Alloy Tyres

Post by **Allan344** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:30

I just bought myself a set of new 15 "scorpio alloys for my vanagon. Can anybody recommend a set of tyres that will fit and conform to all the safety tech guidelines. Cheers.Al

Post by **kevtherev** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:31

the wiki has a tyre calculator on it

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 12 Dec 2006, 19:31

Tyre size dependant on width of the rim, as well as the diameter

Rim size will be marked on it, eg 7J x 15 ET32, means it`s got a rim width of 7", diameter of 15" and the offset (from theoretical rim centre to the mating face) of 32mm.

VW manual states load rating of 97 reinforced for tyres. (minimum) Lots of opinions on what`s best to use etc. I tend to stick with manufacturers ratings in case of insurance probs etc.

Try Camskill for lists of tyres, so you can see your options, at the right price to

Post by **sherlock** » 12 Dec 2006, 20:07

Hi, I have also just got a set of the same alloys, I have been told to use 205/65/15 the reason Im told is that this size wheel will keep the speedo accurate. Hope this helps.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 12 Dec 2006, 20:12

A slight increase in tyre size / height is a good way of improving cruising speed, also most speedos read slow by approx. 6-7% so you can`t do any harm that way.

I went 215/60 x 16" which worked out at +7% bigger overall, and the speedo reads spot on when GPS checked

Plenty of reading matter on the forum, and on the Brickyard about wheels / tyres / spacers / studs / what fits / what to machine etc etc

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 12 Dec 2006, 23:19

225/75/15 off a merc sprinter. great.... also makes the engine rev lower= more speed less mpg, unless your doin a 1.6 Aircooled or 1.6 diesel, then you have reached a low point and wheels will be of no consequence.

Post by **HarryMann** » 12 Dec 2006, 23:40

Making sure you don't overgear it too much... having to use more throttle or change down for long climbs doesn't always result in lower mpg - hence VW's gearing choice...

so engine should be well up to scracth.

Post by **bridoom** » 19 Dec 2006, 11:38

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...Tyres!

Got alloys fitted:

15" - 7" wide.
They had 195/60/15 tyres on when I got em.
So I purchased 4 x 195/70/15's to go on to correct the gearing (using a calcultaor thingy).

But...cos I got van/commercial tyres they wont fit on my rims!!!

Tried 3 diffrent places, but no joy.

Had a suggestion to fit inner tubes, but the insides of the tyres aren't smooth so not sure about that, but I'm no expert

Any advice anyone?

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 19 Dec 2006, 14:11

they will fit the rims, ive got 227/75/15 on my granda rims.

Post by **bridoom** » 19 Dec 2006, 14:41

Sorry, should have been a bit more specific..

They're too narrow to inflate on the rims! Kwikfit tried for a while but failed, the other 2 fitters said "No"

I thought 195 is 195mm which = 7.67716535 inches!

My rims are 7inches wide

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 19 Dec 2006, 17:45

i dunno, thats the first time i heard that one. try a tiny back street one man fitter, i bet he will do it. kwikshit fitters arent self employed so they couldnt be bothered.

Post by **Plasticman** » 19 Dec 2006, 17:51

Yep they will fit. the fitters should have a strap to pull them down, though dont bother with thick fits as they are worse than useless
Mike

Post by **kevtherev** » 19 Dec 2006, 19:43

well I think they should fit too...commercial tyres or not

the ridges inside the tyre, are in all tyres, they help with the radial balance. so innertubes are OK

Post by **bridoom** » 20 Dec 2006, 08:36

Cheers guys

At least Kwik Fit actually tried!

One of the "Backstreet" places I took it too, just shook their head & said "No, they wont fit"...lazy b*stards!

I'm trying a commercial tyre specialist/back street place in Bradford today that I used to use when I drove 7.5 tonners.
If they can't do it I'll have to get something else as I need it sorting asap ready for a 700 mile round trip

Post by **bridoom** » 20 Dec 2006, 17:04

Got em fitted using a big red cylinder thing to force air into em so they'd seal