NHC tyre and wheel upgrade!!

nikkibike · 13th May 2007, 10:00

Guys, I did a tyre and wheel upgrade y'day on my family car - NHC- GXi!

Thanks for the enormous infos this site have for those who want to do it!
Well... Special thanks to our 'resident' tyreNwheel expert 'iraghava' for his expert opinion on my queries! Apart from him, I sought advice from 'kochi bhp-ians' speedzak and hydrashok!! (They run Michelin's!!) Thanks a ton guys!!

Here it goes...

Shop
Global Tyres, Kochi (Michelin-India's First Priority Partner)
Contact person - Mr.Phillip / Mr.Bijoy.

Tyre
Michelin's Energy XM1 in 195/60 R14 size. (4 nos) - Rs.3,600/- each!

Alloys
HR's in 6J x 14" - 100 PCD size. (7spoke in hyper silver finish) - (4 nos) - 3,600/- each!

Wheel Alignment, Wheel balancings(4W), Silver finish filling valve(4W), Nitrogen(4W) Complete package for 29k!!

Now, all the above listed advisors are requested to evaluate the package and post thier views whether it sounds good or not. This will help all those who will browse this thread purposefully!

Now the pics follows!

he he... yeah the alloys design is a bit dated eh?!! Honestly speaking, this is the only design I cud finalise after doing 20 odd trials!! I guess this design suits this car well!! So...!

I hope this will benefit to all those who are planning for an upgrade on NHC's!

Now the feel... well I drove it for 20-25 kms y'day with the new set of foot and the first feel I had is the precise steering! Steering is so sensitive now!! Dry bitumin road grip is simply great and confident inspiring! Haven't driven it thru wet/gravel roads so far!! Will do it and post my views as early as possible. Car now retards very fast and so the braking is far far better! I did a 60+km/hr "U" turn (right infront of Sam's new JBL store) very very comfortably which amazed to write bout improved handling and stability with these new tyres!
But....Is the ride a bit bumpy now?!!
Well... the experts please answer this query too.... whatz the recommended tyre pressure for this size tyre?! The dealer filled 30 psi of Nitrogen on all tyres!! Sticker on car says 32psi for front and 30 psi for rear on stock tyres!

Continue guys!

GTO · 13th May 2007, 11:53

Nice to hear about a happy upgrade! Its alright to lower the PSI by 1 - 2 points for urban driving comfort.

swathyd · 13th May 2007, 12:25

Did you take note of any increase in mileage and performance. XM1 s claims that by using silica based compounds that reduces rolling resistance and hence offers better mileage and performance. And it should also increase pick up though marginally.

nikkibike · 13th May 2007, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Nice to hear about a happy upgrade! Its alright to lower the PSI by 1 - 2 points for urban driving comfort.

Thanks GTO!! Well... thatz exactly I was thinking about that! I'll speak to them and lower it and see what happens! Thanks again!

nikkibike · 13th May 2007, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by swathyd

Did you take note of any increase in mileage and performance. XM1 s claims that by using silica based compounds that reduces rolling resistance and hence offers better mileage and performance. And it should also increase pick up though marginally.

None of your queries could be answered with only a very short spin with the car! I'll use the car more and let you know the results! Will surely post the experiences!!

swathyd · 13th May 2007, 12:33

Thats fine. But dont forget to do so.

speedzak · 13th May 2007, 12:42

Congrats!
That's some great upgrade man. Those alloys are nice to look at and it very well suits the car's overall appearance.

It seems the Energy XM1s are favoured by many. Man! Those Tyres are amazing. Got to drive a Verna with the same footwear and it was very nice and made the car feel more confident to drive. No wonder, you wanted to try those 60km U turns!

Nikki, a job well done!

Sorry, I couldn't join you yesterday. Now, I'm feeling bad!

:

nikkibike · 13th May 2007, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

Congrats!
That's some great upgrade man. Those alloys are nice to look at and it very well suits the car's overall appearance.

It seems the Energy XM1s are favoured by many. Man! Those Tyres are amazing. Got to drive a Verna with the same footwear and it was very nice and made the car feel more confident to drive. No wonder, you wanted to try those 60km U turns!

Nikki, a job well done!

Sorry, I couldn't join you yesterday. Now, I'm feeling bad!

:

Thanks Zak!! Yeah... I too was a bit apprehensive when I decided to go alone! (Hyrda was also too busy!). But they were very helpfull and so cud complete the job in 1 hr flat!

kpzen · 13th May 2007, 13:24

Congrats man...!!!
Michelins are good tyres. Happy Driving .!

@ Ishan..
Energy is written on this one....may be because its 14"

hydrashok · 13th May 2007, 18:58

Ahhhhhhhhh! Good Alloys, Nikki! I Like them. And congrats on the upgrade. As GTO said dropping upto 2 psi based on feel is OK. And from the pic, the tyres look inflated well enough. You'll be able to finalise on a comfortable pressure after driving around a bit. (I experimented with 31, 29 and then 30 psi, and finalised on 30psi as the best for my car, for my driving style).

Sorry I couldn't come over, man! But then since it was Global Tyres, you were in good hands!

nikkibike · 13th May 2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok

Ahhhhhhhhh! Good Alloys, Nikki! I Like them. And congrats on the upgrade. As GTO said dropping upto 2 psi based on feel is OK. And from the pic, the tyres look inflated well enough. You'll be able to finalise on a comfortable pressure after driving around a bit. (I experimented with 31, 29 and then 30 psi, and finalised on 30psi as the best for my car, for my driving style).

