As a new owner, I am not happy that I can only have 18" wheels on my new car. Skoda will not entertain an option despite selling other models of Superb and Octavia with smaller wheels. I have contacted several wheel companies in the UK and they say should be ok to put 16" wheels with higher profile tyres on the car versus 18" wheels with lower profile tyres (standard from Skoda). Anyone ever done this ? The wheel companies have said there may be an issue with the brake calipers being to suit an 18" wheel ? The model is 2014 Superb Estate 140PS Manual.

 

Ian

Welcome,

 

I run Audi (BBS) 7x16”ET45  alloys fitted with 205/55/16” winter tyres without an issue, the only model that cannot run 16” wheels id the 3.6.

 

However not all wheels are the same and some may need spacers to clear the callipers,

but if you stick to genuine VAG group (VW, Audi, Seat & Škoda) alloys then providing they are 5x112 PCD you should be fine.

Welcome,

 

I run 16" during the winter with winter tires on. 

 

If you look inside the flap for the fuel filler all the tire pressures are shown for the different wheel sizes - mine clearly lists a 16" wheel with a larger walled tire.

 

When you say you have asked Skoda is that Skoda UK or the dealer - I have found that a lot of dealers answer NO by default when in fact the answer is generally YES - which is slightly annoying. Try Skoda UK if you have not already done so.

 

Few words of warning - on my 16" (Non Skoda part) wheels the locking wheel bolt key did not properly seat on the wheel bolt due to the shape of the base of the wheel casting, quick mod to the key by taking a few millimeters off the end and all is fine - wheel torque up no problem.

 

Also ensure that you get the correct speed and load rating for the tires - very important also check qty and PCD of bolts match wheel hub.

 

Here is a link to where I bought mine from, another link to check the offset etc.

 

Finally check this link its to Skoda parts.com who sell genuine Skoda parts - clearly showing a 16" alloy for either Superb or Yeti

 

There has been quite a lot of talk on this forum about insurance and fitting after market wheels - I would always advise keeping your insurance co informed of any mods - you know what they are like - any excuse not to pay up and they will take it.

 

Good luck

 

Smudgers

I know of several cars where dealers supplied 17 or 16 inch wheels on new cars,its just easier(and cheaper) for them to say no. As said above the standard sizes are listed on the inside of the fuel filler flap.

Tyremen sell original Skoda Superb 16" Spectrum alloys. I was going to do the same but I didn't go for the Superb in the end.

Push the dealer, it's a case of 'the computer says no'! If they want the sale they will help with your request, they just have to sort the order process so the build info contains the correct data at the factory.

I run 16" winter wheels with no problem and the ride is better than the 18" alloys but don't look as good.

As previous posters have said it simplifies things with the insurance company if the car is supplied with the wheels you want as they would be classed as a factory fit option rather than a later addition.

Regards,

Kevin.

I am a bit confused.

If Skoda sells other Superbs with 16" (apart 3.6 as Gizmo says)

Then wot reason did the dealer give u?

I can only think if the brake system (discs etc ) are BIGGER and hence cannot fit smaller wheels...

I run 17'' Laurels for the summer and Spectrum 16'' for the winter and there's no problem in swapping between them.

I was told by my dealer that customers regularly choose to downgrade and they have no problems doing that.  Maybe its because it would be a no cost option and they are not getting any commission!

I am a bit confused.

If Skoda sells other Superbs with 16" (apart 3.6 as Gizmo says)

Then wot reason did the dealer give u?

Some idiot at Skoda UK decided that if customers want a more luxury car, they also want bigger (expensive and uncomfortable) wheels. That's why you get 18" as standard on the Elegance.

In the rest of Europe you get 16" as standard, but 17" on the Elegance.

I still think that's wrong, this choice should be up to the customer. Me, for instance, I bought an Elegance, sold the 17" wheels and bought some decent looking (after-market) 16" wheels. I also chose a slightly smaller rim (6.5Jx16), so I have no problems with kerbs. Now my car is luxury, comfortable, quiet and economical. 

 

@OP: If I were you, I would ask your dealer to sell you the car on 16" (the new Helix wheels are quite good looking). He can easily sell the 18" set to somebody who prefers large wheels (and can live with all their disadvantages). If the dealer refuses, find another dealer.

Some idiot at Skoda UK decided that if customers want a more luxury car, they also want bigger (expensive and uncomfortable) wheels. That's why you get 18" as standard on the Elegance.

In the rest of Europe you get 16" as standard, but 17" on the Elegance.

I still think that's wrong, this choice should be up to the customer. Me, for instance, I bought an Elegance, sold the 17" wheels and bought some decent looking (after-market) 16" wheels. I also chose a slightly smaller rim (6.5Jx16), so I have no problems with kerbs. Now my car is luxury, comfortable, quiet and economical. 

 

@OP: If I were you, I would ask your dealer to sell you the car on 16" (the new Helix wheels are quite good looking). He can easily sell the 18" set to somebody who prefers large wheels (and can live with all their disadvantages). If the dealer refuses, find another dealer.

