[ACM]

Ok, my Yoko S-Drives have just about reached EOL - at least for me, even though the thread still remains.

So what are the options.

Stock - 205-55-R16 - Current S-Drive size - 30-35K life, a bit hard compared to my earlier 205-60-R16 MXV8 Michelins that lasted till 43K kms but were no fun in general compared to the S-Drives.

This time having aged - want something with better comfort to repeating the S-Drives is out of question.

Also since I would like higher levels of comfort than provided by 205-55-R16 without compromising on the handling and grip am thinking about

225-55-R16 or 215-55-R16. The Idea is that it may be better to take a wider tyre with current profile to achieve more comfort due to larger sidewalls, also a wider comfort tyre should enable me to maintain the grip and handing levels of the current Yoko - S Drives.

I have seen a Laura with 225-55-R16 Bridgestone Turanza being used by someone in my society and the driver seemed happy with the tyres that had given almost 50K life besides I clarified with him that this upsize did not touch the car body and he recommended those tyres.

Any other opinions. Comfort and drive both are important. Figure the Michellin to be unnecessarily expensive compared to the rest of the options.

Inviting all suggestions / Advise. In Yoko would not like to go below S-Drive quality levels.

[Nikhilb2008]

225/55 R16 is going to foul with the wheel arches. Siddhartha was using that size on his RS.

Get 225/50 R16 Continentals if oyu can. Very comfy! Or get Yoko ES501.

[Ravveendrra]

I am using Pirelli P7s in size 225/55 R16 and am very happy with them. They are not fouling the wheel arches. The grip is outstanding. The ride quality is good too. From Hyderabad, I have driven to Mumbai and back as well as to Tranquebar and back on them. A total of about 4000 km at fairly good speeds including some wet patches. Some bad roads with craters / pot-holes thrown in too.

The only downside is that the centre of gravity seems to be higher as compared to when on stock size and the sidewall flexes more. One has to keep a keen eye on the tyre pressure or the FE falls drastically. I have found that 32 (front) and 30 (rear) works best with these tyres.

My earlier tyres were Michelin Primacy HP in stock size but I had to discard them after two of them suffered severe sidewall damage during our drive to Arunachal Pradesh and back.

Cheers,

@ Nikhil - My mistake the size is corrected now.

[Nikhilb2008]

Ravveendrra ---- Sidewall flex would be the same on the P7. If they are flexing more, it is due to the construction of the tyre and NOT due to the tyre size.

And Centre of gravity cannot be more. Technically 225/50 R16 is a little lower than the stock 205/55 R16.

[ACM]

I need to change the tyres also keeping in mind a on and off back pain issue that I have.

Have already used the 205/60/R16 which is not recommended but this did not foul with the wheel arches.

Also raveendra is using 225/55/R16 Pirelli P7 safely plus know of another person in my society using 225/55/R16 Bridgestone Turanza who is quite happy.

So feel that 225/55/R16 should be safe enough with good grip, comfort and stability. Though it is a 3.5% variation from the recomended Stock size, and going over 3% is not normally recommended. I feel this should be fine enough.

Now besides Pirelli which tyres. Raveendra how many kms have you done totally on these. Pirellis are rare (interms of dealer network). how did you get your hands on them?

[Ravveendrra]

Hi ACM,

If you have a back pain issue, I would recommend that you reduce the section of the tyres. Narrower tyres transmit less of road imperfections into the cabin. Wider tyres highlight even small cuts on the road etc. For comfort one normally recommends narrower section and higher profile.

Michelin Primacy HP (in stock size) are excellent tyres if you are going to be on decent roads. They are prone to sidewall damage if you drive at speed over broken roads.

You can look at Continental tyres which are very good. For more grip go in for Continental Sport.

I would not recommend Bridgestones as they tend to have less lateral grip and break away easily, so turns at speed can be problematic.

My regular tyre dealer got me the Pirellis in 3 days.

To answer your query, I have done about 5000 km in the Laura with the Pirellis. I put Pirelli P7s (195/50 R15) on my GTX last summer and have done about 4000 Km in the GTX on them. It was my experience with them on that car that convinced me to put them on the Laura too.

Cheers,

[vipul_bscity]

Friends,

My Laura seems looking for new set of tyres. Its running stock 205/60/15 Dunlop Sport which has really really served exceptionally great.

Now the question, we all know 205/60/15 is a bit unique profile. Mostly people tend to use/sell 205/65/15. A little research on a Passat forum given me the following;

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/km
205/65-15 133mm 324mm 648mm 2034mm 492
205/60-15 123mm 314mm 627mm 1970mm 508

By looking at this I can see that if I switch to 65, my tyres will do 16 revs "less" in one KM, although it will show wrong speedo as well. If the tyre will do less rev / KM, it may last little long as well from the other profile tyre. Secondly, does 65 profile gives more cushioning ??

