Chevy Spark : Tyre & wheel upgrade thread

shapath · 23rd September 2009, 10:50

Mine is a new spark which has done about 700km.Now it has Apollo accelere
155/70/13.I would like to improve Braking.when i took it to highway,the Tyres seems to be noisy. so planning to change it. I am getting exchange offer for existing Apollo 4 tyres either to Michelin 155/70/13 ( 5200 for 4 tyre exchange) or Continental 155/70/13 ( 4000 for 4 tyre exchange). Exchange rates inclusive of balance/alignment.
MY question.which Tyre would be better for getting improved braking ,Good FE, Ride comfort ,wet Grip, decent cornering as i dont take TURNS at high speed and psbl no or less noise.

Option 2- should i go for next up size 165 with Michelin or continental?
Thanks in advance.

djay99 · 25th September 2009, 00:11

Shapath,
I would suggest you to upgrade your tires to 165/65-13 as this will give you good grip compared to stock tires and ride quality will be same as stock tires. A little drop in mileage is for sure. Your braking will definitely improve and you can put your car in corner at speeds of 100.
I suggest Michelin XM1+ any day compared to continental.

shapath · 25th September 2009, 08:52

THANKS DJAY for the reply. what WAS your FE of your spark before 1st service and what is it now. Reg 165 upsize - over existing 155 - i see the 10mm diff, not much diff with sidewall /radius too and Diameter Difference: 0.47%. you say "A little drop in mileage is for sure". psbl can you enumerate this point.
I still see MRF ZVTS 155/70 R13 Tubeless in your spark gallery. any reason on sticking to the factory fitted . Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by djay99

Shapath,
I would suggest you to upgrade your tires to 165/65-13 as this will give you good grip compared to stock tires and ride quality will be same as stock tires. A little drop in mileage is for sure. Your braking will definitely improve and you can put your car in corner at speeds of 100.
I suggest Michelin XM1+ any day compared to continental.

djay99 · 6th November 2009, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by shapath

THANKS DJAY for the reply. what WAS your FE of your spark before 1st service and what is it now. Reg 165 upsize - over existing 155 - i see the 10mm diff, not much diff with sidewall /radius too and Diameter Difference: 0.47%. you say "A little drop in mileage is for sure". psbl can you enumerate this point.
I still see MRF ZVTS 155/70 R13 Tubeless in your spark gallery. any reason on sticking to the factory fitted . Thanks

Shapath,

Current FE is around 17-18 KMPL on highways and around 13 in city.
Since the width of tyre has increased, traction will increase and a little drop in mileage is acceptable.
I have not upgraded MRF tyres because i gave car to my parents who are residing in other city. They drive 200KM per month. Hence tyre upgrade was ruled out and i bought a Getz CRDi.
Also MRF tyres are best suited where roads are not good.

shapath · 12th November 2009, 16:05

spark which has done about 2400km, has factory fitted Apollo accelere 155/70/13.
While driving on the highway (which had about 2-4 inches of water) @ about 70 -90km/hr the vehicle showed swaying tendency due to tyre and road grip is not effective so one has to naturally slow down. is it because of Apollo accelere's inherent tendency OR because of the 70km speed . Will this 'sway' and 'lack of grip' would get avoided by switching to Michelin 155/70/13- which i understand would improve braking as well as cornering. looking for suggestion and opinion on this . TIA.

nitrous · 12th November 2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by shapath

spark which has done about 2400km, has factory fitted Apollo accelere 155/70/13.
While driving on the highway (which had about 2-4 inches of water) @ about 70 -90km/hr the vehicle showed swaying tendency due to tyre and road grip is not effective so one has to naturally slow down. is it because of Apollo accelere's inherent tendency OR because of the 70km speed . Will this 'sway' and 'lack of grip' would get avoided by switching to Michelin 155/70/13- which i understand would improve braking as well as cornering. looking for suggestion and opinion on this . TIA.

