First time post so please bear with me. I have read lots of earlier posts on here about alternatives to the 225/40/19 tyres and crater wheel combination that are fitted onto the Karoq Edition DSG 1.5 petrol fwd that I bought two weeks ago and am finding are a harsh ride over our potholed roads.

 I have been offered a set of 17” Audi alloys fitted with Dunlop Winter Sport 4D 225/50/17 tyres. The wheels are 7J but are ET47 compared to the ET 45 that I believe are standard on the Karoq.

  3 questions; am I likely to see an improvement in ride over the potholes?

                      Will there be any clearance issues with the ET47 compared to ET 45?

                       Will insurance companies consider these a modification as I think this size is fitted to other Karoq models and they are VAG alloys? 
  Thanks for any advice.  Alan.

Welcome.

 

@Carlston will be able to help when he sees this.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/509941-tyres-again-7j-or-75j

 

 

 

Edited 1 February, 20233 yr by toot

3 hours ago, Alanskaroq said:

First time post so please bear with me. I have read lots of earlier posts on here about alternatives to the 225/40/19 tyres and crater wheel combination that are fitted onto the Karoq Edition DSG 1.5 petrol fwd that I bought two weeks ago and am finding are a harsh ride over our potholed roads.

 I have been offered a set of 17” Audi alloys fitted with Dunlop Winter Sport 4D 225/50/17 tyres. The wheels are 7J but are ET47 compared to the ET 45 that I believe are standard on the Karoq.

  3 questions; am I likely to see an improvement in ride over the potholes?

                      Will there be any clearance issues with the ET47 compared to ET 45?

                       Will insurance companies consider these a modification as I think this size is fitted to other Karoq models and they are VAG alloys? 
  Thanks for any advice.  Alan.

 

My view about significant modifications, is if the Skoda car left the factory with those modification, would the car be in a higher insurance group to what it is now.

 

Things like more engine power, or a top of the range stereo are likely to increase the car's insurance group so are clearly a significant modification.

 

A 2mm difference in offset, is not a significant modification. I don't think even the strictest insurance assessor could argue against that statement, unless he had a very long nose and was called Pinocchio.

 

Compared to the standard Karoq 2WD 215/60R16, 215/55R17, 215/50R18, 225/40R19 tyre sizes, 225/50R17 is not significantly different. Performance wise, most people would probably agree that it has less performance than the very low profile 225/40R19.

 

As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, 7J is a good rim width to use for a 225/50R17 tyre.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

225/50 6.0-7.0-8.0

 

Edited 1 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thanks for the comments about changes to insurance and the offset issue but my main concern is will the change from current 40 ratio 19” to only 50 ratio 17” be enough to give a noticeable improvement in ride quality or will I get a much better ride by going to 55 or even 60 ratio tyres? 
Thanks.  Alan

46 minutes ago, Alanskaroq said:

Thanks for the comments about changes to insurance and the offset issue but my main concern is will the change from current 40 ratio 19” to only 50 ratio 17” be enough to give a noticeable improvement in ride quality or will I get a much better ride by going to 55 or even 60 ratio tyres? 
Thanks.  Alan

 

225/40R19 is a hard riding tyre, especially when fitted to the Karoq's relatively wide 8J rims.

 

You would easily notice the improved ride by changing from 225/40R19 fitted to 8J rims to 225/45R18 fitted to narrower 7.5J rims.

 

Then you would easily notice the improved ride by changing from 225/45R18 fitted to 7.5 rims to 225/50R17 fitted to even narrower 7J rims.

 

So you will be getting not one, but two easily noticeable improvements. In fact, I suspect most people would be happy with the ride on 225/50R17 fitted to 7J rims...unlike the really quite awful riding 225/40R19 on 8J rims.

 

Avoid over-specifying the tyre, such as W and Y speed rated tyres, because the Karoq doesn't go over 150mph. If you only need V speed rated tyres (or H speed rated tyres) then choosing W or Y could make the sidewalls stiffer and therefore the ride unnecessarily harder.

 

You may also want to specify SL Standard Load tyres, rather than XL eXtra Load tyres, but that may depend on what tyres are available.

 

One of the tyre reviews commented that the Continental All-Season tyres have a good subjective feel...which is always a good thing.

 

Continental All-Season 225/50R17 98V XL (Euro label B B 72dB)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m140b0s8019p152836/Continental_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Continental_ContiAllSeasonContact_Continental_Conti_All_Season_Contact_-_225_50_R17_98V_XL_FR_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_72dB

 

Edited 1 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thanks Carlson for the benefit of your knowledge. I did not realise that my Crater alloys were 8J section. The set that I was considering have now gone but I will keep looking for another set that will fit the right criteria, and also look on this Briskoda site for used ones for sale, thanks Alan

2 hours ago, Alanskaroq said:

Thanks Carlson for the benefit of your knowledge. I did not realise that my Crater alloys were 8J section. The set that I was considering have now gone but I will keep looking for another set that will fit the right criteria, and also look on this Briskoda site for used ones for sale, thanks Alan

 

As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, the 225/40R19 can be fitted to a narrower 7.5J rim, but Karoq chose the 8J rim width.

