Hello all from the other side of the world - sunny New Zealand. 

 

After a number of years of happy motoring in our old Octavia estate (2011 1.9TDi) we have outgrown it and gone for something bigger. So we are now the proud owners of a 2016 140kW 4x4 Superb estate which, it must be said, is a bit of a beast by comparison. Other reason for change (other than an eldest child who is pushing on 6ft tall) is for 4WD on the notorious ski access roads of NZ and the number of times a year I am grovelling under the car fitting chains while the 4WD drivers zip past.

 

However, the previous owner has gone for 19" Trinity black alloys which is a disaster for chain fitting, especially with the lowered suspension this model has in NZ. We don't often get to the "chains on all vehicles" stage but having finally got a decent pair of chains for the Octavia it's a bit of a step backwards in that scenario. I note the spare on the Superb is of a size that would be a fairly easy fit. Obviously I have a set of perfectly good alloys on the Octavia 205/55 R16. The 19" black alloys aren't something I'm wedded to... the ride is bumpier on our generally poor roads and not really my style (more knackered dad than boy racer). Other options like socks would not work well as the access roads are generally gravel, mud and slush. 

 

I'm not particularly up with wheels and tyres but assume I can drop a couple of inches on the size of the alloys and make it more likely to work (?). Even better in the unlikely scenario that a set of 90cm Konig K-9 Slims fit still, but accept buying tyres to fit the chains is the wrong way round to do it (even when the chains were the equivalent of 250 quid). 

 

I assume second hand Skoda alloys would be the best way forward?

 

Thanks in advance for wise advice,

 

b

 

Hi,

I've almost same configuration as you : TDI190 Estate 4x4 with 19" Trinity black. I've kept these wheels ass summer wheels.

I've bought 4 17" alloy wheels for winter.

But you can forget your 4 Octavia wheels...  205/55/16 is not a certified mount for the Superb Mk3. You need either 215/55/17 (7Jx17 ET40) or 215/60/16 (6,5Jx16 ET41) ... 

I would not recommend you 16" wheel, 'cause it will be as soft as a marshmallow on a hot day... 17" wheel already make the car softer.

Additionally you'll have the impression that your Superb has dessert plates instead of wheels...  

 

According to your needs, I would recommend 4 summer wheels (18" or 17" depending on you tastes) and 4 winter wheels. 4 winter tyres combined to AWD will already greatly reduce the number of times, you will need snow chains...  

 

 

Thanks Bap33, really helpful. 215/55/17 it is then, I think. Winter tyres are deeply unpopular in NZ, at least outside of the relatively dry/cold central Otago region in winter, and even then it isn't uncommon to get warmer days and hosing rain - so overall probably standard tyres and chains are the go. As we live in a fairly temperate bit of NZ we rarely get snow where we live - but it's about 3 hours to the ski fields :-) 

 

Now my day would be complete if my old chains fit on 215/55/17s!

 

Cheers

 

b

@benbro I'm not a specialist of NZ weather, but don't forget that winter tyres are not only snow tyres. They also offer a much more efficient grip below 7°C (45°F) thanks to softer rubber and also if it's rainy.

I also leave in a quite temperate region of France, we only have 2" snow every 3 or 4 years. When this happens it only lasts 1 to 2 weeks max. Thus I can't really say I've bought these winter tyres for snow... But the grip gain is awesome. I like feeling safer with the bad winter conditions (cold, wet, greasy roads...). I almost feel like driving summer tyres on a dry road above 15°C (59°F) ... On top of that, when I go to French Alps for skying, I don't have to asks myself whether it will be OK...

 

On the other hand, an alternate solution for you may be to use  4-season tyres. Michelin Cross climate have a very good reputation for instance. They are based on summer tyre rubber technology with a kind of winter tyre tread. Just search on this forum for Mk3 drivers feedbacks on these tyres, they are massively positive.

This kind of 4 season tyre may prevent you from using snow chains sometimes, especially if combined to AWD transmission...  

May be worth thinking about it... 

 

Thanks Bap33. Dunedin winters are cool and wet, rarely frosty and almost never snowy for more than a day. Way too wet and windy for that!

