Skoda Laura : Tyre & wheel upgrade thread

[iraghava]

225's on 6.5" rims work fine, lots of members have the same config on their Innovas. Sure 7" would be ideal but there is no harm with 6.5" either. I don't see that having much impact on possible failures or comfort levels like ultra-thin or ultra-wide rims do.

Plus, spending 70k or more a set of rims which is just .5" wider is not justifiable especially when the stock rims are not a problem. If you were shifting to 17" or 18" it would be ok as you would get the looks too but going in for 16" itself doesn't make any sense IMHO.

[androdev]

thanks a lot. makes perfect sense.

dealer says 225/50-16 pp2s are out of stock and he would get them only in April 1st week. here is the offer from sai iyengar, lalbagh road, bangalore (based on the excellent feedback on the forum):

5 new tyres @8.5K: 42.5K
4 old tyres buy back
(10K run, including the cracked one): 5K
spare tyre (new one) buy back: 5K

didn't bargain as he seems to be a decent guy..

will post an update after the upgrade. thanks again.

[iraghava]

Seems like a pretty decent deal to me.

[androdev]

i have decided to stick to the stock spec (205/55-16) and not go for 225/50-16 based on some advice/research.

unfortunately Michelin pp2 does not come in 205/55-16, or i would have bought it without any second thoughts.

my requirements:
>safety & handling
>reliability (no premature cracks, bulges, etc.)
>longevity & comfort can be a bit less (but not too bad)

i have read this and multiple other threads but could not find out what can be a true alternative to PP2 that comes in 205/55-16.

what is the best yokohama available in India, as yokohama seems to be regarded as highly as Michelin in this forum?

please bear with me, i think i am close to making a wise decision :-)

[kpzen]

Yokohama S drives 205/55-16

[karan561]

Originally Posted by androdev

i have decided to stick to the stock spec (205/55-16) and not go for 225/50-16 based on some advice/research.

unfortunately Michelin pp2 does not come in 205/55-16, or i would have bought it without any second thoughts.

my requirements:
>safety & handling
>reliability (no premature cracks, bulges, etc.)
>longevity & comfort can be a bit less (but not too bad)

i have read this and multiple other threads but could not find out what can be a true alternative to PP2 that comes in 205/55-16.

what is the best yokohama available in India, as yokohama seems to be regarded as highly as Michelin in this forum?

please bear with me, i think i am close to making a wise decision :-)

Try out the Potenza G IIIs , i am quite satisfied with its performance and long term reliablity. (have it on my 17" rims , 15" upsize on corolla and 16" upsize on laura)

[androdev]

Do not want to bore you with details but the much researched tyre change did not happen. Car goes for service this week and would like to get the tyres changed.

What can I expect to pay for Yoko S-drive 205/55-16 (stock profile)? Skoda A.S.S quoting Rs. 6.8K per piece and no buy-back for my 12K KM run Bridgestones. A.S.S is willing to fit the tyres if I can source them myself for better price.

[kpzen]

205/55-16 S drives @ 6800 per tire is fair price IMO.

[androdev]

Thanks Prajesh. Appreciate it. Will post my experience after the change is done.

[androdev]

Maaaaannnn.. would you guys believe it? Finally the dealer (Vinayaka) managed to source a set of Yoko S-drive and but they are made in Week-45-2007. I asked them to call me when they get a fresh stock. Disappointing because I spent a lot of time at the dealer removing old tyres and rejecting new tyres and fitting old tyres back. Not to forget the endless bangalore commute. They could have at least skipped the wheel balancing and alignment (Rs 1000 + taxes). Will have to pay for the same again when I change the tyres.

[iraghava]

Androdev - 4507 is fresh enough to be fitted without any issues. They have at least 4-5 years of excellent life left in them.

[androdev]

ohh! thought not to buy stuff older than 6 months. now that i didnt go for it, i might as well wait.

btw, i am curious to know... s-drive tyres felt much softer/fragile/thin/lighter than OE turanza tyres. even michelin energy tyres were stiff/hard/heavy. this is not how you judge your tyres i suppose.

[ACM]

Andro and team you guys did suggest me options on another link

(Problems with my laura) one more query that would add to the confusion on this thread rather than solve things?

Happen to own a pre-owned Laura which has today done about 42000 kms Bought it 12000 kms back. Tyre noice has increased recently though it was never too low.

Current tyres Michellins Energy 205/60-R16 which i had always presumed were stock tyres till I went through the thread where at various places I could gather that:

1) Stock tyres on Skoda L&K Laura are 205/55-R16 but I have 205/60 ?? Do not know the history as it is a preowned car, but this is the right time to change tyres and so the tyres have lasted the distance and are due in another 3000-4000 Kms as per Michellin dealer in Thane Mumbai.

2) Somewhere on this thread it was mentioned that 205/60/16 is a WRONG upgrade for a laura? WHY? COULD SOMEONE PLS EXPLAIN THIS?

3) Now I have an almost new spare tyre that is 205/60/16 so unless I stick to 205/60/16 in my change for 4 new tyres I would require to change 5 tyres to move to 205 or 215 or 225/55/16. Is it required? WHY?

4) If and when I do remap the car would the above tyres be sufficent

Current tyres from Michellin suffer from Tyre noice on bad surface and ok surface as well expecially since last 5K kms. Also comfort is average but maybe it is better than what it would be in 205/55 and I just may not be aware. Ground clearance is sufficent. Braking has been good.

Want VFM, confortable, safe, longlasting and quite tyres. Comfort of the kind that one wants for old parents or pregnant ladies.

Getting Yokos 205/60/16 for 6300 - need 4 (spare stays Michellin) in New Bombay Vashi. Michellin Energy 205/60/16 for 7900 - need 4 and 205/55/16 for 8500 - need 5.
JK V rated 205/60/16 for 5200 - asper dealer not good looking but has low noise and is a good tyre.
Goodyear GP3 - 205/55/16 6K (no 205/60/16 option)
Bridgestone 205/55/16 one guy quoted close to 6K and another close to 7K did not check out specific model

IS CONTINUING WITH 205/60/16 RECOMMENDED FOR MY REQUIREMENT? IF SO I JUST NEED TO BUY 4 INSTEAD OF 5 TYRES. PLAN TO GO FRO YOKO - GOOD IDEA FOR LOW NOICE AND COMFORT?

[Veelubai]

ACM - You can get 4 new 205/55 R16 tyres and use the existing 205/60 tyre as a steppney. I dont think it will be a great problem as you will not be using that tire for 99% of the time. Looking at the cost of the tyres you have mentioned [8500 for Michelin Energy 205/55] I think the dealer is taking you for a ride.

The laura L&K always came with 205/55 R16 tyres and the correct upgrade is 225/50 R16 but I think the stock laura doesnt warrant this. If you are using 205/60 there will be slight speedo error and even though the ground clearance is comparitively more than the stock tyre there maybe issues of the tyre scrapping the body under full load.

[androdev]

ACM:

this is pretty good link to understand the consequences of tyre size changes. nothing life threatening though :-)

Visual Tyre Size Calculator | Kouki Tech


i have not been successful with my tyre change yet. still running on the OE bridgestones.