Hello.

 

In the summer I bought an Octavia III vRS and now it's time to get some winter tyres.   According to the specifications, the vRS can only have 17" or larger diameter wheels.   I can't get 17" steel wheels and 17" tyres are a lot more than 16" ones, not to mention less effective in snow, ice and wet.   So I'm looking at forking out for a new set of 17" alloys, plus very expensive and less-good winter tyres.   Just to be certain before taking the plunge, I wanted to check if it's not possible to fit 16" wheels on the vRS?

 

I read that it is possible on the Octavia II vRS, the 16" wheels clear the brakes ok, but I haven't seen anywhere if it is on the Octavia III vRS.

 

Many thanks!

Terribly sorry, this has already been asked:

 

 

I would think that the difference in winter performance between 17”and 16” wheels would be minimal.

 

Also,there are many brands of 225/45/17 winter tyres that are not that expensive...at least that is here in the UK.

On 11/11/2019 at 14:02, SlappyTheFish said:

In the summer I bought an Octavia III vRS and now it's time to get some winter tyres.   According to the specifications, the vRS can only have 17" or larger diameter wheels.   I can't get 17" steel wheel...

A steel 17" rim is available for the Skoda Kodiaq. Alcar 9021 is an exact copy of this rim. Specification is 6.5Jx17 ET38 5x112 57.1

 

Mytyres.co.uk list it for £43.50

 

On the mytyres.co.uk website, you have to search for a Skoda Kodiaq steel rim to find the Alcar 9021 steel rim. Otherwise they keep showing you this rim with a tyre fitted.

 

If you can find the VW/Skoda part number, you could order a genuine VW/Skoda steel rim in this specification.

 

Note that this rim is only suitable for a 205/50R17 tyre, not the wider 225/45R17 tyre, due to the ET38 offset and 6.5" rim width.

Edited 13 November, 20196 yr by Carlston

Why would 17" winter tyres be less good than 16"?  Many good tyres are available in both sizes.

9 hours ago, gregoir said:

Why would 17" winter tyres be less good than 16"?  Many good tyres are available in both sizes.

I think the OP is referring to the old idea that skinnier winter tyres work better than wider winter tyres. The most important thing in the winter is not the size, but that your tyres are designed for winter use, ie. have the 3PMSF symbol. In some areas in the winter, unless you're behind the snow plough you're going to get stuck whatever size winter tyres you have fitted. Don't try driving through a 6" wall of solid snow!

Can't remember the tyre size, but on my B5.5 Passat 1.9 diesel estate I fitted  standard sized Vredestein Quatrac3 to the oe wheels. One snowy winter I went on to minor side roads in Derbyshire. No lack of traction on hills, probably in a level 6" of fairly fresh stuff . The drifts appeared and I could feel snow rubbing on the sills.  Turned around, well satisfied with the grip. Now got Quatrac5 on my Combi.

19 hours ago, Carlston said:

I think the OP is referring to the old idea that skinnier winter tyres work better than wider winter tyres.

 

You're right.  The skinny tyre idea is more for snow/mud to cut through to the firm stuff below.  It's more important to have the right compound and construction to withstand colder temps.  Realistically how many days do we get snow a year in the UK.  I run winters for ~4 months a year and carry chains if I am at risk of getting stuck.