Tyre Sizes

Hi,

Have 1.6 on standard 205/40/17 tyres

Still looking to get more rubber between wheel rim & road; because of bad road surfaces; & ; as a possible bonus; raise the overall gearing for long distance cruising. 

Did consider the standard 195/45/16 inch wheel option but whilst this would put give a deeper tyre the smaller overall diameter of this option would reduce overall gearing.

Only other options I can think or are to stay with 17 inch wheels & fit the following tyre sizes:

1: 215/40/17 which would give 4 mm more tyre depth & raise overall gearing from 18.6 to 18.9 mph per 1000 rpm in 5th.

2: 205/45/17 which would give 10 mm more tyre depth & raise overall gearing from 18.6 to 19.3.

Has anyone fitted either of these options. Was wheel clearance OK? Any affect on handling etc?

Also has anyone fitted Avon ZZ5 tires to a Wind. They look good on paper.

Tyres will need replacing in the New Year so any advice would be appreciated.

I have 215/40/17 all around i don't have any problems

Thanks for info.

As an afterthought the wider tyre might also protect the wheel against minor kerbing especially if one gets a tyre with a "Rim Protection" band.

I have 205/40/17 assymetrics on the front.

A premium contact 6 continental and a Riken which is some sort of tyre made in Serbia I believe with a loose affiliation to Michelin.

My problem is the are very noisy at speed say over 50 mph.

I notice that on the Riken the tread pattern is wider in the centre part of the tyre and I wonder if this is the issue or what else?

As per another thread on tyres I finally stuck to standard size of 205/40/17.

I got Avon ZZ5s at a very good price; for a quality tyre; from Black Circles.

They are "asymetric" & as well as having a great wet grip rating they also have a lower noise rating than most.

The reduction in noise compared with the original Continentals is noticeable.

Back in the day; years ago; tyres had a "symetrical" tread. Things have moved on as far as good quality car tyres are concerned.

The advantage of an "asymetric" tyre is that the tread pattern allows for the different loads on the outside & inside of a tyre. The are clearly marked "OUTSIDE" on one side of the tyre to ensure correct fitting. Also, if one wishes to rotate ones tyres they can be put on any wheel unlike "directional" tyres which cannot be swapped left to right as this would "reverse" the directional bias of the tread.

When replacing your tyres take a look at the rating figures which relate to: grip, economy, & noise levels.

Hi pittstop
Out of curiousity, how much were the Avon ZZ5s....compared to other makes available?

I paid £73.50 for the Avons.

The Black Circles web site shows a wide range of makes & prices for comparison.

I've bought from them a number of times & their prices for quality brands are competitive.

They also do "economy" tyres but their wear & grip ratings are not so good if one is looking to the  long term rather than short term savings.

With tyres....you do get what you pay for...short term savings rarely pay off in my experience