hi,has anyone replaced 16ines to 17 inch wheels on a superb estate, had car fron new in sept 2010,i have heard it improves ride quality.

Generally speaking, changing to larger alloys will make the RIDE quality worse but will improve the HANDLING as you are putting more alloy wheel and less tyre between you and the road hence reducing the tyre's ability to absorb bumps in the road.

I have replaced the standard 18 inch wheels on my Superb Elegance saloon with 16 inch Spectrum alloys and Hankook Ventus Prime K105 205/55 R16 W (94)tyres, at the recommended pressures for 16 inch wheels. The increase in drive comfort is tremendous, and now my wife is happy!. The way I drive, I have not noticed any difference in handling. I even think it looks better, but that is personal taste.

Generally speaking, changing to larger alloys will make the RIDE quality worse but will improve the HANDLING as you are putting more alloy wheel and less tyre between you and the road hence reducing the tyre's ability to absorb bumps in the road.

thanks for input on wheels etc,i,m running on continentals ,perhaps i should look at a softer compound tyre?

I have replaced the standard 18 inch wheels on my Superb Elegance saloon with 16 inch Spectrum alloys and Hankook Ventus Prime K105 205/55 R16 W (94)tyres, at the recommended pressures for 16 inch wheels. The increase in drive comfort is tremendous, and now my wife is happy!. The way I drive, I have not noticed any difference in handling. I even think it looks better, but that is personal taste.

thanks for input,looking at changing continentals tyres for a softer compound tyre.

Alloy wheels are of course down to personal taste. The Superb is quite a big old tank and the 18" alloys suit it nicely. However, they don't suit my wallet as I managed to buckle one thanks to a pothole in the road, if the car was on 16 or 17" alloys the chances are the wheel would have survived.

It's simply form over function.

I see 16 inch alloys are not listed as OEM for my 2011 2.0 Tsi estate so would this have to be declared as a modification for the insurance? Also, is it acceptable to go from 225 to 205 ie 205/55 R16 ? Thank you for any comments

 

On 17/02/2011 at 19:31, gramardon said:

I have replaced the standard 18 inch wheels on my Superb Elegance saloon with 16 inch Spectrum alloys and Hankook Ventus Prime K105 205/55 R16 W (94)tyres, at the recommended pressures for 16 inch wheels. The increase in drive comfort is tremendous, and now my wife is happy!. The way I drive, I have not noticed any difference in handling. I even think it looks better, but that is personal taste.

 

100%! Car came with 18in allows, and the previous owner bough 16in black steel wheels for mounting winter tyres.  During summer, the wheels looks better with the 18in wheel but the ride is harsher, noisier and even the acceleration is worse. The improvement with the smaller wheels is quite stark. As I am not aggressively cornering or driving, I prefer how the 16in wheels feel, both while driving and riding, given the comfort is that much better.

 

I can see how bigger wheels are fashionable and help sell the cars, but engineering-wise they seem like a horrible choice for the everyday driver. Most definitely for the average superb driver.

 

Also, I have tried quieter tyres over the years, and it may help a bit. But the wheel size has much more impact on comfort than the tyre brand/quality.

 

For me, it is quite practical to have two sets of rims for winter-summer, thus I won't throw away the 18in. However, if I were to buy another car, or for whatever reasons I had to buy new rims, I would definitely go for the smallest wheel available. 

18 hours ago, Outfoxed said:

I see 16 inch alloys are not listed as OEM for my 2011 2.0 Tsi estate so would this have to be declared as a modification for the insurance? Also, is it acceptable to go from 225 to 205 ie 205/55 R16 ? Thank you for any comments

 

I just replied a really old message, LOL.

 

To your recent question: I really don't know. Here everybody switches from winter to summer wheels without any issue. 

 

 

On 04/02/2024 at 14:42, Outfoxed said:

I see 16 inch alloys are not listed as OEM for my 2011 2.0 Tsi estate so would this have to be declared as a modification for the insurance? Also, is it acceptable to go from 225 to 205 ie 205/55 R16 ? Thank you for any comments

Hi,

If you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line,

Regards,

Dan.

On 04/02/2024 at 14:42, Outfoxed said:

I see 16 inch alloys are not listed as OEM for my 2011 2.0 Tsi estate so would this have to be declared as a modification for the insurance? Also, is it acceptable to go from 225 to 205 ie 205/55 R16 ? Thank you for any comments

 

Take a look in the Superb MK2 owner's manual.

 

Superb MK2 tyre sizes listed in the owner's manual for the fitment of snow chains

205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1

205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1

205/50R17 6Jx17 ET45 5/112 57.1

 

Note, that the Superb MK2 with the 3.6 litre engine needs at least 17" rims to clear the big front brake discs. With all other engine versions, 16" rims will clear the front brake discs.

 

Because these tyre and rims specifications are listed in the owner's manual, they should also be shown on the car's CoC (Certificate of Conformity)...so you won't just be limited to winter tyres in these sizes, ie. summer tyres could also be used in these sizes.

 

Edited 5 February, 20242 yr by Carlston

Have a read here:

 

All available information on OE fitments is in there.