By the experience here in the forum, please suggest if I stick to the stock 60 profile, OR go for easily available 65 one. And what will be the real technical impact if I use 65. Skoda must have certainly thought something before putting in 60 profile tyre in stead of 65.

Also, I am in no mood for any upgrade in wheel size OR tyre width.

Thanks.

[Cesc]

I think that the difference in circumference in these 2 sizes is above 3%. I had read somewhere (maybe on TBHP itself) that anything with a difference of > 2% should be avoided.

If you are happy with the original rubber (and it looks like that you are) then why bother changing sizes?

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by vipul_bscity

Now the question, we all know 205/60/15 is a bit unique profile. Mostly people tend to use/sell 205/65/15.

Yes I agree 205/60/R15 is a unique profile, not many cars in India come with this tyre size/profile as stock
I have the same profile in my CIVIC. (Original tyre profile for CIVIC is 195/65/R15)
One has very lil options in this tyre size-Profile. Coz not many manufactures have this as tyre size.

By looking at this I can see that if I switch to 65, my tyres will do 16 revs "less" in one KM, although it will show wrong speedo as well. If the tyre will do less rev / KM, it may last little long as well from the other profile tyre. Secondly, does 65 profile gives more cushioning ??.

Not 16 revolutions, but 26 revs less.
Yes speedo error will be there cos of the profile increase.
Check the pic below


Yes Little Cushoning will be experienced, but it depends on what type of tyre you purchase(soft / hard), more silica etc.

please suggest if I stick to the stock 60 profile, OR go for easily available 65 one. And what will be the real technical impact if I use 65.
Also, I am in no mood for any upgrade in wheel size OR tyre width.

Thanks.

If you want more cushoning + increased ground clearence, then gor for 65 Profile tyres.
Else stick to the stock profile

Originally Posted by Cesc

I think that the difference in circumference in these 2 sizes is above 3%. I had read somewhere (maybe on TBHP itself) that anything with a difference of > 2% should be avoided.

If you are happy with the original rubber (and it looks like that you are) then why bother changing sizes?

Yes usually it's not advised to go with above 3% change in tyre size.

"When changing tire sizes, we recommend staying within 3% of the diameter/height of the original tire. Any more than this and you face the risk of brake failure."
Source Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing.

[ACM]

Vipul

Unless you find the current ride to be harsh, there is no point in upgrading to 65 profile from the current 60. Yes various sites will mention that the size variation must be between 2-4% and yes possibly 65 profile will add comfort but 60 itself is decent. Also though 65 profile will aid comfort it will be at the cost of handling. I would suggest you stick with your current OEM size.

I have earlier in case of my laura which has stock as 205/55/R16 tried 205/60/R16 and got better comfort and then currently am at 225/55/R16 for better grip and comfort both extremes worked well, but going from stock upto 60 profile did cause a small loss in Acc and the on rails effect too was lost.

Suggest you stick to stock. But vary your tyre options to go for either sport or comfort tyres depending on what issue you wish to solve.

[R.P.M]

Need help to decide which tyres to get for a Laura 1.8TSI. It comes with 195/65/15.

Requirements:

Should be able to sustain 180+kph for prolonged periods (expressway)
Road noise should be very less
30k kms life span
Size im looking for is 205/60/15

On a budget, the max i intend to spend is 12-15k on this upgrade.(exchange brand new stock tyres)

[Nikhilb2008]

In 205/60-15 you dont get many good tyres. Junk that size.

I would suggest you go for 195/65 R15 itself and go for Michelin Primacy LC or Conti CPC2. However, seeing that you drive at 180+ for extended periods of time, I would suggest a much grippier tyre like the Advan Neova which is not available at all in this country as of now.

Primacy LC and CPC2 both would be V Rated(with CPC2 make sure you get the V rated tyre. They also have an H rated tyre). They would be safe for 180+ but dont expect supreme leves of grip from either. However, they both will be substantially better than the Goodyear NCT5s.

[R.P.M]

Thanks Nikhil.

the options available in 205/60/15 are the Yoko A drive,ES100,V550, pirelli p6,p7 and goodyear assurance.

Leaning towards the V550 due to the speed rating. Cost per tyre is Rs 5500/- and getting Rs 3800/- for the stock tyre.

What do you think?

[Nikhilb2008]

Well, the V550 is a decent tyre. Dont even think of the others. They are all main stream tyres. You are getting a good deal on the tyres.

[R.P.M]

Upgraded the tyres to Yoko DB v550. Total cost under exchange was Rs 8250/- for 5 tyres including fitting etc. Got the work done at Pals (lamington road).