I just bought a second hand Octavia MK2 which came with 7Jx17 ET54 wheels (and 225/45R17 summer tires). I want to buy a set of steel wheels to use during the cold months, but am not sure what size to pick. These wheels-tires combo would fit:

 

7Jx16      215/55R16
6.5Jx16   205/55R16 
6Jx16      195/60R16

6.5Jx15   205/60R15 
6Jx15      195/65R15 

 

Considering I will be driving quite rarely on snow, and much more often on cold dry & wet roads, what dimension should I be choosing?

Tire wise I'm considering Continental WinterContact TS 870, Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, but that is another story.

Actually I believe I'm gonna go with the Conti tires, that means the only two options I have left are:

• 6.5Jx16   205/55R16 
• 6Jx15      195/65R15 

This is how they compare visually (tiresize.com):

I would go with 195/65R15 for winter tyres as they are a lot cheaper than 205/55R16 and provide a better ride (more comfort).

 

Steel Rims 6Jx15 ET47 5/112 57.1

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/plechovy-disk-15-/p/1K0601027C+03C

Continental WinterContact TS870 195/65R15 91T

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Continental/WinterContact-TS-870/195-65-R15-91T/R-420993

 

Continental WinterContact TS 870 205/55 R16 91H

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Continental/WinterContact-TS-870/205-55-R16-91H/R-420995

Steel Rims 6.5Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/plechovy-disk-16/p/1K0601027K+03C

That and you'll get a higher ground pressure, which reduces the chances of aquaplaning (aka hydroplaning) and cuts a bit deeper into fresh snow whilst reducing snowplough effect.

Thanks for the advice

Looks like the 16" sets are 1.3x more expensive than the 15". What about traction on dry cold (-5 - 5° C) tarmac ? Would the 0.4" width difference make much of a difference ?

5 hours ago, anstj said:

Thanks for the advice

Looks like the 16" sets are 1.3x more expensive than the 15". What about traction on dry cold (-5 - 5° C) tarmac ? Would the 0.4" width difference make much of a difference ?

 

Your winter tyre performance will have more to do with the model of tyre than whether you go for 195/65R15 or 205/55R16.

 

Continental TS870 will work well in all cold/winter conditions as it's a balanced winter tyre and has done really well in the latest winter tyre reviews.

 

If you go for 15" rims, check that you don't have front brakes discs with a diameter bigger than 288mm. It might just be the Octavia MK2 VRS models that use the 312mm diameter front brake discs, in which case you won't be able to use the 15" rims if you've got one of those.

 

Edited 5 November, 20214 yr by Carlston

Alright, that's it, I'm getting 15" rims and 195/65R15 Contis. Cheers !

 

I didn't check the brake discs diameter yet, but I found this site showing different tire sizes for each engine. For my 1.4 TSI the listed wheel sizes are only 16" and 17", 15" isn't listed. Other engines like the 1.2 TSI or 1.6 TDI also list the 15" options. Is this any sort of indication that my car could not fit 15" wheels?

Regardless, the tire options listed on my fuel filler flap include 15" tires:

 

4 hours ago, anstj said:

For my 1.4 TSI the listed wheel sizes are only 16" and 17", 15" isn't listed.

Step for a hint - What diameter are the front brake discs?

6 hours ago, anstj said:

I didn't check the brake discs diameter yet, but I found this site showing different tire sizes for each engine. For my 1.4 TSI the listed wheel sizes are only 16" and 17", 15" isn't listed. Other engines like the 1.2 TSI or 1.6 TDI also list the 15" options. Is this any sort of indication that my car could not fit 15" wheels?

Regardless, the tire options listed on my fuel filler flap include 15" tires:

 

Your fuel flap label will be correct. You can use 15" rims.

 

Edited 6 November, 20214 yr by Carlston