Hi

Have 09 Octavia 1.9 Tdi Elegance

Wheels : Vega 6.5J x 16"

Tyres : 205/55 R16

Considering winter tyres, to keep insurance company happy and to maintain rolling radius, I plan to stick with 205/55 R16 or go for 6.0J x 15" with 195/65 R15, as I understand this was the other combination which could have been fitted to a 1.9 Tdi of this vintage.

Anyone have experience of 205/55 R16 compared to 195/65 R15 for winter tyres?

Thanks

No personal experience, but looking at what rally cars run on snow stages, the narrower the better.

I ran 16" steelies with goodyear ultra grip winters on my VRs (still have them if anyones interested) and they were a revelation over the winter months.

Octy0GG - You're fine either way. I used to run a set of Vegas with 205 winters. No problem with clearance with standard snow chains. You might find you can pick up a second set of Vegas for £150 or so second hand and stick the winters on those, so your car won't even look any different to normal.

Worth looking at sizes available for Hankook Optimo 4S all season tyres which beat some of the proper winter tyres in last year's Auto Express tests. I bought a set for my Fun last year and they were/still are fine.

just go for 15" wheels as the tyres will cheaper and 195/65/15 is a standard skoda size so you should not have any problems with your insurance company but just mention to them that your swapping over to winter wheels/tyres.

VRS owners will be restricted to 16" due to larger brake discs but 15" will be fine for a 1.9tdi

15" will cost you less in tyres as others have said

Also, a narrow profile tyre is better on snow and ice

15's are cheaper and have a bigger sidewall which according to some articles I've read are better for a winter tyre

Had almost decided to go the winter wheels with 195 65 15 route then decided to check with my insurance company.

The fact that as I changed from summer to winter tyres I would be changing wheel size they considered to be a modification requiring a change to policy and therefore £25 admin fee - same again for change back in spring.

The fact that lots of 2009 Octavia 1.9Tdi have 195 65 15 tyres as standard counted for nothing.

However now at stage where regular tyres are ready to be changed anyway, and no alternative wheels organised, so just going to put Vredestein Snowtrac 3 205 55 16 s on my regular wheels this time.

See how it goes.

Aviva insurance don't charge extra for winter tyres - no need to inform them if to manufacturer spec.

I have Avon Ice Touring 205 55 16 ready to be fitted to my Elegance as soon as it gets colder.

Most insurance companies have now come round to the fact that this isn't a modification and in fact it makes you a more risk averse person and a better insurance prospect.

There are tables on the interweb which show what the various companies do.

The two we use want to be told when the swap occurs but aren't interested in charging providing we are using an approved wheel and tyre size combination as far as the manufacturer is concerned.

Same with Adrian Flux, I'm fine fitting OEM steels and Winter Tyres as long as I let them know when I make the swap.

My set came from a Skoda dealer as a Winter set.

I think I will stick with the waxed black look on my vRS and not bother with wheel trims.

Paul

Aviva insurance don't charge extra for winter tyres - no need to inform them if to manufacturer spec.

I have Avon Ice Touring 205 55 16 ready to be fitted to my Elegance as soon as it gets colder.

Found this statement on Aviva website:As one of the insurers signed up to the ABI's Winter Tyres commitment, outlined last week, Aviva does not view winter tyres as a modification to a car so they do not increase the premium, and the customer does not need to inform the insurer when winter tyres are fitted to their vehicle. In addition, a spare set of tyres would be covered if they are kept securely at the policyholder's address.

I'm in the 17" winter camp, so I'll keep quiet

Same with Adrian Flux, I'm fine fitting OEM steels and Winter Tyres as long as I let them know when I make the swap.

My set came from a Skoda dealer as a Winter set.

I think I will stick with the waxed black look on my vRS and not bother with wheel trims.

Paul

Ditto - also with AF.

And also have a Skoda winter set. And again, quite like the basic black steel wheel look!

Car feels ready for winter & also for Mrs D's parking habits (alloys now hidden in the garage) ;-)