Club 80-90 Forums

Well it is an inprovement only problem I find I am not changing into 5th as often as I did around town so as a consequence I am probably using more fuel?

Hi Kit

I guess with a relatively low bhp engine tugging a heavy vehicle its always a compromise between acceleration and hill climbing against lowering the revs per min when on a motorway with tyre size options

I am very happy with the combination of 1.9 AEF engine (Skoda Felicia) on the original 1.6 4 speed gearbox running 215 / 80/ 14's on original steel wheels.

What would be the real-world driving difference (i.e. response / feel / pick-up) on-road, between:

185 R14 stock

and

195/75/R14

and

205/70/14

....experiences appreciated.

185 R14 stock

and

195/75/R14 -6mm diameter smaller over stock

and

205/70/14 -11 mm diameter over stock -also a factory fit option

differences are neligable so you wouldn't know , about the same difference as a new - worn standard 185 , albieit a little heavier on the front if fitted due to width

Would the 205s be a "more comfortable ride" i.e. more rubber in contact with the road?

more contact with road , but less tyre wall so technically harder ride

more grip if you adjust the pressure to suit and its not an old hard tyre!

I have 205/80/14. I was pleasantly surprised when I first fitted them. I can feel the "longer legs", it makes no noticeable difference to pulling away or acceleration (note tho, mine is a lightly loaded Tin-Top) but it does feel more relaxed at higher speeds. It also feels no heavier on the steering. I like the taller look of the van too, a bit "syncro"

Running 215/80/14 at last, really does make a difference.

jocko wrote:Running 215/80/14 at last, really does make a difference.

ghost123uk earlier on ^^^ wrote:I am on 205 80 14 (note 80, not the usual 70's) but on Carat Alloys (not sure whether they would OK on the slightly narrower steelies, though I suspect they would be. You can see and feel the difference.

And =

ghost123uk earlier on ^^^ wrote:It certainly has "longer legs" and the speedo, which was, as is usual, about 10% fast, now reads spot on (as checked with GPS), so that relates to 10% more "legs" (70 mph now = ~77mph for same revs). Ours is a fairly lightly loaded TinTop camper however, so it does not feel like it is over geared. This might be different in a well loaded Hi-Top

Not sure how much difference the 215 is over the 205 I use, but glad to know it's all good (maybe I should have gone 215 )