VW Polo : Tyre & wheel upgrade thread

[Epic]

Hey guys!!

After all the possible research, I have still not upgraded my tires yet and one of the major reasons is my confusion in the size. Owing a Polo 1.6 Highline with a stock size of 185/60/R15, I know that the best possible sizes are 195/60/R15 & 205/55/R15 with the latter being closer to stock. But I am concerned whether 205s would be an overkill for the car? Besides the 205/55 size only available with Yokohama S-Drives.

I have now come across another size which is 195/55/R15 which is also more suitable and would not be an overkill to the car. Here are the difference in circumference percentage wise with respective sizes:

195/60/R15 : 1.99%
195/55/R15 : -1.24%
205/55/R15 : 0.58%

What do you guys think?

[Nikhilb2008]

205/55-15 is definitely overkill.

I will always suggest 195/60-15 because your GC and ride comfort will be better and it is more than enough for almost any type of driving. Also, 195/60-15 has more options for you to choose from.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

205/55-15 is definitely overkill.

I will always suggest 195/60-15 because your GC and ride comfort will be better and it is more than enough for almost any type of driving. Also, 195/60-15 has more options for you to choose from.

Hey Nikhil 2008! So which tyre brand do you recommend? Michelin?

Also 195/60/R15 has the highest error among the three.

[Rajesh Rawal]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

205/55-15 is definitely overkill.

I will always suggest 195/60-15 because your GC and ride comfort will be better and it is more than enough for almost any type of driving. Also, 195/60-15 has more options for you to choose from.

Pardon my ignorance but woudn't gc remain the same if you have upgrade to say 195/60 ,if it was 195/65 then gc would increase right?

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by Rajesh Rawal

Pardon my ignorance but woudn't gc remain the same if you have upgrade to say 195/60 ,if it was 195/65 then gc would increase right?

I was comparing 205/55-15 with 195/60-15.

195/60-15 has a higher sidewall height. So, GC will be higher. If you compare 195/65-15 with 195/60-15, then 195/65-15 will have a higher GC.

Originally Posted by Epic

Hey Nikhil 2008! So which tyre brand do you recommend? Michelin?

Also 195/60/R15 has the highest error among the three.

It may have the highest error but keep in mind that statistics can be used either way. in the real world, the extra rubber would be benficial.

I wouldnt recommend any brand blindly. Depends on your usage and requirements.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

It may have the highest error but keep in mind that statistics can be used either way. in the real world, the extra rubber would be benficial.

I wouldnt recommend any brand blindly. Depends on your usage and requirements.

Ok here is the thing. I have used a 195/60 (Goodyear F1 & Apollo Accelere) and a 205/55 (Yokohama S-Drive) size on 15" rims on my previous car which was a Swift. The 60 profile was more comfortable of course but didn't give a sporty look as compared to the 55 profile. The S-Drives also had a brilliant tread pattern which is also something I am looking at for the Polo.

My requirements are in the following order:

- Ride Comfort & Grip in wet and dry
- Looks in terms for sporty tread pattern and profile

Visited the following websites and here are my findings:

195/60/R15

Michelin

- Primacy LC (Plain Tread Pattern)



Bridgestone

- Ecopia EP100A (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Potenza GIII (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-01 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Turanza AR10 (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Turanza ER60 (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-02 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza RE88 (Sporty/Plain Tread Pattern)



Yokohama

- A-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- AVS Decibel (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- C-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- ES 100 (Sporty Tread Pattern)




195/55/R15

Michelin

- NOT AVAILABLE



Bridgestone

- Potenza GIII (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-01 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-02 (Sporty Tread Pattern)



Yokohama

- A-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- S-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)




205/55/R15

Michelin

- NOT AVAILABLE



Bridgestone

- NOT AVAILABLE



Yokohama

- S-Drive (Sporty Pattern)


Now taking into account that the 205s are an overkill for the car I will need to look at a 195/60 OR 195/55 set of tires. Further that I am looking at ride comfort and sporty looks; I would need to choose between the Yokohamas & Bridgestones.

What would you suggest now?

[Nikhilb2008]

Ride comfort and sporty looks rarely go hand in hand.

Pick one then the choice will be easier.

