Where I live we don't tend to get much snow and when we do its very patchy, so I've completely put out of my head snow chains and socks because even when it snows, they're going to be driven on tarmac a lot and would wear out / damage road and possible my car.

So I decided to grab some winter tyres and with the weather we have, they seam to be the perfect solution, after all they're basically free when you consider you aren't using your summer tyres so they'll last longer.

My problem is my car has stock 225/40/18 (09 LTD) wheels do I just get exactly the same winter tyre or do you get smaller tyres that aren't low profile? Do you go for top end tyre at £150 a corner or go slightly budget or does it really not matter too much with winter tyres are they pretty much universally "decent" ?

Also when I google them they all come without rims do I get some spare steels and have put them on or take my car in and have the rubber put on my rims?

Any suggestions where to buy from / place to get rims?

Thanks

Andy

Have a look at this:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site:briskoda.net+winter+tyres

Topic has been widely discussed last few weeks, you should find everything you need.

Lou_O, thanks for that, I had googled and used the search feature on this site but never really found anything to help, after reading some of those pages I came up with this setup, can someone confirm these are a decent buy / fit my car

These alloys: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-16-SKODA-OCTAVIA-II-04-ALLOY-WHEELS-ONLY-/350409361375?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&hash=item51960687df#ht_1125wt_1140

These tyres: http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=72912880.110.27341&typ=D-104156&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

Thanks,

Andy

Lou_O, thanks for that, I had googled and used the search feature on this site but never really found anything to help, after reading some of those pages I came up with this setup, can someone confirm these are a decent buy / fit my car

These alloys: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-16-SKODA-OCTAVIA-II-04-ALLOY-WHEELS-ONLY-/350409361375?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&hash=item51960687df#ht_1125wt_1140

These tyres: http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=72912880.110.27341&typ=D-104156&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

Thanks,

Andy

The offset on those alloys is a bit tight

Don't know about the fit but the Nokian WRG2's are good. I've been out on mine today in snow, ice and slush! and they have been very sure footed.

The offset on those alloys is a bit tight

Sorry to sound like a complete ignorant user, but hehe, I somewhat am What is the offset and how/what does it affect?

Have a look here:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=101

I have an offset of 51 on my VRs 18" alloys and 42 on my 16" Winter alloys

Hope this helps

After searching about offset I keep reading about "ET"? can anyone explain what that is / what I can look up?

I have come across things like this but it doesn't make too much sense to me: "9mm outwards. BTW, 225 / 7.5J at ET35 works fine at standard ride height. "

Edit after reading wikipedia, I somewhat think I may understand it. even if a ET35 is fine at 225, the smaller wheel at 205, having the same 35ET would mean there is more clearance would it not?

Edited 25 November, 201015 yr by aLBIE

Edit after reading wikipedia, I somewhat think I may understand it. even if a ET35 is fine at 225, the smaller wheel at 205, having the same 35ET would mean there is more clearance would it not?

Correct

These alloys: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-16-SKODA-OCTAVIA-II-04-ALLOY-WHEELS-ONLY-/350409361375?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&hash=item51960687df#ht_1125wt_1140

These tyres: http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=72912880.110.27341&typ=D-104156&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

Have you considered H-rated tyres instead of the T-rated. If price is an issue you could get tyres already fitted on steel wheels from the same supplier.

I have a similar query to the OP, I hope it's ok to mention here instead of a separate thread.

Can anyone advise me what steel or alloy wheels would fit a facelift Mark II Octavia vRS Petrol? I have read most of the "winter tyre threads" on Briskoda but am still none the wiser as to where to buy steel wheels (or 16" alloys) to put winter tyres on.

I think I can cope with choosing my winter tyres - it is finding the wheels (whether steel or 16" alloy) that I need help with.

Would someone be kind enough to give me a direct link to a supplier, such as Halfords, Quikfit, MyTyres, (or eBay) that sell either steel wheels or 16" alloys for an Octavia II vRS Petrol Manual (facelift, 60 plate)

I am on a tight budget, so am happy enough to buy steelies, don't have to be alloys.

Thanks very much for any assistance...

Here:

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/Steel_wheels.html

Here:

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/Steel_wheels.html

That's great, thanks. I had looked at this link already, but exact my model was not listed here. The nearest I could find is as follows:

OCTAVIA RS 2.0 TFSI

(is this the right model to choose then?)

And choosing the above model gives me two further choices:

1Z 1984ccm 147 kW BJ.: 06.2004-

1Z 1984ccm 147 kW BJ.: 09.2005-

Which one of these two should I choose? I don't understand the above codes...

Thanks!!

Easy thing is to look at the sister models first, golf, Leon, A3. Then some other will fit like A4. EBay has lots of second had alloys, I got mine for under £80 or you could get steels from about £120.

Kwick-fit seem to be well priced