Hello everyone,

 

I have a MkII Superb estate 4x4 Elegance running on 18 inch alloy wheels, with 225/40/R18 Firestone Firehawk SZ90 tyres, and I absolutely hate the ride and road noise from them.

 

I have been told on a Skoda Superb FB page that these are too low profile to start with and should be 45 minimum.

 

I break out in a cold sweat every time I ride over the slightest road defect of any kind, and am just waiting for the warning to pop up on the dash telling me one of the tyres is deflated.

 

I am considering moving to a smaller wheel diameter (probably 17") with a larger tyre wall, but I know as good as nothing about the types of fitments, offsets, rolling radius etc . . . 

 

Could anyone offer any advice regarding which OEM VAG/Skoda 17" alloys would be suitable in terms of fitment and offsets, and what tyre side wall I would need to go for to achieve the correct rolling radius for the speedo and odometer?

 

Further to this, would there be an opportunity to sell the wheels and tyres (all in very good condition, wheels pretty much unmarked as they were refurbished before I bought the car at the beginning of August) to offset the cost of replacing them with ones where my fillings stay in my mouth and I don't need to see a chiropractor every time I go over a dropped inspection cover?

 

Thanks in advance.

Could you perhaps change to different 18" tyres if they're recommended as being quieter and more comfortable?

 

Now I've put that, what I think - even 17" wheels are oversized in my opinion but it's been the fashion for decades now to have oversized wheels and silly low and ultra low and over-wide tyres, especially given the quality of our roads let alone the noise and 'rubber' bits polluting (relatively) more.

 

See here for info on wheels and tyres (I do not know the accuracy but I trust you check any information you get, particularly off the net, down the pub, or from me). - https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/superb/2011/

 

Have a look in your Driver's Handbook (Owner's Manual) and see what the alternatives were. -  https://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Models

 

I'd stick with what Skoda specify as that's what the car and all the computer programs have been design for.  As you probably know one of the great joys of 4X4 (often another fashion accessory to me) is that's it's best/necessary to change the tyres in sets of four to help the transmission/drive and keep the computers happy.

 

If you want to learn more have a look at the 'Features' links at the bottom of this Homepage for various calculators that will show how to get much of the information (if you don't have the manufacturer's recommendations). - https://alloywheels.com/

 

There are sales facilities on this site that you can use to sell your present wheels and tyres.

 

Good luck.

 

Edited 6 September, 20223 yr by nta16
spelling

24 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Could you perhaps change to different 18" tyres if they're recommended as being quieter and more comfortable?

 

Not I've put that, what I think - even 17" wheels are oversized in my opinion but it's been the fashion for decades now to have oversized wheels and silly low and ultra low and over-wide tyres, especially given the quality of our roads let alone the noise and 'rubber' bits polluting (relatively) more.

 

See here for info on wheels and tyres (I do not know the accuracy but I trust you check any information you get, particularly off the net, down the pub, or from me). - https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/superb/2011/

 

Have a look in your Driver's Handbook (Owner's Manual) and see what the alternatives were. -  https://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Models

 

I'd stick with what Skoda specify as that's what the car and all the computer programs have been design for.  As you probably know one of the great joys of 4X4 (often another fashion accessory to me) is that's it's best/necessary to change the tyres in sets of four to help the transmission/drive and keep the computers happy.

 

If you want to learn more have a look at the 'Features' links at the bottom of this Homepage for various calculators that will show how to get much of the information (if you don't have the manufacturer's recommendations). - https://alloywheels.com/

 

There are sales facilities on this site that you can use to sell your present wheels and tyres.

 

Good luck.

 

Cheers Nigel, some great advice there mate.

 

I will look at the links that you have posted in more detail later, but seems a very good starting point, and particularly helpful in terms of standard equipment options on the 2011 Superb.

 

Would you happen to know any more about the fitments and spacers, or is it the case that any OEM wheels will fit on the hubs?

 

Also (if it's not too much of an ask) do you know what difference the width would make (if any) for instance, could I go from 225s to 205s or something inbetween?

 

Thanks again.

I was going to put I just hooked you up with the info but apparently hooked up means something different in modern parlance.

 

In case you can't see it my tag line is - Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything. 

 

If you've got a standard car (with standard hubs, and I'm not sure why they'd not be unless it's a track car) then standard specification wheels for your model will fit without modifications.  There's a wheel 'Width & Offset Calculator' on that AlloyWheels.com site.

