I'm getting fed up of feeling like the car's rattling itself to bits on rough tarmac and damaged / pot holed roads. I never really liked the 19" Extreme wheel design and would have gone for the standard 18" but these weren't available with the launch vRS 245. I've already increased the width of the tyre to a 235, which predictably hasn't done much regarding ride comfort. 

 

I'm thinking of downsizing, possibly to even 17" wheels (guessing 235/45 R17) in order to gain the higher profile tyres. Appreciate the overall ride will still be firm due to the suspension but the larger sidewall should provide a bit of cushion. I think it works at an extra 25mm.

 

Aesthetics would suffer in that the wheel arch would look a bit empty but I would go for a completely black wheel to try and disguise the small diameter. Could I fit spacers or reduce(?) the offset to push them out a bit to improve the 'stance'. Can't lower it because I tow a caravan and already strike the jockey wheel. 

 

What are peoples thoughts? Has it been done before? Will it deliver the desired effect? I'm thinking some of the 'winter wheelers' may have some useful info... 

57 minutes ago, Swirly182 said:

Aesthetics would suffer in that the wheel arch would look a bit empty but I would go for a completely black wheel to try and disguise the small diameter.

 

The outside diameter of 225/35R17 is the same as 225/40R18 and 225/35R19, so they all fill the wheel arch the same amount.

 

Because of the 340mm diameter front brake discs on the vRS 245HP, 17" rims are the smallest diameter that will clear the front brake calipers.

 

Changing to 225/45R17 will make a big improvement to ride comfort, especially if fitted to relatively narrow 7J rims and carefully choose tyres that have soft, flexible sidewalls.

 

205/50R17 would ride even better than the wider 225/45R17, and could be fitted to 6.5Jx17 ET38 rims. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 in size 205/50R17 93W doesn't have thick rubber rim protection moulded into the sidewalls, which should make the sidewalls flex more easily. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 should also ride more comfortably than the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 as it's not trying to be the ultimate performance tyre.

 

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 205/50R17 93W

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s304p188360/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_EfficientGrip_Performance_2_-_205_50_R17_93W_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Another option, could be 6Jx17 ET48 rims fitted with either 205/50R17 or oversize 205/55R17.

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-crystal-17-pro-octavia-iii/p/5E0071496A+8Z8

 

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-crystal-17-pro-octavia-iii/p/5E0071497E+FL8

Skoda Octavia 2020 2.0TDI 150PS

– Generation: Mk3 A7 (5E) Facelift [2017 .. 2020]  

– Market: EUDM 

– Power: 148 hp | 110 kW | 150 PS 

– Engine: 2.0L, CKFC, I4, Diesel

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

– Center Bore: 57.1 mm 

– PCD: 5x112 

– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts 

– Wheel Tightening Torque: 120 Nm

– Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 

– Trim Production: [2017 .. 2020]

Tire	Rim
205/55R16 91V	6Jx16 ET48	2.2
205/55R16 91V	6.5Jx16 ET46	2.2
205/50R17 93V	6Jx17 ET48	2.2
225/45ZR17 91Y	7Jx17 ET49	2.2
225/40ZR18 92Y	7.5Jx18 ET51	2.2
225/35ZR19 88Y	7.5Jx19 ET51	2.2

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/octavia/2020/#trim-20tsi-eudm-241

 

Edited 22 June, 20214 yr by Carlston

2 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

The outside diameter of 225/35R17 is the same as 225/40R18 and 225/35R19, so they all fill the wheel arch the same amount.

 

Because of the 340mm diameter front brake discs on the vRS 245HP, 17" rims are the smallest diameter that will clear the front brake calipers.

 

Changing to 225/45R17 will make a big improvement to ride comfort, especially if fitted to relatively narrow 7J rims and carefully choose tyres that have soft, flexible sidewalls.

 

205/50R17 would ride even better than the wider 225/45R17, and could be fitted to 6.5Jx17 ET38 rims. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 in size 205/50R17 93W doesn't have thick rubber rim protection moulded into the sidewalls, which should make the sidewalls flex more easily. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 should also ride more comfortably than the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 as it's not trying to be the ultimate performance tyre.

 

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 205/50R17 93W

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s304p188360/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_EfficientGrip_Performance_2_-_205_50_R17_93W_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Another option, could be 6Jx17 ET48 rims fitted with either 205/50R17 or oversize 205/55R17.

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-crystal-17-pro-octavia-iii/p/5E0071496A+8Z8

 

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-crystal-17-pro-octavia-iii/p/5E0071497E+FL8

Skoda Octavia 2020 2.0TDI 150PS

– Generation: Mk3 A7 (5E) Facelift [2017 .. 2020]  

– Market: EUDM 

– Power: 148 hp | 110 kW | 150 PS 

– Engine: 2.0L, CKFC, I4, Diesel

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

– Center Bore: 57.1 mm 

– PCD: 5x112 

– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts 

– Wheel Tightening Torque: 120 Nm

– Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 

– Trim Production: [2017 .. 2020]

Tire	Rim
205/55R16 91V	6Jx16 ET48	2.2
205/55R16 91V	6.5Jx16 ET46	2.2
205/50R17 93V	6Jx17 ET48	2.2
225/45ZR17 91Y	7Jx17 ET49	2.2
225/40ZR18 92Y	7.5Jx18 ET51	2.2
225/35ZR19 88Y	7.5Jx19 ET51	2.2

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/octavia/2020/#trim-20tsi-eudm-241

 

Thank you for the detailed reply. 

