This is incorrect. The lower the ET the closer the wheel to the arch - spacers lower the ET as opposed to increasing. You also need to take the wheel width into consideration with the ET.

Correct!

This is incorrect. The lower the ET the closer the wheel to the arch - spacers lower the ET as opposed to increasing. You also need to take the wheel width into consideration with the ET.

 

Oops. Yes you're right. Apologies

No need to apologise. I've read several threads over the years where people are easily confused or worse still make an expensive purchases using incorrect information.

This remains one of my favourite forums for sharing car info, and I try to help others wherever possible.

Edited 13 September, 20169 yr by Black_Sheep

225/45-17 or 205/55-16 are the closest match to the standard 225/40-18 .  215/60-16 is close enough not to be a problem (rolling circumference 1.15% difference).  225/50-16 is 4% different.

I think it depends where you get the figures from. The 215/60R16 I have already is considerably bigger than the 225/40R18 on the car, much more than 1.15%. At the end of the day, I'll get my tape out and get whatever the closest my wallet can bear.

I think it depends where you get the figures from. The 215/60R16 I have already is considerably bigger than the 225/40R18 on the car, much more than 1.15%. At the end of the day, I'll get my tape out and get whatever the closest my wallet can bear.

My figures are from Michelin.

My figures are from Michelin.

Michelin's 215/60-16 may be a hair's breadth bigger than their 225/40-18, but my tyres are from Bridgestone and Nokian. My O/E 225/40-18 Bridgestones are 637mm diameter, the Nokian 215/60-16 winter tyres are 664mm diameter - according to my tape measure, measuring the circumference and working it back. That's a difference of 4.25%.

Like I say, when the time comes, I'll take my tape measure to my local friendly tyre fitter's place and get measuring, rather than relying on quoted figures as anything more than a guide.

Given that the 215/55s are significantly cheaper than the 225/50s, and that a narrower section tyre is likely to be a better performer in snow/ice/rain, then I think that'll be the way I jump. We'll see.

Your figures for the 215/60-16 are very close to the figures from Michelin.  My figures for the 215/60-16 were wrong - I must have looked at the wrong part of the table.  Michelin quote 225/40-18 to 215/60-16 as +4.1% difference.  You are definitely skilled with a tape measure! :clap:

 

My summer tyres are Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2s and my winter tyres are Nokian D3s.  I find the Nokians excellent on cold, wet roads but have never had the opportunity to try then out on snow or ice (that's 'sunny' Gloucestershire for you).

Edited 14 September, 20169 yr by philbes

I usually use one of the online tyre size calculators rather than trusting measurements or reading a table. There are several, here are some examples:

 

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator/

https://tiresize.com/tyre-size-calculator/

http://www.willtheyfit.com/

Edited 14 September, 20169 yr by PetrolDave

Your figures for the 215/60-16 are very close to the figures from Michelin.  My figures for the 215/60-16 were wrong - I must have looked at the wrong part of the table.  Michelin quote 225/40-18 to 215/60-16 as +4.1% difference.  You are definitely skilled with a tape measure! :clap:

 

My summer tyres are Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2s and my winter tyres are Nokian D3s.  I find the Nokians excellent on cold, wet roads but have never had the opportunity to try then out on snow or ice (that's 'sunny' Gloucestershire for you).

The Nokian D3 is on my list. Next time I'm near the dealership I'll call in and see if there's an official wheel/tyre combo for the Vrs; if not I'll have to make a decision.

The Nokian D3 is on my list. Next time I'm near the dealership I'll call in and see if there's an official wheel/tyre combo for the Vrs; if not I'll have to make a decision.

225/40-18 or 225/45-17

225/40-18 or 225/45-17

Do you know if there are any steel rims available to take those sizes? Part of the attraction for me, as well as the added grip in the cold, is keeping the original alloys off the car through the winter. As I've already got the 7J 16 steels, paid for them to be painted and got some centre caps, I don't really want to be buying yet more wheels, particularly alloys. If the factory recommend 225s though, then that would steer me toward 225/50 R16...

Do you know if there are any steel rims available to take those sizes? Part of the attraction for me, as well as the added grip in the cold, is keeping the original alloys off the car through the winter. As I've already got the 7J 16 steels, paid for them to be painted and got some centre caps, I don't really want to be buying yet more wheels, particularly alloys. If the factory recommend 225s though, then that would steer me toward 225/50 R16...

not sure about vag but there are definitely mercedes 5x112 steels in 17".

Plenty of 17" steel wheels here:

 

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheels-finder

 

No doubt a Google search will find others.

Edited 16 September, 20169 yr by philbes

Thanks Gents, much obliged.

I have found 5x112 steels in 17", but nothing wider than 6.5J. 225s need to be on 7J as a minimum, and the only 7J steels I can find are the 16" ones I already have. I shall keep looking.

Edited 16 September, 20169 yr by GlenAnderson

Plenty of 17" steel wheels here:

 

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheels-finder

 

No doubt a Google search will find others.

yep, filter for 5x112 and 17" and they all have 66mm centre bore, ie mercedes fitment. you can run them with spigot rings i guess but would be better to source 57mm centre bore (vag fitment) if poss.

Interestingly, chatting to my tyre fitter mate today, he was adamant that a 205/55 on the 16" rim would give by far the best winter performance. As well as giving a far wider, and cheaper choice of tyre.

I shall have to speak with my insurers and Skoda now. I shall report back.

A (hopefully) temporary attack of skint-ness, simultaneous with my good lady kerbing the Gemini alloy that had the puncture repair back in September, saw me fit the 16" steels, complete with the 215/60s they had fitted. If I end up forking out for a new Gemini and tyre, then the winter rubber will definitely have to do another season. If I can get a refurb done then I'll rethink. Why does this kind of thing always happen this time of year?