The definitive tyre / wheel size thread

I would expect the 185/55/16 to read absolutely spot on.
The 195/55/16 currently on another thread would under read I would have thought ?

Thanks, I think I got the two threads mixed up somewhere.
 
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Tyres of the same Size from different Manufacturers can be very different in actual Size. I had 185 50 16 Michelin Alpin on the A2 for years. They were quite narrow and sort of curved round onto the Walls. Just put a Set of new Toyo S954 on in the same Size. They look a lot Wider and more Square, if you get my meaning. They make the A2 look better anyway. Not a bad price either £51 each from www.tyreleader.co.uk Delivered Free from Germany !
 
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Tyres of the same Size from different Manufacturers can be very different in actual Size. I had 185 50 16 Michelin Alpin on the A2 for years. They were quite narrow and sort of curved round onto the Walls. Just put a Set of new Toyo S954 on in the same Size. They look a lot Wider and more Square, if you get my meaning. They make the A2 look better anyway. Not a bad price either £51 each from www.tyreleader.co.uk Delivered Free from Germany !
Absolutely agree with that
Tyres of the same size can vary hugely, to the point where one tyre will foul and one won't!
Since wheel sizes on cars have got bigger, tyre manufacturers have had to alter the shape of the tyres on the larger sizes by rounding the corners to enable them to avoid fouling suspension, arches and liners etc and if you measure them you will find a lot of tyres now have less tread on the shoulders or outer tread areas than the centre.
Rim protectors make a big difference too, some have them, others very little exposing the rim to curb damage
 
The smaller offset (ET) means they will be nearer to the wheel arch. IE, an ET29 on a 6J rim will protrude from the hub more than an ET35 on the same 6J rim
 
The smaller offset (ET) means they will be nearer to the wheel arch. IE, an ET29 on a 6J rim will protrude from the hub more than an ET35 on the same 6J rim
Thanks, never really fully understood alloy numbers, so the lower the et the further out it stands? I’m really just after a more comfortable ride than the 17s I don’t like the other a2 standard wheels and have pepper pots on my other a2 so after something different. There are quite a few a1 alloy designs I like in 15 and 16 so thought they would fit ok.
 
Will et29 6j with 185/60/r15 fit without any spacers etc?

bretti_kivi
Member


should be fine. Might be tucked in quite a bit, though....

- Bret

They sound as though they could look good, obviously depending on the design and should be pretty flush with the arches with such a low offset, definitely won't look inset.

If you think of the standard 16" SE wheels which have an offset of 35, the wheels you propose will protrude by a further 6mm, so as if you had 6mm spacers fitted ?
 
... except these are only 6J. So there's half an inch less with, which 6mm won't fully compensate. I run 6.5 on ET38 and find them quite tucked.

- Bret
 
Hi All, I'm really new to the A2, but I've read the entire thread and now my head is aching?

I have standard SE alloys with 185/50/16 81H on the front and 81V on the back.

I've looked at various sites and as lots have said, there is a really narrow range for these. Having read everything, I'm now not sure if I should try 195/45/16, 195/50/16 or stick with the185/50/16. Also, the load ratings on some sites have them as 83 or 87, which seems a bit overkill?

I live in Scotland, so the majority of the year it can be below 7degC, so I was probably going to leave them on all year, as I have with other cars.

Sorry if this seems simple to some, but I think I've confused myself with so much info ?
 
Ah, yes, sorry. We do about 10000 miles a year and it's just for general use, back and forth to school for the kids and the odd day out here and there, so probably a mix of comfort and decent handling.
 
Hi All, I'm really new to the A2, but I've read the entire thread and now my head is aching?

I have standard SE alloys with 185/50/16 81H on the front and 81V on the back.

I've looked at various sites and as lots have said, there is a really narrow range for these. Having read everything, I'm now not sure if I should try 195/45/16, 195/50/16 or stick with the185/50/16. Also, the load ratings on some sites have them as 83 or 87, which seems a bit overkill?

I live in Scotland, so the majority of the year it can be below 7degC, so I was probably going to leave them on all year, as I have with other cars.

Sorry if this seems simple to some, but I think I've confused myself with so much info ?
185/50R16 is not a common size. However, the Vredestein Quatrac 185/50R16 81H is an excellent all-season tyre and the Michelin Alpin 6 185/50R16 81H is an excellent winter tyre. As you are based in Scotland and want to use your tyres all year round, then avoid summer tyres as their performance in the winter will not be safe and you will likely get stuck.

Vredestein Quatrac 185/50R16 81H


Michelin Alpin 6 185/50R16 81H


I've linked to mytyres for convenience, so try other online tyre websites as well.

If you want a softer ride then go down to 15" or even 14". 185/65R14 on 5Jx14 ET35 steel rims for example will give a very comfortable ride and keep the gearing standard.
 
You don’t mention budget, so without knowing this I personally would watch the recent tyre reviews video on all-season tyres and pick one of the top 5 / that comes in 195/50/16 flavour if 185 isn’t available.

Tyres are quite a subjective subject, I would go for the latest offering from Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear or Continental, most probably in that order of preference.
 
You don’t mention budget, so without knowing this I personally would watch the recent tyre reviews video on all-season tyres and pick one of the top 5 / that comes in 195/50/16 flavour if 185 isn’t available.

Tyres are quite a subjective subject, I would go for the latest offering from Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear or Continental, most probably in that order of preference.
Budget isn't really a problem. It was more to see what the difference was between the 3 different sizes? I.e. as you say, if 185/50 isn't available, then 195/50 is ok, but what are the differences?
 
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