Hi,

 

My Roomster currently has 195/55 15's fitted to it. I have noticed that 195/65 15's are cheaper AND there is a larger selection available (a particular tyre I want [Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2] is only available in this size).

 

I am replacing all 4 at the same time.

 

I am aware the speedo could well become inaccurate.

 

Are there any other issues associated with increasing the profile? I'm mainly thinking clearance to bodywork?

 

This website has made me concerned https://tire-calc.com/comparison/195-55-r15-and-195-65-r15/

 

Has anyone out there done this and can report back? Preferably on a Roomster??

 

Thanks

195/55R15 has an outside diameter of 595.5mm

 

195/60R15 has an outside diameter of 615mm

 

195/65R15 has an outside diameter of 634.5mm

 

Changing 195/55R15 to 195/65R15 increases the outside diameter of the tyre by 6.5% which is too much.

 

Changing 195/55R15 to 195/60R15 increases the outside diameter of the tyre by 3.25% which is acceptable with the 1.9TDI engine (ie. the high low end torque of the turbo diesel engine allows it to pull the 3.25% higher gearing adequately).

 

Like 195/65R15, 195/60R15 is also a cheaper size than 195/55R15.

 

You should notice increased ride comfort from the higher sidewalled 195/60R15, and you could lower your tyre pressures by 3psi compared to the 195/55R15 size due to the higher load index of the higher sidewalled tyre.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 195/60R15 88H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7993p202144/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_195_60_R15_88H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

 

I expect Goodyear will bring out their EfficientGrip Performance 2 in the 195/60R15 size later this year. However, I don't think you would be disappointed with the latest Vredestein Quatrac all-season tyre, as that has been made to provide good summer handling as well as good winter grip.

 

Also consider 185/65R15. However, the 6Jx15 ET43 rims that you probably have (ie. standard fitment for the 195/55R15 tyre size on the Roomster) aren't optimised for this tyre size. 5.5J to 6J rims with an offset between ET38 and ET40 would be better. The latest VW Polo for example, fits its 185/65R15 tyre to a 5.5Jx15 ET40 rim.

 

Alcar 4055 5.5Jx15 ET40 Steel Rim

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-4055#20346887

 

Edited 30 March, 20215 yr by Carlston

Thanks for the reply.

I’m interested - why is it bad to increase the diameter if it isn’t going to foul on the bodywork? As someone with no knowledge of this, it seems like a small increase.

Ride comfort would be a great bonus. If I could get some cheap 14 inch wheels I’d do that and get tyres with bigger sidewalls.

I’ll check out the tyre you suggest. I wanted the Goodyear as I saw an auto express review stating it was decent (I did however wonder about the use of goodyear’s own testing facility for this - manufacture bias??).

27 minutes ago, OCDan1 said:

Thanks for the reply.

I’m interested - why is it bad to increase the diameter if it isn’t going to foul on the bodywork? As someone with no knowledge of this, it seems like a small increase.

 

A 40mm or 1.5” in old money is hardly a small increase in dia.

2 minutes ago, Kenny R said:

A 40mm or 1.5” in old money is hardly a small increase in dia.

It seems you’re right, as Carlston eluded to this above.

I did say I have no knowledge on this. 4 cm in most things seems like a small difference to a lay person

2 hours ago, OCDan1 said:

Thanks for the reply.

I’m interested - why is it bad to increase the diameter if it isn’t going to foul on the bodywork? As someone with no knowledge of this, it seems like a small increase.

Ride comfort would be a great bonus. If I could get some cheap 14 inch wheels I’d do that and get tyres with bigger sidewalls.

I’ll check out the tyre you suggest. I wanted the Goodyear as I saw an auto express review stating it was decent (I did however wonder about the use of goodyear’s own testing facility for this - manufacture bias??).

I have just looked at our Roomster, and I think if you are turning a corner and braking (so front is lower), a 4cm bigger diameter is likely to hit the bodywork.

 

You are correct the Goodyear efficientgrip performance 2 is a very good summer tyre.  But it isn’t an all year tyre, and I question if it best choice on a 1.9diesel roomster.   It is still going to be fairly hard and stiff in colder weather (below about +10c).  Since introducing all season tyres into the range the new summer tyres seem optimised for temperatures of 20-25c (rather more than day and night average in Wales).  Remember summer tyre test results are normally based on the WLTP test temperature of +23c.  The test will not tell you what they are like on a cool day, or if they grip in cold rain.

 

I would have improved the ride by going for a softer all season tyre, probably the Continental all season contact (the Goodyear vector 4 season is only generation 2, not generation 3 in size 195/55 R15).  If you want a cheaper tyre the Maxxis all season AP3 seems to do well, and probably only cheaper one I would suggest (I don’t really like recommending non premium tyres)

 

 

 

 

On a 2012 Roomster, 195/60/R15 is OK and much better road comfort, 195/65/R15 likely to cause problems at rear due to fender clearances, probably still OK with clean tyres, but problems with mud/gravel at full load etc

 

I use 195/60/R15, also full sized spare wheel same as the rest on the car fits in the spare wheel well . 50k+ miles incl autobahn runs at full speed.

Speedo is almost exact with 195/60/R15.

 

I'm using all weather tyres, either Michelin Cross Climate or Bridgestone Weather Control.

18 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

I have just looked at our Roomster, and I think if you are turning a corner and braking (so front is lower), a 4cm bigger diameter is likely to hit the bodywork.

 

You are correct the Goodyear efficientgrip performance 2 is a very good summer tyre.  But it isn’t an all year tyre, and I question if it best choice on a 1.9diesel roomster.   It is still going to be fairly hard and stiff in colder weather (below about +10c).  Since introducing all season tyres into the range the new summer tyres seem optimised for temperatures of 20-25c (rather more than day and night average in Wales).  Remember summer tyre test results are normally based on the WLTP test temperature of +23c.  The test will not tell you what they are like on a cool day, or if they grip in cold rain.

 

I would have improved the ride by going for a softer all season tyre, probably the Continental all season contact (the Goodyear vector 4 season is only generation 2, not generation 3 in size 195/55 R15).  If you want a cheaper tyre the Maxxis all season AP3 seems to do well, and probably only cheaper one I would suggest (I don’t really like recommending non premium tyres)

 

 

 

 

Thanks, I never considered what weather the tyre was designed for. To my knowledge, 'summer' just meant anything but icy cold snowy stuff, and 'winter' tyres covered those bits. Maybe I should be looking into all season tyres then??

14 hours ago, dieselV6 said:

On a 2012 Roomster, 195/60/R15 is OK and much better road comfort, 195/65/R15 likely to cause problems at rear due to fender clearances, probably still OK with clean tyres, but problems with mud/gravel at full load etc

 

I use 195/60/R15, also full sized spare wheel same as the rest on the car fits in the spare wheel well . 50k+ miles incl autobahn runs at full speed.

Speedo is almost exact with 195/60/R15.

 

I'm using all weather tyres, either Michelin Cross Climate or Bridgestone Weather Control.

Thank you, it seems that all weather tyres will be most appropriate then. come to think of it, michelin cross climate may well be what it currently has on it.

Decent all season tyres (M+S / 3PK logos and A or B rated for wet braking ) are much better in heavy downpour than summer ones, from experience both Michelin Cross Climate and Bridgestone Weather Control are also very good on snow/slush ice, winter tyres as sold in the UK really are better only on smooth sheet ice.  Or in deep snow, but then we are talking winter snow soft rubber tyres, not really sold in the UK much.

 

I like the Cross Climates because they are quiet and last a long time, a lot of noisy all season tyres with high wear rate around (e.g. Goodyear Vectors).