I know winter tyres have been talked about a lot recently, but do people think that 205-55 R16's will fit on the standard rims without rubbing.

I'm not worried about inaccuracy in the speedo.

Cheers.

Basically you will have roughly 1" less suspension travel so you may get away with it, but your speedo will be miles out (reading 60mph and actually doing 65mph!) so you'd need to be very careful.

There'll be 0.8inches (I think) more wheel & tyre from the centre of the wheel to the arch, and I imagine you have that much room unless you've lowered the car (just guessing though)

(Used http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to calculate tyre size difference)

I do have standard suspension, not lowered.

They'll physically fit I think, but you are aware that you've just said "I'm not bothered about driving an illegal car" in a public forum?

Can you get the make/model you want in a 195/55?

Would a 195 fit on the same rim? On the other subject another 7-8% on the speedo reading would make it pretty much bang on.

Basically you will have roughly 1" less suspension travel so you may get away with it, but your speedo will be miles out (reading 60mph and actually doing 65mph!) so you'd need to be very careful.

UK speedos are usually anywhere between 5-10% overestimating, so it's not really an issue on that front. Speedo will be more accurate if anything. As long as the speedo doesn't say he's going slower than he really is, it's not an issue. Is borderline and risky though. Sat Nav's the way to check of course! Whether he'll have rubbing etc is another matter......

Hi,

OOps, sorry, just noticed on Fabia board, will repost on Octy board.

I'm also considering a set of winter tyres for my Octavia.

Do you always need to get a full set, or would a front pair do the job?

What wheels and tyres would i need to get to be the same as the 205/55 R16's I have, thus making them legal etc.

Thanks

Paul

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by pbutterworth

You should always get 4, having a significant difference in grip between the front and back is a big no no. You run the risk of it swapping ends on your very easily, rather than sliding predictably. It does however mean that you do into the hedge backwards rather than forwards.

My link

This is a good one for comparing tyre sizes.

I'd also be interested to know whether they will rub or not, as this morning my summers were "a bit poor" to say the least.

205/50/16s are significantly cheaper and more available than 205/45/16 too.

I'm sure somebody on here had just fitted a set of 205/55/16s on their furby and then had rubbing problems. The post has vanished though. If you put a 205/45/16 next to a 205/55/16 you'll see just how big a difference there is.

205/50/16s are closer to the original size so likely to be less of an issue. 45s are astronomically expensive.

If you have standard brakes then the cheapest option is to buy some 15" wheels and fit winter tyres to them.

Just had 205/55/16 Cooper Weather Master fitted to the front @£150 for the two fitted, returned to work now and no rubbing issues yet !!!!

Just myself in the car and no weight in the boot

Will let you now if they rub when fully loaded

while there is plenty of space and suspension travel on a standard car to get 55 profile tyres on the fact is they aren't the right size.

The increased rolling radius does make your speedo read incorrectly; which by association makes your trip computer, and mileage reading, incorrect.

You should also really let your insurance company know as it is most definietly a shift away from the factory standards and given the increased likelyhood of an accident in the bad weather wrong size tyres is going to give an insurance company all the wiggle room they need to reject a claim.

and i'd imagine they'd pretty much laugh you off the phone if you've fitted 55 profile on the front anf left the rears on 45 profile

Yes they 45's are more expensive and rarer (due the lower demand of being less widely used ibiza/polo/ibiza/clio only i think) but if that's what the factory says use i'm inclined to believe them

Why do people insist on putting winter tyres on the front only? Grip up front + none at the back = backwards into a hedge (or worse) :wonder:

Everyone is different and has their own opinions on this, but speaking as someone who has done this the answer to the op is yes you will be fine with no rubbing issues.

I am currently using 205/55/16 on original furby wheels for the winter. Bearing in mind I have a 40mm drop, I still have experienced no rubbing at all with me + passenger + 40kg in boot, so yep I'd say you'd be fine.

Should have put a bit more info into my above post

My Summer tyres are 205/50/16 - better ride comfort - getting old ( Also notified insurance company - no problems )

Last weekend swapped my rears for an existing set of 205/55/16 M+S and only today did my new 205/55/16 turn up - so now running 205/55/16 M+S all round

Also spoke to my insurance company, and again they did not have a problem with it

Standard Ride Height

Karl

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by korban

Cliff are you still doing badges ?

Karl

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by korban

If you have standard brakes then the cheapest option is to buy some 15" wheels and fit winter tyres to them.

I'd fully agree with that comment, remember having "wide" tyres on in winter/ice/snow is always going to put you at a disadvantage, as said already try to come down a wheel size and fit "higher" and narrower winter tyres.

Should have put a bit more info into my above post

My Summer tyres are 205/50/16 - better ride comfort - getting old ( Also notified insurance company - no problems )

Last weekend swapped my rears for an existing set of 205/55/16 M+S and only today did my new 205/55/16 turn up - so now running 205/55/16 M+S all round

Also spoke to my insurance company, and again they did not have a problem with it

Standard Ride Height

Karl

Then all the i's are dotted and the t's crossed.

As long as everybody is aware of the changes and happy with theml and you are happy with the inconsistency in readings (which you must be if you run 55's all the time) then everyone is a winner.

Cliff are you still doing badges ?

yup no group buy at the moment but can get badges produced as required