Desmo
Member
VW BBS VR6
ET35
15x6
5x100
Part number 3A0 601 025A 091
Center cap 1H0 601 171B BXF
@ https://www.flickr.com/photos/wouterduijndam/
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The definitive tyre / wheel size thread
- Thread starter bretti_kivi
- Start date
VW BBS VR6
ET35
15x6
5x100
Part number 3A0 601 025A 091
Center cap 1H0 601 171B BXF
@ https://www.flickr.com/photos/wouterduijndam/
Proghound
Admin Team
OEM size was 175/60 on the 15". 175/65 would add to the comfort while not reducing the economy, and correct the usual slight speedo overread. 175/55 on the other hand would reduce the comfort from even the OEM sidewalls and make your speedo over-read more. If you prefer to go wider I'm sure someone will advise of the maximum width for that style of alloy, but 195/60 would be about as tall a sidewall as I'd want to go from the point of view of the speedo, slightly taller than the 175/65.
Ami
A2OC Donor
Thanks Ian,
ninjagordy
Member
Can't find anyone that's ran 205/50/17? Anyone tried them? Maybe a bit less harsh if they fit.
They are too big and will 100% rub
195/55R16 fitted to 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 rims don't rub.
Outside diameter of tyre
185/50R16 591.4mm
195/50R16 601.4mm (1.7% bigger than 185/50R16)
185/55R16 609.9mm (3.1% bigger than 185/50R16)
195/55R16 620.9mm (5.0% bigger than 185/50R16)
As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, a 6J rim width is "standard" for all four of these tyre sizes (hence 6.0 is highlighted in bold).
ETRTO approved rim widths for passenger car tyres
185/50R16 5.0-6.0-6.5
195/50R16 5.5-6.0-7.0
185/55R16 5.0-6.0-6.5
195/55R16 5.5-6.0-7.0
Out of these four 16" tyre sizes, 195/55R16 is generally the cheapest tyre size. But 185/65R15 has a similar outside diameter and is not just considerably cheaper, but the ride is considerably better. There's also less drag, so more mpg, possibly less road noise too. The weight of the wheel would also be less...a lot less if fitted to the super lightweight 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 Pepperpots that weigh only 5.7kg each. So all things considered, 15" is still the way to go.
Continental AllSeasonContact 2 185/65R15 88H (Euro label B B 71dB) (£77.30)
Continental AllSeasonContact 2 195/55R16 87H (Euro label B B 71dB) (£94.65)
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2work
Well Known Member
Evening,
Something Steve @A2Steve showed me a few years ago is the ‘will they fit’ website. I’m. I ryre expert at all but I found the information quite useful:
Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit
Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.
www.willtheyfit.com
Kind regards.
Tom
That is a very brave (and perhaps reckless statement) to make!
It certainly isn't one that I would make as I would hate someone to spend around £400 on my recommendation that turned out to cause problems, rub and be unfit to use.
Nothing that you have quoted confirms this and I only hope that you have personally used this size tyre yourself and can confirm from first hand experience that they 'don't rub' as you so confidently state.
I actually use oversized 185/55/16 winter tyres on factory 16" SE wheels on factory SE suspension myself, without problem but wouldn't be risking going any larger.
Remember, just because the tyres will fit on the rims as you state doesn't mean they will work on the car and if anyone wants to risk buying and fitting oversized 195/55/16 tyres (or 185/65/15 as you also suggest for that matter) I would be stating that they do so at their own risk and it would be that, a risk!!
195/55R16 ET35, 195/60R15 ET34, and 205/50R16 ET35 have all been fitted without rubbing. The chart below shows the actual inflated width of these tyres. Notice that a 195/55R16 fitted to a 6J rim is a lot narrower than a 205/50R16 fitted to a 7J rim...so will have a lot more clearance.
Actual inflated width of tyre
195/55R16 fitted to 6J rim 201mm
195/60R15 fitted to 6.5J rim 207mm
205/50R16 fitted to 7J rim 220mm
timmus 23 Jun 2017
"205/50R16 is a commonly used tyre size that is known to give no issues when fitted to alloys with a suitable offset"
www.a2oc.net
Providence 31 Oct 2019
No rubbing with a 195/60R15 6.5Jx15 ET34
www.a2oc.net
Jeff Sutcliffe 2 Oct 2020
"I had 195/55R16 on standard SE wheels...they didn't cause any problems and the speedo was absolutely accurate"
www.a2oc.net
Robin_Cox 2 Oct 2020
"I have a set of summer and a set of winters in this size (195/55R16) - they work fine"
www.a2oc.net
If in doubt about rubbing with the 6Jx16 ET35 rim, simply fit a more modest 185/55R16 or 195/50R16 tyre size. However, VAG now do a steel rim in the 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 specification, as linked to below. There really is no need to risk an expensive full set of four wheels to check for rubbing...just use one cheap steel rim and check in all four positions on the car. If there's no rubbing, then the steel rim can be used as a full size spare...although it's a little wide to fit in the spare wheel well...175/60R15 5.5Jx15 ET34 fits in the spare wheel well.
