[narayan]

Guys what is a good tyre size upgrade for the Bolt. Want to go just 1 size up to 185 section from stock 175 section. My priorities are comfort, FE and long tyre life. Also what would be approx prices if I give off the stock tyres in exchange ? Thanks

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by narayan

Guys what is a good tyre size upgrade for the Bolt. Want to go just 1 size up to 185 section from stock 175 section. My priorities are comfort, FE and long tyre life. Also what would be approx prices if I give off the stock tyres in exchange ? Thanks

When we had an Indica V2 we had upgraded to 185 Size Apollo Amazer Tyres. It worked very well and the car became a lot grippier around corners. Mated to a decent set of Alloys this change worked wonders on that car.
It was about 3.5 years old when we did this upgrade from the stock tyres and we used the car for another 4.5 years more before selling it on.
It had done about 65K Kms in this time.
All in all a good decision.

[vivekgk]

I am using 185/65 R14 tyres on Indigo CS. They rub the mudflaps on full lock, and will shred the mudflaps within a couple of months.

Regarding your Bolt, I'm assuming that the original size is 175/65 R15. Then you can upsize to 185/65R15. Slightly larger dia, but the taller sidewall helps the ride and reduces rim bending issues and thicker section will help in grip. Don't go for 185/60 as it will reduce ride quality and also result in rim getting bent when hitting potholes/curbs. Tata cars already come with too low profiles. Further lowering sidewall height is an invitation to bent rims (or even broken/crushed alloys)

Increasing sidewall height slightly will not affect handling that adversely, especially since you're compensating with higher width. If you want to go really wide, you can also look at 195/60 R15, but that might be too much considering the power and dynamics of the car, and will result in reduced FE. There shouldn't be any issues with tyre hitting insides, since Tata already uses 185 section tyre on Manza and Zest.

[narayan]

Originally Posted by vivekgk

I am using 185/65 R14 tyres on Indigo CS. They rub the mudflaps on full lock, and will shred the mudflaps within a couple of months.

Regarding your Bolt, I'm assuming that the original size is 175/65 R15. Then you can upsize to 185/65R15. Slightly larger dia, but the taller sidewall helps the ride and reduces rim bending issues and thicker section will help in grip. Don't go for 185/60 as it will reduce ride quality and also result in rim getting bent when hitting potholes/curbs. Tata cars already come with too low profiles. Further lowering sidewall height is an invitation to bent rims (or even broken/crushed alloys)

Increasing sidewall height slightly will not affect handling that adversely, especially since you're compensating with higher width. If you want to go really wide, you can also look at 195/60 R15, but that might be too much considering the power and dynamics of the car, and will result in reduced FE. There shouldn't be any issues with tyre hitting insides, since Tata already uses 185 section tyre on Manza and Zest.

OE size in base model Bolt is 175/65/14 and for top model its 175/65/15. Guess 185/65/15 is the best upgrade. Any idea of what I should expect as exchange pricing ? A new tyre of the OE size retails for around 4200. Will I get atleast 3.5K ?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by vivekgk

Regarding your Bolt, I'm assuming that the original size is 175/65 R15. Then you can upsize to 185/65R15.

If the OEM tyre size is 175/65 R14, the right upgrade will be 185/60 R14.

[narayan]

Guys
the main reason I am considering the upgrade is because, as you know, the Bolt/Zest cousins look very undertyred at the rear especially because of the body line extending too much out of the tyre periphery ( despite a 175 section ! ). I wonder why Tata had to extend the body so much or atleast they could have given a slightly longer rear twisted beam. This is noticed even in the Vista. Would also help if i can get an idea of the exchange value expected..thanks

[narayan]

Car has arrived at the dealership. Will get a look at it in a couple of days and then decide whether I should do a tyre upsize or alloys for existing tyres or do nothing

[condor]

Narayan, if stock is 175, then I suggest at least 185 section. Better rubber will definitely help ..

[narayan]

Originally Posted by condor

Narayan, if stock is 175, then I suggest at least 185 section. Better rubber will definitely help ..

Originally Posted by a4anurag

I'll say go for 185/60 R14 as it the best and safest upgrade of the lot.

Guys - I am looking for comfort, least rolling resistance and life as key priorities. Which brands to go for and what would be approx trade in prices ?

[vivekgk]

Originally Posted by narayan

Guys - I am looking for comfort, least rolling resistance and life as key priorities. Which brands to go for and what would be approx trade in prices ?

Originally Posted by GTO

If the OEM tyre size is 175/65 R14, the right upgrade will be 185/60 R14.

185/60 is actually lower in overall diameter, with a shorter sidewall. Ride comfort will be less, and more importantly, the rim will be more susceptible to dents, already an issue with the low profile tyres on Tata cars.

From my experience, it is worth it to go for slightly higher 65 profile. Comfort is more, life will be more as 185/65R14 is usually rated for higher load at 86T as compared to 82T load rating for stock 175/65R14. It will also fill out the arches a bit better.

Since the XT comes with higher size tyres, there shouldn't be any fouling with wheel arches either.

As for the brand, Michelin Energy XM+ tyres are low rolling resistance tyres with reasonable grip.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by vivekgk

185/60 is actually lower in overall diameter, with a shorter sidewall. Ride comfort will be less, and more importantly, the rim will be more susceptible to dents, already an issue with the low profile tyres on Tata cars.

The difference in sidewall height is merely 2.75 mm. It's too slim to make any noticeable difference to ride quality.

185/60 R14 is within 1% diameter variance from stock (185/65 is 2.23%).

Since the XT comes with higher size tyres, there shouldn't be any fouling with wheel arches either.

Ah, great point! The XT does come with 175/65 R15. Further, the Zest (nearly identical car) is equipped with 185/60 R15.

I stand corrected. 185/65 R14 should indeed be doable on the Bolt, or even the 185/60 R15 size of the Zest. My calculations were based on the OEM tyre size only, keeping the 2% recommended variance in mind and worries of scraping on full lock.

[vivekgk]

Originally Posted by GTO

The difference in sidewall height is merely 2.75 mm. It's too slim to make any noticeable difference to ride quality.

185/60 R14 is within 1% diameter variance from stock (185/65 is 2.23%).

Ah, great point! The XT does come with 175/65 R15. Further, the Zest (nearly identical car) is equipped with 185/60 R15.

I stand corrected. 185/65 R14 should indeed be doable on the Bolt, or even the 185/60 R15 size of the Zest. My calculations were based on the OEM tyre size only, keeping the 2% recommended variance in mind and worries of scraping on full lock.

I'm just saying from personal experience. I haven't tried 185/60R14, but I can say that ride is a lot better on the 185/65R14 compared to stock 175/65R14 on my car. The tyre diameter also varies slightly across manufacturers (looking at the figures given on tyre websites vs calculated figures), so there might be a slightly higher or lower difference than calculated.

I think that 185/65 would also look a lot better than 185/60, especially since the lower variants are undertyred to begin with. Paired with a set of negative offset wheels, this should totally change the stance of the car.

Fouling shouldn't be an issue at all, I have seen a Zest around here shod with 16 inch -ve offset wheels and 195/55 tyres.