Hi

Since it looks that I might have to replace all tyres on the Roomster before winter, I was wondering if anyone tried oversized wheels/tyres on a Roomster? At what size wheel well clearance becomes an issue?

Stock size is 195/55/R15. Ideally, I'd want to get to Mk1 Octy sized wheels, so 195/65/R15 as it is by far the least expensive size on the market, but 195/60/R15 is a fallback option.

The extra 10mm-20mm ground clearance will suit me just fine, as will the 3%-6% longer gearing. Brakes will be upgraded by then so the 3%-6% less braking force is not an issue either. Bearings are same as on Mk1 Octy / Mk4 Golf. Spare wheel well can take even a 205/55/R16 (as it's a Golf floor plate).

The only thing I do not know yet is if the larger diameter tyres rub the wheelarches, so please advise.

What a great thread you've started. I am in the same position as you are. I am really frustrated with tyre manufacturers, just as you, due to the great price gap between 195/55R15 and 195/50R15 or 195/65R15. Prices amongst the same tyre pattern can differ from 90 up to 140 euros per set.

Dear DieselV6, I really cannot answer to your question but I can tell you that all tyre fitters I have visited advised me to go to 195/50R15 and the price drops dramaticaly, but I think that Skoda mechanics didn't spent their time, knowledge, money to suggest specific tyre dimensions.

In my fuel cap refers :

185/60R15

195/55R15

205/45R16

and one more for 17 inches that i do not rememeber.

I think we can also fit 185/55R15 as stated here.

I have two friends of mine that rides their scouts on 205/45R16 and are complaining about stiff ride and bump sound in every pothole. I am afraid that 185/60R15 will be a bit "soapy" while cornering. IMHO 195/55R15 is the ideal tyre dimension for that car.

185/60R15

195/55R15

205/45R16

and one more for 17 inches that i do not rememeber.

I think we can also fit 185/55R15 as stated here.

I have two friends of mine that rides their scouts on 205/45R16 and are complaining about stiff ride and bump sound in every pothole. I am afraid that 185/60R15 will be a bit "soapy" while cornering. IMHO 195/55R15 is the ideal tyre dimension for that car.

All tyres listed on fuel cap have same overall diameter, only rim size and tyre profile/width varies, about 590mm-603mm stock diameter is constant.

Just to clarify, I want to go to 615mm or preferably 630mm diameter with either 195/60/R15 or 195/65/R15, respectively. I am hoping someone tried that and can report if wheel arches stay intact with either size.

Edited 15 June, 201313 yr by dieselV6

You need to keep with tyres that have the same overall diameter, otherwise the speedo and odometer will be out. That's why there's so little variation in the tyres listed for the car.

Oh, and it's also worth mentioning, many insurers won't cover you for wheels / tyres not approved for the car by Skoda.

I've had 195/65 R15 91v tyres fitted to my car... by accident. I ordered Conti5 Premiums in 195/55/15 but the delivery was mixed up and tyres fitted late in the afternoon, plus had to rush off and didn't get a good look. In the morning I thought the arches looked fuller, and in fact they were 195/65/15. As the garage didn't have the proper ones in stock, I ended up driving around on them for a week while they sourced new ones.

I was not keen on sticking with them due to insurance and the car nearing its MOT, and I personally like the shorter gearing - also didn't want to mess with the speedo and odometer. But the ride was greatly improved, i didn't notice any issues with grip, and the wheels fit without rubbing. I also did not need as high pressure as the sidewalls on them can carry more load and they held up the 1.9 engine nicely. I would not use that size with snow chains though. Overall if it were an approved size, my list of pros outweigh the cons, and I would happily switch.

Can you find an old tyre in that size from some garage and do a test fit?

Edited 16 June, 201313 yr by grafitti

Thanks for reply, I have one 205/55/R16 leftover spare from a written off Mk1 Octy, that one I used to test the spare wheel well with.

