Hello,

Just bought a 1.5 tsi automatic 2024 2WD that came with bridgestone turanza eco in 18 inch 215/50/18.

I dont really like them (noisy and not comfrotable, crashy over rough surfaces)

Can someone please advice If I am able to change to same size but better profile - more comfortable?

Or shall i change to 17 inch wheels - I'm not sure if any of these changes will invalidate my insurance or warranty?

Has anyone have any similar experience in getting rid of the horrible Bridgestones?

Cheers,

Kannanni

I switched the OEM Bridgestones to Michelin Crossclimate (same size) on my old SE L.

Marginally quieter, but little difference in ride quality.

Unfortunately never driven a Karoq with 17" wheels so not able to comment.

My old Yeti rode much better on it's 16" steel rims and Winter tyres, although that had a more sophisticated rear suspension setup than the Karoq.

Search this forum for tyres, there is a member who has posted some very useful replies which list all the possible sizes and profile combinations. Most owners complain about the 19 inch rims with R40 tyres. ECO tyres are often stiffer, another factor is the beam axle rear suspension on 2wd versions - 4x4 models have the multilink rear suspension.

My 1.5 Sportline did 60 miles from new before I changed from 19 inch to 17 inch with 215/55 R17 Continental All Season 2.

The result is a better ride over potholes etc.

The trade off is that the steering isn't quite as precise, but I am happy to live with that.

Personally I also think the car looks better with more tyre on show

Life is all about compromises

As someone considering a Karoq SEL, this is disconcerting. I really don't understand the entire industry fascination with oversized wheels with excessively low profiles, totally unsuited to the current state of UK roads. You can't even spec an SEL with 17" instead of 18".

You can't increase the profile on the same size rime as that would increase the overall diameter. That may result in clearance issues but will definitely screw with the car's electronics calibration. You would have to drop to 17" with the 55 profile, as @SaintViking says. You'll also need to notify your insurer of the modification so may be worth checking with them first. It may just be a note of the policy or it may require an additional premium.

I have an 2024 SEL and TBH dont find the 18" on Bridgestones a problem!. The recommended ECO tyre pressures do seem a bit high at 2.5bar, whereas my previous 2021 was 2.1bar. I tend to run mine at around 2.3 to 2.4.

I can confirm that I spoke to my insurers about going from 19 inch to 17 inch with the appropriate change in tyre profile, and they just noted it in their files.

I followed the Skoda brochure on wheel/tyre profile combinations, and even bought Skoda Ratikon alloys (actually mainly because I like the simple design).

The choice of tyre was down to the fact that the majority of my annual mileage is done on autumn/winter/spring,, so all season tyres made sense. After that it was a question of which tyre

I visited the tyrereviews.com website to get some idea what was around, and the comfort levels etc of each tyre.

So far no regrets

5 hours ago, SaintViking said:

I can confirm that I spoke to my insurers about going from 19 inch to 17 inch with the appropriate change in tyre profile, and they just noted it in their files.

I followed the Skoda brochure on wheel/tyre profile combinations, and even bought Skoda Ratikon alloys (actually mainly because I like the simple design).

The choice of tyre was down to the fact that the majority of my annual mileage is done on autumn/winter/spring,, so all season tyres made sense. After that it was a question of which tyre

I visited the tyrereviews.com website to get some idea what was around, and the comfort levels etc of each tyre.

So far no regrets

Suspect they will me much less prone to kerbing too👍

Out of interest do you mind me asking if you went through a Skoda dealer to obtain the Ratikon alloys?

I recently switched from a 2023 SE L to a Sportline Edition and to be honest early indications are there is little different in ride comfort between 18" & 19", although the 225/40/19 Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres offer very little protection to the wheel rim 😬

Although I wanted the Sportline, (and found a good deal) I had heard many stories about the hard ride, and with my wife and I having dodgy necks, I decided to change the wheels right at the start.

So when I bought the car from the Skoda main dealer, I did a deal on the 17 inch Ratikons - they supplied only a set of four for me.

I then took the alloys (and some wheel bags) to my tyre shop who then put the tyres on the alloys and swapped the 19's for the 17's on the car.

The bags with the 19's are now sitting in the corner of my garage, and are not likely to move for a good while.

As people say an added benefit is better rim protection, which I have to quietly admit has come in very useful

42 minutes ago, SaintViking said:

Although I wanted the Sportline, (and found a good deal) I had heard many stories about the hard ride, and with my wife and I having dodgy necks, I decided to change the wheels right at the start.

So when I bought the car from the Skoda main dealer, I did a deal on the 17 inch Ratikons - they supplied only a set of four for me.

I then took the alloys (and some wheel bags) to my tyre shop who then put the tyres on the alloys and swapped the 19's for the 17's on the car.

The bags with the 19's are now sitting in the corner of my garage, and are not likely to move for a good while.

As people say an added benefit is better rim protection, which I have to quietly admit has come in very useful

Many thanks - definitely food for thought👍

Hi , I have a Skoda Superb that uses 18" alloy wheels.The ride was OK but it came with Pirelli tyres.

Changed them to Michelin Primacy 4+ and played about with tyre pressures and settled at 37 psi ( Skoda recommend ) Ride very good quite and good around tyre.( Michelin Primacy 5 is a better tyre )

Had car serviced and garage told me pressure to high.Adjusted to what psi no idea but results not good.

What I am trying to say is it worth adjusting tyre and playing about with driving setting.

Just a thought.

Totally agree with super717, you should try all options.

For me , because of neck problems, the ride quality needed to be dealt with immediately.

Also the state of the roads in our area is not good, so I decided to go straight to the nuclear option of changing the wheels.

I have read on this forum that people have had success in changing away from the Bridgestones and playing with the tyre pressures.

My dilemma was that I might "waste" money changing the tyres etc but not achieve the results we wanted.

My wife has a Golf SV with 55 profile tyres and I have an Passat with 45 tyres. The ride in the Golf is much "kinder" (I know that's not scientific !!)

That kind of guided me.