Which size tyres?

[Rob1950]

I'm looking to replace the tyres on my recently acquired 940S estate (1994). Of the existing ones, 2 are dated 2014, 2 dated 2009 and the spare is 1999! Car has only done 10k miles since 2009, so they have tread but rubber deterioration is the worry.

The 4 on the car are 185/65/15 but the spare is 195/65/15. Putting the registration into various tyre retail websites usually brings up a choice of both options. I'm curious to know which is preferable and is there much real difference in every day use? I don't drive like Lewis Hamilton and the car is the non turbo model anyway, so it's leisurely comfort I'm after!

Also what's the preferred brand. I've been looking at Michelin & Goodyear, although the pre- Xmas deals seem to have disappeared.

[Forrest]

Volvo used both on the 15" wheels on the 940. Unless you're into performance modding you'll want the same all round including the spare.

I think in later years they fitted 185/65/15 to the saloon and 195/65/15 to the estate. However, until last year I had a 1994 estate which I bought at a few years old from a Volvo dealer which originally came fitted with 185/65/15 but which I changed to 195/65/15. The latter is a more common size for winter tyres.

I found no issues changing size. They fit on the same rims. The overall diameter of the 195s is slightly greater. This actually made my speedometer a bit more accurate, but isn't enough to make a huge difference.

Personally, I've nearly always gone for Michelin or Pirelli with Michelin being my preferred brand for the Volvos for a long time now. The last tyres I bought about a year ago I narrowed the choice to Primacy 4 or CrossClimate. I went for the Primacies because they are non-directional so you only need to carry one spare.

If you're in the market for a whole new set of tyres you could also consider changing to 16" rims with 205/55R16 tyres. Auriga wheels are the cheapest and most common 16" rims for the 940 (watch the RWD offset) with Galaxies possibly the most desirable.

I would go more by the condition of tyres than their age in determining whether to replace, especially when it comes to the spare. If they have been stored in cool, dark conditions off the car they will last much longer than they will on a car parked outside.

[jpliddy]

hi Rob
i replaced my tyres a year or so ago mine have always been 185 65 15 , 88h
i never drive over the speed limit so the cheaper 88h suits me but i only have put michelin tyres on the car bit more expensive but for safety ,quality, and longevity they are very good the latest type are cross climate ,not had them before but so far very good i think , i got a very good price from my formula 1 auto centre if booked online , some of the younger chaps here prefer the larger rims which will be bit more expensive ,but 185s suit me at my age now, i do switch mine front to back after about 19000 miles as the front wear out faster, also if there is scrubbing on the outer ,inner edges then tracking shoud be done
another cost but yours may be ok i had all the front bushes replaced few years ago so tucking was miles out on 1 wheel , but all looking good now ,
my personal opinion only !!

[jpliddy]

o i get the best of the worn tyres as my spare but i never use it but it gets changed when ever i need new tyres for safety reasons

[Rob1950]

Thanks for all the good advice which sort of confirm my thoughts. Another member has offered me some virtually unused 205s at a good price and I'm considering them but on the other hand I'm concerned not to put anything that was not a standard option at the time, on the car. Call me boring but I want to keep it absolutely original. I won't be doing a high mileage and probably won't be driving in bad weather conditions. I do favour the Michelins and may wait for a deal on four, putting the best of the no branders on the spare. Happy also to have found four new old stock volvo wheel covers. Currently I have 2 of one design on one side and 2 of another design on the other.

[Spasibo]

Thanks. Very useful advice

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Rob1950

Thanks for all the good advice which sort of confirm my thoughts. Another member has offered me some virtually unused 205s at a good price and I'm considering them but on the other hand I'm concerned not to put anything that was not a standard option at the time, on the car. Call me boring but I want to keep it absolutely original. I won't be doing a high mileage and probably won't be driving in bad weather conditions. I do favour the Michelins and may wait for a deal on four, putting the best of the no branders on the spare. Happy also to have found four new old stock volvo wheel covers. Currently I have 2 of one design on one side and 2 of another design on the other.

Are you sure the 205's youve been offered are 15" ?

[richiekuk]

195/50/15's here. On a 1997 945 LPT.

[loki_the_glt]

I'm running 195/65/15s on the Valdez.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by griston64

Are you sure the 205's youve been offered are 15" ?

Yes Mark they're 15" same tyres I'm running on the 760