The definitive tyre / wheel size thread

[`66Beetle]

If it helps, the only advice I can find on 14" Rims for the A2 is on Page 261 of my Owners Manual. O.K. it`s to do with Snow Chains but there is a table :-
Rim Size 4J x 14 Offset ET 35 Tyre Size 155/65. Rim Size 4.5J x 14 Offset ET 35 Tyre Size 155/65. Rim Size 5J x 15 Offset ET 28 Tyre Size 155/65.

 

[bretti_kivi]

Just picked up a set of Nokkian Hakka 7s 185/60/15 at €460 to be put on next week.....they might need some KMs to bed in.

Those prices seem high. I paid nowhere near that last year for my 195/50x15's Continental winters with Kwik Fit online last year! Can't find the receipt but seem to recall around £260-280 fitted.

^^ remember he lives in my neck of the woods now and those are completely "normal" .... we have the arctic version of everything and they're generally more expensive. Having said that, I think all of them are more expensive this year than last.

Bret

 

[Adrian888]

It was Aluminiums post i was referring to, but yes having had a look tyres prices seem to have jumped since last year.

 

[`66Beetle]

Make sure you check what your Insurers policy is on the fitting and use of Winter Tyres / Winter Wheels. I have used Winter Tyres for the last 15 year and never bothered before, because it is not a modification and is the safest option. However last winter, when more drivers than usual were using them for the first time, some insurers tried to make the rediculous claim that it was a modification and would not insure or charged extra premiums. It tells you all about it if you look at :- http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...in-the-uk.html This includes the statement from the Association of British Insurers :-

" According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
If anything winter tyres should reduce the accident risk and, by implication, drivers who fit them are likely to be more risk-conscious too.
The major motor insurers have all confirmed that they would not class fitting winter tyres as a material modification and it would not impact on the premium. The one condition would be that they would expect such tyres to be fitted by reputable garage/dealer, in accordance with the motor manufacturer's specifications.

Some said that they would not require the policyholder to tell the insurer these tyres had been fitted, but the ABI's advice is to play safe and tell your insurer anyway. "

 

[trex]

I'm thinking of changing my old 155/65R15 winter tyres with new 185/60R15 ones. I currently have the 8z0 601 027A (5J?) original rims. Could anyone confirm the new size will fit the old rims? I have a strange feeling that these are not wide enough and need changing.
Thank you.

 

[A2Z]

Does anyone know if 185 60 16 winter tyres will fit on the standard 16" SE wheels?

Or should i say i will they foul the arches as i know they will fit on the rims?

I have searched through every post on this thread and can't find an answer.

Thanks.

 

[Hooley]

Can report 185/65r15 vredstein snowpro's work well and don't rub

J


Posted from my iPlop...

 

[A2Z]

Can report 185/65r15 vredstein snowpro's work well and don't rub

J

Posted from my iPlop...

I've just checked the Rolling Circumferences of the different sizes and standard 185/50 16 is 1783.62mm, the 185/65 15's that you have on Hooley are 1874.4mm and the 185/60 16's that i'm looking at buying tomorrow because they're the right price and i thought would be comfortable (for winter tyres anyway) are 1895.21mm so 20mm bigger than yours and a whopping 111mm bigger than standard.

Not sure whether they will comfortably fit after reading that?

I guess the question to ask is does anyone know what the largest rolling circumference measurement is that will definitely fit without foulling?

 

[MikeMarsUK]

Someone posted a photo of the 185/65R15s earlier, there is very little clear space. I certainly wouldn't want to go any bigger.

 

[Hooley]

Just got rid of 195/65r15's and they rubbed on the front wheel arches on full lock
Much happier with 185's

J

Can take a picture if you like


Posted from my iPlop...

 

[A2Z]

Just got rid of 195/65r15's and they rubbed on the front wheel arches on full lock
Much happier with 185's

J

Can take a picture if you like


Posted from my iPlop...

I've just checked and the rolling circumference of your old 195/65 15's is 1913.61mm versus 1895.21mm of the 185/60 16's that i'm thinking of so it's going to be tight but possibly just ok?.

