Skoda RS replacement tyres - interesting

[woofy]

Yep PS3s are around that....any other size and they are half the price. I'm wondering whether its early days though and if other VAG cars will cause that size to be more common. When we got our 6 prices were high, but after huge sales of them, the tyres become half the price within a year or so.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

I've had Michelin PS3 235/40 18's on my Skoda vRS for just over 10,000km now. They fit the rim without an issue (yep it's a pre FL but the rims are 7.5" wide) and don't bulge that much more than the 225/40 18 Continental's the car came with originally.

In VIC the 235 tyres are legal as they don't exceed standard tyres overall diameter by 15mm. With the Continental's the car speedo was out by approx 4km/h, but now it's 2km/h out - true speed is 100km/h, but the speedo shows 102km/h. The load rating is a little higher on the 235 tyre too.

Must admit the Michelin tyres are impressing me as they handle as well as the Continental's, are a little quieter but don't look to be wearing out as quick as the Continental's.

Two other things with the 235 tyres vs 225 tyres:
1) A little more traction as the tyre is 1cm wider
2) The price - I saved approx $200 per tyre!

Cheers

[brad]

Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi
Probably/possibly in practice that tyre on a 7.5" rim might be OK. especially if it's a small carcass tyre (eg: Goodyear had several tyres back in the day that had different numbers on the side but came out of the same mold - 175/185x14 IIRC). Tyres in the same nominal size do vary quite markedly from brand to brand. Go to a multi-brand tyre place & get them to line-up different brands in the same size & they differ quite markedly in physical dimensions.

My issue would be if something went wrong & insurance/police investigated enough to realise the tyre was oversize for the rim (on paper).

If it looks OK then you'll probably never have an issue.

Given that you are saving $200/tyre, it might be worth spending your savings on some 18x8 rims. Tyrerack has several nice Enkei rims at the moment for less than $200 each. Most of them are less than 10kg so probably lighter than OEM too.

[Antiplastix]

Oh, and your insurance companies going to love that, ( 18x 8" rims ).

[Diesel_vert]

My issue would be if something went wrong & insurance/police investigated enough to realise the tyre was oversize for the rim (on paper).

If it looks OK then you'll probably never have an issue.

I bet that most inspectors aren't that eagle-eyed or knowledgeable. I also bet that it'd have to be a major accident (causing serious injury or death) before they start to comb every single detail. At the end of the day, it's probably worth the risk, as there are plenty of vehicles out there whose wheel and tyre combinations are waaay more idiotic than Ocy's.

But if they somehow find out and decide to use it against you, then insurance claim = null and void (pretty low if they do that IMO).

[brad]

Oh, and your insurance companies going to love that, ( 18x 8" rims ).

What would be the issue? only half an inch wider than stock & same diameter. Plenty of vehicles out there with +2" diameter & +1" or greater in width that have the full blessing of of their insurance company & no extra on their premium.

[brad]

I bet that most inspectors aren't that eagle-eyed or knowledgeable. I also bet that it'd have to be a major accident (causing serious injury or death) before they start to comb every single detail. At the end of the day, it's probably worth the risk, as there are plenty of vehicles out there whose wheel and tyre combinations are waaay more idiotic than Ocy's.

But if they somehow find out and decide to use it against you, then insurance claim = null and void (pretty low if they do that IMO).

Everyone seems to get excited about <35% tint on their windows. I think tyres are a bit more important than dark windows.

Many moons ago I was asked to give a report on the tyres on a Celica for MLC insurance. They were trying to decide if the woman had been negligent in maintaining the car (there were other issues such as worn brakes). It was odder than normal as the car was several days past policy expiry and she claimed she had posted in the renewal paperwork & cheque several days before the policy had expired.

Many people used to do dodgies on insurance back then, so I assume they'd be looking a bit closer these days.

[K1W1]

What would be the issue? only half an inch wider than stock & same diameter. Plenty of vehicles out there with +2" diameter & +1" or greater in width that have the full blessing of of their insurance company & no extra on their premium.

I just checked the PDS for the RACV. Obviously every insurance company has their own PDS so people should check their policy but all the RACV document says is;

If you do not tell us the following we may refuse or reduce a claim, or cancel your Policy:
* you change the address where your vehicle is normally kept
* you change the way you use your vehicle
* you use your vehicle for a driver education course
* you hire out your vehicle
* your vehicle is not in a condition that meets registration requirements in your State or Territory
* your vehicle is not in good order and repair, free from rust, mechanical, hail or unrepaired damage, or any other damage
that would make it unsafe
* you use your vehicle for events relating to a motor vehicle club, bash or charity event

so I guess as long a 18x8" rims are legal for the vehicle there would be no insurance issue for the RACV at least. I'd still ring them and let them know and have the policy noted anyway just to make sure.

[Diesel_vert]

Everyone seems to get excited about <35% tint on their windows. I think tyres are a bit more important than dark windows.

Personally, I don't take the vehicle/tyre/wheel manufacturer's recommendations lightly.

That said, I do try to advise people on what should be done proper, but I leave the final decision up to them.

[Antiplastix]

Brad, Just the fact that the after market wheels are going to draw more attention to the fact that you have the 235 tyres rather than the 225s. As long as the tyres had tread they probably would nt be worried about the extra 10mm. I replaced the 205/65 s on my Transporter with 215/60 s and GIO didn t care as long as they were load rated.