Ok, sorry if this has been done to death before.  I have read a few previous threads, so I'm not worried about the 'do I/don't I' argument.  Lets assume I do.  On my mk1 I used GoodYear Ultragrip 8s on a set of Elegance alloys (used L&K for the summer).  Since I've now changed cars, I need to not only source the tyres but the rims too.

 

A previous thread point towards tyreleader.co.uk, so I looked at their packages, and on the theory that narrow is better, it seems like this is the best they can offer, but I have to confess I am totally in the dark when it comes to after market alloys or even the tyres (seems reasonable discounted price though).  Nokian is a totally new name to me.

 

Any thoughts?  Or suggests to something more suitable.  I have 120 mile round trip to work so don't want to get stuck, so winters is a small price to play for getting to sleep in my bed, and not a hedge :-)

 

And yes, I know I am probably leaving it a bit late, but better late than never!

 

Thanks,

Matt

 

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by mbames

Thats a good price. Nokian are quite well known, Finnish brand I believe.

 

Have you thought about just getting all seasons tyres? Goodyear 4 seasons, Michelin Cross climate etc? Save you swapping and costs less.

Nokian are Finnish, and specialise in winter tyres, though do summer ones too. The Weatherproofs are all season tyres, though are actually winter tyres formulated to work in summer conditions too. I've had them fitted to my Yeti since the end of August last year, though in 225/50/17 98V XL size, and they were £95 at the time. Very pleased with the purchase, and if the snow in Yorkshire the other week is anything to go by, then they are very grippy indeed.

Until I changed the car a few weeks ago I had a 2013 vrs which I ran Goodyear ultragrip 8s on in the winter on the standard 18" geminis. I think the tyre would be 225/45/18.

Personally not keen on all seasons on a car like the vrs - seems too much of a compromise to me, I'd like to have the max performance from my tyres all the time and a mk3 vrs is hardly cheap.

With regards to tyre width - I've definitely seen the advantages of narrow tyres on the snow in the uk but the vrs was faultless on the 225s in the snow and for normal driving I'd rather the same width as the summers.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by gullyg

This is where things get rather confusing for me, as I'm not up on tyre size calculations.  If I stick with 18s and go full winter (hadn't spotted the Nokian was an All Season, but that was the best they offered), then I think that gives me:

 

Goodyear
Ultra Grip Performance
225/45 R18 95V

 

and these alloys

 

Rial

Torino (ET 45)
8x18 ET45 5x112 70.1

 

Which then seems to bump the price up.  If I went to 17s, what height of tyre wall do I need to maintain the same outside tyre diameter?  I assume 17s will drop the price a bit, and having a bit tyrewall flex in the winter might be a good thing?

 

I have dropped my 230 from 225/35x19's to 225/45x17's wheels / tyres, shod with Khumo iZen full winter tyres.

Hi 

 

I've used the site mytres.co.uk and used their winter tyre tool going from the 18" Zeniths to 16" steel rims 205x55x16 running Toyo snow proxy tyres - Excellent in the snow, ice and rain.

 

I strongly believe the narrower tyre makes a big difference in all these winter conditions - reducing aquaplaning considerably too.

 

 

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&s_p=index

Hi 

 

I've used the site mytres.co.uk and used their winter tyre tool going from the 18" Zeniths to 16" steel rims 205x55x16 running Toyo snow proxy tyres - Excellent in the snow, ice and rain.

 

I strongly believe the narrower tyre makes a big difference in all these winter conditions - reducing aquaplaning considerably too.

 

 

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&s_p=index

 

I would have liked 16" wheels on my 230 for winter but had to settle for 17's, 16's wont clear the front brakes.

Just checked, seems I'm running with 225/40xR18s currently, so using this tyre calculator,

17inch:   225/45 R17s (diameter difference of -0.47% [-3mm])

16inch:   205/55 R16s (diameter difference of -0.78% [-5mm])

 

So if I went to 16inchers, and took the favourable feedback of the Nokian brand that offers up:

 

 

Guess I'd need to find some wheel trims too :-)

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by mbames

I would have liked 16" wheels on my 230 for winter but had to settle for 17's, 16's wont clear the front brakes.

 

I've just had my new VRS Combi TDI 4x4 for one week not tried this set up yet as they we're on my MK11 VRS, Fingers crossed.

 

I'm enjoying running the 19" Extremes for a bit before swapping again.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by S6JOK

Just checked, seems I'm running with 225/40xR18s currently, so using this tyre calculator,

17inch:   225/45 R17s (diameter difference of -0.47% [-3mm])

16inch:   205/55 R16s (diameter difference of -0.78% [-5mm])

 

That just leaves me the case of finding a suitable supplier then

 

I can recommend mytres,co.uk see above post.

Just checked, seems I'm running with 225/40xR18s currently, so using this tyre calculator,

17inch:   225/45 R17s (diameter difference of -0.47% [-3mm])

16inch:   205/55 R16s (diameter difference of -0.78% [-5mm])

 

So if I went to 16inchers, and took the favourable feedback of the Nokian brand that offers up:

 

 

Guess I'd need to find some wheel trims too :-)

 

I'm no expert on this (in fact I'm in the same position as you, considering the extra rims and Winter tyre route). However, I don't think 16 inch wheels are suitable for the vRS as the front brakes are too large.

I'm no expert on this (in fact I'm in the same position as you, considering the extra rims and Winter tyre route). However, I don't think 16 inch wheels are suitable for the vRS as the front brakes are too large.