Still don't know whether to take the risk but they are cheap.

Also has anyone ever fitted runflats on their A2 as that's what the winter Conti's i'm looking at are?

 

[humps]

I've just checked and the rolling circumference of your old 195/65 15's is 1913.61mm versus 1895.21mm of the 185/60 16's that i'm thinking of so it's going to be tight but possibly just ok?.

Still don't know whether to take the risk but they are cheap.

Also has anyone ever fitted runflats on their A2 as that's what the winter Conti's i'm looking at are?

I've got winter conti's, the Winter Contact on 185/60/15. They are sung fit on my car which has lower Eibach springs. I wouldn't go 195/65.

 

[A2Z]

Cheers Humps but i was thinking of going 185/60 like you but on 16's rather than 15's not 195/65, that was what Hooley had on his car before he changed to the same size as yours.

Are yours run flats and if so how do you like them as i've heard stories of people with Bimmers changing them saying they're too hard a ride?

 

[spike]

Think its a legal requirement to have a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted with run flats.
This is what Bridgestone say about them -
Q. Can Runflat tyres be fitted to any car?
No, Runflat tyres should only be fitted to vehicles that are specifically designed for Run-Flats (Run Flat tyres as standard equipment), or at least, cars designed with that option in mind (Run Flat Tyres as optional equipment). Any vehicle that has Runflat tyres requires a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System or the driver might not realize that a tyre has been punctured. Furthermore, Runflat tyres are specifically tuned to the suspension of individual vehicles meaning they are inappropriate for fitment to other vehicles.

Cheers Spike

 

[A2Z]

Cheers Spike, think it's all mounting up that i should just look elsewhere.

Just thought it was a sensible option to consider run flats as if my wife or i did ever pick up a puncture they would prevent us getting stranded or having to mess around with gunk which in the dark cold of winter wouldn't be nice especially with kids.

Thought the bigger 60 profile side walls would also offset the harder ride of the run flats a tad and offer a little more comfort but being absolutely honest my primary reason was that they were really cheap!

Never mind and thanks again.

 

[humps]

All the bmw owners with run flats I know of hated it, ride is noticably harsher (although still way more comfortable than the A2). Regardless, you can't fit them as Spike says. My Contis are not run flats, they are the XL (extra load) version but I wasn't going to return for normal version for the trade prices I got them for and they seem nice and comfortable already.

As for puncture, I still think the best option is carry a space saver, not necessarily the A2 collapseable.

 

[A2Z]

Think its a legal requirement to have a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted with run flats.
This is what Bridgestone say about them -
Q. Can Runflat tyres be fitted to any car?
No, Runflat tyres should only be fitted to vehicles that are specifically designed for Run-Flats (Run Flat tyres as standard equipment), or at least, cars designed with that option in mind (Run Flat Tyres as optional equipment). Any vehicle that has Runflat tyres requires a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System or the driver might not realize that a tyre has been punctured. Furthermore, Runflat tyres are specifically tuned to the suspension of individual vehicles meaning they are inappropriate for fitment to other vehicles.

Cheers Spike

As a matter of interest do you know if that would be an MOT issue and would a car fail if they were fitted and weren't designed to be? I suppose the tester would have to spot that they were run flats first which i doubt most would.

 

[A2Z]

As for puncture, I still think the best option is carry a space saver, not necessarily the A2 collapseable.

I do have a spacesaver that is in the boot for any significant journey but i don't think my wife would be able to fit it to be honest and would ideally rather her not have to try with two little one's to tend to, if it was an option.

 

[Adrian888]

Using run-flats on a car not so designed would probably also be in breach of your car insurance terms and conditions...... It's bad eneough trying to get insurance companies to accept winter tyres are not a modification....

 

[mtl]

I have an offer for used original Audi 15 inch alloy wheels for Audi A3 year 2000. The specs are 6J, ET38, 5x100 with tires 195/65/15. Tires are already 7 years old so are not usable on the road any more, but I would get these wheels for weekend racing on the track. My question is, will these wheels with tires fit to A2 or will the tires touch some parts of the car since they are quite high?