V50 Wheels/Tyres : Fitting 205 55 17 to a V50

[seumasbeag]

Hello, I need to replace all four tyres on my 2006 V50 fairly soon and was thinking about fitting either an all season or winter tyre.. Searching through various tyre suppliers, availability seems fairly limited for 205 50 17 tyres but improves for 205 55 17. i know that Volvo recommends 205 50 but wonder if I could fit 205 55 or would there be issues with clearance.

Many thanks

Seumas

[gswede]

Bet fitting them is no problem. Just so you know, winter tires summertime is almost as bad as summer tires in the winter time.
Massive increase in braking distance and completely useless in combination with heat and wet weather.
I strongly suggest you re evaluate your options.

All season tires, premium brand only.

Regardless, do not ever save on tires.

[JMI]

Originally Posted by gswede

Bet fitting them is no problem. Just so you know, winter tires summertime is almost as bad as summer tires in the winter time.
Massive increase in braking distance and completely useless in combination with heat and wet weather.
I strongly suggest you re evaluate your options.

All season tires, premium brand only.

Regardless, do not ever save on tires.

I can agree with most of what you have written apart from fitting the wrong size to your car. There is a tyre calculators available so you can see how much adjustments you can do.

If you go from 205/50/17 which is the correct size for your V50 you have to adjust to 195/55/17 which will make it even more difficult.

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator

In my opinion stick to the original size for you car and don't mess up with driving winter tyres in the summer to save few pounds! If you want cheaper tyres don't run 17" wheels go for the standard 205/55/16 and you'll find it times cheaper.

Good luck!

[Falmouthboy]

Four season tyres are a real compromise not the snake oil solution they promise to be. You would be better (if you have the space at home) to get hold of a set of steel 16" wheels and fit them with a set of mid range winters. It will work out cheaper in the long run. In summer run decent mid range 17" - I have found Nexen tyres to be very good value and work well.

Going away from the recommended sizes on the door jam will also create more issues with the insurance call centre drone when you declare the modification.

[seumasbeag]

Thanks to one and all for the helpful information. I will stick with 205 50 17, As for tyres I'm probably going to go for Nokian WR A3's These get excellent reviews and will suit the usage that i will put them to in the north west of Scotland on and off road. I have Nokian's on the wife's VW Tiguan and they are good tyres.

Seumas

[julianps]

I've seen that size on Selekt cars in dealer stock. I asked if they'd be replaced and the dealer said no. So did I.

[Ninja59]

205 50 17 93W specifically is the right size, fitting the wrong tyre size could be a modification in regards to your insurance so be careful. I know a few cases on here where people thought they were saving a few £, but then the insurance wanted silly money because it was a modification...

[julianps]

Originally Posted by Ninja59

205 50 17 93W specifically is the right size, fitting the wrong tyre size could be a modification in regards to your insurance so be careful. I know a few cases on here where people thought they were saving a few £, but then the insurance wanted silly money because it was a modification...

And we looked at the prices and they seemed materially more expensive than the standard 17" on the SE models, and are stupid expensive versus the 16" on my "S" spec'.