Guys, has anyone put 215 60 r16  on a mk 2 Superb. I need bigger tyres and smaller wheels to cope with the crappie roads at the moment. The 18 40s on it at the moment are taking a battering. 

Loz

Welcome to the forum.

 

This in the Mk3 forum. http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/509184-ride-comfort-going-from18-235-45-to-17-or-16-has-anyone-done-it/page/2

 

You will find lots of other threads in the sections including this one, or wheels or he tyres.

 

The standard 205/55 R16 tyres as fitted to my 2014 S model  ride really well, are really quiet and cope with some pretty awful back roads near me.

1 hour ago, Lozer said:

has anyone put 215 60 r16  on a mk 2 Superb.

Maybe.What size front brakes does your's have?

Thanks guys, not sure what front brake size, it's a 2012. According to my calcs the 115 60 16 will be 30mm bigger than my 225 40 18 will fill the arches a bit more. The wheels I bought came off a 2017 superb. 

They will fill the arches more, but that is really not the issue. It might be an issue though.  What country are you in?

& what engine / gearbox do you have,   What model of Mk2 Superb?

It's a 2lt manual 4x4 diesel estate 170 cr elegance uk. 

Well,  I fitted a set of 115/ 60/ 16 on a 2012 Superb Estate 4x4 . Although not genuine Skoda Alloys they fit just fine ( removed from a 2017 superb) The  brake components fit inside a 16 inch wheel with about half inch clearance all round, the wheels fill the arch a little more but on full lock you can fit your hand between the tyre and arch liner all-round, same with the rears. The ride is far  better, less harsh and quiter with a slightly higher ride height, don't notice any difference when cornering it still feels like it's on rails. 

Hope this helps someone thinking of doing the same. 

Loz

57 minutes ago, Lozer said:

Well,  I fitted a set of 115/ 60/ 16 on a 2012 Superb Estate 4x4 . Although not genuine Skoda Alloys they fit just fine ( removed from a 2017 superb) The  brake components fit inside a 16 inch wheel with about half inch clearance all round, the wheels fill the arch a little more but on full lock you can fit your hand between the tyre and arch liner all-round, same with the rears. The ride is far  better, less harsh and quiter with a slightly higher ride height, don't notice any difference when cornering it still feels like it's on rails. 

Hope this helps someone thinking of doing the same.

 

Just changing from 225/40R18 to 205/55R16 would massively improve the ride.

 

Compared to 205/55R16, the 215/60R16 has three big problems.

 

Firstly, the price of 215/60R16 is generally much higher than 205/55R16.

 

Secondly, the outside diameter of 215/60R16 is about 5.1% higher than 205/55R16. ICE engines aren't good at pulling gearing that's much higher than the gears that have been optimised by the manufacturer...particularly 1st gear, and top gear. A clutch that is pulling a 5.1% higher first gear, is going to wear out faster compared to the standard gearing...especially if you do a lot of uphill starts with a 1,600kg caravan on the back plus maybe 400kg of passengers and their luggage.

 

Thirdly, if an insurance assessor sees the car, those massively oversize tyres will stand out like a red rag to a bull.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

205/55R16 631.9mm

215/60R16 664.4mm (+5.1%)

215/55R16 642.9mm (+1.7%)

 

The Superb MK2 normally uses 7Jx16 ET45 rims with its 205/55R16 tyre size, but there's also a winter tyre option that uses 6Jx16 ET50.

 

7J is quite wide for a 205/55 tyre, so changing to 6J or 6.5J would help improve the ride a little more. Perhaps 6Jx16 ET43 from the Karoq or 6.5Jx16 ET46 from the Octavia MK3 and Octavia MK4.

 

On the standard 7Jx16 ET45, 215/55R16 might be a better option than 215/60R16 as the outside diameter is a far more modest 1.7% bigger than 205/55R16. 215/55R16 is also a better size for the 7J rim.

 

As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, 215/55R16 is a better fit for a 7J rim (hence highlighted in bold) than either a 205/55R16 or 215/60R16 tyre size.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

205/55 5.5-6.5-7.5

215/60 6.0-6.5-7.5

215/55 6.0-7.0-7.5

 

Edited 13 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

I run my 2012 Superb Elegance on 17" rims, with the standard 17" tyre fitment, and that improved the ride over the 18" rims.  With the added bonus that the tyres are cheaper.

 

My rims came off a later Octavia, so were the correct et fitment and look very similar to the original Thermisto wheels.  So much so that my wife didn't notice the difference! 

 

On 13/02/2023 at 18:56, Carlston said:

 

Just changing from 225/40R18 to 205/55R16 would massively improve the ride.

 

Compared to 205/55R16, the 215/60R16 has three big problems.