 

The Karoq 4WD uses a higher profile 225/45R19 for its 19" tyre size, that could be fitted to an even narrower 7J rim width.

 

Skoda did fit a 225/45 (225/45R17) to a 7J rim on their Octavia MK3, as well as a 7.5J rim...so Skoda has done this before.

 

The Audi Q2 uses similar sized tyres to the Karoq. However, with its 19" tyre size the Audi Q2 uses slightly wider 235/40R19 instead of the Karoq's 2WD 225/40R19 tyre size.

 

If Skoda had chosen to fit a 235/40R19 to the Karoq (just like the Superb MK3 uses) then of course a minimum rim width of 8J would have been needed, as shown in the ETRTO chart below.

 

However, anyone remotely interested in ride comfort would do well to avoid these 40 aspect ratio tyres. The 225/45R19 on the Karoq 4WD would probably ride reasonably well if it was fitted to the narrowest allowable rim width, ie. 7J, but even then still wouldn't be as good as a 225/50R17 fitted to a 7J rim. The 225/50R17 is also a much cheaper tyre size than 225/45R19.

 

As far as the performance of these tyres goes, 225/50R17 is plenty low enough profile for spirited driving on a fast, twisty A road.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

225/45R19 7.0-7.5-8.5

225/40R19 7.5-8.0-9.0
235/40R19 8.0-8.5-9.5

 

Edited 2 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

1 hour ago, Carlston said:

The Karoq 4WD uses a higher profile 225/45R19 for its 19" tyre size…

Apologies for the thread hijack but would there be any issues in fitting the above quoted size to a 2WD variant on 19” Sagittarius alloys?

 

I’m hopefully picking up our SportLine in about 4 weeks but unfortunately even with a factory order there’s no chance to swap the ridiculous 19’s for something smaller, so was wondering when the time comes to renew tyres is there an alternative tyre size that would suit the existing rim, thanks.

 

3 hours ago, Modders said:

Apologies for the thread hijack but would there be any issues in fitting the above quoted size to a 2WD variant on 19” Sagittarius alloys?

 

I’m hopefully picking up our SportLine in about 4 weeks but unfortunately even with a factory order there’s no chance to swap the ridiculous 19’s for something smaller, so was wondering when the time comes to renew tyres is there an alternative tyre size that would suit the existing rim, thanks.

 

The Sagittarius alloy rims have the usual Karoq 8Jx19 ET45 specification.

 

I suggest you sell them before they get damaged on the kerb.

 

You should get a good price on ebay if they are not damaged.

 

They are very prone to kerbing damage because the 8J rims are quite wide for the 225/40R19 tyres, so that the sidewalls don't bulge out much.

 

19" alloy rims are very heavy. As you can see below, they generally weigh over 13kg.

 

Here are the weights of some Kodiaq 7Jx19 ET43 rims as given by "skoda eshop cz"

ARONIA 13kg

CRATER 13.5kg

TRIGLAV 14.3kg

 

Here are the weights of some Karoq 8Jx19 ET45 rims as given by "skoda eshop cz"

CETUS 13.1kg

CRATER 13.9kg

VEGA 13.7kg

 

Here are the weights of some Karoq 7Jx17 ET45 rims as given by "skoda eshop cz", so maybe around 3kg lighter than the 19" rims.

KUMA 11.1kg

RATIKON 10.1kg/10.9kg

TRITON 10.5kg

 

However, I've seen some lightweight 7Jx16 ET45 rims from some Audi A4/A6 cars around the years 1997/2003 that only weigh about 7.3kg each. So that would be a weight saving of about 6kg each rim compared to the heavy 19" alloy rims. Together with 225/60R16 tyres (from the Karoq 4WD), they could work quite well on the Karoq. Multiple the weight saving by four, and that's 24kg less unsprung weight or 30kg weight saving if you include the spare wheel.

 

7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1 alloy rims 8D0601025K (weigh only 7.3kg each)

9	8D0601025K	Aluminium rim	7 JX16H2 ET45 5/112	4	PR-C8Y	-
	8D0601025K Z17	Avus silver

 

Back to your original question.

