ride comfort - going from 18" 235-45 to 17" or 16". Has anyone done it?

[lukk]

On 16/12/2022 at 17:47, Carlston said:

The best ride on standard tyres and rims will be 215/60R16 tyres fitted to 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 rims.

 

However, if you fit the 215/60R16 tyres to slightly narrower 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 rims from the Karoq, you should be able to fit these in the spare wheel well with the carpet flush.

 

The slightly narrower 6J rim will also help improve the ride comfort further.

 

6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 steel rim (from the Karoq)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1302234084152546416&rimCode=ALCAR6665

 

6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 steel rim (from the Superb MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1037328747869009008&rimCode=ALCAR8426

 

 

I ordered the latter rims and 16 inch Kumho 215 / 60 Eco tyres and had them installed.  Finally I don't feel every single hole, pot or stone under my wheels. While the car still vibrates a bit on coarse surfaces, this is more wave-like without the instant feedback through shaking / jerking that I got on 18 inch wheels. The noise is also different. I'd say it's less, especially in the low frequency band but I won't be able to measure by how much until it gets warmer as this is when I measured the noise pre-tyre change (when I was soundproofing the car during one of the summers).

 

What is the most surprising is the amount of fuel efficiency I gained. It seems that the car uses about 0.5l-0.7h l/100km less than before. If that continues then the tyres will be self financing after 3-4 years vs the 235 / 60 / 18 I had before

[BlueTigger]

On the same theme, would 235/60/16 fit an Octavia mk 2?  As I am looking for a softer ride than my current 225/45/17 tyres.

Thanks

[Ootohere]

Best look again.

 

& if you get 16" rims you need the correct size tyres / width for whatever.

 

@Carlstoncan tell you what is what. 

[KenONeill]

31 minutes ago, BlueTigger said:

On the same theme, would 235/60/16 fit an Octavia mk 2?  As I am looking for a softer ride than my current 225/45/17 tyres.

Thanks

With what size front discs?

[BlueTigger]

280mm I think

[KenONeill]

48 minutes ago, BlueTigger said:

280mm I think

16" VAG wheels should fit over 280mm discs, and I think 288mm.

[nta16]

If you look at the tiresize calculator with 225/45/17 then click on the "Alternate Tyre Sizes" tab for "16" you will get a list of tyres in green and how near they are in size as a percentage difference.  Now you need to check the availability, range and price of the sizes offered to see what's actually available and at what prices.

 

225/50/16 - 205/55/16

 

Then of course you might be with a silly insurance provider that takes exception to you changing the wheels and tyres from the size the car left the factory with, as has been cover in various other threads.  Plenty of insurers don't worry about such things but if you have a cheap policy and/or with a very general family type car provider they might.

  

Edited 28 March, 2023 by nta16
changed wording

[Carlston]

15 hours ago, BlueTigger said:

On the same theme, would 235/60/16 fit an Octavia mk 2?  As I am looking for a softer ride than my current 225/45/17 tyres.

Thanks

 

Here's a couple of alternative sizes that would improve the ride. The 15" option would provide the best ride, but 205/55R16 is still a big improvement over 225/45R17, and provides more cornering performance than the 15" option.

 

195/65R15 tyres fitted to 6Jx15 ET47 5/112 57.1 rims.

 

205/55R16 tyres fitted to 6.5Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1 rims.

 

15" rims will clear the front brake calipers on 280mm and 288mm front brake discs.

 

It's the 312mm front brake discs that require at least 16" rims.

[BlueTigger]

Thanks for all the replies.  It seems that I would be safest to fit any of the wheels and tyres listed on the fuel cap label.  I have looked at the tyre size comparison data sites to understand any changes. One of the sites suggests that OE fit is 15 inch wheels, which is the smallest stated in the fuel cap list.  Thanks again everyone.

[j caff]

15's would look terrible on a Superb 16 is the smallest I would put on. 

