I'm buying a set of winter tyres and wondered if I can use 195 60 r16 instead of the 205 55 r16 standard size on my vrs estate? I would guess that the narrower profile would help in snow etc.

Cheers,

iep

Yes. The sidewall of the 195/60 is 2mm lower, but that's less than the usable tread depth, and you're right about the narrower tyre being better in snow or even standing water.

Cheers for that. Unfortunately, what I had taken to be a cheap supply of winter tyres for my vrs in fact turned out to be a supplier of winter tyres for commercial vehicals (I gather 195 60 16 is a common sized tyre for vans). I can't bring myself to be van tyres on the vrs.

iep

The sidewall of the 195/60 is 2mm lower

That would be the case for 185/60R16 but not for 196/60R16. With 195 the sidewall would be 4mm higher but that's still within the bounds of commonly accepted acceptability ;-)

I once put van tyres on the back of my Carlton, was great for wear but almost no grip, great for going sideways but not so good when you're trying to drive normaly.