Tyres... The usual Q with a twist!

[Mkengineering]

215/40/17s for me

No issues

[4x4]

Sorry to disagree but the 850 NEVER came from the factory with 205/55R16 tyres

185/65R15
195/60R15
205/55R15
................
205/50R16
.................
205/45R17
.................
This is my factory build sheet which shows the different sizes that Volvo would supply from the factory (no mention of 205/55R16)


This is the sticker/decal on my fuel flap (no mention of 205/55R16)


This is from the tyre pages of my Owners Manual (no mention of 205/55R16)





I would suspect when the car had to get a new set of tyres most owners would opt for the cheaper 55 profile as they are quite a bit cheaper than 50 profile

[CNGBiFuel]

This is like playing tyre-thread bingo.

I thought there was something missing...

215/65 R16 doesn't seem to get a look-in with any of you. Not sure why...

Then looking for the 'tallest' tyre, I looked it up yonks back.
It's tallest at 65 and properly comfy. And cheapest of all to buy.
As fitted V70XC 4x4 1997-99. It's what I run, and mine's not an XC.

For the sort of real-world motoring most of us do, ie non boy-racer, 215/65 R16 makes complete sense, and we won't kerb rims etc.
Is it me, what am I missing here? Why would we want 55/60 when there's 65?

I call house.

[RollingThunder]

4x4 I was about to prove you wrong and include a screenshot of my own... but it seems I am mistaken and you are correct. I have checked through all the copies of owners manuals that I have (electronic and physical, UK and US) and I cannot find the reference that I can remember so vividly...!

So I apologise, looks like I... "mis-spoke" Sorry about that!

[4x4]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

4x4 I was about to prove you wrong and...

So I apologise, looks like I... "mis-spoke" Sorry about that!

No need to apologise, we can all make mistakes. I just thought I should set the record straight so that anyone else looking for information regarding the OE tyre size has access to the correct information.

As stated previously the 55 aspect tyres are a fair chunk cheaper than the 50 ratio and a lot of owners would opt for a saving in their wallet for the sake of a 05 ratio difference

[Ninjabob81]

Originally Posted by CNGBiFuel

This is like playing tyre-thread bingo.

Is it me, what am I missing here? Why would we want 55/60 when there's 65?

I call house.

I think mainly because most people don’t want their 850/70 to look like a defender 90…

Also, for someone who appears to be a stickler for the rules would running a non standard tyre size not invalidate your insurance? Not type approved etc…

Rob

[CNGBiFuel]

I think mainly because most people don’t want their 850/70 to look like a defender 90…

Also, for someone who appears to be a stickler for the rules would running a non standard tyre size not invalidate your insurance? Not type approved etc…

Rob

Agreed, not that I've ever fret over what others think, yet it does look a little odd.
I can't see it being an insurance issue, but then again, when your friend and mine the loss-adjuster knocks - can't see it sticking, but he might try it on?

[turboboy]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Sorry to disagree but the 850 NEVER came from the factory with 205/55R16 tyres

185/65R15
195/60R15
205/55R15
................
205/50R16
.................
205/45R17
.................
This is my factory build sheet which shows the different sizes that Volvo would supply from the factory (no mention of 205/55R16)




This is the sticker/decal on my fuel flap (no mention of 205/55R16)


This is from the tyre pages of my Owners Manual (no mention of 205/55R16)





I would suspect when the car had to get a new set of tyres most owners would opt for the cheaper 55 profile as they are quite a bit cheaper than 50 profile

Interesting that the handbook at picture 3 mentions a 250/50 R16. Wonder if that was a typo or if it's now a discontinued size? A quick look on line and a couple of tyre supplier websites do not list that size.

[280E]

Originally Posted by turboboy

Interesting that the handbook at picture 3 mentions a 250/50 R16. Wonder if that was a typo or if it's now a discontinued size? A quick look on line and a couple of tyre supplier websites do not list that size.

It'll be a typo of '205' - no modern tyres are available with a section width ending in '0'.

There were some 'metric' diameter rims several years ago used on certain Citroen / BMW / Jaguar / Austin Rover models - some of which used 210 and 220mm section width tyres. I had a couple: a Citroen CX GTi Turbo and a Jaguar XJ40!

[turboboy]

Thanks for confirming, I thought it was a typo but wasn't certain.

I remember those odd metric sizes for BMW and was glad that mine didn't have them as they seemed to be fairly rare and expensive at tyre shops.