Its the 70km speed on 2-4 inches of water.

shapath · 12th November 2009, 22:41

Thanks nitrous for the quick reply. does it (also) mean that even MICHELIN wont have small amount of advantage in that situation. what about upsize to say 165-65-13.My priority is to have improved braking (as spark braking is not that much instantaneously effective even in 40-50km) and at least enhanced road grip in that kind of 2-4 inches of water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Its the 70km speed on 2-4 inches of water.

Nikhilb2008 · 12th November 2009, 23:06

Dont bother. Any tyre will aquaplane at speed and in that depth of water.

The Aceleres are good tyres. YOu will be throwing away money by getting Michelins or whatever.

kkg · 16th August 2010, 21:07

Hi everyone,

My spark has done around 42000kms on stock MRF ( 155/70) tyres. I am planning to change the tyres soon. I already have 5 j Neo alloy wheels. I want to for Michelin 165/65 XM 1. Now my question is:-

1. Is this upgrade is needed at first place.I mean would it really provide any significant advantage over stock 155/70 profile?

2. In case i go for it, would the increased width at the front may touch anything (panel, body etc) while turning?

3. What is the approx. cost of these Michelins?

4. Has anybody done the tyre upgrade for Spark, If yes, share your inputs please.

My priorities are good handling on the highways and minimum noise ( on both these counts, MRF sucks).

VeluM · 25th August 2010, 12:22

A colleague has recently fitted Michelin XM1+ on his spark - stock size, I believe. He's very happy with the ride quality and reduced road noise. It came to approximately 2700 per tyre, here in Bangalore. Might want to check that. XM1+ has pretty decent grip too, and you could check about 165/65/13 (which wouldn't cause any problems with the wheel well).

djay99 · 2nd September 2010, 15:22

@KKG,
1] Upgrade is needed if you want more grip and stopping power.
2] If you go with 165/65-13, tyres wont touch any portion of body. Its safe upgrade.
3] Others can share info.
4] One of my friend has changed tyres to 165/65-13. I think he bought apollo tyres in that size. He is happy with upgrade.

kkg · 2nd September 2010, 15:37

Thanks djay99

I am planning for the upgrade next month. More grip and stopping power is always welcome.

The only thing i am skeptical about is tyres touching the wheel wells since my car goes on long trips frequently and that too fully loaded. I have noticed that tyres go way into the wheel arches.

BTW i got a quote of Rs 3100 per tyre for XM1+ with samsung mobile phone free with four tyres.

radek · 3rd September 2010, 18:17

Just yesterday i changed all tyres of my Spark. My current running is 45600 KM. I have chosen Continental CEC tyres with upgrade to 165/65 R 13. Each costed Rs. 2900.

I have not attempted any high speed or cornering. But some sharp U turns created no problems. In fact, I have feeling that steering is sharper than before. One major advantage is tyre noise is much less compared to stock Apollo Accelere.

djay99 · 5th September 2010, 13:55

@KKG,

I feel 3100 for 165/65-13 is on a higher side for michelins.
You can also consider Yoko A-drives. They are good and are comparable with michelins. They are cheaper too.

radek · 5th September 2010, 14:56

I also got the same quote 3100 for Michelin. Comparatively, Conti with same quality are available for 2900. I was bit confused about Yoko as some say it has lot of noise.

23rd September 2009, 10:50	#31
shapath BANNED Join Date: May 2007 Location: CHENNAI Posts: 171 Thanked: 2 Times	spark apollo accelere..exchange with michelin or continental ? Mine is a new spark which has done about 700km.Now it has Apollo accelere 155/70/13.I would like to improve Braking.when i took it to highway,the Tyres seems to be noisy. so planning to change it. I am getting exchange offer for existing Apollo 4 tyres either to Michelin 155/70/13 ( 5200 for 4 tyre exchange) or Continental 155/70/13 ( 4000 for 4 tyre exchange). Exchange rates inclusive of balance/alignment. MY question.which Tyre would be better for getting improved braking ,Good FE, Ride comfort ,wet Grip, decent cornering as i dont take TURNS at high speed and psbl no or less noise. Option 2- should i go for next up size 165 with Michelin or continental? Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