Alcar 6664 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 steel rim (same specification as SE alloy rim, so ideal for use as a full size spare)
www.mytyres.co.uk
Actual inflated width of tyre
195/55R16 fitted to 6J rim 201mm
195/60R15 fitted to 6.5J rim 207mm
205/50R16 fitted to 7J rim 220mm
timmus 23 Jun 2017
"205/50R16 is a commonly used tyre size that is known to give no issues when fitted to alloys with a suitable offset"
Audi A2 205/50/R16 Tyres
Hello All, I have recently purchased an Audi A2, so far I am loving ownership, however today I have had a passenger in with me and I think that I heard the wheel catching the wheel arch and/or liner now the wheels that are on the car are 205/50R16. I can't see any physical damage to the arch or...
www.a2oc.net
Providence 31 Oct 2019
No rubbing with a 195/60R15 6.5Jx15 ET34
195/60 R15 on 1.4 Sport.
Please see below a picture of my car. I obtained these wheels from A2Steve (thanks mate) and have immediately put some new Bridgestone Turanzas on them. The comfort level has improved very much over the RS4 215/40 R17 that they have replaced. In theory I have : Improved ride. Slimmer tyres...
www.a2oc.net
Jeff Sutcliffe 2 Oct 2020
"I had 195/55R16 on standard SE wheels...they didn't cause any problems and the speedo was absolutely accurate"
195 55 16 yes/no?
Hi all, I am not entirely sure if this size really fit, it is not on the ''definite sticky thread'' but as I searched through other posts there are several confirmations that this tyre size is ok and without any rubbing (for example on TT 16 7J ET31 wheels) but I would be really greatful if...
www.a2oc.net
Robin_Cox 2 Oct 2020
"I have a set of summer and a set of winters in this size (195/55R16) - they work fine"
195 55 16 yes/no?
Hi all, I am not entirely sure if this size really fit, it is not on the ''definite sticky thread'' but as I searched through other posts there are several confirmations that this tyre size is ok and without any rubbing (for example on TT 16 7J ET31 wheels) but I would be really greatful if...
www.a2oc.net
If in doubt about rubbing with the 6Jx16 ET35 rim, simply fit a more modest 185/55R16 or 195/50R16 tyre size. However, VAG now do a steel rim in the 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 specification, as linked to below. There really is no need to risk an expensive full set of four wheels to check for rubbing...just use one cheap steel rim and check in all four positions on the car. If there's no rubbing, then the steel rim can be used as a full size spare...although it's a little wide to fit in the spare wheel well...175/60R15 5.5Jx15 ET34 fits in the spare wheel well.
Alcar 6664 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 steel rim (same specification as SE alloy rim, so ideal for use as a full size spare)
ALCAR 6664. Only £ 54.50
ALCAR 6664 6.0x16 Offset: 35. Rim type : STEEL. Bolt pattern : 5/100.
www.mytyres.co.uk
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BigBang
Active Member
Jeez, why to fit impropper tyres at first place?
You measurement of the inflated tyre is nice, but doesn't reflect reality. As tyre size is not exactly defined, there are variations in size. For example my 185/50R16 Nexens are same width as former winter Nankangs 195/45R16...
You measurement of the inflated tyre is nice, but doesn't reflect reality. As tyre size is not exactly defined, there are variations in size. For example my 185/50R16 Nexens are same width as former winter Nankangs 195/45R16...
What rim widths were the 185/50R16 and 195/45R16 tyres fitted to?
How did you measure or compare the actual inflated widths of the 185/50R16 and 195/45R16 tyre sizes?
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Exactly, in fact even tyres of the same exact size measure and fit differently as they have different characteristics, some have more radiused shoulders to lessen the chances of rubbing, especially useful on more modern cars that are now wearing larger diameter wheels, 20 or 21" in a lot of cases, and some tyres also have much larger rim protectors which also effectively increases the width measurement too.