 

Firstly, the price of 215/60R16 is generally much higher than 205/55R16.

 

Secondly, the outside diameter of 215/60R16 is about 5.1% higher than 205/55R16. ICE engines aren't good at pulling gearing that's much higher than the gears that have been optimised by the manufacturer...particularly 1st gear, and top gear. A clutch that is pulling a 5.1% higher first gear, is going to wear out faster compared to the standard gearing...especially if you do a lot of uphill starts with a 1,600kg caravan on the back plus maybe 400kg of passengers and their luggage.

 

Thirdly, if an insurance assessor sees the car, those massively oversize tyres will stand out like a red rag to a bull.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

205/55R16 631.9mm

215/60R16 664.4mm (+5.1%)

215/55R16 642.9mm (+1.7%)

 

The Superb MK2 normally uses 7Jx16 ET45 rims with its 205/55R16 tyre size, but there's also a winter tyre option that uses 6Jx16 ET50.

 

7J is quite wide for a 205/55 tyre, so changing to 6J or 6.5J would help improve the ride a little more. Perhaps 6Jx16 ET43 from the Karoq or 6.5Jx16 ET46 from the Octavia MK3 and Octavia MK4.

 

On the standard 7Jx16 ET45, 215/55R16 might be a better option than 215/60R16 as the outside diameter is a far more modest 1.7% bigger than 205/55R16. 215/55R16 is also a better size for the 7J rim.

 

As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, 215/55R16 is a better fit for a 7J rim (hence highlighted in bold) than either a 205/55R16 or 215/60R16 tyre size.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

205/55 5.5-6.5-7.5

215/60 6.0-6.5-7.5

215/55 6.0-7.0-7.5

 

Thanks for the replies guys, really interesting stuff. 

Carlston, was a 16 inch wheel a standard size for a mk 2 Superb with a 205 55 16 you suggested. The wheels I put on there are 6.5 j. The reason I ask is the insurance company tell me if it's a standard wheel /tyre size that Skoda fit  it's not a modification. I can't seem to find the answer to that question. 

Loz

It's the winter tyre option that is listed in the owner's manual.  You should also find tyre pressures for 205/55x16 on the inside of the fuel flap, confirming that it is a standard tyre size.

I would add that you don't identify the offset of your wheels.  The standard offset for a 2017 Superb is not the same as for a 2012 model, this may have implications for the suspension and steering operation, although I note that they are not original wheels and the previous owner of the wheels may not have taken care over this.

Thanks, I found the fuel flap tyre pressure, but  couldn't find anything in the hand book, only what tyres you can fit chain tyres on. 

Loz

Interestingly , spoke to skoda today and they said all they can tell me is the car had 225 40 18 from new, can't believe the can't say if a 205 55 16 is an acceptable size to fitment... cant be that hard. 

Does anyone know of a Skoda tyre / wheel  fitment document / chart.? 

 

 

Loz 

1 hour ago, Lozer said:

Interestingly , spoke to skoda today and they said all they can tell me is the car had 225 40 18 from new, can't believe they can't say if a 205 55 16 is an acceptable size to fit... can't be that hard. 

Does anyone know of a Skoda tyre / wheel  fitment document / chart? 

 

The below rim sizes are shown in the Skoda parts catalogue for the Superb MK2, except for the 6Jx16 ET50 and 6Jx17 ET45 winter tyre size rims which are shown in the owner's manual for the Superb MK2.

 

Superb MK2 standard tyre and rim options

205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50 (winter tyre size)

205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45

205/50R16 6Jx17 ET45 (winter tyre size)

225/45R17 7Jx17 ET49

225/45R17 7.5Jx17 ET49

225/40R18 7.5Jx18 ET46

 

This is the only 7Jx17 ET49 rim that I've seen in the Skoda parts catalogue. The other 17" rims for the 225/45R17 tyre size are all 7.5J.

1	3T0601025B	Aluminium rim	7Jx17 ET49	4	VENUS
	3T0601025B 7ZS	chrome coloured metallic

 

Edited 13 March, 20233 yr by Carlston

6 hours ago, Lozer said:

Carlston, was a 16 inch wheel a standard size for a Superb MK2 with a 205/55R16 you suggested. The wheels I put on there are 6.5J. The reason I ask is the insurance company tell me if it's a standard wheel /tyre size that Skoda fit it's not a modification. I can't seem to find the answer to that question. 

 

I think you will find that it's not about whether something is a modification but whether something is a "significant" modification. After all, if a modification is not significant, it's not going to affect the insurance group of the car.

 

When I phoned my insurance company the main thing they seemed to be concerned about was that you didn't increase the performance of the car. They also said that changing to a one size different tyre size from standard was not a problem.

