The definitive tyre / wheel size thread

danp said:
So.. possibly in haste I bought some Audi 15" (speedline I think) alloys for our A2...I'd like to see what difference it makes comfort wise over the 16".

They are 6J, ET38 and do seem to fit the car OK - but tyres are 195/65.

So.. can anyone please advise:

1. ET number - is this OK - doesn't tally with the numbers listed on the first page.

"For most wheels, somewhere between 30 and 35 will work. ET37 is standard on the 5.5s, 35 on a 7.5 will be tight but should work. Significant discrepancies are bad and may need to be compensated with spacers.
The standard 7x17s are ET38, Parabols ("TT competition") are ET32. This is very close to the limit for 205s / 215s if the tread is to remain in the arch, which it must from a legal perspective."

2. Current tyre size - they don't seem to rub but is the increased diameter way too much to even use for a while?

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator

3. Future tyre size - will want some new tyres soon either way, I assume best to go for 175/60 or 165/65 if looking at comfort as opposed to outright grip.

Thanks! Dan
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Should have searched more beforehand, but I think these are the answers to my post, if anyone differs please say!

1. ET38 is OK
2. Not ideal!
3. 195/55/15 poss best compromise (ride/comfort/mass/rim protection), or 175/65/15 for more comfort
 
6J x 16H2 ET35 .. do I understand right?

Folks,

I have an SE 1.4TDI with 6 spoke alloys (PN 8Z0601025H)

Am I correct in understanding that the existing (worn, but once lovely & grippy)
Pirelli P6000 Powergy 185/50 R16 81V tyres on these wheels can be replaced by either

1. wider but lower profiles for example 195/50 R16 or 195/46 R16

or

2. same width but taller profile for example 185/55 R16; better for comfort.

I am specifically looking for confirmation please that these tyre sizes can be mounted on these wheels.

Many thanks
 
Hi

I have 195 45 r16 on my FSI and they are fine
To me they are a good compromise. Giving a firm but not harsh ride, an accurate speedo (reads 4 MPH faster than actual speed as do most standard readings) and as for kerb protection no tyre will provide that but they do give some with that width, more than the taller tyres, but not a lot

Steve B
 
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Are 15" A3 part no 8L0 601 025 ET38 any good for an A2?.....I suggested to a friend they would actually fit?
Cheers......
 
Hi, may ask how you made this calculation?
I just changed my standard 15" alloys with 175/60/15 tyres for steel wheels (from a VW Polo) with 195/55/15 winter tyres. There is a very slight pull to the left (possibly due to road camber or the fact that the tyres are pre-used and may have been used on different wheel positions to which I'm using) and when I asked a local independent tyre fitter he said the change would have an adverse effect on speedo accuracy and fuel consumption.
As far as ride quality goes, I would have to report that so far, it's no better, no worse.
Cheers
 
simes2024 said:
Hi, may ask how you made this calculation?
I just changed my standard 15" alloys with 175/60/15 tyres for steel wheels (from a VW Polo) with 195/55/15 winter tyres. There is a very slight pull to the left (possibly due to road camber or the fact that the tyres are pre-used and may have been used on different wheel positions to which I'm using) and when I asked a local independent tyre fitter he said the change would have an adverse effect on speedo accuracy and fuel consumption.
As far as ride quality goes, I would have to report that so far, it's no better, no worse.
Cheers
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Those two sizes are more or less identical and will not affect the speedo reading in any way that is noticeable.

They are both perfect for the A2 as far as diameter (rolling radius) is concerned.

Just use any tyre size comparison site (such as http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator) and you will see.


Remember that tyre fitters don't carry a complex formula in their head and so they were right to suggest that you should check, but not right that there is a problem.

As for ride quality, since there is no difference in the tyre wall size they would be the same ride comfort. (more or less)

The slight pull to the left does not relate to tyre size (as long as the tyres are the same size on both sides), so it is most likely the camber in the road, or uneven tyre pressure or uneven tyre wear between the two sides (or unlikely but possible, it could be a broken coil spring)
Steve B
 
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Birchall said:
Those two sizes are more or less identical and will not affect the speedo reading in any way that is noticeable.

They are both perfect for the A2 as far as diameter (rolling radius) is concerned.

Just use any tyre size comparison site (such as http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator) and you will see.


Remember that tyre fitters don't carry a complex formula in their head and so they were right to suggest that you should check, but not right that there is a problem.

