I'm thinking of upgrading my 15" Helios alloys to something a but larger with a view to reducing 'wallowing' around corners without decreasing ride comfort or increasing costs too much.

I might go for larger brakes (I have 288mm discs at present) at some point and, I believe, 16" alloys will fit over the larger brakes without adapters or spacers (something I don't want to do).

I don't want mine too look like a Vrs, as its not, so Zeniths might be out if the question.

What are the pro's & con's of 16" or 17" alloys?

Please don't comment on aesthetics as this is purely subjective (but pictures of estates with genuine Skoda 16" or 17" alloys would be appreciated).

Thanks.

Not pouring cold water on your proposals, but I just don't get why people want to enhance their lower specd model for better handling/performance, just get a sport/VRS in the first place???

I'm just coming from the position of thinking how much of a hassle this will be in the insurance world, significantly higher premiums and some firms will not even be interested in insuring this type of car.

Looking at your mods so far and what you plan to do, a VRS would have been the better and cheaper buy???

Good luck all the same.

Not pouring cold water on your proposals, but I just don't get why people want to enhance their lower specd model for better handling/performance, just get a sport/VRS in the first place???

I'm just coming from the position of thinking how much of a hassle this will be in the insurance world, significantly higher premiums and some firms will not even be interested in insuring this type of car.

Looking at your mods so far and what you plan to do, a VRS would have been the better and cheaper buy???

Good luck all the same.

Hindsight! It's great...

When I bought my Octavia, I knew little about the car and took a 'gamble' on a brand and model new to me.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought a higher spec of model as you suggested. When I go to replace this one (in quite a few years hopefully) I will look at another Octavia and it will be a higher spec one.

As long as I can afford it in one lump sum.

My car is already insured wit the mods and, having spoken to them about more, it is unlikely that they will charge any more for what is a 'cosmetic' modification - especially if I keep the 15" for winter wheels (which I might if I don't do the brakes).

16" pros - tyres (205/55/16) are much cheaper than 225/45/17s, more sidewall than 17"s so more comfortable, less prone to damaging the wheel through kerbing or potholes.

17" pros - look nicer, less sidewall so less tyres flex in cornering.

16" wheels fit over vRS brakes, so no worries there.

I have a L&K estate with 17" Pegasus wheels. I like the look. They seem to give a good visual balance to the vehicle. Mine is a pov spec, ie the 105hp version and tiny brakes. I installed the big - 312mm - brakes after a couple of "incidents" in the Alps, there is loads of space for them under the Pegasus wheels, and I believe room for them under 16" too. I keep meaning to get another 3 steels to match the spare for winter tyres, but the imperative has deminished now I am retired.

As far as wallowing and lurching, mine did like a greased drunken pig, and I hated it. I uprated the rear anti roll bar and found that transformed the handling and feel of the car. I chose a Whiteline adjustable (not that I ever have), £200 ish fitted?

I think a rarb will have more effect than changing the wheels to be honest.

I had considered a remap and other suspension changes like uprated dampers (not lowering), but find the rarb allows me to drive faster without having to slow down for corners so much, much nicer to make progress in, smooth and flowing.

How much the 17" wheels contribute I can't say, but they are rather heavy.

Hope this comment is of some use.

18s ftw

Choose 17" as if you get 16" you'll always wish you'd bought 17". Just my opinion.

Choose 17" as if you get 16" you'll always wish you'd bought 17". Just my opinion.

Why?

It seems as though 17" tyres are 20-40% more than 16" tyres which are already more than 15" tyres...

Surely 'wallowing' around corners is more down to the suspension than the tyres?

I've just taken my 16" Audi winter wheels off and put the 15" Skoda wheels back on, I'll take a picture for you when I go back out. Mine is a 4x4 though so it looks a bit different to a standard car.

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I have 17" Zeniths on a Ambiente spec. I had the Helios before as standard but I wouldn't say it was wallowing before. I have noticed the ride is more harsh on 17,s but much more positive. The Zeniths are very heavy compared to Helios alloys. They have 225/45 Kumhos fitted which is a very good grippy tyre but I do find its more harder over bumps now.

Surely 'wallowing' around corners is more down to the suspension than the tyres?

Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology as I'm currently on lowered Eibach springs and Bilstein B4's.

It might be flex in the sidewall! Having never driven a car with alloys bigger than 16", I can't really say. That's why I'm asking you guys...

The Zeniths are very heavy compared to Helios alloys.

Aside from ride comfort, have you noticed the effects of the heavier wheels? Poorer acceleration or increased fuel consumption perhaps?

Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology as I'm currently on lowered Eibach springs and Bilstein B4's.

It might be flex in the sidewall! Having never driven a car with alloys bigger than 16", I can't really say. That's why I'm asking you guys...

On our Octavia vRS we use 16" wheels with winter tyres and 18" wheels with summer tyres depending on the time of year and temperature. If you're pressing on you definitely notice that the steering is more 'instant' or 'connected' with the lower profile tyres on the 18"s.

Aside from ride comfort, have you noticed the effects of the heavier wheels? Poorer acceleration or increased fuel consumption perhaps?

Our Octavia is a powerful car and although the 18"s are heavier than the 16"s the effect on performance and economy is negligible. Having said that, our last Fabia was a 1.9TDI 100bhp and we noticed a big difference in fuel consumption moving from 185/60/14s to 205/45/16s and a slight drop off in acceleration. On the plus side the handling was miles better on the 16"s.

Aside from ride comfort, have you noticed the effects of the heavier wheels? Poorer acceleration or increased fuel consumption perhaps?

Fuel consumption is the same as usual. Always 58 + mpg. Acceleration is spot on too. Nothing's changed other than what I would call a "bumpy" ride compared to 15,s which tbh I miss that comfort now but the Zeniths do look really nice on the car. I don't want to be a VRS lookalike I just wanted something different. I really want Pegasus alloys but they are so rare now :(

Sod that go for what looks best

Sod that go for what looks best

+1

Narrower and so less rubber on the road so less rolling resistance.

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These are the sort or pro/con issues I was after ( so I can make my own decisions). Thanks guys.

Agreed, Pegasus alloys are very nice (and rare) but I also rather like the Crateris 16" (2008 onwards) and the Sirius 16" alloys as well.