum speed of the car. They are also cheaper.

some might say that it could be dodgy in an accident if the insurance find out I have swapped tyres. However i called my insurance last year to ask about changing from 17" to 16" on my A6 and they really couldnt have given a stuff. They said it was fine.

I am confused ! I want to be safe and proper but dont want to pander to the Health and safety culture for the sake of it.

Interesting you should mention this, as I had the same discussion with VW when I was looking at getting an Eos about a year ago (never bothered, as it was just a bit too impractical).

The Eos is supplied with XL rated tyres, and I questioned whether they were strictly necessary. The dealer didn't know, and neither did VW HQ. In the end, they managed to get an answer from the factory, and it turns out that XL tyres were not required. If you do some searches, I'm sure you'll find other people talking about the same thing on the Eos.

As you correctly surmise, XL tyres do have stiffer sidewalls, so ride comfort is likely to be effected.

The other issue, of course, is whether the car was type approved with XL tyres. If so, then there could be insurance implications. Maybe an e-mail to Skoda CZ is in order.

Bagpuss.

I tend to look for XL-rated tyres personally, as I like the reduction in sidewall flex that they offer. But that's more from a 'sports tyre' point of view. The supplier I get my Toyo T1-Rs from, for example, only seem to offer the XL version.

Also, when I ran Goodyears F1 GSD-3s a few years ago, there was quite a difference between the standard and XL versions. I felt the standard version offered too much flex and the feedback and overall standard of the XL version was far superior.

Horses for courses though - I can't see there being any insurance implications of the use of either type though :confused:

Steve

i have just noticed that the 16" tyres fitted to the S model are also XL tyres (205/55/16 94V) 94 load rating translates to extra load.

I wil contact my insurance company and get their opinion on this. I doubt if they will have a clue what I am talking about but its worth a try !! I will also contact skoda CZ (based on the logic that SUK are hopeless !!)

extra load tyres because we're a continent of obese f'kers?

Or because its just the cheaper option for the dealers?

I tend to look for XL-rated tyres personally, as I like the reduction in sidewall flex that they offer. But that's more from a 'sports tyre' point of view. The supplier I get my Toyo T1-Rs from, for example, only seem to offer the XL version.

Also, when I ran Goodyears F1 GSD-3s a few years ago, there was quite a difference between the standard and XL versions. I felt the standard version offered too much flex and the feedback and overall standard of the XL version was far superior.

Horses for courses though - I can't see there being any insurance implications of the use of either type though :confused:

Steve

Got to agree with Steve, I prefer the stiffer "feel" and reduction in sidewall flex. I like my car to feel "firm".

No disrespect intended Jblincs, but in your quest for ultimate ride comfort I somtimes feel you may have been better buying a second hand Rolls

cheaper for the dealers - Nope ! they are more expensive

ride comfort - the problem is that all the cars I have found with better ride comfort have god awful seats !!! I am just trying to improve things a little - i especially think the superb has a lot of road noise , although i suspect it is noticeable due to everything else being so quiet !!

I think that non-XL tyres will be better as would 16" wheels but then it might affect the stability so its a careful balancing act.

dont think i like the rolls anyway - but then there would be no point as the skoda is better than a bentley isnt it !!!

ride comfort - the problem is that all the cars I have found with better ride comfort have god awful seats !!!

One exception to the rule is Merc S Class. Test drove one before settling on the Superb, and the ride quality and seat comfort was second to none. It helps they have their fancy air suspension to smooth out the ride, and the leather seats are beyond luxurious (even the rear seats have adjustment, like the front seats do)

Of course, at 3 times the price, I'd have expected that anyway.

what was the air suspension like on back roads. I tested the A8 and the citroen C5 (i do belive citroen supply some of the sytem to audi ?) and i was not keen on the ride. made me feel a bit sick - sort of sea sick with the floating. great on a long journey and a straight road but not sure if i could have gotten used to it ?

In a word, excellent. The demo rep indicated it was a kind of adaptive suspension. The more you push it, the firmer it gets. Completely unlike the old style barges which wallowed even in a straight line !!

what was the air suspension like on back roads.

I regularly drive a client's Mercedes S500, which is faultless. Unlike the "normal" luxury saloons, the S500 handles like a sports coupe. It's in its element on twisty roads - a real car, especially when driven hard (preferably not with the client aboard). The power and the brakes are fabulous - but they ought to be!

Ray.

problem is - i could have afforded an S class, all be it a used one but i hated the interior. i am sure modern ones are better but the 3/4 yr old ones had way too much wood going on for my liking. I also cant get my head out of "big merc taxi" mode !!! i know its silly !!

problem is - i could have afforded an S class, all be it a used one but i hated the interior. i am sure modern ones are better but the 3/4 yr old ones had way too much wood going on for my liking. I also cant get my head out of "big merc taxi" mode !!! i know its silly !!

& this from a man who bought a Skoda which will prob end up as a cab when he's finished with it, erm maybe not, I just remembered he didn't get a bag o spanners with his new toy however he got a free set of electrical gremlins thrown in! Nuff said & no offence mentioned, just my personal thoughts/soh!

think any cabby would run a mile from my car -cream leather and petrol (and gremlins !!) do not make good cabs .

I am sure many cars might end up as cabs - i am seen many passats like my other car. It doesnt bother me really - infact i think its a good endorsement as cabbies have to be smart when buying a car.

infact i think its a good endorsement as cabbies have to be smart when buying a car.

Yes, and the exact opposite to most members of the car buying public!

too true. I am more than happy to share my car buying choices with cabbies. I am not snobbish about it. I like being a clever car buyer rather that a sheep following the other sheep !