Which Tyres (again)

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Sp!ke

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Same old topic I am affraid.

This time though, I am wondering about changing tyre sizes. My current wheels are standard Avanteguard wheels with 215/55/16 rubbers on.

I will be needing new tyres in the next few weeks and I have noticed that if I went down to 205/55/16, there are considerable savings. I also noticed that some Avanteguard wheels have 215's and somehave 205's on them so I am guessing that this will be fine.

Does anyone here know for sure?

Also, has anyone tried Nokia Tyres? They are the biggest Scandinavian tyre manufacturer, the reviews I have seen are very positive and the price is.....well half the cost of the Michelins I have now.

Click me
 
Spike,

As long as you're prepared to live with the increased revs for the speed and the (even more) optimistic speedo, there should be no problem.

I've also read the good Nokian reviews, but never found them available anywhere................must be worth a gamble though.

If you want a tyre that is definately recommendable and very cheap, try Nankeng (Korean unsurprisingly). I had these on my old Senator and they were significantly beter in EVERY respect than the Perreli P600s they replaced.

I'm not sure if they do your size, but as a guide, 225x60 x15 were 48 quid fitted, valved and balanced. This was from KP tyres in Ewell, Surrey.

Cheap tyres that perform like expensive ones............the car owners Holy Grail!
 
I've got Conti Eco Contacts on the front of my E240....wearing very well too, I must say. P6000s on the back, which aren't bad either. Contis were recommended by my local tyre specialist, and came in at just under a ton either side.

Micheldever tyres are cheap - worth giving them a call - I think they do mail order so you can have them sent and get a local garage to fit them for you.

<rant> But make sure whoever fits them uses stick on weights - my fronts had hammer ons and have knackered the surface of the alloys - got to be well careful when using alloy wheel cleaner or they oxidise badly. Stick ons are a bit dearer, but cheaper than having your alloys refaced thanks to some clumsy muppet with a hammer :mad:
<end rant>
 
Going from 215 to 205 shouldn't make a difference to the speedo readings etc. as this is the width of the tyre not the diameter. Changing to lower or higher profiles on the same 16" rims will. Try www.mytyres.net for online tyres and tyre info. and reviews. They have a selection of budget and premium tyres. I have Goodyear Eagle Ventura's on my 1999 E240 and they are excellent for grip and noise.

David
 
Changing from 205's to 215's will affect the speedo, the circumference will be bigger. The profile, either 50, 55, 60 etc is a percentage of the width of the tyre.

I recently changed from 195/65 15" to 205/60 15" my new tyres are slightly smaller in circumference, about 1%.
 
Originally posted by Sp!ke


I will be needing new tyres in the next few weeks and I have noticed that if I went down to 205/55/16, there are considerable savings. I also noticed that some Avanteguard wheels have 215's and somehave 205's on them so I am guessing that this will be fine.

Does anyone here know for sure?

Sp!ke

The 205's will be fine - there will be a small rolling radius difference - but you wont notice it


Originally posted by Sp!ke

Also, has anyone tried Nokia Tyres? They are the biggest Scandinavian tyre manufacturer, the reviews I have seen are very positive and the price is.....well half the cost of the Michelins I have now.

I had and still have directional Nokias on my 2.0 race Nova - they grip exceptionally well in the dry but still have good wet properties. I did a 14.59 sec 1/4 mile at the pod on these tyres - and it only ever got a best time of 14.8 on Dunlops

I would recommend them wholehartedly - but remember I only have experience with them on a small car.

Catch up with me on Sunday if you want to discuss them any further

Mark
 
Jimmy

I stand corrected, your absolutely correct. The aspect ratio is just that, a percentage of the width.

David
 
I got Eco contacts on as well - less than £200 all round ( Only 195/65/15 tho. But i think they are harsh - definitely a hard 'mileage saving' compound. Or maybe I am just comparing them to the old bald mixture of tyres I had!
 
Spike,
I have some 225/55/16s doing nothing much in the garage, a set I took off some alloys from my old merc. They are nothing like new, but the may give you a few miles worth out of them!
Good brand tyres as well if I remember correctly!
Ill check what they are like if u are interested.
Cheers
Will
 
I have some 225/55/16s doing nothing much in the garage, a set I took off some alloys from my old merc. They are nothing like new, but the may give you a few miles worth out of them!

Will,

Please have a look for me, I am very interested.
 
GDC, I've not noticed poor weather performance degradation with my Contis. They're wearing pretty well though, as you say.
 

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