 

If you consider both 225/45R19 (from the Karoq 4WD) and 235/40R19 (from the Superb MK3), neither are particularly good options. Out of the two, I would probably go for 225/45R19 because at least it's a Karoq standard tyre size. Normally, I would say go for the 235/40R19 but although wider than the 225/45R19 it will still give little protection from kerbing damage. At least the 225/45R19 should roll a little better and give ever so slightly more mpg.

 

If you like 19" rims, I would go for the much narrower 7Jx19 ET43 rims from the Kodiaq with 225/45R19. Because the rims are so much narrower than 8J, the tyre's sidewalls will bulge out considerably more and therefore should give the rims a modest amount of protection from kerbing damage.

 

The Karoq is related size wise to the Octavia, and the Octavia up to MK3 used common and cheap tyre sizes. You can still get excellent 195/65R15 for little more than £50 each. Some of the 225/45R19 sizes are close to £200 each. Such is progress.

 

Of course, the 195/65R15 is no use to Karoq owners, but slightly oversize 215/65R16 rather than the standard Karoq 2WD 215/60R16 would fit.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 6 195/65R15 91H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7994p202140/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_195_65_R15_91H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Vredestein Quatrac 6 215/65R16 98H

https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/vredestein/quatrac/215/65/R16/H/98/m?tyre=41007498

 

Vredestein Quatrac 6 225/60R16 102H XL (standard Karoq 4WD tyre size)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8011p202131/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_225_60_R16_102H_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_71dB

 

I am using the Vredesteins as examples of good all-season tyres which I've often used myself, but there's many other premium brands of all-season tyres such as Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, etc. that have often done well in tyre reviews.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

215/65R16 685.9mm (+2.0% compared to 215/50R18)

225/60R16 676.4mm (+0.6% compared to 215/50R18)

215/50R18 672.2mm

225/40R19 662.6mm

225/45R19 685.1mm (+1.9% compared to 215/50R18)

235/40R19 670.9mm

 

Edited 2 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

@Carlston  Amazingly concise information, that’s brilliant thank you!

 

I’ve no idea why you can’t spec a different rim size from the factory, I just don’t understand the obsession with huge alloys 😆

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Modders said:

@Carlston  Amazingly concise information, that’s brilliant thank you!

 

I’ve no idea why you can’t spec a different rim size from the factory, I just don’t understand the obsession with huge alloys 😆

 

The Dacia Duster has tyre sizes 215/65R16 and 215/60R17 depending on specification.

 

There's none of this nonsense with 18" and 19" rims.

 

The Karoq is an SUV, not a VRS.

 

Dacia Duster with sensible tyre and rim sizes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacia_Duster#/media/File:2018_Dacia_Duster.jpg

 

Edited 3 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

12 hours ago, Modders said:

@Carlston  Amazingly concise information, that’s brilliant thank you!

 

I’ve no idea why you can’t spec a different rim size from the factory, I just don’t understand the obsession with huge alloys 😆

 

It's a British thing, or at least a vanity idea by UK HQ which is presumably staffed by vane people who don't drive on normal potholed UK roads, but choose the spec in a brightly lit display area with billiard table smooth floors.

 

Buy the same car in say Germany or Ireland and will come with smaller wheels and cost option to increase size.

 

17 minutes ago, SurreyJohn said:

Buy the same car in say Germany or Ireland and will come with smaller wheels and cost option to increase size.

 

Up until now that has always been my experience when buying new, if you want want big daft wheels then you have to pay extra for them. Makes no sense to me at all, a bit like the Winter packs but don’t get me started on that…

On 02/02/2023 at 15:55, Alanskaroq said:

Will 215/60R17 tyres fitted to 6.5Jx17 ET33 rims from an Audi Q3 fit my car?

 

The Karoq 2WD uses slightly smaller outside diameter tyres compared to the Karoq 4x4. Compared to the 215/50R18 which is a standard Karoq 2WD tyre size, 215/60R17 has an outside diameter 2.6% larger. You might find this 2.6% increase acceptable. If you did find the gearing a little too long legged, you would just need to change to the slightly smaller outside diameter 215/55R17 size next time the tyres need replacing.

 

The 215/60R17 tyre size is correct for the 6.5Jx17 ET33 rims, and is a winter tyre size for the Audi Q3 MK1. Since 2018, there's been an Audi Q3 MK2 which uses Kodiaq sizes tyres. Your alloys will be from the earlier Audi Q3 MK1.

 

7Jx17 ET43 rims are normally fitted with 235/55R17 tyres on the Audi Q3. I would prefer the 215/60R17 over the 235/55R17 for the Karoq, because there's less weight, less drag, more mpg, nimbler handling, and a smoother ride.

 

The front wheel bearings that are used on the Karoq are also used on other VAG models that use the ET33 offset. Therefore, ET33 won't cause any harm to the Karoq's wheel bearings.

 

Edited 14 February, 20233 yr by Carlston