Hi,

Firstly I know there are already topics on this and I will understand if the Administrator does tag this onto another existing topic, but from what I have read so far I can't find the thoughts on the issues I want to raise !!

This is my first message on the Superb forum.

History

In September 24, I bought a new 1.5TSi manual Karoq Sportline, and immediately changed the 19" alloys to 17" Ratikon alloys with Continental Allseason 2 - 215/55/R17 -98V XL.

This was due to need for comfort as both my wife and myself have neck injuries from previous RTA's. The ride on the 19's was horrible.

Wrong Car Choice!!

I thought I could downsize from a Passat Estate, but can't so have ordered a new Superb Estate SEL 1.5 to be delivered in September 26

The Karoq is going in the next few weeks.

Queries

1/ Can I put the Ratikons with the AS2's onto the Superb ?? - The spec for the Ratikons is 7J x17 ET45

I see from various sources that for the Superb at 17" the ET should be 38-42

The 18" Dofida Alloys that come with the car are 8J x 18 ET44

Does the odd mm difference actually make a difference!! - would I need spacers etc??

I have been told that the brake size may prohibit any downsizing anyway - is that true??

I have been on websites that compare wheel sizes etc, and there doesn't appear to be a circumference issue

Would this change make the warranty null and void ??

2/ Do the Dofidas have rim protection??

3/ Comfort - Whilst my test drive was in an SEL with 18's the ride wasn't bad at all but the trip was on good roads and I couldn't go on the back roads.

I am concerned about the ride on the poor potholed roads around Southampton.

Are the 18's good enough anyway - what are people's experience ?

Have people changed to Allseason type tyres on the 18's or downsized ? I realise 98V XL may stiffen up the ride anyway!!

4/ Driveability - have people that have downsized from 18 to 17 noticed any difference in handling ??

Sorry for the length of this and all the questions, but if the Ratikon's are no good then I want to sell them to fund either new alloys or all weather tyres on the 18's (the Continental AS2 on 18" is 235/45/R18 98Y - which may stiffen the ride !!)

Many Thanks

7 hours ago, SaintViking said:

...have ordered a new Superb Estate SEL 1.5 to be delivered in September 26...

The standard 16" and 17" wheel sizes for the Superb MK4 are as shown in the chart below.

215/55R17 7Jx17 ET45 (from Karoq) is very close to 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET43 (from Superb MK4), ie. only 2mm difference in the offset. The Superb MK4 will drive fine with these Karoq wheels.

215/55R17 7J wheels are going to be noticeably more comfortable than 235/45R18 8J wheels. For 215/55R17 tyres, my preference would be narrower 6.5J rims because narrower rims provide better protection from kerbing damage (because the sidewalls bulge out more).

16" wheels will also fit the Superb MK4 1.5TSI, ie. clear the brake calipers. So 215/60R16 is also an option.

Notice below, that a 6Jx16 ET43 steel rim weighs about 7.60kg, whereas a 6Jx16 ET43 alloy rim weighs about 10kg...ie. the steel rim weighs about 2.4kg less...multiple that weight saving by four (or five if including a spare wheel) and that's 9.6kg or 12kg less weight. 18" and 19" alloy rims weigh a lot more than 16" alloy rims at about 14kg each.

Some owners say that you must stick to Skoda approved wheel sizes or you could invalidate your insurance.

Standard 16" and 17" wheel sizes (Superb MK4)

215/60R16 7Jx16 ET43

215/55R17 7Jx17 ET43

215/55R17 7.5Jx17 ET41

Some non-standard 16" and 17" rim sizes for Superb MK4

6Jx16 ET43 (Karoq)

6.5Jx16 ET41 (Superb MK3)

6.5Jx17 ET41 (Superb MK3)

6.5Jx17 ET38 (Kodiaq MK1)

6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Karoq) (10kg)

https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/karoq/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/16-889.html

Alcar 6665 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Karoq) (7.60kg)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR6665

6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Superb MK3) (9.9kg)

https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/superb-3/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/16-889.html

Alcar 8426 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Superb MK3) (8.47kg)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182143996746511472&rimCode=ALCAR8426

6.5Jx17 ET41 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Superb MK3) (11.7kg)

https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/superb-3/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/17-895.html

6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Kodiaq MK1) (11.5kg)

https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/kodiaq/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/17-895.html

Alcar 9021 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Kodiaq MK1) (11.58kg)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=639488607098246256&rimCode=ALCAR9021

Edited 4 May4 May by Carlston

Carlston, you are a mine of information !!

Thank you for your time it took to respond to my message.

There is a lot of info to digest, and you have given a number of options which I have the time to look into.

Thanks again.

I have a 2024 SEL 4 x 4 with the 18in wheels. I live in North Scotland so have to either get spare wheels and winter tyres or all season tyres. I have opted to fit Michelin Cross Climate 2 to the standard 18in wheels. I have also switched from a Passat Alltrack estate which I also ran with all season tyres. I would say that the ride and comfort in the Superb is the same or even better than the Passat, both on 18in wheels.

From Cariston's reply above it looks like you could fit the 17in wheels you already have, but I have no problems recomendng the all season tyres.

14 minutes ago, John517 said:

I have a 2024 SEL 4 x 4 with the 18in wheels. I live in North Scotland so have to either get spare wheels and winter tyres or all season tyres. I have opted to fit Michelin Cross Climate 2 to the standard 18in wheels. I have also switched from a Passat Alltrack estate which I also ran with all season tyres. I would say that the ride and comfort in the Superb is the same or even better than the Passat, both on 18in wheels.

From Cariston's reply above it looks like you could fit the 17in wheels you already have, but I have no problems recomendng the all season tyres.

The A95 is alright - when they clear it. A few years ago, I went up the Ben in the snow in an AWD car on all seasons... big mistake! I had to leave the car in Glenrinnes for a few days😂