S40 (New) Wheels/Tyres : Tyres - 215/45 R17

[HughG]

Just before I bought my car the seller put one new cheap tyre on, and the other three are all at about 2-2.5mm so I'm going to change all 4 for some decent rubber.

Looking at camskill I can get 205/50R17 (standard size) Hankook K115 Ventus Prime 2 for £88ea.

Alternatively I can get Goodyear Eagle Asymetric 2s for £86ea but with £40 fuel vouchers, only downside is these are 215/45R17s.

It's a reduction in rolling radius of 1.5% so at an indicated 70 I will actually be doing 67 instead of the 68 I do currently.

Has anyone done this and did it have any downsides?

[Ninja59]

Yep loads of people have, just check your insurance will allow it - it could be classed as a modification with potential change in size,load rating and speed rating as you are deviating from factory specification.

If it is a modification then find out the cost it might not be worth it then, also bear in mind that you have less profile rubber so there could be a reduction in ride quality potentially as well as less profile on our roads to protect your wheels.

[Zeb246]

no need to check with your insurance. I would advise you to fit 225/45/17 Nankangs NS2 tyres from Camskill.

[Ninja59]

I beg to differ - an example standard insurer - you do not know his insurer, or their conditions. What a phone call that could save you voiding your insurance - worth it in my book.

I might sound like the grumpy sod, but if it saves one person from having the unfortunate luck to be involved in an accident and have their insurance voided (because of an insurers terms and conditions in regard to tyres) then it was worth it.



In addition, I distinctly remember you or someone very very recently asking for advice on tyres and getting the same advice from numerous members about Nankangs and how shocking they are, clearly fell on death ears.

[HughG]

Not me that was asking about Nankangs, I don't care how cheap they are I wouldn't! Tyres (as with most things rubber ) aren't worth scrimping on.

In the past I would have avoided Hankook, Kumho etc. as well and stuck with the bigger names, however over the past 5 years reviews of these tyre manufacturers seem to rate them alot more highly than they have in the past. Nevertheless, this is probably part of the reason I am erring towards the 215 Goodyear.

It was really comments on any deterioration in ride quality I was after, hopefully someone who has done it can comment. Useful points regarding insurance, I'm with Tesco and will check.

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by HughG

Not me that was asking about Nankangs, I don't care how cheap they are I wouldn't! Tyres (as with most things rubber ) aren't worth scrimping on.

In the past I would have avoided Hankook, Kumho etc. as well and stuck with the bigger names, however over the past 5 years reviews of these tyre manufacturers seem to rate them alot more highly than they have in the past. Nevertheless, this is probably part of the reason I am erring towards the 215 Goodyear.

It was really comments on any deterioration in ride quality I was after, hopefully someone who has done it can comment. Useful points regarding insurance, I'm with Tesco and will check.

If you are going mid range then look at Hankooks or Vres (the speed rating is wrong on many of them for P1 cars though - so you might fall into that trap again of tyre spec). Top end Goodyears or Michelins - I do recommend Camskill though for the prices are good.

Tesco are usually pretty strict actually make that one of the most strict I know (for example they were one of the first to latch on to windscreen claims having to be declared). Also, they are one of the worst when it comes to handling claims heard their name all to often in reference to claims handling should the worst happen (one of my dads colleagues NFC dragged on for a year - irony has it his insurer (Tesco) were causing most of the issues!).

Edit: Phone call job for tesco.

The car is changed from the manufacturer’s original specification. This includes
aftermarket modifications or manufacturers options fitted to the car which changes its
value, performance, appearance or attractiveness to thieves. This includes, but is not
restricted to, changes to the engine, engine management or exhaust system, changes
to the wheels or suspension, changes to the bodywork, such as spoilers or body kits or
changes to the windows, such as tinting

The crucial bit is in bold - it is not an exhaustive list of them. Obviously the bit underlined is the bit you would be "changing" it all depends on how they define that really.

[askim98]

i think the load index it is different on the that tyre you should have 93 and if i am not wrong it is 90 on the goodyear

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by askim98

i think the load index it is different on the that tyre you should have 93 and if i am not wrong it is 90 on the goodyear

Just checked myself most 215's with that profile are 91...

[sprout99]

Originally Posted by Zeb246

no need to check with your insurance. I would advise you to fit 225/45/17 Nankangs NS2 tyres from Camskill.

Agree with size but i would buy Uniroyal if it was my money
Nankang are budget rubber and scary in wet

[jayakrishnanv]

Hi i as well asked about changing the tyres to 215/47/17 or 225/45/17 back in August. But Ninja and other members here mentioned and advised me to check with my insurance which was a blessing in disguise. When i called up my insurance they wanted me to pay £300 more on the annual premium as its considered as a modification.

Rather than paying that money i went with the same size(205/50/17) Hankook K115s for the wheels which came with the car(they will go in the car once the wheels are refurbed closer to summer) and also managed to get a set of 17" alloys where i put in the winter tyres...

Yes if not informed its gonna void ur insurance and we wont come to know until some mishap happens so better not to be than being in that awkward situation