195/55-15 is not recommended as that is the technically wrong size and the ride quality will be quite terrible!

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Ride comfort and sporty looks rarely go hand in hand.

Pick one then the choice will be easier.

195/55-15 is not recommended as that is the technically wrong size and the ride quality will be quite terrible!

Hi Nikhil. I am confused. Why is 195/55 a wrong size when it has a marginally lesser error than the 195/60?

In that case the 205/55 would be my choice.

[Nikhilb2008]

5% lesser is not a marginally lesser error!

If you want 205/55-15, then the S Drives is your only decent option.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

5% lesser is not a marginally lesser error!

If you want 205/55-15, then the S Drives is your only decent option.

5% error? I think you have made some mistake. Here are the errors for all the sizes:

Stock size is 185/60/R15

195/60/R15 : 1.99%
195/55/R15 : -1.24%
205/55/R15 : 0.58%

I am also surprised to see that none of the top brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama or Bridgestone have the 185/60/R15 size!!

[mroptimist]

Originally Posted by Epic

5% error? I think you have made some mistake. Here are the errors for all the sizes:

Stock size is 185/60/R15

195/60/R15 : 1.99%
195/55/R15 : -1.24%
205/55/R15 : 0.58%

I am also surprised to see that none of the top brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama or Bridgestone have the 185/60/R15 size!!

Hi epic I am also in the same boat as you. Even I own a car with this unfortunate stock size 185/60 R15 (Etios VX). No good tyres in this size, only slightly better tyres are Bridgestone Turanza ER300 and I am not too happy with them. They wore out pretty fast (33,000 on the odo) plenty of tyre noise and okay grip. Not so puncture resistant also.

I want to upsize to 195/60 R15 Bridgestone Turanza ER60 88H but unfortunately no dealer seems to have them in stock. When I called up Bridgestone office they were also not sure about when they will be available. Bridgestone toll free number does not work. This company seems to care least about India.

No Michelin XM2 also in this size but they have in Swift ZXi/ZDi size, 185/65/R15 which is not the recommended size for Etios (odo error ~3%).

Thoroughly frustrated.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by mroptimist

Hi epic I am also in the same boat as you. Even I own a car with this unfortunate stock size 185/60 R15 (Etios VX). No good tyres in this size, only slightly better tyres are Bridgestone Turanza ER300 and I am not too happy with them. They wore out pretty fast (33,000 on the odo) plenty of tyre noise and okay grip. Not so puncture resistant also.

I want to upsize to 195/60 R15 Bridgestone Turanza ER60 88H but unfortunately no dealer seems to have them in stock. When I called up Bridgestone office they were also not sure about when they will be available. Bridgestone toll free number does not work. This company seems to care least about India.

No Michelin XM2 also in this size but they have in Swift ZXi/ZDi size, 185/65/R15 which is not the recommended size for Etios (odo error ~3%).

Thoroughly frustrated.

Had mentioned this in my post above but re posting for your convenience. These are the acceptable upsizes available in the top brands for a stock 185/60/R15 tyre.

195/60/R15

Michelin

- Primacy LC (Plain Tread Pattern)



Bridgestone

- Ecopia EP100A (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Potenza GIII (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-01 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Turanza AR10 (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Turanza ER60 (Plain Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-02 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza RE88 (Sporty/Plain Tread Pattern)



Yokohama

- A-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- AVS Decibel (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- C-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- ES 100 (Sporty Tread Pattern)




195/55/R15

Michelin

- NOT AVAILABLE



Bridgestone

- Potenza GIII (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-01 (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- Potenza MY-02 (Sporty Tread Pattern)



Yokohama

- A-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)
- S-Drive (Sporty Tread Pattern)




205/55/R15

Michelin

- NOT AVAILABLE



Bridgestone

- NOT AVAILABLE



Yokohama

- S-Drive (Sporty Pattern)

[alexanish]

Originally Posted by mroptimist

Hi epic I am also in the same boat as you. Even I own a car with this unfortunate stock size 185/60 R15 (Etios VX). No good tyres in this size, only slightly better tyres are Bridgestone Turanza ER300 and I am not too happy with them. They wore out pretty fast (33,000 on the odo) plenty of tyre noise and okay grip. Not so puncture resistant also.