As for ride quality, since there is no difference in the tyre wall size they would be the same ride comfort. (more or less)

The slight pull to the left does not relate to tyre size (as long as the tyres are the same size on both sides), so it is most likely the camber in the road, or uneven tyre pressure or uneven tyre wear between the two sides (or unlikely but possible, it could be a broken coil spring)
Steve B
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Many thanks for the informative reply.
I will get all the things checked you suggested in the last paragraph (tyre pressures are optimal as I adjusted that when I put the wheels on)
But I will start with checking the wheel alignment; I neglected to mention in my previous post that the tyres on the alloys I removed were both worn on the very inside edge (have done about 10000 miles since March) suggesting poor tracking, so you never know this may help with the pull to the left.
Best -Simon
 
I cannot find the definitive evidence that I'm looking for, but I'm fairly sure that 14" wheels will clear the calliper. I recall someone posting a photo of their A2 (that wasn't a 1.2TDI) on 14" steelies and everyone commenting on the huge tyres... but I can't find it.

As Steve says, there's a trade-off between looks/handling and comfort. If you've tried 15" wheels and want even more bounce, go for it. The A2's suspension is harsh, so I understand the desire to soften things up as much as possible, even if that means compromising the sharp cornering.

Cheers,

Tom
 
To back up Tom's theory -
When I got my A2 in 2001 I asked a work associate from Sweden about winter tyres. As there were virtually no suitable 15" tyres available he said the popular work around was to use 14" Polo rims which allowed a greater selection of cheaper and readily available snow tyres.
I'm not sure of the current price differential between 14" and 15" snow tyres but unless it was significant, I'd stick with 15" rims.


Cheers Spike
 
Cheers everyone. It was just a thought; I discussed with Birchall a couple of weeks ago about my putting on 15" steels with winter tyres. The bloke I bought them off said they were from a Polo....it later occurred to me that steels on a Polo are 14" (as you said above), which got me thinking if anyone had tried it successfully (while clearing the from disk caliper) - fyi I will stick with the 15s; I don't want to cough up more dosh for 14s as I took a £300 gamble on these winter steels 15s. A gamble that hasn't really paid off.
 
simes2024 said:
Cheers everyone. It was just a thought; I discussed with Birchall a couple of weeks ago about my putting on 15" steels with winter tyres. The bloke I bought them off said they were from a Polo....it later occurred to me that steels on a Polo are 14" (as you said above), which got me thinking if anyone had tried it successfully (while clearing the from disk caliper) - fyi I will stick with the 15s; I don't want to cough up more dosh for 14s as I took a £300 gamble on these winter steels 15s. A gamble that hasn't really paid off.
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I've been running 14" Polo wheels the last 2 winters without problems.

I contemplated Steels, but decided to plump for alloys after I found a design I liked. Cost less, with a better resale value!

Misano's, a late Mk 4 design
4-x-vw-original-felgen-misano-15-zoll-polo-golf-v-touran.jpg
 
Well, just fitted four new summer tyres. Went for 195/55 x 15 on my spare set of pepperpots.

Having 175/60x15 for the winters, there's not a lot of extra tyrewall but the ride difference is noticeable as is high speed stability with the extra width.

And as for a ride comparison with the stock 185/50x16s ......... Different league!

I chose Hankook Kinergy K425 tyres as a good blend of noise, grip and economy ratings as well as costing only £59 a pop. A 5 mile motorway trip proved them to be quiet.
 
Gonzo said:
Well, just fitted four new summer tyres. Went for 195/55 x 15 on my spare set of pepperpots.

Having 175/60x15 for the winters, there's not a lot of extra tyrewall but the ride difference is noticeable as is high speed stability with the extra width.

And as for a ride comparison with the stock 185/50x16s ......... Different league!

I chose Hankook Kinergy K425 tyres as a good blend of noise, grip and economy ratings as well as costing only £59 a pop. A 5 mile motorway trip proved them to be quiet.
Click to expand...

Yeah I reckon a lot of the winter wheelers swapped back to summers last weekend or this. I put my 15" pepperpots back on but they didn't drive so well as the fronts are worn from bad tracking. Will look at the Hankooks, though I heard somewhere, perhaps on A2OC that Kleber tyres were good for A2s so may investigate that further
 
Just picked up a set of Audi 15 inch pepper pots which I'm planning on putting a set of winter tyres on! Couple of queries, will I need different bolts given these are steel and does anyone recommend an ideal size for winters?
 
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