 

Interesting about the thinner tyres and further improved ride. My initial thought is the effect on grip because I do still like occasional accelerations 😀

 

I don't mind the black rim design you've posted, may be be a bit on the tame side after the Extremes. Please suggest others, they don't have to be VAG... 

 

Here is a style I've found. Last time I bought aftermarket wheels was 2006 for my Fabia vRS! So I don't really know what's good or bad. 

Or... 

I run 18" Summer and 17" winter OEM sizes and yes there is a difference but a lot of that is down to the tyre. The winters are a bit softer.

 

There can be a big difference in tyres on the same rim. I found it when I went form the crap OEM Dunlops to the PS4 on 18" the ride was a lot less harsh.

 

Before you look at spacers, VW OEM wheels tend to run a high 30s/low40s offset that puts the wheel 10-12mm in the right direction without the bother of spacers

7 hours ago, Swirly182 said:

I don't mind the black rim design you've posted, may be a bit on the tame side after the Extremes. Please suggest others...

 

At 12kg, these heavy alloy rims are somewhat heavier than the 10.5kg 6.5Jx17 ET38 steel rims from the Kodiaq.

 

7Jx17 ET45

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-erebus-17-pro-yeti/p/5L0071497J+8Z8

I suggest just dropping to 18", rather than a full two sizes.  I's also see what your insurance company thinks, especially about spacers.  Wih the wheel/tyre change AND spacers you'd also be introducing a vastly different set of handling characteristics.

I have Goodyear Asyn5s fitted to my 19s and always thought they were soft and not too bumpy. Perhaps you could also look at better dampers that absorb the shock better. 

If you want more comfort then ideally want to be going 50 or 55 profile tyres (the bigger the number, the deeper the sidewall which absorbs some road imperfections).  45 is not ideal for comfort, and anything less can be downright harsh on some less than perfect road surfaces ) of which some parts of UK have plenty.

 

The other thing to remember is the seasonality of the tyre, if you fit a summer tyre it will be great this time of year, but as soon as temperature falls below about 10c it will become even harder and thus stiffer (and wont grip as well).  A tyre that has stiffened up with lower temperatures is not goinfg to be as comfortable.

 

Ideally change to winter set of tyres November-April (will both grip much better and remain flexible in cold), winter tyres tend to be better below about +9c (in wet) or +5c (in dry), and are more than happy at +15c if you get warmer days near end of colder season (don't make mistake of thinking they are snow tyres, they are colder weather tyres)

 

A compromise is all season tyres (ideal from about -5c to +25c, and ok bit outside this range).  Obviously this suits UK climate better than summer tyres (as most parts of the country have at least 100 mornings below +7c).   They will still have flex in them on colder mornings.   Common suggestions seem to be Vredestein Quattrac pro, Continental all season contact or Goodyear vector 4season generation3

 

Wouldn't bother with spacers, won't be as good at handling, and car will end up dirty on sides as soon as you drive through some muddy field run off puddles.

 

 

 

5 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

If you want more comfort then ideally want to be going 50 or 55 profile tyres (the bigger the number, the deeper the sidewall which absorbs some road imperfections).  45 is not ideal for comfort, and anything less can be downright harsh on some less than perfect road surfaces ) of which some parts of UK have plenty.

 

Just to add a little to this is that the profile figure is a percentage of the width. Saying 45 isn't ideal really depends on the width. 45 profile on a 235 is much deeper than 45 on 195. So it's not as cut and dry as looking at profile alone.

Thanks all for the replies. 

 

Good point about insurance. Surely though they acknowledge that people install smaller winter wheels and tyres to suit.... 

 

Just need to make a decision now. Do the OEM Extreme rims make good money used? Confusing with all the replicas listed on ebay... 

36 minutes ago, Swirly182 said:

Surely though they acknowledge that people install smaller winter wheels and tyres to suit.... 

Some insurers do, some don't - best to check with your insurer.

1 hour ago, Swirly182 said:

Good point about insurance. Surely though they acknowledge that people install smaller winter wheels and tyres to suit.... 

 

There is a list of insurers and their requirements for winter wheels and tyres

 https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/winter-tyres/

 

There is also a list of approved wheel and tyre sizes for the Octy listed in erWin tech manual specific to the model. If you stay within those sizes I would say you are bulletproof insurance wise.

 

I don't have details for the 245 but the smallest approved combinations for the previous vRS were 225/45/17 on a 7.5J and 205/50/17 on a 6J (the latter size being approved for snow chain use.

Hi.

If anyone has any issues with insurance then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

On 27/06/2021 at 09:06, flybynite said:

 

There is a list of insurers and their requirements for winter wheels and tyres

 https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/winter-tyres/

 

There is also a list of approved wheel and tyre sizes for the Octy listed in erWin tech manual specific to the model. If you stay within those sizes I would say you are bulletproof insurance wise.