 

225 or 205 is the (nominal) (cross section) width of the tyre in millimetres measured from the tyre’s inner sidewall to its outer sidewall, so 225 is 20mm wider than 205, in itself it doesn't mean a lot but it will also relate to tyre 'profile' ('aspect ratio' - tyre sidewall height in relation to tyre width as a percentage) in tyres available and specified for the vehicle. - https://www.uniroyal-tyres.com/car/tyre-guide/tyre-knowledge/what-does-tyre-size-mean

 

If you have the "168 hp | 125 kW | 170 PS" version then the tyres on that site (which I've just noticed you can notify them of any mistakes) have the 17" wheels with 225/45 ZR 17 tyres, if that confirms with the Owner's Manual then that's the size to go with.

HTH, if not just ask, but bear in mind I'm not an expert - other than being expert in not being so. 🙃

 

Edited 6 September, 20223 yr by nta16

2 hours ago, Spudskoda said:

I am considering moving to a smaller wheel diameter (probably 17") with a larger tyre wall

There's a lot of good technical info here already; I'll just add anecdotally that 17" wheels do ride better than 18" with no other changes beyoud same rolling diameter but higher sidewal tyres.

9 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

There's a lot of good technical info here already; I'll just add anecdotally that 17" wheels do ride better than 18" with no other changes beyoud same rolling diameter but higher sidewal tyres.

Cheers Ken, I am strongly considering this option mate, can't cope with these bone rattlers on the roads round here.

50 minutes ago, nta16 said:

I was going to put I just hooked you up with the info but apparently hooked up means something different in modern parlance.

 

In case you can't see it my tag line is - Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything. 

 

If you've got a standard car (with standard hubs, and I'm not sure why they'd not be unless it's a track car) then standard specification wheels for your model will fit without modifications.  There's a wheel 'Width & Offset Calculator' on that AlloyWheels.com site.

 

225 or 205 is the (nominal) (cross section) width of the tyre in millimetres measured from the tyre’s inner sidewall to its outer sidewall, so 225 is 20mm wider than 205, in itself it doesn't mean a lot but it will also relate to tyre 'profile' ('aspect ratio' - tyre sidewall height in relation to tyre width as a percentage) in tyres available and specified for the vehicle. - https://www.uniroyal-tyres.com/car/tyre-guide/tyre-knowledge/what-does-tyre-size-mean

 

If you have the "168 hp | 125 kW | 170 PS" version then the tyres on that site (which I've just noticed you can notify them of any mistakes) have the 17" wheels with 225/45 ZR 17 tyres, if that confirms with the Owner's Manual then that's the size to go with.

HTH, if not just ask, but bear in mind I'm not an expert - other than being expert in not being so. 🙃

 

I love the quote at the end mate, brilliant that

 

Thanks for the further info buddy, I will try to absorb it all later once I am properly out of work head mode.

 

I really appreciate you guidance, and will use the information sources to make a judgement call, then look for suitable options.

 

does anyone know what design name or code these are please? 

Edited 6 September, 20223 yr by Spudskoda

14 hours ago, Spudskoda said:

Cheers Ken, I am strongly considering this option mate, can't cope with these bone rattlers on the roads round here.

Generally speaking any tyre called Eco or sport is going to be firmest.  And don’t forget that the hardness of tires varies with temperature.   So whatever wheels you end up with, I suggest you fit it with all season tyres instead of summer tyres because they will ride must softer and quieter October - March/April.

 

Unfortunately current Skoda wheel catalogue only has Superb mk3 (not mk2), 

but there are 16, 17, 18, 19 inch wheels for a mk3

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/639a0118-4da5-446b-a786-86e1f789b57b

 

1 hour ago, SurreyJohn said:

Generally speaking any tyre called Eco or sport is going to be firmest.  And don’t forget that the hardness of tires varies with temperature.   So whatever wheels you end up with, I suggest you fit it with all season tyres instead of summer tyres because they will ride must softer and quieter October - March/April.

 

Unfortunately current Skoda wheel catalogue only has Superb mk3 (not mk2), 

but there are 16, 17, 18, 19 inch wheels for a mk3

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/639a0118-4da5-446b-a786-86e1f789b57b

 

Thanks very much mate, this seems another good source to refer to.

 

I am struggling to find out how I establish my offsets and what weight rating of wheel I will need - would you happen to know how I can obtain this information please?

