Hi all,

looking for some advice. Just traded my 05 Audi A6 (getting too many miles on it) for a 58 plate Skoda Superb 170. Wish I'd spotted the brakes needed doing doing but that's another story. What I'm struggling with is the rather harsh ride compared to my Audi. (albeit the Audi had smaller wheels and more rubber). I've got 225/40/R18's on the Skoda and I'd like more rubber to hopefully give a less firm ride. I'm not sure what size I can safely go to with this car or if it's worth picking up some 17" wheels and putting the 18's in storage. Any advice on tyre selection welcome. I guess I'm aiming at the lower end (falken style) makes rather than the pirelli/dunlop premium end given the cost of those would be too high... any experiences or comments about sizings much appreciated.

many thanks.

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Edited 20 September, 201114 yr by AdamDB

If you want a smooth ride AND safe some fuel, buy yourself a set of 16" rims and 205/55R16 tires. That's what I did (for both summer and winter tires) and I don't regret it!

I am using 17" with 235/45/R17 and ride comfort is really good.

Maybe it's worth having your suspension checked out 1st - i have no issues with the suspension / ride on my Elegance - it's very good - i run 18" Summer Conti's at present, and 18" Winter, Vredestine's - with no issue.

Al.

I run the OE 225/40/18 tyres throughout the summer which surprisingly offer good comfort, however the Nokian WR G2 winter tyres I ran through last winter in 205/55/16 are more comfortable, not any noisier and return better MPG

Check whether the Transportsicherung (german word) is removed of the springs.

Check whether the Transportsicherung (german word) is removed of the springs.

My Spring blocks were only removed at 1st Service! - and i'm pleased to say, they made no difference! lol

Al.

For comfortable UK winter driving, by far the best option is to get 16in steel wheels, 205/55/16 Nokian WR winter/all-weather tires.Put simply, with 18in wheels you get less cushion than with 16in wheels. You also get less surface load due to wider tyre, which is bad when you are on slush/ice, as you want the tyre thread to cut through to the tarmac.

Avoid Nokian Entyres, Nokian messed up the compound and in the rain Entyres skid easily. Quite a disappointment after 8+ years of using Nokian H, V, Z, WR (100k+ miles total with Nokians on both cars). I also used Conti WinterContacts, and Pirelli Wintersports, both were good but not as good as the WRs in most conditions. The only time I felt Wintersports were better was on soft snow where they had a bit more traction due to larger thread block. On ice/slush and in the rain, Nokian WRs are better.

Regarding rough ride, check if shock absorbers are oem, perhaps someone swapped them out already and the new ones are too hard.

Here in Germany, the 16 inch wheel is the size skoda supply as standard for winter ( for yeti and superb ). rims cost around 40 quid at dealer, tyres are up to you...

Edited 5 November, 201114 yr by john96

I am about to buy some winter tyres, and was going for the Nokian WR A3s based on the recommendations above. However, I'm confused as the tyre shop have two options: 205/55 R16 H (94 XL) or 205/55 R16 H (91). Can someone please explain the difference to me? Thanks!

205/55 R16 H (94 XL) or 205/55 R16 H (91). Can someone please explain the difference to me? Thanks!

The 94 XL is the load index (XL = eXtra Load) the 91 has a lower index and is not suitable for the Superb

Mk2 definitely comes with 94 load index, but I wonder why? Anyone?

My Mk1 which is 2.5TDIV6, a heavier engine than even the Mk2 3.6V6 and the car is on the whole is heavier, but requires only 91 load index tyres.

Still, 94s are better than 91 in case you get blowout. Less chance of shredding tyre completely as the sidewall is stronger.

I wonder why 94 too? Passat has 91.

Can I just check re. alloys vs steel wheels. I take it the only difference is in appearance? From speaking with the dealer, there is such a price difference between the two (£55 for steel incl. trim, £130 for alloy), that I think it's not worth the extra outlay for my wife and I (two cars) simply for appearance.

As long as the dealer orders Skoda wheels, I take it having steels instead of standard alloys would not affect my car insurance?

Thanks folks.

Can I just check re. alloys vs steel wheels. I take it the only difference is in appearance? From speaking with the dealer, there is such a price difference between the two (£55 for steel incl. trim, £130 for alloy), that I think it's not worth the extra outlay for my wife and I (two cars) simply for appearance.

As long as the dealer orders Skoda wheels, I take it having steels instead of standard alloys would not affect my car insurance?

Thanks folks.

Nope, as long as you use a genuine part, and keep tyre size one of the Superb's (205/55/16 for example) the you "Should" not have a problem.

Al.

Is there really that much need for them?

I have never really considered them before with my manual cars, will the auto box make much of a difference? :(

From speaking with the dealer, there is such a price difference between the two (£55 for steel incl. trim, £130 for alloy), that I think it's not worth the extra outlay for my wife and I (two cars) simply for appearance.

Alloys can be bought much cheaper than that. I bought these 16" alloys for my Superb's wintertires last August for only 86 euro (73 pound):

Alloys can be bought much cheaper than that. I bought these 16" alloys for my Superb's wintertires last August for only 86 euro (73 pound):

Put these on, your insurance will go through the roof.

Al.

Put these on, your insurance will go through the roof.

Why? Since when does alloy rim design have any influence on insurance pricing?

Why? Since when does alloy rim design have any influence on insurance pricing?

It's not a genuine part, or how the vehicle left the factory - therefore a modification - therefore will cost more to insure and should be declared.

Al.

Must be something specific for the UK I guess. Never heard a story like this (link rim/wintertyre and insurance fee) over here in Belgium.

Dont you have something like a certificate of compliance for the rim?

Edited 11 November, 201114 yr by digidoctor

I would have thought this would be a world-wide thing - Modify your vehicle, you pay more to insure it - as it's either got inferior parts on (loads of aftermarket wheels are of inferior quality; not saying yours are) or are more expensive to replace or more desirable to a thief. - It's got nothing to do with the rubber that's on them - Hence, i'm running a second set of Genuine Skoda Rim's with winter rubber.

Al.

Winter steelies have been OK for insurance reasons in all of Europe including the UK for many years now, they do not have to come from Skoda nor even VW Group as long as they have correct size/offset/bolt pattern. Several insurance companies tried it on and wiggle out of claims last year and these were rebuffed by about every institution in power.

Steel winter wheels are a better idea than alloys anyway - less prone to cracking on impact at low temperatures / low road visibility than aluminium, cheaper to buy/replace, and not a thief magnet when they're laying in your garage for 6-9 months every year. Just remember not to use wheel caps as they catch snow/sludge and can make your wheel out of balance.

It's not a genuine part, or how the vehicle left the factory - therefore a modification - therefore will cost more to insure and should be declared.

Than I'm happy to live in the Netherlands, we don't have these rules. Even in over-regulated Germany mounting these rims is allowed without any consequences for the insurance, as long as the manufacturer of the rims has approved them for your specific type of car (and these rims are approved by Rial for the S2C).