Sorry I couldn't come over, man! But then since it was Global Tyres, you were in good hands!

Thanks Hydra!! Will look into the pressure thingy and set the most comfy one! I hardly drive this car and so no so bothered bout the atmost performance/comfy factors! Anyways...I feel the upgrade done is a trouble free one!!

contactme27 · 3rd October 2007, 20:14

Nikkibike - Can you tell me whether there was any FE drop on these tyres... I am tempted to put these on my NHC on stock rims

nikkibike · 4th October 2007, 19:02

absolutely NO FE DROP!!! Go get the tyres! Handling of the car improved to an all new level now!

13th May 2007, 10:00	#1
nikkibike BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: QoAS Posts: 526 Thanked: 4 Times	NHC tyre and wheel upgrade!! Guys, I did a tyre and wheel upgrade y'day on my family car - NHC- GXi! Thanks for the enormous infos this site have for those who want to do it! Well... Special thanks to our 'resident' tyreNwheel expert 'iraghava' for his expert opinion on my queries! Apart from him, I sought advice from 'kochi bhp-ians' speedzak and hydrashok!! (They run Michelin's!!) Thanks a ton guys!! Here it goes... Shop Global Tyres, Kochi (Michelin-India's First Priority Partner) Contact person - Mr.Phillip / Mr.Bijoy. Tyre Michelin's Energy XM1 in 195/60 R14 size. (4 nos) - Rs.3,600/- each! Alloys HR's in 6J x 14" - 100 PCD size. (7spoke in hyper silver finish) - (4 nos) - 3,600/- each! Wheel Alignment, Wheel balancings(4W), Silver finish filling valve(4W), Nitrogen(4W) Complete package for 29k!! Now, all the above listed advisors are requested to evaluate the package and post thier views whether it sounds good or not. This will help all those who will browse this thread purposefully! Now the pics follows! he he... yeah the alloys design is a bit dated eh?!! Honestly speaking, this is the only design I cud finalise after doing 20 odd trials!! I guess this design suits this car well!! So...! I hope this will benefit to all those who are planning for an upgrade on NHC's! Now the feel... well I drove it for 20-25 kms y'day with the new set of foot and the first feel I had is the precise steering! Steering is so sensitive now!! Dry bitumin road grip is simply great and confident inspiring! Haven't driven it thru wet/gravel roads so far!! Will do it and post my views as early as possible. Car now retards very fast and so the braking is far far better! I did a 60+km/hr "U" turn (right infront of Sam's new JBL store) very very comfortably which amazed to write bout improved handling and stability with these new tyres! But....Is the ride a bit bumpy now?!! Well... the experts please answer this query too.... whatz the recommended tyre pressure for this size tyre?! The dealer filled 30 psi of Nitrogen on all tyres!! Sticker on car says 32psi for front and 30 psi for rear on stock tyres! Continue guys! Last edited by nikkibike : 13th May 2007 at 10:14.
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 11:53	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,541 Thanked: 300,749 Times View My Garage	Nice to hear about a happy upgrade! Its alright to lower the PSI by 1 - 2 points for urban driving comfort.
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 12:25	#3
swathyd BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: thiruvananthapuram Posts: 774 Thanked: 25 Times	Did you take note of any increase in mileage and performance. XM1 s claims that by using silica based compounds that reduces rolling resistance and hence offers better mileage and performance. And it should also increase pick up though marginally.
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 12:33	#6
swathyd BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: thiruvananthapuram Posts: 774 Thanked: 25 Times	Thats fine. But dont forget to do so.
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 12:42	#7
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	Congrats! That's some great upgrade man. Those alloys are nice to look at and it very well suits the car's overall appearance. It seems the Energy XM1s are favoured by many. Man! Those Tyres are amazing. Got to drive a Verna with the same footwear and it was very nice and made the car feel more confident to drive. No wonder, you wanted to try those 60km U turns! Nikki, a job well done! Sorry, I couldn't join you yesterday. Now, I'm feeling bad! :
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 13:24	#9
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	Congrats man...!!! Michelins are good tyres. Happy Driving .! @ Ishan.. Energy is written on this one....may be because its 14"
	() Thanks

13th May 2007, 18:58	#10
hydrashok Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In my Office Posts: 2,528 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	Ahhhhhhhhh! Good Alloys, Nikki! I Like them. And congrats on the upgrade. As GTO said dropping upto 2 psi based on feel is OK. And from the pic, the tyres look inflated well enough. You'll be able to finalise on a comfortable pressure after driving around a bit. (I experimented with 31, 29 and then 30 psi, and finalised on 30psi as the best for my car, for my driving style). Sorry I couldn't come over, man! But then since it was Global Tyres, you were in good hands!
	() Thanks

3rd October 2007, 20:14	#12
contactme27 BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 225 Thanked: 21 Times	Nikkibike - Can you tell me whether there was any FE drop on these tyres... I am tempted to put these on my NHC on stock rims
	() Thanks

4th October 2007, 19:02	#13
nikkibike BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: QoAS Posts: 526 Thanked: 4 Times	Nothing like that! absolutely NO FE DROP!!! Go get the tyres! Handling of the car improved to an all new level now!
	() Thanks