Change tyre size, stupid idea?

CoBo55

Hi all. I have a 191 Superb which will need new tyres soon. It has the original Nexen 215/60 16's. I've noticed on the various sites 205/55 16's are a bit cheaper and more importantly there's much more choice in this size. Would I be asking for trouble changing to the 205/55 17's? I will be changing all 4 at the same time.

joeysoap

Will the 17 ‘s fit?

con747

What price are you getting for the original size versus your other option and what make and model tyre? Changing 2 aspects of the tyre size could affect handling and fuel economy.

CoBo55

joeysoap wrote: »

Will the 17 ‘s fit?

Sorry I edited my post it should have been 16's.

micah537

There will be about 5kmph in the difference when doing 100kmph.
There is over an inch difference in circumference.

No idea about safety.

grogi

CoBo55 wrote: »

Hi all. I have a 191 Superb which will need new tyres soon. It has the original Nexen 215/60 16's. I've noticed on the various sites 205/55 16's are a bit cheaper and more importantly there's much more choice in this size. Would I be asking for trouble changing to the 205/55 17's? I will be changing all 4 at the same time.

The 205/55 is significantly smaller than 215/60. Not only they will look ridiculous, the balance will be altered.

You could go 225/55, 205/60, 205/65 etc, but best to stay within homologated size.

Get those https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre/nexen-n-blue-hd-plus-215-60-r16-95-h#342778382 and move on.

CoBo55

https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre/michelin-primacy-4-205-55-r16-91-h-s2#342554766
versus https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre/michelin-primacy-4-215-60-r16-95-h-s1#343056435
There just seems to be a lot bigger choice in the 205/55's They're a good bit cheaper too.

CoBo55

grogi wrote: »

The 205/55 is significantly smaller than 215/60. Not only they will look ridiculous, the balance will be altered.

You could go 225/55, 205/60, 205/65 etc, but best to stay within homologated size.

Get those https://www.oponeo.ie/tyre/nexen-n-blue-hd-plus-215-60-r16-95-h#342778382 and move on.

That's what I'm afraid of, that they'll look terrible. Thanks for the link but I was wanting to try another brand as I found the Nexen to be quite noisy.

con747

Why Michelin? Plenty of other cheaper and as good brands out there. Just make sure you get the rating your happy with and the decibel levels you can live with. Do you need just a summer tyre or an all season tyre, if you hit some ice or snow a lot in winter it could be worth the all season if living in the country. The Michelins are here https://www.tyre-guru.ie/search?sortCode=price_asc&minPrice=&maxPrice=&season=So&width=215&profile=60&size=16&speedRating=H&loadIndex=91&brand=Michelin&priceCategory=recommended&clientReviewsRating=&isRunflat=&reinforced=&cTire=&rimProtection=&sealLayer=&noiseReduction=&vehicleTypes=PKW&vehicleTypes=RACE_PKW&vehicleTypes=LLKW&vehicleTypes=VINTAGE_PKW&vehicleTypes=OFF

zg3409

Beware you need to notify your insurance your car is now not as it left the factory spec, they will suddenly care if you have a claim as any changes might change handling.

CoBo55

con747 wrote: »

Why Michelin? Plenty of other cheaper and as good brands out there. Just make sure you get the rating your happy with and the decibel levels you can live with. Do you need just a summer tyre or an all season tyre, if you hit some ice or snow a lot in winter it could be worth the all season if living in the country. The Michelins are here https://www.tyre-guru.ie/search?sortCode=price_asc&minPrice=&maxPrice=&season=So&width=215&profile=60&size=16&speedRating=H&loadIndex=91&brand=Michelin&priceCategory=recommended&clientReviewsRating=&isRunflat=&reinforced=&cTire=&rimProtection=&sealLayer=&noiseReduction=&vehicleTypes=PKW&vehicleTypes=RACE_PKW&vehicleTypes=LLKW&vehicleTypes=VINTAGE_PKW&vehicleTypes=OFF

I just picked the Michelin for my comparison to show the price difference. I think I'll go with the nexen grogi linked to, there's 41k on what I have so I can't complain on their longevity anyway.

colm_mcm

Get a price on Good Year Efficient Grip Performance. They’re very quiet and slow wearing, very good grip too. Best all round tyre I ever had.
There’s a new version 2 out now that gives even better mileage.

