Feckin' strange size tyres

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Rob Earl

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Got a nail through one of the rears last week causing a slow puncture.
Kept on pumping it up with the intention of getting it repaired this weekend. Unfortunately, it went completely flat last night and Wifey drove about 20 yards without realising it was flat before pumping it up again.
Flat this morning, so put the spare on. The tyre can't be repaired as it had been driven flat and knackered the inside.
Have rung around about eleventy dozen tyre places but no-one has one of these tyres in stock and all are quoting delivery of about 3-4 weeks.
Not worth going for a different make as the tyres only have 1500miles on them & I'm not mis-matching.
Aaaarrrggghh!!!

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm
New A2 - Ebony Black, Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
Found a tyre at ATS, Elephant & Castle. Not my idea of fun, driving in London on a Saturday but it's the only tyre which has been found so far.
£110. 185/50/16 Michelin Premacy. What have other people paid for this tyre? I have a feeling this is a bit steep but I'm gonna pay it - unfortunately.

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm
New A2 - Ebony Black, Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
Rob. Have you tried Costco? There is one at Lakeside retail park. Last time I asked they were £85 I think, I did post it on the forum at the time.
 
Rob , I've just had a thought, Elite tyres Dagenham, very big depot, and very easy to get to from Dartford tunnel (about 10 mins). They are in the phone book, Costco often involves a visit to check availability. I've always found their prices competetive and excellent service. This is not a plug for them, just trying to help Rob out. With luck like his he needs help!!!!
 
Michelin 185/50R16V tyres are listed at £80.37 on the www.topgear.co.uk site.

195/50R16 tyres will also fit the 6" rims and are often cheaper than the 185/50R16 size. They only raise the gearing by 1.7%, so the speedo should be more accurate as it normally over-reads slightly.
 
i managed to get hold of Dunlop SP9000 for £92.00 fully fitted and balanced.
Up in Manchester i think the Mitchelins are fully fitted for £134.00 so i think the prices you got for the tyres not too bad, but the tyres are still too expensive for what they are!!
I think when i replace my front tyres i will probably get Dunlop SP9000 they look alot better tyre and might wear better than the Mitchelins
Not impressed by them at all.[?]

cheers



A.D.Simmons
 
I was forced to replace a pair recently I had a pair of Dunlop 9000's fitted and 4 balances £188 at Motorsport Wheels in Leeds. They know how to treat alloys, not a scratch on them and they even remove the old weights with care! I had wanted Michelin but they were saying 3 months for stock!!! On a point of interest the Dunlops give excellent protection to the rim because of their design, and the tread pattern looks good and feels to perfom well.

Andrew - 2003 1.4 TDI Silver Climate
 
I can recommend www.mytyres.co.uk for planned tyre replacement. You order on the website and the tyres are courier delivered to your home. As you can see the Dunlops are £71.70 each.
Any fitting station will fit them for around £8 each.

Works out under £160 a pair, I just paid £220 at Northampton Tyres for a pair due to pot hole damage :(

dunlop.JPG


2002 TDi SE, Dolphin Grey,Black/grey interior,climate,CD.
 
Well, another slant, the front tyres on my A" were up for renewal and I had the same problem as you guys with the price, so bought a set of 4 tyres AND wheels from Montys Wheels and Tyres in Iver for £200, the tyres are brand new and the wheels as new, complete bargain methinks!

A2 1.4, Amulet red, open sky, solid rear seat and wee box
 
£200 is expensive. Stick some 14" VW Polo wheels on, and you can use cheap 165/70R14 tyres. Only cost about £30 each, and the ride is improved due to the higher sidewalls.

[24]
 
Yeah, and it looks dumb to boot!

A2 1.4, Amulet red, open sky, solid rear seat and wee box
 
Jon, I've since found out that a tyre place on Medway City Estate (can't remember the name now) had a couple in stock. I know you've got 17's, but for reference they seem cheap and hold a good stock. Local too!!

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm
New A2 - Ebony Black, Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
quote:Originally posted by smartboost

Michelin 185/50R16V tyres are listed at £80.37 on the www.topgear.co.uk site.

195/50R16 tyres will also fit the 6" rims and are often cheaper than the 185/50R16 size. They only raise the gearing by 1.7%, so the speedo should be more accurate as it normally over-reads slightly.
Click to expand...
Smartboost, are you sure the gearing will change or is it a typo error? If both tyres have the same aspect ratio (50) then the effective rolling dia will stay the same as will the gearing. The idea of fitting the 195 width is an interesting idea though, I'll check up on how the price compares. CostCo Leeds qouted me £84.47 per wheel fitted and balanced (Michellin Primus) for the 185/50/16's.
Has anyone fitted the 195/50/16's? I wonder if there are any clearence problems, especially at the front when on full lock? I'm guessing now but I reckon the 17" rims have at least 195 width tyres fitted so it shouldn't be a problem.
Cheers guys,

Lee T
'02' A2 TDI SE
Ebony Black
 
If you were to fit 195/50 instead of 185/50, the rolling radius would be larger.

Let me put on my maths head.
195mm = width
50% = width/sidewall ration
16" (406.4mm) = rim diameter
Therefore (195/2)+404.6 = 502.1mm overall diameter
Times Pi = 1577.4mm/wheel rev

Doing the same calculation for 185 section tyres gives the following answer.
1561.7mm/wheel radius.

In conclusion the 195 section wheel has a circumference 1% larger than the 185 tyres.


Someone tell me my maths is all wrong now :(

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm
New A2 - Ebony Black, Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
The rolling circumference of the 195/50R16 tyre is 1889 mm, and the 185/50R16 tyre is 1858 mm. Hence, the rolling circumference of the 195/50R16 tyre is 1.7% larger than the 185/50R16 tyre.

Calculations for the diameter of the 195/50R16 tyre:
(16 x 25.4) + (2 x 195 x 0.5) = 601.4 mm

Calculations for the diameter of the 185/50R16 tyre:
(16 x 25.4) + (2 x 185 x 0.5) = 591.4 mm

Therefore, by changing to the larger tyre you are adding 5mm to the radius.

However, if you want big brand name tyres at lower cost, then changing to the 175/60R15 wheels and tyres seems the way to go. It's possible to get Goodyears in this size for around £45 by mailorder.
 
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