[Carlston]

2 hours ago, BlueTigger said:

Thanks for all the replies.  It seems that I would be safest to fit any of the wheels and tyres listed on the fuel cap label.  I have looked at the tyre size comparison data sites to understand any changes. One of the sites suggests that OE fit is 15 inch wheels, which is the smallest stated in the fuel cap list.  Thanks again everyone.

 

Wheel-size.com shows the 15" tyre size for the Octavia MK2 1.9TDI 105PS as 205/60R15. However, wheel-size.com often make mistakes, so check the information inside the fuel filler flap.

 

205/60R15 is a less common and more expensive size than 195/65R15, so 195/65R15 could be the one to go for out of those two sizes.

SKODA OCTAVIA MK2 A5 (1Z) [2005 .. 2012]1.9TDI

103 hp

EUDMRUS

• Generation: Mk2 A5 (1Z) [2005 .. 2012] [EUDM]  
• Production: [2005 .. 2010]
• Sales regions: Europe, Russia+
• Power: 103 hp | 77 kW | 105 PS
• Engine: 1.9 L, I4 , Diesel

• Center Bore / Hub Bore: 57.1 mm
• Bolt Pattern (PCD): 5x112
• Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts
• Thread Size: M14 x 1.5
• Wheel Tightening Torque:
   unknown

TIRE	RIM
OE205/60R15 92H	6.5Jx15 ET50
205/55R16 91V	6.5Jx16 ET50
215/50R17 91V	7Jx17 ET54

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/octavia/2006/#trim-mk2-a5-1z-2005-2012-eudm-19tdi--103

Edited 1 April, 2023 by Carlston

[nta16]

3 hours ago, j caff said:

15's would look terrible on a Superb 16 is the smallest I would put on. 

It's a matter of fashion over function now.  Previously 15" wheels would be on big heavy (for the time) saloons, or sportscars, I know even very small cars now are big and overweight (particularly VW) but many/most have oversized wheels for fashion only.

 

Depends what you're used to and when you were young and how much you value fashion or want to have bigger wheels than your neighbours, 70% profile tyres used to low profile.

 

Some clubman racers are going back to smaller wheels for the track so maybe in the future the fashion will go to smaller tyres and wheels and big wheels and tyres will look so old fashioned.  Remember the three spoke alloys wheels. 🙂

 

[P33AKY]

Yes. The car originally had 18" alloys and we opted to change to 16" steel wheels for three reasons a) the comfort of the passenger, b) to reduce road noise which was causing havoc with handsfree calls and c) because the car was going through a tyre a week on average due to potholes (used predominantly at night).
The cost of the original tyres on the 18" rims was £120 a corner. The cost of the 16" tyres were £65 a corner.
We have since upgraded to the facelift model and already we have had comments that it isn't a comfortable ride as the old 2015 on 16's (the new ones have 18's still).
Debating switching them over but for the fact that steelies (even with decent wheel trims) look pants on a 2021 model.

[P33AKY]

On 01/04/2023 at 08:37, BlueTigger said:

Thanks for all the replies.  It seems that I would be safest to fit any of the wheels and tyres listed on the fuel cap label.  I have looked at the tyre size comparison data sites to understand any changes. One of the sites suggests that OE fit is 15 inch wheels, which is the smallest stated in the fuel cap list.  Thanks again everyone.

Go for 16's. 15s are too small. You'll get better handling with larger ones

[MarkyG82]

On 28/03/2023 at 23:55, Carlston said:

 

Here's a couple of alternative sizes that would improve the ride. The 15" option would provide the best ride, but 205/55R16 is still a big improvement over 225/45R17, and provides more cornering performance than the 15" option.

 

195/65R15 tyres fitted to 6Jx15 ET47 5/112 57.1 rims.

 

205/55R16 tyres fitted to 6.5Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1 rims.

 

15" rims will clear the front brake calipers on 280mm and 288mm front brake discs.

 

It's the 312mm front brake discs that require at least 16" rims.

 

Superb MK3 discussion. MK2 Octavia has smaller tyres. I'm sure you knew that given your usual detailed response so this is for the benefit of others reading in the future.

