18” Tyre recommendations

[chriscroft]

Thanks chriscroft and mulacs for the info.
Been away, only just picked this up. Last time I looked, Weather control Bridgestones in 255 45 18 were around £142 from Tyreleader. Cheaper than other Net suppliers.
Haven't replaced mine yet. Chriscroft has me considering the 235 55 route. Won't foul the wheel arches on full spring compression will they? Am I right in thinking it will result in speedo and mileage under reading by about 5%?

Gearing/speedo is about 3.5% up. Which brings the speedo to bang on accurate.
I looked at the bridgestones, but for me 235 is the perfect all-season; all-weather; all-terrain best overall width.
I also like the 10mm increase in radius that 235/55/18 gives you

 

[superchargedpolo]

I have been offered a mint set of 18" sportline alloys for a good price. They are bare wheels so I need to look into suitable tyres. I have a set of 16" steel wheels with winter tyres, so the 18's will be summer use only.

I never skimp on tyres, so not interested in cheap brands. Any recommendations or experience of premium brands would be appreciated.

 

[sparkywig]

I ran a set of Mazzini ECO 605 103XL tyres on mine throughout the summer, not a premium brand, but really good grip and wear. Got about 16k out of them before I changed to all season tyres.

 

[Rob644]

I’ve just got a set of these , recommended by Chriscroft .Bridgestone Weather Control A005 255/45 R18 103 Y XL » Oponeo.co.uk
Still to fit but good value .

 

[sparkywig]

I’ve just got a set of these , recommended by Chriscroft .Bridgestone Weather Control A005 255/45 R18 103 Y XL » Oponeo.co.uk
Still to fit but good value .

I’ve just had a set of these fitted, brilliant in the wet but not a summer tyre.

 

[Rob644]

Glad your pleased with them Sparkywig , ill fit mine as soon as I decide which colour Sportline rim’s to order . I’m hoping to run them all year round , i saw Chris’s recommendation and thought I’d try all season tires. Rob .

 

[petersin]

went for the Nokian 235/55 18's as Chris suggested.
Done only 800 miles since fitting and re tracking.
First impressions: great grip, feel much more secure in wet weather than the factory fitted Hankooks. No really low temperatures yet to compare performance when icy or snowing.
They are much noisier though. On the rare occasions when I'm on smooth or nearly new tarmac, coasting mode, there is a much more noticeable rumble than the Hankooks. That may reduce as they settle and begin to wear I suppose.
Overall : well chuffed.
Thanks Chris for the nudge.

 

[Tourershine]

No really low temperatures yet to compare performance when icy or snowing.

You're Bob on there. I have 3 vehicles sat here on winter tyres and wondering why I bothered.

 

[chriscroft]

went for the Nokian 235/55 18's as Chris suggested.
Done only 800 miles since fitting and re tracking.
First impressions: great grip, feel much more secure in wet weather than the factory fitted Hankooks. No really low temperatures yet to compare performance when icy or snowing.
They are much noisier though. On the rare occasions when I'm on smooth or nearly new tarmac, coasting mode, there is a much more noticeable rumble than the Hankooks. That may reduce as they settle and begin to wear I suppose.
Overall : well chuffed.
Thanks Chris for the nudge.

I honestly have never noticed any tyre noise issues on ours; but according to the Mrs, I'm 1/2 deaf anyway.

 

[Tourershine]

I honestly have never noticed any tyre noise issues on ours; but according to the Mrs, I'm 1/2 deaf anyway.

Pardon?

C'mon, the old ones are always the best


I've always said winters are much noisier than summers. The set of Riken winters on both of our Mini's sound like the wheel bearings are buggered, but I just see this as a small price to pay for the smug factor if it ever does snow.

 

[VWed]

Hi, I’m looking to get 18” alloys for my 16 plate Caravelle 4 motion and wanted to check that 235/50/18 101y tyres will be ok. The reason that I want to fit that size is because I want to get either Michelin Cross Climates or Goodyear Vector 4 seasons and they do not do these in 255/45/18.

When I checked under the bonnet the highest axel weight is 1620kg, so divided by 2 equals 810 per wheel and the 101 rating has a load rating of 825kg, so does this mean that will be ok, or am I getting too close to the maximum load of a 101 tyre? Also will reducing the load rating from the original 103 rating cause problems with the MOT and insurance.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice you can give.

 

[Skyliner33]

https://www.willtheyfit.com/

 

[Paynewright]

I run Bridgestone A005s in that size on Amarok steels which are a 7.5inch rim.

I checked the tyre pressures label in the drivers door return (as well as axle weights Vs tyre ratings) and it lists a 101 tyre. That, as well as Taymar supplying 101 tyres with their Amarok steels was enough evidence for me.

The only thing different for you is that Alloys are usually an 8” rim so check the 235 will fit. Tyres have a range of rim widths that are suitable. (I’m sure it will be fine)

 

[VWed]

Thanks for the advice. Apparently VW supplied the 18” Dakar alloys with the 235/50/18 101 tyres so they should be ok to fit to the Sportline alloys I am getting.

 

[Paynewright]

Thanks for the advice. Apparently VW supplied the 18” Dakar alloys with the 235/50/18 101 tyres so they should be ok to fit to the Sportline alloys I am getting.

Also check out the Bridgestones - they are an all season tyre and so far this winter (if you can call it that) have been brilliant.

 

[JetSetWilly]

235 55 18 Nokian Weatherproof on my Kombi. I'm now in the French Alps and no problems driving up to Val Thorens on icy / light snow roads. I fitted the Michelin cross climates to my Wife's mini and they're a very good tyre too but I think the Nokians suits the T6.

 

[BognorMotors]

Two tyre sizes for 18” recognised by VW;

235/50 88 for up to T30
255/45 18 for T32

Your suggestion will be perfect.

For standard summer tyres we tend to fit the bigger tyre to all applications, to offer more wheel protection

HTH

 

[superchargedpolo]

I had the same question myself. After a fair bit of research I went for 235/50 18s. My van is a T28.
My thinking was the ride comfort should be better with this size over the 255/45 18 and I don’t need the extra 40mm of tread per axle with a 102ps van.
I have winter tyres on my steel wheels at the moment. So I went for Continental sport contact 6s at a 101 load rating. Should be fine when the weather improves!

 

[VWed]

Thanks everyone. I’m going to go for the 235/50/18 Michelin Cross Climates as living in Cornwall I don’t need a winter tyre but just the extra confidence for the colder mornings.

 

[tonyteeth]

Good morning,i am going to have some new 18 inch alloys fitted to my T28 102,(but I am getting it mapped)can somebody tell me the ideal tyre size,as there will be more power now going through the van,Also I have read various posts that if you go above a certain size it starts giving a mis read on the speedometer.
Any suggestions will be great