 

I don't have details for the 245 but the smallest approved combinations for the previous vRS were 225/45/17 on a 7.5J and 205/50/17 on a 6J (the latter size being approved for snow chain use.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I'm now looking at DOTZ Spa wheels pictured below. They are 7.5" width, 17" diameter, 5 x 112 PCD, and a choice of offsets: 35, 40, 48. I believe the standard Octavia wheels are 7.5" width and offset of 51 so I should go for 48 with the new wheels.

 

Having not looked at the erWin manual (because I'm tight) would the slight difference in offset cause a problem? So the wheels would protrude 1.5mm more over standard each side is how I understand it.

 

Tyre Reviews posted a great video comparing 17, 18 and 19" wheels on a Golf GTI. The conclusion was that 17" is most comfortable, no surprises there, but the correct tyre needs to be selected. So I will be going for less-sporty tyres, like the Goodyears Carlston already suggested above.

 

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/The-differences-between-17-18-and-19-inch-tyres.htm

 

30 minutes ago, Swirly182 said:

They are 7.5" width, 17" diameter, 5 x 112 PCD, and a choice of offsets: 35, 40, 48. I believe the standard Octavia wheels are 7.5" width and offset of 51 so I should go for 48 with the new wheels.

 

So the wheels would protrude 1.5mm more over standard each side is how I understand it.

 

Changing the offset from 51 to 48 will cause the wheel to sit 3mm further out. So that's either 3mm per side or a 6mm total track width increase, https://www.willtheyfit.com/ is a handy site for comparing alloy/wheel sizes.

 

I doubt it's enough to cause any major issues

Cheers for the correction and the link. 

Edited 29 June, 20214 yr by Swirly182

You won't notice 3mm unless you are a racing driver with decades of experience.

I'd take the opportunity to go a little lower on the offset and fill the arches out a bit. Even at 35mm the tyres will sit 16mm further out. Shouldn't be able to feel the change much but it will look smarter. Go for in between if you don't fancy that look.

 

I have 20mm spacers on the back and 12mm on the front. Had them on the Octavia with no issues. Does the same as reducing the offset by the same amount.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. Seems I was all talk and wimped out of changing the wheels - the original and corroded 19" Extremes are still installed. However my new plan is to buy some 17" steel wheels to use for winter. Then have the Extremes refurbished for use in summer - suffer the ride quality for the improved looks.

 

Found some steelies on Oponeo. 17", 6.5j and 38 offset. £62 each. 

 

I'm interested in what tyre width works with the vRS, people's winter set up experiences etc. 205, 215, 225? The profile will be matched to maintain the same overall diameter as what's on now.

On 29/09/2022 at 22:06, Swirly182 said:

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. Seems I was all talk and wimped out of changing the wheels - the original and corroded 19" Extremes are still installed. However my new plan is to buy some 17" steel wheels to use for winter. Then have the Extremes refurbished for use in summer - suffer the ride quality for the improved looks.

 

Found some steelies on Oponeo. 17", 6.5j and 38 offset. £62 each. 

 

I'm interested in what tyre width works with the vRS, people's winter set up experiences etc. 205, 215, 225? The profile will be matched to maintain the same overall diameter as what's on now.

 

On the Octavia MK3 VRS, 205/50R17 would fit the 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 Kodiaq rims.

 

As you can see in the chart below, these four tyre sizes all have a similar outside diameter.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

205/50R17 636.8mm

225/45R17 634.3mm

225/40R18 637.2mm

225/35R19 640.1mm

 

Alcar 9021 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 steel rim (from Kodiaq)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=672860434273997936&rimCode=ALCAR9021

 

You might also want to look at Skoda's 18" rims. 225/40R18 is the standard tyre size, but 235/40R18 would also fit these rims. The 235/40R18 would give a little more rim protection from pothole and kerbing damage. 235/40R18 isn't approved by ETRTO for fitment to a 7.5J rim, but as you can see in the chart below, ETRTO is being illogical. If a 225/45 can be fitted to a 7J rim and a 245/35 can be fitted to an 8J rim, then it makes sense that a 235/40 should be able to be fitted to a 7.5J rim.

 

One disadvantage of 235/40R18 is that it is a more expensive tyre size than 225/40R18. However, if it saves the rim from pothole or kerbing damage it could be cost effective.

 

Compared to the 225/35R19 tyre size, the 235/40R18 tyre size has an outside diameter 0.8% larger (which is a very small increase that you would hardly notice).

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

225/45 7.0-7.5-8.5
235/40 8.0-8.5-9.5 (An approved rim width of 7.5-8.0-9.0 would make more sense for this tyre size)

245/35 8.0-8.5-9.5

 

7.5Jx18 ET51 5/112 57.1 alloy rim

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/alu-kola/c/alloyWheels?q=%3ApriceAsc%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BIII%2B%282017%2B%29%3ArimDiameter%3A18%22&text=#

 

Edited 24 July, 20232 yr by Carlston

Has anyone use 225/45/18 tyres on their Vrs245? Any issue? What will be the ride?