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Get a price on Good Year Efficient Grip Performance. They’re very quiet and slow wearing, very good grip too. Best all round tyre I ever had.
There’s a new version 2 out now that gives even better mileage.

There are two types of those Nexens, recent are rated B/B and 68dB.

But if you want something premium, go to tyrecomp.ie, select size and select premium brands. Get the cheapest tyre from those listed, well below 100/pct. The performance among the premium brands is very similar. Pirelli Cinturaro seems decent for very good money.

CoBo55

Thanks for the tips lads I'm on my phone now, I'll have a look on the laptop later.

Spook_ie

Always found this site to be useful for giving a visual comparison

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

CoBo55

Spook_ie wrote: »

Always found this site to be useful for giving a visual comparison

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

That's a great site thanks for the link. The 205/55's would look terrible I'll stick with the size that's on it now. You wouldn't believe the difference until they're placed side by side.

Poulgorm

Slightly off topic, but not worth a new thread. I have a front wheel drive car and I have an immediate need for 2 new rear tyres.

I am thinking of Nokian Wetproof: they have an A rating for the wet braking & 68 rating for sound - my current tyres (Continental) are good, but quite noisy. Any views on Nokian Wetproof?

Before winter, I will need 2 tyres for the front: I am thinking of going all season for these. Anything wrong with all season at the front and summer tyres at the back? (Front wheel drive).

Thanks, in advance.

CoBo55

Poulgorm wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but not worth a new thread. I have a front wheel drive car and I have an immediate need for 2 new rear tyres.

I am thinking of Nokian Wetproof: they have an A rating for the wet braking & 68 rating for sound - my current tyres (Continental) are good, but quite noisy. Any views on Nokian Wetproof?

Before winter, I will need 2 tyres for the front: I am thinking of going all season for these. Anything wrong with all season at the front and summer tyres at the back? (Front wheel drive).

Thanks, in advance.

68db is a good rating for noise, I'm not a fan of mixing tyres tbh I'd put the same on the front when needed. Mine have become quite noisy as the thread is approaching 4mm depth, they had a noise rating of 71db originally.

Spook_ie

Poulgorm wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but not worth a new thread. I have a front wheel drive car and I have an immediate need for 2 new rear tyres.

I am thinking of Nokian Wetproof: they have an A rating for the wet braking & 68 rating for sound - my current tyres (Continental) are good, but quite noisy. Any views on Nokian Wetproof?

Before winter, I will need 2 tyres for the front: I am thinking of going all season for these. Anything wrong with all season at the front and summer tyres at the back? (Front wheel drive).

Thanks, in advance.

The problem you might get when putting new grippier tyres on the front come Winter when the rears will lose their grip easily compared to the front and put you into a rear wheel skid, recomendation from UniRoyal and the like is newer tyres ( grippier ) go on the back

https://www.uniroyal-tyres.com/car/tyre-guide/tyre-knowledge/good-tyres-on-front-or-rear#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20the%20drive%20type,tracking%20stability%20of%20a%20vehicle.

grogi

Poulgorm wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but not worth a new thread. I have a front wheel drive car and I have an immediate need for 2 new rear tyres.

I am thinking of Nokian Wetproof: they have an A rating for the wet braking & 68 rating for sound - my current tyres (Continental) are good, but quite noisy. Any views on Nokian Wetproof?

Before winter, I will need 2 tyres for the front: I am thinking of going all season for these. Anything wrong with all season at the front and summer tyres at the back? (Front wheel drive).

Thanks, in advance.

Regardless of the type of the car, fwd or rwd, put better tyres at the back.

Understeering is much less dangerous than oversteering. Understeering you get when front tyres start to loose grip. It is something most drivers feel is coming, and can compansate within a reason.

Oversteering is fun when you know it might come and trained previously to deal with. Deadly if you didn't.