I know there's been a fair amount of discussion on this subject, and there'll probably be more in the coming months but I feel it's worth tackling the concept from a different angle. So.......

 

Taking cost out of the equation for now, what is the optimum solution for fitting a set of winter tyres to an Octavia vRS?  For the avoidance of doubt, optimum means best result with minimum effort.

 

Thanks

Whatever the smallest diameter, narrowest track wheel/tyre you can fit over the callipers is.

For best solution, you need to be running a tyre with as narrow a profile as possible really, which means changing the wheels as 225 is wide for a winter tyre.

 

Not sure if you can get any steel rims in 17" that are 6 or 6.5 inch wide so that you could run 205 profile tyres though.

 

For the vRS your options are limited due to the huge front discs.

 

I personally would go for a second set of rims so that you aren't changing tyres on each rim twice a year, but not everyone has space to store a second set. This is where the tyre hotels that Kwik Fit etc. offer come in to play.

Interesting... ADAC and Continental disagree over what is best. ADAC advice is narrow tyre where as Continental advice is to have same width as Summer tyre, as the narrow tyres only performs better in fresh snow. The majority of users with Winter Tyres use them in cold, wet conditions.

Last year's debate is here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/285090-vrs-winter-wheel-sizes/page-3?hl=vrs+winter+tyres#entry3487933

And my point for the debate - I had 225 mm width 17" tyres as these were the most common tyre size in Germany and therefore afforded the best choice for brand and cost.

Edited 26 August, 201411 yr by Black_Sheep

Whatever the smallest diameter, narrowest track wheel/tyre you can fit over the callipers is.

 

Great.  Where do I buy this?

Great.  Where do I buy this?

 

No idea - I'd start at the dealers/local tyre place to get some test fits of smaller rims, and then one I had a size that worked Google is your friend

 

Aside from that - I'm sure there will be people on here that have already gone through the above process and can suggest what you can fit.

Whatever the smallest diameter, narrowest track wheel/tyre you can fit over the callipers is.

Are you getting any for the wife's vRS Estate when it arrives, as I believe you have 19" being fitted as new.

 

Do you intend to fit winters ,as you live in the South of England?

Are you getting any for the wife's vRS Estate when it arrives, as I believe you have 19" being fitted as new.

 

Do you intend to fit winters ,as you live in the South of England?

 

I will be as she works in the middle of no where down narrow country lanes (that don't get gritted) and with a couple of serious hills to boot!\

 

I'll get a set of 16 or 17's - whichever fits.

Edited 26 August, 201411 yr by josedebardi

No idea - I'd start at the dealers/local tyre place to get some test fits of smaller rims, and then one I had a size that worked Google is your friend

 

Aside from that - I'm sure there will be people on here that have already gone through the above process and can suggest what you can fit.

 

Yes, that's where the minimum effort bit comes in

 

I'm looking for the one solution - then I'll consider the cost.

 

fwiw - as someone that used to run 155s on an Astra & Mk 2 Escort through through the Scottish forests in the snow, I'm with you on the "narrow as possible" concept. Far too many over-tyred cars running around these days.

Yes, that's where the minimum effort bit comes in

 

I'm looking for the one solution - then I'll consider the cost.

 

fwiw - as someone that used to run 155s on an Astra & Mk 2 Escort through through the Scottish forests in the snow, I'm with you on the "narrow as possible" concept. Far too many over-tyred cars running around these days.

 

I'm sure someone will be along that has gone to the effort - then you and I both can use the info

Minimum effort is surely go into a Skoda dealer and ask for a set of 17" alloys with winter tyres on, suitable for an Octavia III VRS.

Some useful discussion threads by early owners of Octavia mk3: 

 

Forum Octavia mk3 - Page 67 "autoexpress 2013 Winter Tyres" using an Octavia mk3 as the test vehicle.

 

By Not So Simple

 

Page 65 "New winter wheels on,but"

 

By The Wanderer

 

 

There are a few others if you scan.

Edited 26 August, 201411 yr by vrskeith

You need 17's on a vRS as 16's won't clear the front calipers.

 

AFAIK VAG don't do a 17" steel for the MQB platform (I may be wrong though) - so you are looking at another set of 17" Alloys.

 

Keep in mind the price of the rubber - I got 4x Continental TS850's in 205/50R16 on 4x 6Jx16 steel rims shipped to the UK from Germany for less that 4x cheap winter tyres in 225/40R18 - but 16's fit my lowly Elegance and will fit my 'far superior to a vRS' L&K when it eventually arrives - just in time for winter and those gorgeous diamond cut alloys can go into storage to save on damage by salt to them.

I have a 2nd set of winter tyres on std VRs Gemini alloys.

However, in talking to the tyre manufacturer they are ok with running the winter tyre all year round which I did to good effect on my discovery 3.

They advised running the winters at higher load pressures in the summer and I saw actually less tyre wear than the previous non winters fitted.

When the current sport contact 2's wear out I'll prolly run my winters all year. Simple solution then.

So standard sizes (copied from another post) are:

 

225/40 R18 92Y / 7,5J x 18 ET51

225/45 R17 91V / 7J x 17 ET49

205/50 R17 89V M+S / 6Jx17 ET48

plus the Extreme 19" which I wouldn't use as a winter rim.

 

205/50R17 is a fairly unusual wheel/tyre size - the options are quite limited, although the Audi A3 used to have wheels of this size.

 

I've thought about it and I'm going for a winter set of BBS Himalaya rims with 225/45R17, which are recommended for winter use and look pretty good to me.

Surely minimum effort would just be to change for all season tyres? I'm going to be taking that option, as I no longer have storage space for a set of winters.

I have used the winter tyres twice during the hot spells in place of the summer alloys whilst they have been repaired - the front set that bear the brunt of the acceleration, braking and steering have worn significantly compared to the rears, so I would not recommend them on all year.

Tyres are designed to do a specific job. Winters and summers in UK are similar in price, so whilst one set is on the car the others are not wearing down.

With the all season tyres you just need to be careful with the insurance. I have not seen any over 'V' speed rating in the standard 18" VRS sizes. For what it is worth most of the work vehicles swapped from winter to all season tyres last year as a trial. Whilst all seasons are great for treated motorways in Northern Europe I was not very impressed with their performance on snow whilst driving in the Alps - we had to chain up in a focus estate where as the minibus on winters was able to continue - Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons from memory.

Surely minimum effort would just be to change for all season tyres? I'm going to be taking that option, as I no longer have storage space for a set of winters.

 

Maybe the best result if storage space is an issue, but I have the space and I intend to make at least one trip to the alps this winter, so full winter boots would be better.

Wheels from ebay! From Audi A3. Vredestein wintrac extreme 205/50 R17 89V M+S / 6Jx17 ET48

Edited 28 August, 201411 yr by banksie

Would any of the previous VRS wheels fit the Mk3 VRS or have the PCD/offset changed?

PCD is same, offset may be very slightly different, but not by enough to make any difference

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I bought these for my GTipp - they fit snugly over pp/VRS sized front brakes (340mm) - good price, quality tyres and delivered to your door. They are quality German made and TUV tested and approved for VAG cars. Use standard wheel bolts too so no faffing about with different bolts for winter wheels

 

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/17-vw-golf-vii-mark-7-alloy-winter-wheels-tyres-borbet.html

When is best to buy winter tyres? Fine line between production starting then demand taking over

Last week - you've missed the boat

 

Seriously though, anytime now - start shopping around as in November the prices tend to go through the roof and everywhere runs out .............

Lol ok thanks mate