Some tyre advice please

[Gerrycan]

I've got a mk3 1.4tsi with 225x45x17 wheels and tyres that are starting to show some wear after 33k km and I have a shortlist of the usual Michelin, Goodyear or Continental replacement options depending on what deal in on at the time.

I'm not an aggressive driver and drive to the conditions and I have been tempted by the offer of a very cheap set of steel wheels and very low mileage Continental tyres off a Mk7 Golf.
The thing is the wheel size is 195x65x15 which comes in somewhere close to 2% of the current wheel circumference.
Similar wheel/tyre combinations were fitted to Falcadores not so long ago so it is not really a safety issue and I'm curious as to what effect it will have on the car consumption.

But is it legal, the minimum size fitted was 16 inch, and are there any other factors I have to take into consideration? I assume the bolt holes would be the same although I might need some different bolts?

[gadget007a]

here is some information regarding changing wheels on a car.

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/vehicles/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/wheels-and-tyres

besides legality and bolt holes I would also check that the wheel clears the brakes.

[Gerrycan]

Thanks that is useful.
Appears that going 'smaller' does not present too many legal issues

I can't imagine the brakes on the Golf 7 are any smaller than on mine but definitely something to check.
Speed ratings should be ok as the minimum Golf 7 power is the 1.4tsi 90kw version.
If I go ahead with this then I'd end up in the unique situation where my spacesaver spare would be bigger than my standard fitment.

It would not surprise me if the smaller steel wheel/tyres reduced unsprung and rotating weight by 20kg or more.
Statistically the narrower tyre should reduce the chances of picking up the errant nails my current tyres have been plagued with.

[brenno]

Some tyre advice please

A few months ago I bought a set of Golf 7 15s with tyres that came off a new Golf. I've yet to fit them but I bought them seeking an improvement in the unpleasant ride of the Octavia. They pop up on gumtree occasionally for a ridiculously low amount.

The Octavias were complied with 15s so I don't think there are any concerns with legality.

Edit: yes they come with different bolts. Mine came with them. If I get a moment over Easter I'll fit them up and let you know how I go.

[gadget007a]

It would not surprise me if the smaller steel wheel/tyres reduced unsprung and rotating weight by 20kg or more.

I found with my previous car by going to lighter wheels I was surprised as to how much of an improvement there was to the steering response at speed.

[Gerrycan]

I had 15's on my previous mk2 and as I said I'm no Fangio (damn have given my age away) but the ride and handling was exceptionally good compared to the mundane versions offered on the Korean SUV's and people carrier I was driving around in before.
To be honest I am quite happy with the 17's on my mk3 for ride/handling/noise although they do struggle on corrugated dirt roads in conjunction with the torsion bar rear suspension.
The 17's were a bit of a surprise because they were part of a cheap upgrade package on the Ambition giving me the cruise control, rear sensors and extra speakers I really wanted. I knew the wheels went from steel to alloy but did not read the fine print about going from 16 to 17 inch.

[spud75]

I recently put 17" alloys and tyres on my a3 up from 16" steel wheels. I found this a nice compromise. I know you are looking to go the other way. The original oem was Michelin primacy hp and got 75k out of them. New 17" are pirelli C1 cinturato. Not high end but perfect for the 77kw tdi. Done about 10k on them so far.
Doubtful i will do conti's again on the octy RS.
Just a note - 225 width down to 195 is more thsn 10% less rubber on the road all other things equal. Perhaps back down to oem 16" 205 width is a better choice?

[Gerrycan]

I've been reading reviews on the tyres in question (Conti Eco Contact?) and a bit of a mixed bag.
Seems to do relatively well in comparisons but some of the individual stories are pretty scathing and one had not good words to say.
Wet weather grip for most eco type tyres being compromised seems to be a fairly common issue.

[donweather]

Anyone heard or felt first hand about the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3's? And how do they compare to the Asymmetric 2's?

Why are the 3's cheaper than the 2's in the same tyre size?

[Tuan]

Better according to most reviews.

Reasons ... stock, rebates, volume etc. etc.

Don't question it, just get it.

[brenno]

I finally had a moment to replace the 17 inch factory rims on the Octavia with 15 inch rims from a Golf 7. I've not driven on it much but first thoughts are noticeable. More compliant and more enjoyable. Why the local distributors thought it appropriate to specify 17 inch wheels with a Travel Pack I am yet to understand.

There is a significant decrease in unsprung weight. The factory wheels weigh 21.1 kg compared to 14.8kg. I had assumed the wheel studs would be different going from alloy to steel but I was surprised to learn they are exactly the same.

[Gerrycan]

Well that is promising.
What tyres are the 15 inch and how is the noise?
The noise aspect is a particular worry as the current Dunlop are good from that aspect but when I have had to fit the spare 16 inch Nexen the noise from that single tyre is unbearable at any speed on any surface.

[Gerrycan]

Well I've chickened out on buying small steel wheels and possibly suspect quality tyres and have decided to stay mainstream.
Reduced recent mileage means that the existing Dunlops are still road legal (just) and doing a reasonable job but I popped into a couple of local dealers to see if there was any good deals going.
My shortlist was Goodyear and Michelin with a preference for the latter. Reviews of Primacy 3 ST are consistently good and with the sort of characteristics I am looking for and Michelin are offering a $100 money back. There were some PS3 on offer at a good price but only the 235x45x17 size which would not fit on my 7J rims.
The Bob Jane dealer did say there was an excellent deal on for a relatively new tyre (launched 2106) from Pirelli called Dragon Sport (same name as used for motorcycle tyres in Europe) for $536 for four (fitted and balanced) which sort of competes with the Michelin PS3.
Reviews are generally positive for them but has anyone here any experience with them on an Octavia (preferably mk3)?
Almost seems too good to be true, which always makes me suspicious.

[Jondalar]

Hi Gerrycan,

That seems low mileage on your OEM tyres. It's not Octavia but my wife's Golf 7 2.0 TDI got almost 70,000 from the original Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres. We went with Bob Jane and they suggested the P7, they had the Dragon Sport cheaper but the tyre guy said the P7 were better. In any case the wife is happy and hasn't noticed anything different with ride or handling. On a side note I've got 19 in wheels and Pirelli P Zero tyres on my Octavia and it's just past 37k km, tyres are definitely nowhere near done, only look about half worn. I actually think grip and handling has improved a lot since they were past 25k.

Cheers,
Karl

[Gerrycan]

I agree not real good mileage but my wife negotiates 8 urban mini-roundabouts on her 2.5km commute so probably to be expected, even with rotation.
I suspect you do a lot more open road mileage than we do.
Thanks for your comments on the Dragon Sports / P7 tyres.
Sometimes the 'specials' at restaurants are just to get rid of old stock and not the best choice, and this might be the case here.