[efuture]

Hello members,

I'm planning to replace 185/60/R15 MRF tyres with 185/70/R14 for better comfort with larger side walls. In this process the overall tyre diameter will increase by just 2%, but there is a huge 15% increase in side wall. Please share your thoughts on my assumptions and weather the change in tyre size makes sense? In this process both steel rims and tyre need to be changed.



Assumptions,

• Side wall increase improves the ride comfort
• 2% increase in overall diameter is not going to impact any driving dynamics
• Reducing the rim diameter from 15" to 14" will not impact the driving dynamics and safety
• No issues with insurance claim incase if required

Looking forward your valuable feedbacks

[shancz]

Originally Posted by efuture

Reducing the rim diameter from 15" to 14" will not impact the driving dynamics and safety

It will increase body roll quite a bit IMO which will impact the handling and hence driving dynamics.

I would suggest to explore the following options too :
- 195/60 R15
- 185/65 R15

Make sure that they won't make contact when the car is loaded.
These are relatively milder changes and you can get significant increase in comfort and experience by choosing a better tyre like Vredestein, Michelin etc. as your budget permits.
I personally moved to MRF ZLX from Apollo 3Gs on the wagonR and the difference was unbelievable in comfort and noise reduction.

No idea on insurance impacts.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by efuture

I'm planning to replace 185/60/R15 MRF tyres with 185/70/R14 for better comfort with larger side walls.

Zest has a balanced suspension setup IMO. If you are not comfortable with it,
1. Make sure the dampers are good
2. How old / hard are your existing tyres? Change them with soft tyres. I would go with Consider 195/60R15 instead of 14"

Originally Posted by efuture

• 2% increase in overall diameter is not going to impact any driving dynamics
• Reducing the rim diameter from 15" to 14" will not impact the driving dynamics and safety
• No issues with insurance claim incase if required

- Overall wheel-end stiffness matters more than 2% change in diameter. Stiffness will affect the dynamics
- Check Wheel disc to brake caliper clearance with balance weight & suspension linkages clearance during full turn
- On paper anything other OE spec for that particular VIN / variant will void warranty and insurance claim, but in most cases we get through claims

[IshaanIan]

Stick to stock size go for Continental CC6 you will be amazed what a difference just the rubber can make without a change in tyre size

[greenhorn]

Do not touch continental CC6. they are truly atrocious tyres. Horrible grip and unremarkable ride quality - that has been my personal experience. I feel Earth1 I had before were better. UC6 seems to have better reviews, and I haven't tried them, so no comment

The bolt which is on the same platform uses 175/65 R14 - I feel that would be a safer option

also. what tyres are you running now? a softer compound tyre will offer a good improvement in ride quality. My father in law upgraded to MRF perfinza for his honda city ZX which had 185/55 R15 tyres and it was a HUGE improvement in ride quality - it went from worse than my indica to better than my etios. Perfinza is available in 195/60 R15 - That is what I would try if I were you. They're even better than the UC6

[efuture]

Originally Posted by shancz

It will increase body roll quite a bit IMO which will impact the handling and hence driving dynamics.

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Zest has a balanced suspension setup IMO. If you are not comfortable with it,

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Stick to stock size go for Continental CC6 you will be amazed what a difference just the rubber can make without a change in tyre size

Originally Posted by greenhorn

Do not touch continental CC6. they are truly atrocious tyres.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm now thinking of going with same spec tyre from Yokohama, Bridgestone or Continental. Present tyre is 185/60 R15 MRF ZVTV which is close to 4 years old and ~50k+ km driven so far. Overall ODO is 102,000km so suspension also might need some care.

I'm not going to go with any variants of MRF as most of the reviews are not good interms of tyre noise at medium/high speeds.

[shancz]

Originally Posted by efuture

tyre noise at medium/high speeds.

Michelin is also good but a bit more expensive than the rest and Vredestein is a new entrant which has got good reviews. Check for availability in your area.

You can also keep the upgrade sizes in mind as well since sometimes the upgrade size could turn out to be cheaper than the stock if its more popular.

[Vishal.R]

In My ZEST, 2015 model, received Bridgestone as stock, at the time of upgrade, chose to continue with same brand and configuration.

[greenhorn]

Originally Posted by efuture

I'm not going to go with any variants of MRF as most of the reviews are not good interms of tyre noise at medium/high speeds.

While I agree that MOST MRF models are crap, but Perfinza are a totally different breed. In fact they were rated even above the continental UC6 which is otherwise the team bhp choice in this segment.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-...nza-tyres.html (Review: MRF Perfinza Tyres)
I see only one complaint about noisy tyres - generally the feedback is very positive.

[coldice4u]

The Zest already has a very compliant suspension with excellent ride quality over poor surfaces. Considering the mileage on the car, I think any loss in ride quality will be redeemed much more effectively by a suspension overhaul. I had the front suspension on my Tata Bolt done at about 75k kms. I'm already thinking of getting the rear suspension overhauled soon as well.

Further the increase in sidewall on an already soft suspension will only increase body roll and change the already average handling of the car for worse.

Regarding NVH from new tyres, I honestly think this will not help as the engines irrespective of the fuel type only gets vocal with age , effectively nullifying any benefits of quieter tyres. In fact despite regular maintenance at 8 years & 80k kms, my 1.2 Revotron makes quite a racket and is regularly confused for a diesel . Will bear it out till the car touches 10 years as its worth peanuts anyway .

[ashutoshb]

I have 185/60/R15 Ceat SecuraDrives on my Tigor and have been pretty happy with the comfort and handling. Also, if you have crossed 100k do get the suspension looked at too.

[maverick.vkv]

Originally Posted by shancz

I would suggest to explore the following options too :
- 195/60 R15

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

I would go with Consider 195/60R15 instead of 14"

Originally Posted by greenhorn

Perfinza is available in 195/60 R15 - That is what I would try if I were you.

+1 to 195/60 R15. I had changed to Continental UC6 195/60 R15 on my Zest XT RT. 2 years & 20,000 kms later, I couldn't be more happy. Mileage is almost the same & NVH & grip levels are class apart.

[efuture]

Thank you all for your suggestions,

Replaced MRF 185/60/R15 tyres with Bridgestone sturdo 185/65/R15. Immediately I felt zero tyre noise. Considered Continental UC6 as well, but dropped it since the dealer told me that tyre rotation is not possible.

Thanks,