 

When you buy a new car, you might be able to choose from a range of tyre sizes, and I'm not aware that choosing 225/40R18 over 205/55R16 for your factory build increases the insurance group of the car, where all other things are equal such as engine and trim level, etc.

 

As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, 205/55 fitted to a 6.5J rim is perfectly normal, so I woudn't regard that as a signicant modification over fitting a 205/55R16 to a 6J or 7J rim. Also, if Skoda had been selling the Superb MK2 with 205/55R16 tyres fitted to all of the allowable rim widths, ie. 5,5J, 6J, 6.5J, 7J, and 7.5J, the insurance group would be the same for all cars providing all other things were equal.

 

ETRTO approved rim widths

205/55 5.5-6.5-7.5

 

Edited 13 March, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thanks Carlston, much appreciated. Looks like 205 55 16 would be the way forward. I did like the 215 60s I put on, hugely improving the ride, however they were only borrowed to try. 

Loz

Loz, I'm giving a rare disagreement with a small bit of something @Carlston has put.

 

Just a warning, different insurance companies have different approaches and acceptance on different polices and at different times, perhaps even who you get answering your enquiry.  Check and whatever reply is given get it recorded and get it in writing preferably paper and ink (or ask them for the audio of your call, AFAIK they can't refuse but will probably mess up the copy of any recording, that's if they know how to get it).

 

Make no assumptions (but I'd not think (generally) going to appropriate 16" wheels and tyres to the model will cause an issue but you never know for sure at anytime).

 

Generally insurance companies and providers are very good but can be a right PITA to deal with (if you can now directly) when things go wrong and particularly wrong by them.

 

I think 16" wheels and tyres are a much better idea (and look) than 18" or even 17", 19" is well beyond for me but each to their own.   

8 minutes ago, nta16 said:

I'm giving a rare disagreement with a small bit of something @Carlston has put.

 

All UK insurance companies are governed by UK courts.

 

That doesn't leave them room to deny cover on the basis of an insignificant factor.

True but you don't want to be arguing about what is an insignificant factor, even things written in tablets of stone are open to interpretation.  If the wheels and tyres are stock to that model I can't see how it'd cause issue.  Having dealt with insurance companies over decades I know some things can be or become quite fluid and that was in the days you could actually get to talk to a real person that isn't just a contract call-centre or computer program.  If going through a broker it can often be easier.

 

It should just be a matter of informing the insurer, hopefully no admin charge but that might depend on how cheap your policy is.

 

You could get a free professional opinion and perhaps advice on this site from one or two insurers in the Insurance & Legal Issues section. -https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/247-insurance-legal-issues/

 

Given that the tyre pressures for 205/55x16 are printed on the car (inside fuel flap), it would be particularly hard for an insurance company to claim that they are not a standard fitment; they might be optional, but they are still standard. 

 

Personally I have never bothered informing my insurer when I fit this size; for the winter.  My personal experience (recent claim) is that the loss assessor never batted an eyelid at them, even though he had acknowledged their presence on the car.

If the car varies from as factory suppled as regard wheels and tyres in theory the insurers want to know even Dealer or factory items options, even if on the car when purchased s/h.

 

Fitting winter tyres is a different matter and your personal recent experience with the loss assessor is good, get particularly an engineer type they can sometimes be different in my personal experience, or on the other side you can get someone that accepts any information you're able to give them to save them time as they're so overworked and underpaid, might also depend on who's in what  mood they're in at the time.

 

Sorting out any insurance is rarely fun so anything that might cause a snag is best avoided as Sod's Law it crops up when least appreciated.

 

I'm sure any sensible insure person would be pleased that Loz is fitting more sensible wheels and tyres and if contacted might even say it's fine and they didn't need contacting about it but there are so many variations and it depends on what the application and policy asks for.

 

Some people think the contracts are as they believe they should be or have heard down the pub or on t'web rather than what's actually in the contract and generally accepted, one common example is someone has an accident or damage and reports it but doesn't claim so they think this shouldn't have any effect on next year's premium or that they don't need to report the accident or damage and as for what refund some expect from closing the policy early.

 

I'm not the insurance police and looking for petty point scoring, quick phone call or email should sort stuff like this easily or as I suggested ask the professionals via the link I put earlier - or ignore me, I won't feel slighted. 😄  

 

I had a long chat with thr insurance company today, hardwork to say the least. 

The upshot is, wheel change is a modification even if its a recommended manufacturer size. 

Interestingly, wernt that bothered about tyres until I quizzed them on the acceptable size and they said they don't suggest or recommend tyre size, and finally they conceded and said as long as its in the handbook.   

Upshot is   £130 extra for wheel modifications. 

Loz

I'd be seeking new insurance quotes come renewal time