Tyres

[culzean]

This post caused me to have a look whats on ours...Front 185/55/16...Rear 205/55/16

Anybody tell me why front tyres should be different to rear tyres? Not a tyre specialist and don' know what numbers refer, but would've thought all 4 tyres should be same size, or that 205's ( if larger in whatever way) should be on front as have to bear engine weight and smaller(!) 185 on rear?

After reading thread, hoping to be able to but 2 x 16 for around £50 apiece as now only doing approx 3k miles per year!

Ta for help.

The 205 is mm width of the tread, as far as I have seen on mk2 the front and rear tyres are either 185mm 16 inch or 175mm 15 inch ( don't know why they mix  metric and imperial  units up ). If you look on tyre information plate on drivers door B pillar it shows tyre sizes homolgated ( that it has been tested and approved with )  for the vehicle.

[Spencer69]

Cheers Culzean. Whilst on, have been looking at cheaper end of tyres, for eg on kwikfit website-
Budget 205/55/16 for £43.50
Any reason why these would not be suitable? Know will more likely need 2 tyres before MOT in May?

Also, if 205 & 185 are width of tyre, would it follow that fuel economy rating, the thinner the tyre the better the fuel economy? Although doubt in our case, would make such a massive noticeable difference!

[Jocko]

I was looking up tyres for Jazz and they only offer 185/55/16. I cannot find a manufacturer offering 205/55/16. Check the plate on the B pillar but it looks as though 205/55/16 are not homologated for your car. If that is the case they could void your insurance.

[guest4871]

don't know why they mix  metric and imperial  units up.

If my memory serves me right:

Michelin (French = metric ) established the measurements of the pneumatic rubber tyre. The Americans (America = inches ) measured rims (with hard rubber tyres) in (American) inches which were British inches before Imperial inches were established and of course are the same as Imperial inches although I am not sure if we now officially have inches in UK. 

[sparky Paul]

This post caused me to have a look whats on ours...Front 185/55/16...Rear 205/55/16

Anybody tell me why front tyres should be different to rear tyres? Not a tyre specialist and don' know what numbers refer, but would've thought all 4 tyres should be same size, or that 205's ( if larger in whatever way) should be on front as have to bear engine weight and smaller(!) 185 on rear?

After reading thread, hoping to be able to but 2 x 16 for around £50 apiece as now only doing approx 3k miles per year!

Somebody stuck on a pair of 205s they had lying about.

Whilst on, have been looking at cheaper end of tyres, for eg on kwikfit website-
Budget 205/55/16 for £43.50
Any reason why these would not be suitable? Know will more likely need 2 tyres before MOT in May?

185 to 205 might not sound a lot, but don't forget that the tyre circumference also increases and it may be enough to foul something on full lock or full suspension travel. It will also affect your speedo on the front, and also potentially affect ABS operation if there's a mismatch front to back. There are also the potential insurance issues mentioned above.

You can buy Chinese cheapies in 185/55x16 for around £60 a pair supply only, so you should be able to find something fitted for around the prices you quote, in the correct size.

[Rory]

If my memory serves me right:

Michelin (French = metric ) established the measurements of the pneumatic rubber tyre. The Americans (America = inches ) measured rims (with hard rubber tyres) in (American) inches which were British inches before Imperial inches were established and of course are the same as Imperial inches although I am not sure if we now officially have inches in UK. 

I remember a colleague, not all that many years ago, buying an older 7 Series BMW and that had metric diameter wheels.  He could get metric tyres, but not much choice so were expensive, or, the standard solution was to replace the wheels.

[sparky Paul]

If my memory serves me right:

Michelin (French = metric ) established the measurements of the pneumatic rubber tyre. The Americans (America = inches ) measured rims (with hard rubber tyres) in (American) inches which were British inches before Imperial inches were established and of course are the same as Imperial inches although I am not sure if we now officially have inches in UK. 

I remember a colleague, not all that many years ago, buying an older 7 Series BMW and that had metric diameter wheels.  He could get metric tyres, but not much choice so were expensive, or, the standard solution was to replace the wheels.

The most common was the old Austin mini Metro with the R315 metric rims. The new-fangled metric rims never caught on, getting R315 tyres now is a real pain!

[richardfrost]

I am not sure if we now officially have inches in UK. 

If we don't now, we will after March 29th hooray. Along with Yards, Fathoms, Rods, Chains, Shillings, BushShort Tons, Long Tons etc..