[Ootohere]

@P33AKYIs this a Taxi / Private hire car that you had going through a tyre a week? 

Surely stylee is the least of the concerns.  Maybe better dipped beam required/ driving lights & an eye test and use the handling to steer around the potholes.

[j caff]

2 hours ago, P33AKY said:

Yes. The car originally had 18" alloys and we opted to change to 16" steel wheels for three reasons a) the comfort of the passenger, b) to reduce road noise which was causing havoc with handsfree calls and c) because the car was going through a tyre a week on average due to potholes (used predominantly at night).
The cost of the original tyres on the 18" rims was £120 a corner. The cost of the 16" tyres were £65 a corner.
We have since upgraded to the facelift model and already we have had comments that it isn't a comfortable ride as the old 2015 on 16's (the new ones have 18's still).
Debating switching them over but for the fact that steelies (even with decent wheel trims) look pants on a 2021 model.

You could go for 16" alloys from the lower spec model. The amount of passive aggression on this site is shocking, it invades every thread irrespective of what the thread is about. 

[j caff]

49 minutes ago, toot said:

@P33AKYIs this a Taxi / Private hire car that you had going through a tyre a week? 

Surely stylee is the least of the concerns.  Maybe better dipped beam required/ driving lights & an eye test and use the handling to steer around the potholes.

That's a pretty nasty post seems to be your style lately. Have you ever done private hire or taxi work? 

[Ootohere]

@j caffYes i have,

and airport transport and driving in the dark on bad roads. 

[j caff]

34 minutes ago, toot said:

@j caffYes i have,

and airport transport and driving in the dark on bad roads. 

And never got a puncture? Or hit a pothole? You're a marvelous man indeed... I bow to your superiority 😏 and that superman vision. 

[Ootohere]

@j caffare you now making up the answers as you want, without asking first?.

 

Obviously i have wrecked tyres on ironworks and holes, and rims and a tyre this winter past and over the years quite a few.  

Usually in the rain and where not obvious a pothole or a sidewall hitting a kerb.  

 

A few years ago 2 blown out on the A9 in the outside lane with HGV's on the inside and there were other cars in the layby's with the same, rims wrecked etc and all waiting for assistance as others were hitting the holes.

 

As to weekly, well not really no matter how many miles done at night in whatever weather.  

 

 

Edited 2 April, 2023 by toot

[j caff]

1 hour ago, toot said:

@j caffare you now making up the answers as you want, without asking first?.

 

Obviously i have wrecked tyres on ironworks and holes, and rims and a tyre this winter past and over the years quite a few.  

Usually in the rain and where not obvious a pothole or a sidewall hitting a kerb.  

 

A few years ago 2 blown out on the A9 in the outside lane with HGV's on the inside and there were other cars in the layby's with the same, rims wrecked etc and all waiting for assistance as others were hitting the holes.

 

As to weekly, well not really no matter how many miles done at night in whatever weather.  

 

 

Follow your own advice then,get better lights and your eyes tested. You could always get 16" wheels 😏

[Ootohere]

@j caffon cars i own i have sensible wheels and balloon tyres. & the lights are good as is the eyesight.

On cars i lease i am not changing the rims but i will fit more suitable tyres. 

 

 

Edited 2 April, 2023 by toot

[P33AKY]

4 hours ago, toot said:

@P33AKYIs this a Taxi / Private hire car that you had going through a tyre a week? 

Surely stylee is the least of the concerns.  Maybe better dipped beam required/ driving lights & an eye test and use the handling to steer around the potholes.

Wow. A bit rude. Maybe there was a slight tongue in cheek exaggeration in my post but to be fair it's hard to see them when they're under a few inches of water. Thanks for the warm welcome to a new member here though - are you all as friendly?!

[P33AKY]

I may point out as well that during the pandemic there were little to no potholes getting filled in, so they bred nearly as fast as Covid. Sometimes it's impossible to manouevre around them when there are oncoming vehicles etc. 
Not all tyre problems were due to potholes, I generalised. 
Loads of nails, screws, bolts etc that would be impossible to avoid even with laser vision.