Offsets are shown on the wheel, perhaps on the inside often.  In the table given they're the ET numbers.  There's a wheel width and offset calculator on that AlloyWheels.com site (not working at this very moment though to link to).  Plenty of sites explain width and offset, here's one example. - https://www.oponeo.co.uk/blog/wheel-width-and-et-offset-explained

 

I'm not sure what you mean by weight ratings - but for racing and "boy racing" purposes the ideal is to keep the unsprung weight as low as possible, that's the weight before the car's road springs like tyres and wheels.  This of course can mean larger wheels and tyres can weight more so the larger wheels can be less sturdily made, not a good idea on the roads we now have but I don't think this would apply too much to the average 18" and 17" wheels here.

 

Edited 7 September, 20223 yr by nta16
spelling

11 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Offsets are shown on the wheel, perhaps on the inside often.  In the table given they're the ET numbers.  There's a wheel width and offset calculator on that AlloyWheels.com site (not working at this very moment though to link to).  Plenty of sites explain width and offset, here's one example. - https://www.oponeo.co.uk/blog/wheel-width-and-et-offset-explained

 

I'm not sure what you mean by weight ratings - but for racing and "boy racing" purposes the ideal is to keep the unsprung weight as low as possible, that's the weight before the car's road springs like tyres and wheels.  This of course can mean larger wheels and tyres can weight more so the larger wheels can be less sturdily made, not a good idea on the roads we now have but II don't think this would apply too much to the average 18" and 17" wheels here.

 

Cheers Nigel - again. For someone who "isn't an expert in anything" you do give some absolutely top notch advice buddy, and I really genuinely appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this by sharing your knowledge and experience, it is a MASSIVE help pal.

 

By "weight rating" I am referring to a comment that a guy put on my question on the Skoda Superb owners FB page about bearing in mind that the Superb estate is quite a hefty vehicle, so don't put something on there that is designed for a far lighter vehicle which happens to have the same fitment/spacings and offset as mine (so a Q3/Q5 with the correct fitting would probably be ok, but an A3 or a Fabia probably not)

 

I will take a look on my spare wheel later to see if I can see and ET number on there.

 

Thanks again pal

Edited 7 September, 20223 yr by Spudskoda

Well the chap on FB made a very good point I'd missed by me making an assumption and not asking, I was assuming you were sticking to the Skoda Superb (mk2?) range of wheels but forgot the general VW or VAG range may fit.  I'd also consider if the wheel is for an out and out sports model rather than an average or lugger/towing model.

 

And I'm merely pointing you in the directions for you to learn for yourself so just a librarian, you're the one doing the work. 

 

Do bear in mind your spare wheel will need to be full sized and the same size as the four wheels fitted to the car - I do have enough experience to not make assumptions about any spare wheel in any vehicle 😄 - other than they're often under inflated, or flat so of little purpose as you then need to pump them up (a good manual footpump or good compact compressor type of pump are best for this), I've had to do it a couple of times with other people's tyres (for very many years I mostly didn't carry a spare wheel just a manual footpump and accurate pressure gauge but that a whole debate for many). .

 

Ironically I've just put in another thread about the possibility of larger wheels being more flimsy to reduce the weight and even put a link to this thread where you're looking at reducing wheel size whilst he's looking at going from 19" to 20" on a Mk3.

 

Edited 7 September, 20223 yr by nta16
ETA:

11 hours ago, Spudskoda said:

I am struggling to find out how I establish my offsets and what weight rating of wheel I will need

The full sizing of the wheel, will be literally cast (alloy) or stamped (steel) on the rim. It would be of the form 17.5x7.5 (overall size) 5x112 (Picked centre diameter and number of studs/bolts used) ET42 (inset/offset) and there's a dimension for the centre bore as well. You need to match the PCD dimension and the centre bore to your car but the others can vary.

12 hours ago, KenONeill said:

The full sizing of the wheel, will be literally cast (alloy) or stamped (steel) on the rim. It would be of the form 17.5x7.5 (overall size) 5x112 (Picked centre diameter and number of studs/bolts used) ET42 (inset/offset) and there's a dimension for the centre bore as well. You need to match the PCD dimension and the centre bore to your car but the others can vary.

Cheers Ken

 

I have now established that I have 3T0601025K wheels which are 7.5J x18H2 with an offset of ET46. Then on the inside of my fuel filler flap it shows tyre pressures for a 16" option (205/55R16 - which I think will look too narrow) a 17" option (225/45R17) and my current set up of 225/40R18. I have looked at loads of different "will they fit" type sites and input all the different parameters and it seems there are several options to consider.