Speedo/odo/insurance wise, at least 195/60/R15 is within tolerance, even stock tyres vary diameter from 590mm to 600mm, 615mm is only 2.5% out so speedometer will at worst show true speed. I planned on getting all-weather tyres, and forgetting snow chains as this car does not go abroad in winter.

Good to hear that 195/65/R15 fitted without rubbing wheelarches, was the car running loaded or empty during that week?

.

Thanks for reply, I have one 205/55/R16 leftover spare from a written off Mk1 Octy, that one I used to test the spare wheel well with.

Speedo/odo/insurance wise, at least 195/60/R15 is within tolerance, even stock tyres vary diameter from 590mm to 600mm, 615mm is only 2.5% out so speedometer will at worst show true speed. I planned on getting all-weather tyres, and forgetting snow chains as this car does not go abroad in winter.

Good to hear that 195/65/R15 fitted without rubbing wheelarches, was the car running loaded or empty during that week?

.

May I ask you something please? Did you fit snow chains on 195/55R15 wheels? I am asking you, because in my owner's manual reports that snowchain can be fitted on all sizes below 195/55R15. And that's a question that I found no answer yet. Why not in 195/55R15 what the malfuction will be? Not theoritically speaking but speaking with facts.

I would like to fit all-weather tyres too, but all fitters told me that this is a very wrong decision, because then "I won't have tyre neither summer or winter" (WHY?????). I personally do not believe them and there are a couple of sets running in my head. The only thing that keeps me off all-weather tyres is the fact that during summer time we have ambient temperatures above 37 degrees Centigrade and sometimes over 40. AT the time we have 33 degs and heavy cloudy sky

Speedo/odo/insurance wise, at least 195/60/R15 is within tolerance, even stock tyres vary diameter from 590mm to 600mm, 615mm is only 2.5% out so speedometer will at worst show true speed. I planned on getting all-weather tyres, and forgetting snow chains as this car does not go abroad in winter.

Good to hear that 195/65/R15 fitted without rubbing wheelarches, was the car running loaded or empty during that week?.

I had some boxes in there, but not fully loaded. I'd say I only had around 50 kg in the back.

If the 195/60/15 is within tolerance as you say, I'll most likely switch to those next year as they are much cheaper (Camskill is £58 vs £71 per tyre) and I don't use chains either. Having both summer and winter sets, the savings add up.

I've heard some people say chains will fit, others that they won't. Either way there are approved options for 195/55/15 like the Thule K-Summits, though at their cost I may find it cheaper just to get a plane ticket.

Thanks, I think I will also go for the 195/60/R15 all weathers whenever the time comes.

IMHO it is too hot in summer to fit all weather tyres in Greece, hot summer in the UK is +27deg C. Cars driving only in the UK can get away even with Nokian WR winter tyres on non-driven axle in summer (I ran them on Octy 1 like that). Plus winter is less severe in the UK than on the Continent, more about rain/ice/slush driving than deep snow, hence decent all weather tyres really cover the requirements.

Regarding snow chains, I think manufacturer assumes that the chains will have 12mm chain link size (it's mentioned somewhere in the manual), and specifically for the Roomster the likely issue is side wheelarch clearance, most likely the very shallow rear wheel arches could cause problems as you would effectively have tyre+chain width of 195+2*12 = 219mm. Rear wheel well liners are quite close to the tyre sides.

It's quite likely you will be OK for clearance with 8-9mm snow chains most commonly sold (and budget priced)

In Italy (as well as in Greece, I suppose) summer temperatures rise well over 30 °C and it is not advisable to fit all-weather tyres (or, worse, winter tyres), since performance is bad and wearing is high.

By the way, I read tests stating that all-wheater tyres have neither-fish-nor-flesh performances even at lower temps. If you live in areas where winter temps seldom fall under 6-7 °C, summer tyres are always the best solution.

As to tyre sizes, also consider 'downgrading' to 185/60. Prices are lower, everyday performance does not change dramatically, comfort and fuel consumption both improve. I have 185/60 winters and I do not notice real performance gaps with the stock summer 195/55. Plus, no problem with chains.

Edited 17 June, 201313 yr by Lorenzo