 

Cool, well that is why I am here..... don't think you can get 17inch steel rims, so looks like I am alloy bound for 17s then, which is bring me in around £683 for the Nokian WR D4 (225/45 R17) and the ATS Mizar alloys.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by mbames

I've got WR D4's on gemeni wheels in stock sizes. I opted for these due to their wet weather performance and well as snow etc. Only done about 500 miles so far and obviously it's not really cold enough, but they seem reasonably grippy. They are a bit floaty in the corners though when the hammer's down. Guess that's to be expected to some degree although don't really experience it with the vrestein wintrac extremes I run on the m5 in the winter

Wheel base alloys is worth checking out for wheel and tyre packages. Wish I'd done that instead of getting another set of gemini's to be honest, but hey ho. The only issue with the site is that if you run a vehicle match it seems to believe that 17's won't fit. But sure you can get round that

Also worth mentioning that you can get steelies in any size you want, but you might need to pay a pretty penny for them www.bandedsteelwheels.co.uk

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by village

oooh, tasty: http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/team-dynamics/monza-rs/black-red/17-inch

My 4x4 vRS on 18 x 7.5J's, 5 x 112 PCD, 57.1 centre bore, ET31 offset and 225/40/18 Vredestein Wintrac Extremes.

You would get away with an offset between 51 and 31 using a rim width between 7 and 8J - std specs are 18 or 19 x 7.5J and ET45 unless I'm mistaken.

17" rims would be the same CB, offset and PCD but would need 225/45/17 tyres. 16's will fit on TDI vRS dependent on offset due to brake caliper clearance. Diameter will not be an issue on 16's but proximity to caliper face could be.

If going for 17", obviously you'll have to get alloys, but you could try 205/50R17 size.

I'm running Nokia wr A3 on the 18"pictoris wheels. Not been stuck yet. Done two trips to Austria with them and not missed a beat. Great winter and snow tyre and really quiet

17's is a good compromise. F.ex. 7J17, ET can be within the range of 40-50.

You gain a little more side height on the tyres which is good for comfort and grip in bumpy roads. Another gain is that you can choose narrower tyre. 205/50R17 is a jolly good "winter" tyre dimension. A narrower tyre will be better in the wet, in puddles, in slush, in light snow and other demanding conditions. I cannot see when it is not an advantage really (apart from track days, which isn't in question anyway I assume). You just need to be sure the load and speed index suits the car.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by fatzy

I have dropped my 230 from 225/35x19's to 225/45x17's wheels / tyres, shod with Khumo iZen full winter tyres.

Also running these tyres on a set of 17's (215/45) and not had the chance to test them fully as it's still about 9 degrees in London!

17's is a good compromise. F.ex. 7J17, ET can be within the range of 40-50.

You gain a little more side height on the tyres which is good for comfort and grip in bumpy roads. Another gain is that you can choose narrower tyre. 205/50R17 is a jolly good "winter" tyre dimension. A narrower tyre will be better in the wet, in puddles, in slush, in light snow and other demanding conditions. I cannot see when it is not an advantage really (apart from track days, which isn't in question anyway I assume). You just need to be sure the load and speed index suits the car.

Continental recommend a wider tyre for winter tyres now, normally the same width as standard, even if taking a drop in rim diameter. This is because you have more of the tyre / sipes in contact with the surface which improves grip / braking / cornering. Also if the same width as you are used to for summer tyres, there is less adjustment in driving style for us non-pro drivers.

Obviously just an opinions based argument that will keep this thread going strongly for a few more days!!!

Also 225/45/17 is the more common size = more choice, lower prices.

Edited 26 November, 20169 yr by Black_Sheep

oooh, tasty: http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/team-dynamics/monza-rs/black-red/17-inch

Look great - not very practical for cleaning salt and road grime off though, which is more prevalent in 'winter' conditions.

Plain and simple for me every time. https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/17-dezent-td-matte-black_ttdy8ka48

Edited 26 November, 20169 yr by Black_Sheep

How about these 17inch Steels? I reckon they'd look pretty good in black. A decent saving on cheaper alloys also? Would they fit the vRS?

 

https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/17-x-7-tuff-torque-modular-steel-black-et8_s17613908tgblkmo?mkwid=sQcRwGQuP&crid=122604661691&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAguXBBRCE_pbQ5reuq8MBEiQANji2LTd_beo_gx4g4eW4Oezm9qNVRkboRG5aUI5wNB2kRgoaAkMI8P8HAQ

 

EDIT: Forget that - just noticed they have one too many bolt holes 

 

Try these..

 

https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/17-tuff-torque-car-steel-black_s175112car66?chassis=2551&vehicle=skoda%20octavia%20iii:%20vrs

Edited 26 November, 20169 yr by Isocrem

How about these 17inch Steels? I reckon they'd look pretty good in black. A decent saving on cheaper alloys also? Would they fit the vRS?

 

https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/17-x-7-tuff-torque-modular-steel-black-et8_s17613908tgblkmo?mkwid=sQcRwGQuP&crid=122604661691&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAguXBBRCE_pbQ5reuq8MBEiQANji2LTd_beo_gx4g4eW4Oezm9qNVRkboRG5aUI5wNB2kRgoaAkMI8P8HAQ

 

EDIT: Forget that - just noticed they have one too many bolt holes 

 

You will struggle to get 17" Steel Vag Wheels