will be replacing my tyres in the next couple of months

ive been reading mixed thoughts about using 195 tyres on the Fabia vrS

i know 195 will gives less road contact but they are a hell of lot cheaper! (4x toyo t1r 195 = £200 delivered)

so what's the definite answer? yay or nay?

has anyone told their insurance company about using different size tyres on stock alloys?

thanks

What is the standard size i cant remember, I did have 215 and it looked like ****e, just bought Yoko parada 2 205's for £250 on ebay (17")

What is the standard size i cant remember, I did have 215 and it looked like ****e, just bought Yoko parada 2 205's for £250 on ebay (17")

Standard size is 205/45/16

There is a massive difference in price between the two. According to my calculator only -1.52% difference in size so should be fine to use.

Hmmm

http://camskill.co.uk/m62b0s94p1671/TOYO_TYRES_CAR_TOYO_T1R_PROXES_TOYO_T1_R_-_195_45R16_80V_TL_

http://camskill.co.uk/m62b0s344p1679/TOYO_TYRES_CAR_TOYO_T1R_PROXES_TOYO_T1_R_-_205_45R16_87W_XL_TL_

Me and Tim both use 195/45 obv i have wider rims now but I had 195/45 on my standard wheels and there are better than 205

Me and Tim both use 195/45 obv i have wider rims now but I had 195/45 on my standard wheels and there are better than 205

what makes them better than 205s?

Surely less grip?

I noticed an improvement on handling as there is slightly less side wall and made cornering more positive.

Look better.

Cost less.

I'm going for 195 tyres next week. I agree they look better and I drove my mates Ibiza fr that has them and it felt better

I'm having the same problem too, but what are the full specs of 195 tyre are people using? Surely the load and speed rating will be different on 195 compared to the standard 205?

Cheers.

Same rating mate.

I went for 195 45 16 toyo t1r

I can't speak for scientific comparisons...But I much prefer 195s.

I suppose it's unfair to talk about how much more grip my 195s Toyo T1-Rs have in comparison to my old 205 Maxxis, as the brand is different and all 4 tyres are now brand new. If I had gone from Toyo to Toyo where my front tyres weren't so worn it may have been fairer.

But I can say that I'm really impressed with current setup, my mate even commented on how much grip I have taking roundabouts at moderate speed. The ASR light is seldom seen now also, although I also put that down to improved driving style (I worked on my starts prior to Inters).

There's also the appearance, my 205s always looked flat. I was forever thinking they need more pressure, and had friends mention I was low. 205s just don't seem to fit the rim properly.

Just look at now well 195s fit:

Then there's the price. You save over £120 when buying a set of 4? no brainer for me. 195s FTW.

tim, did you tell your insurance company about the tyres?

There is only one answer to that question on a public forum biggy :p

The 195's looks loads better, I'm guessing they are 195/45/R16 80V and the standard tyres are 205/45/ZR16 87W. Because the speed and load rating are quite close they should be fine, just wanted to make sure .

@ Timfok

The 195 do look nice, but thats with lowered suspension isnt it?

Anyone got photos of 195s on a standard VRS? Cheers.

Whats ride height got to do with it? its about the tyre looking and performing well on the rim.

215/40/16's for me.

What wheels?

On standard 16" wheels I thought 195's looked too small IMHO

195/45/16 are on our VRS, it has Eibachs fitted so sits lower, I think this gives the car a better stance. Have seen VRS's on standard springs booted with 17s and these look okay because the bigger wheels fill the gap, but looses that squat look. Just my opinion.

i had a 182 when i changed the 205/45's to 195/45's it ruined the cars handling.

So i've just put 4 new 205/45s on

215/40/16's for me.

really? you got pics of those?

i had a 182 when i changed the 205/45's to 195/45's it ruined the cars handling.

So i've just put 4 new 205/45s on

Was the change like for like? And how worn were your tyres prior to the change?

Would stress not a vRS rims....

On Ibiza prefacelift FR wheels and also prefacelift Leon Cupra 16's

Pictures ...

 

Was the change like for like? And how worn were your tyres prior to the change?

The change was from part worn

Nankang to Toyo Proxy 4s which were much gripper, but not as sure footed. Also felt more rolly and liable to skip on hard cornering.

I then changed wheels to another set whilst my originals were refurbed with milanza and sunue tyres in the 205 size and my handling was immediately more stable, though grip was **** poor.

Interesting. Not tried going narrower, but I do now run 205/50/16, and have done for a few years. Big difference in the way the car feels IMO, much more 'grown up', less crashy, and tyres fill the arches much better. Insurance company didn't care, as long as I preserved the speed rating as per manufacturer guidelines.

I run winter 195s on smaller rims and summer (well thats the hope anyway) 205s standard VRS rims.

I find its a lot 'softer' ride with the 195s on the Fen roads and I get less pull to the left, but its really nice not have the 'roll' feel round 90 deg bends with the summer tyres (trying to get motorbiking cornering sensation out of the car ).