Hi I just picked up a 4 year old 17000 miles fabia 3.

 

The front 2 tyres have been changed, but the rear 2 are the originals the car was born with....thus 4 years old and getting a bit perished IMO. The 2 newer front 2 are some really rubbish chinese makes.

 

The tyres are 205 45 16's.

 

I was wondering whether replacing them with 205 50 16's as having 50's would improve the tyre noise ride etc etc. and I,m not bothered about having the slim tyre look.

 

This would increase the circumference  by 3.38 % and speedo by the same factor.

 

It would also increase the gearing and drop the rpm a little.

 

Has anyone done this before? and what problems if any it caused?

Hi Promethian,

 

Congrats on the car. Very nice! Concerning the tyre size change, I wouldn't bother. If the main reasons are to reduce noise you are best off changing to a decent make known to be quieter avoiding for example, the Bridgestone Turanza's known to be very noisy. I have in the past always had Continentals and these have been extremely quiet with a good ride. One other reason to avoid changing the actual tyre size (even a small one) is, it is a modification to your car. This will invalidate your insurance unless you tell them. Watch what happens to your insurance premium if you do, and in some cases, you won't even get a quote. Yes amazing isn't it! Don't ask me how I know! However, the actual tyre size change in itself would not be a big problem regarding the change to gearing etc. It's mainly the insurance issue that could be the decider.

Oh ta... didnt realise changing tyre sizes would create such an issue for insurance purposes...I'll forget that option then