[androdev]

TAFE too told me "bubbles" will be honored by warranty without any problems.. but not sidewall cracks. i tend to agree with them.. looks like i drove over something sharp,etc.

in any case, they have not said "NO".. they are going to wait for Skoda to get back with their approval/rejection.

i am tempted to go for 17" rims.. but then i am not very knowledgeable with the consequences. think will read up..

[karan561]

If you have an side wall crack in 16" rims i.e. 55 profile tyres so early .... i dont recommend you to go in for 17" i.e. 45 profile tyres where you will have to be EXTRA cautious of the bad tarmac / potholes ... to ensure that you dont end up havin another side wall crack .
And your ride quality will also go down , suspensions life also decreases
Stick to the 16" and drive carefully.

[androdev]

thanks karan..

current one is 205/55-16.

how about 225/50-16?

i think 17" has to wait.. too expensive for anything to be more "wow" than the OE ones.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by androdev

thanks karan..

current one is 205/55-16.

how about 225/50-16?

i think 17" has to wait.. too expensive for anything to be more "wow" than the OE ones.

Any thing less than the standard profile you will have to drive cautiously ... and 225 well if you want to enhance the looks its okay , but it will kill the pick up and the top speed , and if you are goin that wide for the EXTRA stability ? then i dont think the Laura lacks that high speed stability , and it is very good during cornering too . . . so if its only for the LOOKS then GO AHEAD . . .

[deepakvrao]

Originally Posted by karan561

Any thing less than the standard profile you will have to drive cautiously ... and 225 well if you want to enhance the looks its okay , but it will kill the pick up and the top speed , and if you are goin that wide for the EXTRA stability ? then i dont think the Laura lacks that high speed stability , and it is very good during cornering too . . . so if its only for the LOOKS then GO AHEAD . . .

I agree with Karan - the stock tyres seem fine to me WRT handling and cornering. The only thing is that I have Dunlop and not Bridgestones. When I need to change I might go the same size but with Michelins.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by deepakvrao

I agree with Karan - the stock tyres seem fine to me WRT handling and cornering. The only thing is that I have Dunlop and not Bridgestones. When I need to change I might go the same size but with Michelins.

long time no see! hope your car has been trouble free!

well.. i am also leaning towards stock size. apparently it is not recommended to put a 225 tire on a 6.5" stock rim - though it "can" be done. so if i really want to increase the tire width i definitely have to upgrade the rim width.

the more i research, the more i am beginning to appreciate the importance of sticking to stock configuration.

i am just curious: Laura VRS rims are 17", L&K are 16", Ambiente are 15" so how does the manufacturer calibrate/tune steering, speedo, etc.?
btw i am getting a quote of 8.5K per piece for Michelin PP2, 225/50-16. Hopefully PP2 is available for 205/55-16.

i thought since i am buying new tires, i can as well buy something that improves looks - but didn't know life is this complicated. i mean really... one can offer a semester long course on just tire upgrade principles!

[iraghava]

It's not really that complex, people just make it appear so. Anyway, sorry for the delay my net connection us down, I shall try & post my opinion/advice on the same tonight.

[Buffetfan]

you will be better off contacting a Bridgestone (tyre dealer!) dealer instead of Skoda. Have a friend got his tyres replaced by B'stone on his Baleno (S248s) after they developed sidewall bulge doing some spirited driving. and this he did after 20K Kms..did not have to contact Maruti at all!

[deepakvrao]

Hi Androdev,

Yup - I have not been active on this forum for a long time.

Just looked at the Michelin site and they seem to have no tyre which is the exact stock size. Will call my local dealer to see what he recommends as well as get a pricing for you.

[karan561]

My car(Laura) is running on an upsize i.e. 215/55 potenza G III's . . . no problems yet.

[androdev]

My revised options:
1. Replace the faulty tyre alone with identical one.

2. Replace all tyres with the best Michelin I can get in stock profile 205/55-16 V

3. Buy new OZ/BBS 16X7 or 16X7.5 rims and put Michelin 225/50-16. I like these rims:
Performance Alloys.com - alloy wheels, custom wheels, chrome wheels, alloy wheels uk, replica wheels
How do I know PCD, Offset, etc. all are compatible if go for 16X7 or 16X7.5


My requirements:
>safety
>handling
>reliability
>Near 100% compatibility with the vehicle (gearing, steering, speedo, etc.)
>some points in the looks department

Not necessarily long lasting - but reliable till the tread wear is complete. Mileage, Pickup, Comfort can be compromised to some extent.

Thanks folks.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by androdev

1. Replace the damaged tyre alone with the same make/spec. Since my spare tyre is brand new (and same spec) I will effectively have a pair of new tyres.
>>>How much does a new Bridgestone Turanza (205/55-16) 91V cost?.

About 6.7k per tyre in Delhi.

Originally Posted by androdev

2. Get 5 new tyres. Requirements: Safety (grip, handling), Comfort (avg will do), decent longevity. Michelin Pilot Preceda (PP2) is what I am considering.
>>>How much does a set of 5 PP2s (205/55-16) cost?.

205/55 R16's are only available in Energy MXV8 or Yokohama S-Drives.

Originally Posted by androdev

3. What is the approximate budget for "pimp my ride" option: 17" alloys (18" is bad?) + matching PP2 tyres?

I am leaning towards option#1 and option#3.

If you've managed to damage one sidewall in 16", situation will be worse in both 17" or 18"s. My suggestion would be to retain these rims & switch to a wider tyre like mentioned below wit options:

215/55 R16 - Energy MXV8, Yokohama ES501
225/50 R16 - Pilot Preceda 2, Yokohama ES 501

Price for 225/50 R16 is around 8.5k per tyre.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by androdev

My revised options:
1. Replace the faulty tyre alone with identical one.

2. Replace all tyres with the best Michelin I can get in stock profile 205/55-16 V

3. Buy new OZ/BBS 16X7 or 16X7.5 rims and put Michelin 225/50-16. I like these rims:

How do I know PCD, Offset, etc. all are compatible if go for 16X7 or 16X7.5
.

1&2. Answered above

3. That would be good but expensive. Only the wheels will cost you around 60-70k. Tyres will be extra. 7/7.5 width is fine but will have to check what the Laura PCD is since IIRC it's an odd PCD.

[androdev]

thanks iraghava.

I am sticking to 16" rims.

225/50-16 can be fitted on rims with width 6" - 8". my stock rims are 6.5" wide.

i hear 6.5 is a bit narrow for 225.

how does it (225 on 6.5") compare to 225 on 7" in terms of tire stresses (failures such as these cracks, bulges), handling and comfort? (don't include the cost factor)

[androdev]

oops. i posted while u were posting so didnt see ur 2nd reply.

i am OK with the cost factor.. can pay 20-25K per rim.. (excluding tires).. but i know nothing about PCD/offset,etc. so your help is very much appreciated.