Hi guys

looking for some collective wisdom.

I have a FL octavia hatch vRS CR DSG with the standard 225/40 18 tyres.

Planning ahead to and considering buying winter tyres on steel wheels. After some web research and using http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator.htm, I was planning on buying some narrower and smaller wheels/tyres, both to keep cost down and to increase my choice / the availability of tyres. Not too bothered about aesthetics of steel wheels over the mainly dark winter months.

I was planning on 205/55 16's which I assume will fit over the brakes, given that the full size spare wheel in the boot of my car is exactly this size. The only thing slightly confusing me is the full size spare wheel says there's a 80kph limit. Is this because it's a slightly (5mm) different diameter to the other wheels and it's just them being over-cautious?

If i get all 4 wheels switched to the 205/55 16's over the winter months, does anyone forsee any problems and does the above sound like a reasonable approach?

Thanks

Evan

It may be because one odd-size tyre could affect your handling and road-holding. There's certainly no technical reason why you shouldn't drive up to the capacity of the vehicle if you can get 16" Winter tyres with the same speed rating and load index as the 18s.

You just missed out on my set...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/167671-sold-pending-payment-winter-wheels-tyres-and-chains-for-octy-2-superb-2

It's an exceedingly sensible approach. :yes:

You just missed out on my set...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/167671-sold-pending-payment-winter-wheels-tyres-and-chains-for-octy-2-superb-2

It's an exceedingly sensible approach. :yes:

Damn, those would have been perfect!! Although I said looks not so important, no doubt your alloys look waaayyy better than my potential steel wheels.

Snooze you lose I guess.

Glad you've blazed the trail for me

smaller alloys/rims arnt an issue provided the aspect ratio of the tyre is increased to keep the same rolling radisu as the 18" alloy with low profile tyres.

for instance the 17" zeniths have a 225/45 R17 tyre on it, the 18" zenith has a 225/40 R18 tyre on it, yet they have the same rolling radius, which is important for the speedometer to be correct.

so if you after 16" rims and tyres you need to get a tyre is sufficiently high enough to hav the same rolling radius. shouldnt be to hard, any of the other octavia rims should do the same

6.0x16 ET50 or 6.5x16 ET50 are officially approved by Skoda for the VRS as winterwheels.

The smaller ones are approved to be used with snowchains, the wider ones not.

The 80kph sticker on the spare wheel is because of the different sized wheels you will be driving if using the spare. It is to keep the company from hefty law suits

I always drove 16" in winter with 205/55 16 in V spec. H spec should be more than sufficient, but as I am living in Germany

You will be astonished how much more responsive a VRS is in a straight line

ta for the advice. Hoping to beat the winter rush!

Good question and good answers

I'm also looking at getting myself some winter wheels + tyres.

Dilemma is, I've also been looking at bigger brake upgrades which will complicate matters considerably! Think I'll stick with standard sized brakes with updrated pads instead.

Let us know if you find any decent packages for a set of 16" 205/55 wheels (preferably alloy, but not ruling out steel).

Dilemma is, I've also been looking at bigger brake upgrades which will complicate matters considerably!

That's why I sold my 16s.

mytyres.co.uk will do a set of steel wheels plus winter tyres e.g. Nokians for just over £400. The more I think about it, the more I want alloys :S

Still have my set of BBS RD394 with Dunlop 3D in V spec. Problem is to get them to the UK.

I guess the shipping costs would be prohibitive

I have some 16" Audi A6 wheels which I'm sanding and painting ready for winter tyres

Edited 14 July, 201015 yr by ChrisRs

does anyone have views as to which tyre size / profile would provide optimum winter / snow grip and be appropriate for the vrs? I believe skinnier tyres are more effective?

does anyone have views as to which tyre size / profile would provide optimum winter / snow grip and be appropriate for the vrs? I believe skinnier tyres are more effective?

16" is as low as you can go on the rims in a vRs due to the larger calipers..so 205 55 16 matches OEM

does anyone have views as to which tyre size / profile would provide optimum winter / snow grip and be appropriate for the vrs? I believe skinnier tyres are more effective?

For snow the narrower is better. The area which is in contact with the ground is smaller, therefore more pressure and better grip (on snow).

The grip on normal dry(wet) conditions will be less...