 

I have taken photos of the codes cast into the rear of the wheel but I can't see anything relating to a centre bore dimension - what would it look like please

 

As a few people have suggested, it does make sense to check out tyre options for my existing rims first, so I am going to speak to a couple of tyre fitters about the ride quality and wear performance of different types of tyres about what the road noise and ride quality would be like.

1 hour ago, Spudskoda said:

I have taken photos of the codes cast into the rear of the wheel

Rather than me try and remember the exact form factor, if you publish a photo I'll can translate, and even do a size recommendation.

I don't think the central bore size is on the wheel.  - https://www.oponeo.co.uk/blog/how-to-read-the-wheel-markings

 

On 06/09/2022 at 19:56, Spudskoda said:

 

does anyone know what design name or code these are please? 

They are called LUNA

Futher to your first post where you asked for OEM choices, here they are attached for you.

You will find your current wheels in the 18" file

 

SUP 2011(B) 601-060 16'' Wheel Choices.pdf

SUP 2011(B) 601-070 17'' Wheel Choices.pdf

SUP 2011(B) 601-080 18'' Wheel Choices.pdf

7 minutes ago, varooom said:

Futher to your first post where you asked for OEM choices, here they are attached for you.

You will find your current wheels in the 18" file

 

SUP 2011(B) 601-060 16'' Wheel Choices.pdf 281.24 kB · 1 download

SUP 2011(B) 601-070 17'' Wheel Choices.pdf 371.59 kB · 0 downloads

SUP 2011(B) 601-080 18'' Wheel Choices.pdf 362.12 kB · 0 downloads

Cheers mate, this will be a massive help if I change the rims, really appreciate your help.

Just now, Spudskoda said:

Cheers mate, this will be a massive help if I change the rims, really appreciate your help.

Just remember the 10th character of your VIN should be a "B" to make the above lists match, if you are on a "C" then let me know, will get that list in 17" (if that's your preference)

4 minutes ago, varooom said:

Just remember the 10th character of your VIN should be a "B" to make the above lists match, if you are on a "C" then let me know, will get that list in 17" (if that's your preference)

Wow, that came from left field, I knew literally nothing about this "B" and "C" character ID thing mate.

 

I have just checked, and it is in fact a "C" not a "B"

 

If you have the time, could you please give me a brief explanation of what that signifies, and why it is important (knowledge is power n all that)😉

 

Cheers for your assistance and guidance mate

4 minutes ago, Spudskoda said:

Wow, that came from left field, I knew literally nothing about this "B" and "C" character ID thing mate.

 

I have just checked, and it is in fact a "C" not a "B"

 

If you have the time, could you please give me a brief explanation of what that signifies, and why it is important (knowledge is power n all that)😉

 

Cheers for your assistance and guidance mate

Here is image from program to show you year/character pattern

 

The main reason is that you can find out choices that will fit the car for that MY (Manufacturing Year), and quite possibly the next MY they changed wheel hub perhaps and all the wheel choices then change.

5 minutes ago, varooom said:

Here is image from program to show you year/character pattern

 

The main reason is that you can find out choices that will fit the car for that MY (Manufacturing Year), and quite possibly the next MY they changed wheel hub perhaps and all the wheel choices then change.

Great to know mate, thank you.

 

As it stands, are the options that you provided in the first instance for MY 2011 (B) still suitable, or are there changes at MY 2012 (C) that will affect my options?

 

Thanks again pal, really very good of you to assist in this detail - I bet quite a few people viewing this thread will have learned something new today 😊

16 minutes ago, Spudskoda said:

Wow, that came from left field, I knew literally nothing about this "B" and "C" character ID thing mate.

 

I have just checked, and it is in fact a "C" not a "B"

 

If you have the time, could you please give me a brief explanation of what that signifies, and why it is important (knowledge is power n all that)😉

 

Cheers for your assistance and guidance mate

Here is image from program to show you year/character pattern

 

The main reason is that you can find out choices that will fit the car for that MY (Manufacturing Year), and quite possibly the next MY they changed wheel hub perhaps and all the wheel choices then change.

 

 

Here you find your actual build date becomes important to things

>> - 29.05.2011 meaning fitted up to this date

30.05.2011>> meaning fitted from this date

 

Given your existing part number, I would say your build date should be before this date range of 29.05.2011

 

Here is the 2012(C) document for 17" choices (pay attention to the dates mentioned above)

SUP 2012(C) 17'' Alloy Wheel 601-070.pdf