25th September 2009, 00:11	#32
djay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 553 Times View My Garage	Shapath, I would suggest you to upgrade your tires to 165/65-13 as this will give you good grip compared to stock tires and ride quality will be same as stock tires. A little drop in mileage is for sure. Your braking will definitely improve and you can put your car in corner at speeds of 100. I suggest Michelin XM1+ any day compared to continental.
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 16:05	#35
shapath BANNED Join Date: May 2007 Location: CHENNAI Posts: 171 Thanked: 2 Times	Driving with Apollo accelere on 'rainy' highway spark which has done about 2400km, has factory fitted Apollo accelere 155/70/13. While driving on the highway (which had about 2-4 inches of water) @ about 70 -90km/hr the vehicle showed swaying tendency due to tyre and road grip is not effective so one has to naturally slow down. is it because of Apollo accelere's inherent tendency OR because of the 70km speed . Will this 'sway' and 'lack of grip' would get avoided by switching to Michelin 155/70/13- which i understand would improve braking as well as cornering. looking for suggestion and opinion on this . TIA.
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 23:06	#38
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,195 Thanked: 10,177 Times	Dont bother. Any tyre will aquaplane at speed and in that depth of water. The Aceleres are good tyres. YOu will be throwing away money by getting Michelins or whatever.
	() Thanks

16th August 2010, 21:07	#39
kkg BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: India,New Delhi Posts: 320 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	Hi everyone, My spark has done around 42000kms on stock MRF ( 155/70) tyres. I am planning to change the tyres soon. I already have 5 j Neo alloy wheels. I want to for Michelin 165/65 XM 1. Now my question is:- 1. Is this upgrade is needed at first place.I mean would it really provide any significant advantage over stock 155/70 profile? 2. In case i go for it, would the increased width at the front may touch anything (panel, body etc) while turning? 3. What is the approx. cost of these Michelins? 4. Has anybody done the tyre upgrade for Spark, If yes, share your inputs please. My priorities are good handling on the highways and minimum noise ( on both these counts, MRF sucks).
	() Thanks

25th August 2010, 12:22	#40
VeluM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,807 Thanked: 1,545 Times	A colleague has recently fitted Michelin XM1+ on his spark - stock size, I believe. He's very happy with the ride quality and reduced road noise. It came to approximately 2700 per tyre, here in Bangalore. Might want to check that. XM1+ has pretty decent grip too, and you could check about 165/65/13 (which wouldn't cause any problems with the wheel well).
	() Thanks

2nd September 2010, 15:22	#41
djay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 553 Times View My Garage	@KKG, 1] Upgrade is needed if you want more grip and stopping power. 2] If you go with 165/65-13, tyres wont touch any portion of body. Its safe upgrade. 3] Others can share info. 4] One of my friend has changed tyres to 165/65-13. I think he bought apollo tyres in that size. He is happy with upgrade.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2010, 15:37	#42
kkg BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: India,New Delhi Posts: 320 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	Thanks djay99 I am planning for the upgrade next month. More grip and stopping power is always welcome. The only thing i am skeptical about is tyres touching the wheel wells since my car goes on long trips frequently and that too fully loaded. I have noticed that tyres go way into the wheel arches. BTW i got a quote of Rs 3100 per tyre for XM1+ with samsung mobile phone free with four tyres.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2010, 18:17	#43
radek BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 287 Thanked: 82 Times	Just yesterday i changed all tyres of my Spark. My current running is 45600 KM. I have chosen Continental CEC tyres with upgrade to 165/65 R 13. Each costed Rs. 2900. I have not attempted any high speed or cornering. But some sharp U turns created no problems. In fact, I have feeling that steering is sharper than before. One major advantage is tyre noise is much less compared to stock Apollo Accelere.
	() Thanks

5th September 2010, 13:55	#44
djay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 553 Times View My Garage	@KKG, I feel 3100 for 165/65-13 is on a higher side for michelins. You can also consider Yoko A-drives. They are good and are comparable with michelins. They are cheaper too.
	() Thanks

5th September 2010, 14:56	#45
radek BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 287 Thanked: 82 Times	I also got the same quote 3100 for Michelin. Comparatively, Conti with same quality are available for 2900. I was bit confused about Yoko as some say it has lot of noise.
	() Thanks