Interesting that.

So it sounds more like a cost issue to the dealer than a "it cant be done!"

Since car goes to dealer with 18" - and then dealer need to factor how much loss of profit if they have to replace the wheels themselves!

Personally:

1. Use that as a bargaining too (swop for 16 or i walk)

2. Buy it, swop 16" yourself, then sell the 18"

3. Search for another dealer willing to do the swop

It's more a cost effective measure - factory implemented:

 

If you choose the Ambition level - you get a standard package includin 17'' Wheels

If you choose the Elegance - you get standard 18'' wheels.

 

The factory can better forecast how many 17'' and how many 18'' wheels needs and thus have better inventory control.

 

For the above reason, I chose the Ambition and opted for all the options the Elegance came standard - just to avoid the 18'' wheels :(

Welcome,

 

I run Audi (BBS) 7x16”ET45  alloys fitted with 205/55/16” winter tyres without an issue, the only model that cannot run 16” wheels id the 3.6.

 

However not all wheels are the same and some may need spacers to clear the callipers,

but if you stick to genuine VAG group (VW, Audi, Seat & Škoda) alloys then providing they are 5x112 PCD you should be fine.

Thanks very much for your advice. Much appreciated.

 

Ian (ihinhk)

Welcome,

 

I run 16" during the winter with winter tires on. 

 

If you look inside the flap for the fuel filler all the tire pressures are shown for the different wheel sizes - mine clearly lists a 16" wheel with a larger walled tire.

 

When you say you have asked Skoda is that Skoda UK or the dealer - I have found that a lot of dealers answer NO by default when in fact the answer is generally YES - which is slightly annoying. Try Skoda UK if you have not already done so.

 

Few words of warning - on my 16" (Non Skoda part) wheels the locking wheel bolt key did not properly seat on the wheel bolt due to the shape of the base of the wheel casting, quick mod to the key by taking a few millimeters off the end and all is fine - wheel torque up no problem.

 

Also ensure that you get the correct speed and load rating for the tires - very important also check qty and PCD of bolts match wheel hub.

 

Here is a link to where I bought mine from, another link to check the offset etc.

 

Finally check this link its to Skoda parts.com who sell genuine Skoda parts - clearly showing a 16" alloy for either Superb or Yeti

 

There has been quite a lot of talk on this forum about insurance and fitting after market wheels - I would always advise keeping your insurance co informed of any mods - you know what they are like - any excuse not to pay up and they will take it.

 

Good luck

 

Smudgers

Smudgers,

 

Thanks for the info and advice.

 

Ian (ihinhk)

I know of several cars where dealers supplied 17 or 16 inch wheels on new cars,its just easier(and cheaper) for them to say no. As said above the standard sizes are listed on the inside of the fuel filler flap.

Cheers

 

Ian (ihinhk)

Push the dealer, it's a case of 'the computer says no'! If they want the sale they will help with your request, they just have to sort the order process so the build info contains the correct data at the factory.

I run 16" winter wheels with no problem and the ride is better than the 18" alloys but don't look as good.

As previous posters have said it simplifies things with the insurance company if the car is supplied with the wheels you want as they would be classed as a factory fit option rather than a later addition.

Regards,

Kevin.

Kevin,

 

Tnx - exactly the reason I want 16" for the ride not the looks.

 

Ian  (ihinhk)

I am a bit confused.

If Skoda sells other Superbs with 16" (apart 3.6 as Gizmo says)

Then wot reason did the dealer give u?

I can only think if the brake system (discs etc ) are BIGGER and hence cannot fit smaller wheels...

They didn't give a reason - just said cannot be done. Am going back to them.

 

Ian (ihinhk)

They didn't give a reason - just said cannot be done. Am going back to them.

 

Ian (ihinhk)

Why go back?

Have enquire elsewhere ...

I recently bought my first new Skoda (Superb Estate Elegance) car after 10+ years of loyalty to BMW. Impressed so far but only 6 weeks in and I'm also thinking about changing the standard 18 inch Trinity wheels! Too uncomfortable.....

 

Favourite for me is a set of 16/7.5j Wolfrace Lugano rims with either 225/50 or 225/55 tyres. Both sizes fit nicely and dont mess the speedo up by more than 2mph. My speedo is already reading low apparently.

 

 

See here : http://www.wolfrace.com/fitmentguide/wizard_step_3.php?pc=LU75638B72-0

 

 

Anyway, concerning the Trinity's, I have found that increasing the pressure in the tyres to midway between min/max actually helps the ride quality. Found this on other cars too. What you are doing is forcing the suspension to work a bit harder rather than the tyre taking more of the shock than it should and....

 

Try it.

 

Cheers

 

Yves

225/50 might fit. 225/55 is much larger than normal.

But why not simply buy the standard (and MUCH cheaper) 205/55R16, combined with a rim width of 6.5 or 7J? These are the standard sizes Skoda mounts, and are much cheaper to buy, and in stock everywhere.