I want to upsize to 195/60 R15 Bridgestone Turanza ER60 88H but unfortunately no dealer seems to have them in stock. When I called up Bridgestone office they were also not sure about when they will be available. Bridgestone toll free number does not work. This company seems to care least about India.

No Michelin XM2 also in this size but they have in Swift ZXi/ZDi size, 185/65/R15 which is not the recommended size for Etios (odo error ~3%).

Thoroughly frustrated.

Does the upgrade from 185/60 R15 to 195/60 R15 has any substantial effect on the fuel efficiency? Say 1 or 2 kms drop? I am getting my Polo Petrol HL with 185/60 R15 OEM this week and I am planning to go for 195/60 R15 Bridgestone Turanza EF60.

Any one has done this specific upgrade? Howz the overall experience? The upgrade is going to cost 10K. Is it worth?

[mroptimist]

Originally Posted by alexanish

Does the upgrade from 185/60 R15 to 195/60 R15 has any substantial effect on the fuel efficiency? Say 1 or 2 kms drop? I am getting my Polo Petrol HL with 185/60 R15 OEM this week and I am planning to go for 195/60 R15 Bridgestone Turanza ER60.

Anyone has done this specific upgrade? Howz the overall experience? The upgrade is going to cost 10K. Is it worth?

I have driven around 1000kms in my car after upgrading from stock size Bridgestone Turanza ER300 185/60/R15 84H to Bridgestone Turanza AR10 195/60/R15 88V. Here are my brief observations:

1. Steering response: slightly heavier.

2. Drivability: much better especially on pot holed ridden roads.

3. Tyre noise: less but still not as much as expected. {By the way tyre noise is always relative}.

4. Road grip: excellent on both wet and dry surfaces (stock tyres' grip was not too bad either).

5. Effect on fuel efficiency: apparently not significant. (Disclaimer: I have not calculated F.E strictly, too lazy to do it).

6. Conclusion: If I had foresight that drivability of my car would improve so much by putting upgraded and better rubber I would have got it done immediately after purchase of my car.

For cars with stock size 185/60/R15 upgrading to 195/60/R15 is the perfect upsize, don't hesitate go for it. You did not mention what tyres come as stock (not just size but brand etc) in your car.

Bridgestone Turanza ER60 are all rounder tyres with at least 50,000kms durability, so infact you will be gaining overall.

You can also wait a week for new tyres from Bridgestone, Turanza AR20 which are I think better than ER60.

Hope it helps.

[alexanish]

Originally Posted by mroptimist

I have driven around 1000kms in my car after upgrading from stock size Bridgestone Turanza ER300 185/60/R15 84H to Bridgestone Turanza AR10 195/60/R15 88V. Here are my brief observations:

1. Steering response: slightly heavier.

2. Drivability: much better especially on pot holed ridden roads.

3. Tyre noise: less but still not as much as expected. {By the way tyre noise is always relative}.

4. Road grip: excellent on both wet and dry surfaces (stock tyres' grip was not too bad either).

5. Effect on fuel efficiency: apparently not significant. (Disclaimer: I have not calculated F.E strictly, too lazy to do it).

6. Conclusion: If I had foresight that drivability of my car would improve so much by putting upgraded and better rubber I would have got it done immediately after purchase of my car.

For cars with stock size 185/60/R15 upgrading to 195/60/R15 is the perfect upsize, don't hesitate go for it. You did not mention what tyres come as stock (not just size but brand etc) in your car.

Bridgestone Turanza ER60 are all rounder tyres with at least 50,000kms durability, so infact you will be gaining overall.

You can also wait a week for new tyres from Bridgestone, Turanza AR20 which are I think better than ER60.

Hope it helps.

You came from the same Turanza brand and there is a noticeable difference? So I guess even different series of same brand have vastly different characteristics. I was informed by the VW sales person today that once I go for profile change the warranty will become void. That mean I may have only few options to change to a better tyre like ER300, if its still available. By the way, the stock tyres I will be getting is Apollo Acelere (185/60/R15).

If AR20 is a new entry to our market, then I suppose it must be costly. If it has 185/60/R15 then I will pick it, even if its slightly costly