changing wheels and tyres Superb Sedan

[CanberravRS]

After having 2 Skoda's with 18's i can happily say that the new Michelin PS3 ROCK! Way better than the Factory 225/40/18 Continentals

But much depends on your driving style and preference for life expectancy vs grip levels.
Best to ask around and get a feel.. then choose.

[romaniac]

Thanks for your recommendations guys, I don't have hardly any knowledge when it comes to wheels/tyres!

The offset on the 19x8.5 is ET57, does that mean I would have any problems?

[CanberravRS]

Not sure on that offset. The factory 7.5's are ET46

[romaniac]

IMO, that'll be the best thing to do.



Yes, 225/35 R19 tyres will fit 19x8.5 wheels quite fine.

Though if you require your vehicle to be roadworthy, you need to fit 235/35 R19 91Y XL tyres, since the load index must be no less than 91.

Where did you get the information on the load index needing to be a minimum of 91? I want to go with 225/35/19 but I can't find any with the load index higher than 88. If I go with the 235s then it meets that load index however the speedo will be more out of whack and diameter and height will be more different than standard.

[Diesel_vert]

Where did you get the information on the load index needing to be a minimum of 91?

In fact, it'll be a bit higher than that, as Australia doesn't get the GreenLine II models. So the tyre placard may even state "no less than 94" (or 92 depending on specification).

The current Superb comes fitted with the following tyre sizes:

205/55 R16 91H*
205/55 R16 94V XL
225/45 R17 94W XL
225/45 R17 94Y XL
225/40 R18 92Y XL

*GreenLine II models only

To my knowledge, models based on the current Golf platform have never been fitted with tyres with a load index of less than 91. I don't see why it would be any different for the current Superb, especially when they've gone to the trouble of specifying XL (extra load) tyres for it, with the exception of GreenLine II models.

Not to mention that being based on the stretched version would imply an increase in kerb weight.

I want to go with 225/35/19 but I can't find any with the load index higher than 88.

That's correct, it's either 225/35 R19 84Y or 225/35 R19 88Y XL.

If I go with the 235s then it meets that load index however the speedo will be more out of whack and diameter and height will be more different than standard.

That's also correct, but it's better than fitting a set of tyres with an insufficient load capacity (safety first). VW must've reached the same conclusion, as even the Golf comes with 235/35 R19 91Y XL tyres, and not 225/35 R19 88Y XL tyres.

I've also noted that despite the availability of 225/40 R18 88Y tyres on the marketplace, all models on the current Golf platform have been fitted with 225/40 R18 92Y XL tyres instead...

[brad]

Where did you get the information on the load index needing to be a minimum of 91? I want to go with 225/35/19 but I can't find any with the load index higher than 88. If I go with the 235s then it meets that load index however the speedo will be more out of whack and diameter and height will be more different than standard.

If your speedo is as optimistic as most VW product then the +10mm extra diameter will make it more accurate. I went from 205/55 to 225/55 & the speedo still reads between 2km/h to 5 km/h optimistic between 50-110km/h (compared to my Garmin GPS reading).

At a guess, 8.5" / ET57 will have the tyres scraping against the struts on the front if the factory offset on a 7.5" rim is ET46 as you will be 24mm closer to the strut. From my experience, there is usually only about 15mm maximum to play with. If you are going from 7.5 to 8.5 then you'll have to stick with ET46 as that will make the rim 13mm closer to the strut (& 13mm closer to the edge of the guard as well). If you are trying to fill the guards, ET57 will change nothing visually.

You need to check the following before committing:

• Check the tyre placard for the minimum load rating currently allowed - don't go less than this.
• Check tyre placard for maximum diameter rim fitted - don't go more than +2" over this.
• Check fitted rims for ET stamped on rim.
• Check physical clearance between rim/tyres & body or suspension
• Feed the above figures into an offset/tyre fitment calculator to make sure it all works. I have a really good one but this forum doesn't allow you to attach excell files. There are a few out there on the internet too.

[romaniac]

If your speedo is as optimistic as most VW product then the +10mm extra diameter will make it more accurate. I went from 205/55 to 225/55 & the speedo still reads between 2km/h to 5 km/h optimistic between 50-110km/h (compared to my Garmin GPS reading).

At a guess, 8.5" / ET57 will have the tyres scraping against the struts on the front if the factory offset on a 7.5" rim is ET46 as you will be 24mm closer to the strut. From my experience, there is usually only about 15mm maximum to play with. If you are going from 7.5 to 8.5 then you'll have to stick with ET46 as that will make the rim 13mm closer to the strut (& 13mm closer to the edge of the guard as well). If you are trying to fill the guards, ET57 will change nothing visually.

You need to check the following before committing:

• Check the tyre placard for the minimum load rating currently allowed - don't go less than this.
• Check tyre placard for maximum diameter rim fitted - don't go more than +2" over this.
• Check fitted rims for ET stamped on rim.
• Check physical clearance between rim/tyres & body or suspension
• Feed the above figures into an offset/tyre fitment calculator to make sure it all works. I have a really good one but this forum doesn't allow you to attach excell files. There are a few out there on the internet too.

OK, sounds like I have to swap all wheels then and get 19x8.5 ET46 all round with a 235/35/R19 tyre and load rating of 91 or greater. Didn't think this would be so hard, next time I might re think about purchasing the wheels before the car arrives!

[brad]

It's all about research.

Know what your starting point is. Know where you want to end up. Modify as knowledge increases.

[romaniac]

It's all about research.

Know what your starting point is. Know where you want to end up. Modify as knowledge increases.

It certainly makes it easier when you have knowledgeable people like this forum helping you out! Thanks guys

[pologti18t]

>>> Check the tyre placard for the minimum load rating currently allowed - don't go less than this.

In fact its illegal to do so