 

It's about 3 hours to the ski fields, where it's usually chain free but if there has been a good dump a chance of either chains on 2WD (hooray!) or all vehicles (boo!) but that only usually lasts a day until the road is cleared. I think next year (the season here is June - Sept) I might just see how we get on, and if it's a struggle then we can look at sourcing tyres accordingly - they are more readily available over in the cold, drier central regions. 

 

Appreciate your time and thoughtful commentary  :-)

 

b 

I suspect (and I am basing it on what you have said about climate), the way to go is to change the tyres, without changing the wheels.

 

You need to change from standard summer tyres, to all season (called 4 season in some countries) tyres.   If you get tyres that are rated 3 peak mountain snowflake rated (they have a symbol showing that), then they will work much better in cold rain, and also work in slush and snow.

 

With these and all wheel drive, will probably not need to chain up unless it is deep snow

 

As a guide (and it varies by brand), all season tyres are aimed at -5c to 25c (and will work beyond these temperatures but not as well), whereas summer tyres are better suited to +7c to +40c.    Recent tests have shown all season tyres tend to be better in cold rain (below about +11c) than summer tyres.

 

@benbro I think you are concentrating on the snow performance of the winter/all season tyres.  The NZ climate is perfect for all seasons unless you are driving a sports car in summer.

 

It's definitely taking on board what @SurreyJohn says and maybe spend an hour on youtube watching reviews.  TyreReviews is particularly good.

I am or will be faced with a similar situation for wheel and tyre change driving the Superb II and looking to buying a Superb III. The S III has got the same PCD and hub centre size as the S II and the ET recommendations are similar - out by a few mm, which does not make much of a difference. My current alloys are Road America. I have used 215/55-16 winter tyres on our previous V70 and it was not at all like a marshmellow situation.

My plan is to keep my current 16" alloys and swap to the bigger 215/55-16 winter tyres.

benbro, your old chains will probably not fit the larger tyres, but as said above if you go for all season tyres with the S III's 4x4 you will get through most situations. Last winter - pre-corona - we were driving in the French Alps in fresh snow and it was actually quite fun driving in the  S II.

If you continue to use the old Octavia 16" wheels it will not "hurt" so much if you add another scar to the winter wheels.

On 13/12/2020 at 20:50, benbro said:

...we are now the proud owners of a 2016 140kW 4x4 Superb estate... 

 

I suspect the 140kW/190PS Superb MK3 has 340mm diameter front discs, in which case 16" wheels won't fit. See below at the wheel-size.com entry for this model. Notice that 16" wheels aren't listed as an option.

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/superb/2016/

Skoda Superb 2016 2.0TDi

– Generation: 3V [2015 .. 2019] [EUDM]  

– Power: 188 hp | 140 kW | 190 PS 

– Engine: DDAA, I4, Diesel

– Options: SE L, Sportline, Ambition, Style, L&K, Executive

– Center Bore: 57.1 mm 

– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts 

– Torque: 140 Nm

– Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 

– Trim Production: [2015 .. 2019]

Tire	Rim	PCD
215/55ZR17 94W	7Jx17 ET40	5x112	2.3 / 2.1
235/45ZR18 94W	8Jx18 ET44	5x112	2.4 / 2.2
235/40ZR19 96W	8Jx19 ET44	5x112	2.4
235/35ZR20 95Y	8Jx20 ET40	5x112	2.6 / 2.4

Front brake size is given with option code. 1ZA = 312 mm / 1LA = 340 mm  

2 hours ago, Bap33 said:

Front brake size is given with option code. 1ZA = 312 mm / 1LA = 340 mm  

 

340mm = 1LA = OEM part number 1K0615301AD

 

This 340mm front disc was also fitted to a 2008-2016 Superb MK2. It looks like Skoda raided their old parts bin for the MK3.

 

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/SUP/year/2008/drive_standart/632/hg_ug/615/subcategory/615047/part_id/0/lang/e

 

Brembo have a drilled disc version, but it's twice the price of the standard version.

 

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0615301ad?supplier[0]=65

 

Edited 19 December, 20205 yr by Carlston

Costs breaking... to maintain lower prices than VW and Audi, I guess