chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

**To the mods - I think it's worth keeping this thread in general over the wheels/tyres section if possible please?**


Basically my 99 wagon is running standard 5 spoke wheels and the tyres are all crappy budget. They're nearly all worn out so will be replacing all 4 for winter.

Now the standard size is 205/50/16 but the price difference between these and 205/55/16 is pretty phenominal say on camskill.co.uk!

Looking at say Goodyear Eagle F1's which I really rate, look at the price difference!
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s291p...16_205_55_R_16
http://camskill.co.uk/m62b0s300p0/Ca...16_205_50_R_16

It's the same for other brands too, as I also rate the Uniroyal Rainsport II as I've used both on a previous car.

So would the Scoob feel any different, i.e. sloppy or even rub the arches with the 205/55/16 tyres over standard 205/50/16? I ask as there's a helluva saving there for what is essentiallymore tyre

Anyone done this without loss of handling or other negative characterisitics?

Cheers,

Andy

the hamster

iTrader: (7)

Only real problem you will encounter is the speedo being out by 3.4% too slow, according to the tyre calculator

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Yeah noticed that when I looked at the difference in sidewall. I can live with that as I religiously stick to limits anywho. So 30 would only be slightly over and not GATSO blasting

More concerned about the flex in the tyre wall or detrimental effects to the Scoobs grip/handling characteristics if anyone knows/has experience????

r1c

iTrader: (9)

I would imagine it would handle like a boat! There is quite a profile difference between the 2.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

On 205mm wide tyres the difference of 5% equates to about 20.5mm on the diameter. Would that make such a difference? Especially when you see Scoobs on 35/40/45/50 profile tyres at different widths?

Flawed logic?

r1c

iTrader: (9)

I think there would be quite a difference, I take in what your saying, but I don't think the sidewalls will be stiff enough to take the scoobs approach to cornering.
I think the minor difference will compromise the suspension set up to much.
Would you really chance taking a risk on the handling of a scoob to save a few quid?

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Hense the questions above on people's experiences. I've seen a few sets of wheels/tyres in the For Sale section with said tyre sizes on. And it's not a few quid, especially regards the Goodyears - you're talking £45 a corner!

If no good, I can pick up a set of Falken 912's for around £260 in 205/50/16 from camskill. Obviously just asking the question and for peoples experiences as you can understand

r1c

iTrader: (9)

You may find that the price difference is due to the amout of usage each size has, 205/55/16 is a really common size, astra, focus, mondeo and so on, the 50's were not so common.

Well worth asking advice, in my opinion, I wouldn't.

Have you tried Black circle? There normally cheap.

the hamster

iTrader: (7)

I've just changed from 215/40/17's to 215/35/18's so theres no real difference in the rolling circumference of the wheel but the handling is terrible compared to my 17's. I do put this partly down to the tyres, which I WILL be changing to Falken 912 Ziex's as soon as funds allow as theyre the best i've ever had.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi Andy,

have look on Clickontyres.com

http://www.clickontyres.com/Falken/2...K45287W1056857

http://www.clickontyres.com/Falken/2...E91287V1248253

Jura

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I am looking at the Falken 912's now on camskill @ £56 a corner. V-rating which is fine for me as I'm not one for high speed runs

Just a shame about the 55's as I'd like to have Goodyear F1's again but will not be paying £110 a corner for tyres on an Impreza

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Hmm, come back as a very similar price to camskill, Jura. I'll bookmark it and have 2 options then as Falken seem to be a very good tyre for the price!

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

Speedo under reads (manufacturer built in tolerance of 10%) so 3.4% over-read should be fine and not cause a problem.

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

Had those on my 205 GTI-6 conversion and they were great imho.

Loco

iTrader: (1)

not really sure about your comment there mate. the difference between 205/50/16 and 205/55/16 is an extra 5mm of sidewall. I don't consider an extra 1cm total diameter of tyre to be quite a profile difference at all!!

I think what is more likely to cause a problem is that at the moment you say it is running on budget tyres.

If I had a choice between running budget 205/50/16, or premium 205/55/16, I would defo go for the premium option.

Why not phone a decent tyre specialist (not kwikfit, etc.), and ask? they may confirm what I just said.

if you are worried about going up in profile, why not go down instead? try 205/45/16. never going to get any rubbing issues when going down in size...

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

2055516 are a more used size hence the price difference , that is a size for most normal cars , focus , megane, mondeo, astra , vectra and so on

2055016 only fit a handful of cars now , astra gsi , scooby standards , and thats about it from what i get in here , i dont sell that many tbh

i wouldnt put 2055516s on a scoob as it will handle like a boat

i do sell loads of falkens in 2055016

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Could you pm me a quote if you have 5 mins

vindaloo

My 2p...

Keeping the same brand, I agree, will have some effect on handling. I would imagine turn-in might get a tad softer and the tyre may tuck under slightly earlier. It should be a slightly more comfortable ride however and in theory transitions will be less abrupt.

Once you look at different brands the picture changes. Compare Goodyears with Bridgestones and in the more sporting variants, at least, the Bridgestones have much tougher sidewalls.

Would you rather RE050As at £75 each or some budget "thing", albeit in the usual size?

J.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

My apologies but I'm not following? Falkens aren't budget are they, I thought they were mid range, like Toyo or Uniroyal etc.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Andy: this is one of the reasons mine is now on 17" wheels, the tyre price was lower, so the wheels were apid for after the second set.

Go to 17's, can't you find a set WITH tyres on ebay, then either keep your old wheels or sell them on.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMP...item27bf403483

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-Subaru-...item1e67adc6ed

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Believe it or not, I wanted to stick with 16" for standard wheels. Oem look, well apart from my exhaust. I'm looking as the wheels need returning to be fair.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

When I buy a tyre it tends to cost me £40-£45 per tyre. The last 3 I bought were Pirelli and 2 Avon. There 215/35/18 and there virtually brand new everytime OK so there part worn but I have used part worn for the last 15 years and so far (touch wood )I have had no problems with any of the tyre that I have bought.

For price difference I would not buy from anywhere else now

sonicvr6

iTrader: (2)

i got some stock 16's on the wagon i'm braking with brand new rubber on

CREWJ

I've tried 205/40/17 and 205/45/17 and the handling characteristic differences are huge. Not to mention the noise difference but then I doubt you'd notice that.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Can you pm me some details? Condition of wheels, tyre brand and tread depth. They all the same tyre? Any pics etc?

Ta

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

How do you drive ??
Surely this is a question that makes a huge difference when choosing tyres.

My point being, I you are a steady, stick to the speed limit kind of person then changing from a 50 to a 55 will make no difference to you whatsoever.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I'm usually pretty steady with ha ing a 7 month old son but I do like a spirited drive now and again when alone in the Scoob.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Hi mate, falken 452, £72 a corner fitted in 205 50 16 and for me the car feels a lot better for it, i had 55 on before and my 18's were shyte tramline central.

This is by far the best set up i have had,but then subaru did make it like this for a reason me thinks.

Oh and the falken are a bloody good tyre, better than goodyear, toyo and pirelli

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

It is 5% extra sidewall, which on a 205mm width is 10.25 mm, not 5mm

The profile is a percentage of tyre width.

The toal diameter change is 20.5mm or 2.05cm, not 1cm

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

So what did you go for cob?