These are the reasons why it is not worth the risk of running tyres that are too oversized and 'could' rub as there are many other variables that affect this including different suspension set ups, the offset or et of the wheels as well as the diameter and width (J) too.
Best fit tyres of factory sizes if you're not sure or go with what others have successfully used leaving a tolerance. Generally one size up in section (width) is ok (which also slightly increases the sidewall depth too) or one size up in profile (sidewall depth) which obviously increases the depth more and is a greater risk but is 'usually' ok but never increase both the width and the depth as the overall increase is then around 5% or so which is too much.
It's also worth remembering that if you fit different widths of tyres to the same rims (of the same width) there is a limit to how different the actual width measurement of the tyre can be as it is somewhat restricted to the width of the wheel and fitting tyres that are too wide is not good as obviously fitting tyres that are too narrow isn't either. Both are stretched in opposite ways and cause premature wear to the sidewalls and prevent the sidewalls from functioning in the way they are designed too.
Wheels and tyres really are a mine field when you look into it and it's very easy to make an expensive mistake if you aren't careful, don't know what you're doing, or read too many stats off the internet!
I think you're missing the point somewhat.195/55R16 ET35, 195/60R15 ET34, and 205/50R16 ET35 have all been fitted without rubbing. The chart below shows the actual inflated width of these tyres. Notice that a 195/55R16 fitted to a 6J rim is a lot narrower than a 205/50R16 fitted to a 7J rim...so will have a lot more clearance.
Actual inflated width of tyre
195/55R16 fitted to 6J rim 201mm
195/60R15 fitted to 6.5J rim 207mm
205/50R16 fitted to 7J rim 220mm
timmus 23 Jun 2017
"205/50R16 is a commonly used tyre size that is known to give no issues when fitted to alloys with a suitable offset"
Audi A2 205/50/R16 Tyres
Hello All, I have recently purchased an Audi A2, so far I am loving ownership, however today I have had a passenger in with me and I think that I heard the wheel catching the wheel arch and/or liner now the wheels that are on the car are 205/50R16. I can't see any physical damage to the arch or...
Providence 31 Oct 2019
No rubbing with a 195/60R15 6.5Jx15 ET34
195/60 R15 on 1.4 Sport.
Please see below a picture of my car. I obtained these wheels from A2Steve (thanks mate) and have immediately put some new Bridgestone Turanzas on them. The comfort level has improved very much over the RS4 215/40 R17 that they have replaced. In theory I have : Improved ride. Slimmer tyres...
Jeff Sutcliffe 2 Oct 2020
"I had 195/55R16 on standard SE wheels...they didn't cause any problems and the speedo was absolutely accurate"
195 55 16 yes/no?
Hi all, I am not entirely sure if this size really fit, it is not on the ''definite sticky thread'' but as I searched through other posts there are several confirmations that this tyre size is ok and without any rubbing (for example on TT 16 7J ET31 wheels) but I would be really greatful if...
Robin_Cox 2 Oct 2020
"I have a set of summer and a set of winters in this size (195/55R16) - they work fine"
195 55 16 yes/no?
Hi all, I am not entirely sure if this size really fit, it is not on the ''definite sticky thread'' but as I searched through other posts there are several confirmations that this tyre size is ok and without any rubbing (for example on TT 16 7J ET31 wheels) but I would be really greatful if...
If in doubt about rubbing with the 6Jx16 ET35 rim, simply fit a more modest 185/55R16 or 195/50R16 tyre size. However, VAG now do a steel rim in the 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 specification, as linked to below. There really is no need to risk an expensive full set of four wheels to check for rubbing...just use one cheap steel rim and check in all four positions on the car. If there's no rubbing, then the steel rim can be used as a full size spare...although it's a little wide to fit in the spare wheel well...175/60R15 5.5Jx15 ET34 fits in the spare wheel well.
Alcar 6664 6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 steel rim (same specification as SE alloy rim, so ideal for use as a full size spare)
ALCAR 6664. Only £ 54.50
ALCAR 6664 6.0x16 Offset: 35. Rim type : STEEL. Bolt pattern : 5/100.
It's not just about width.
Rubbing is normally caused by the shoulders of the tyres fouling the inner wheel liners in the arches when either on full lock on the front axle (normally the n/s) or when going over speed bumps and catching at the rear (normally the o/s) which is due to the overall height, offset (tyre/wheel position) as well as width and you can't just quote figures of widths off the internet as gospel