Anyone running Fuel Zephyrs on b14s?
- Thread starter Stu007
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I have BMVS Edition Bilstein coilovers on my LWB T32. These max out at 70mm which is where I had them set on installation. However, the wheel arch measurement of 360mm suggests that they are a touch lower...
The Fuel Zephyrs are currently shod in 235/65/17 Falken Wildpeak tyres.
Previously I ran Solows at max height (~100mm) with 225/55/17 Goodyear Efficientgrip.
The Fuel Zephyrs are currently shod in 235/65/17 Falken Wildpeak tyres.
Previously I ran Solows at max height (~100mm) with 225/55/17 Goodyear Efficientgrip.
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Aah many thanks for sharing! Looks spot on.. is the bottom photo on solows? Or both on the blistein? Currently looking at Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 - 235/60 as rubber of choice! Had seen THQ recommended 55s for solows but mine isn’t as low at about 70mm.
Interested in how you find the different tyres regarding comfort, effect on gearing (Speedo and accelerstion) noise and any rubbing? Thanks.
They're both Bilstein
but yes, the bottom pic is on the Solow'sThe 225/55 is the recommended 17" size for the Solow but this is actually a smaller circumference than the standard fit 215/60/17. As such, it is essentially lower geared and the speedo will over read even more than normal. For a generally smaller wheel, the lower profile made the wheels look too small in my opinion.
As for comfort and ride - it was on Solow's!! 'No issues with the Goodyears as such, which were actually the Efficientgrip "Cargo" version (I believe that only the Cargo version is available in 225/55 with a 103 load rating). I only had a very occasional rub if I hit a bump on full lock. Something like turning onto a steep driveway a bit too fast. Other than that there was never an issue with clearance, except with the ground...
I grew tired of the constant battle with speedbumps and virtually any change in road profile. No doubt the smaller tyres played a small part in this but I was running the Solow's at max height. It felt like I would rub on something every time I drove it.
At a similar time our family bought a horse and I started competing in motorcycle Trials. Both activities involved regular trips along rough tracks and getting beached at one particular event was the final straw!!
I was very happy with the service from BMVS when they fitted the Solow kit originally. Speaking to them about options for a higher ride height I decided that their BMVS Edition coilovers fitted the criteria and I decided to give them a go. I switched to the Wildpeaks at the same time so cannot comment on any other variation of tyre and suspension.
The larger tyres and BMVS coilovers have been a revelation in terms of comfort. I can actually feel them absorb bumps versus hitting them and the extra tyre volume is, as expected, much better at smoothing road surface imperfections. I run them at 45 psi, for info.
I have no complaints about either tyre regarding noise, wear, wet weather performance or road noise. Both have been fine and much better than the Cargo Vectors that came on the van.
I bought the Zephyrs with the Goodyears fitted as a lightly used set. After 15000 miles they were worn but absolutely even across the tread width. Some light scrubbing damage to the inner edge of the front tyres being the only visible difference in wear. I didn't have the rear camber correcting bushes either.
I am only a few thousand miles into the Wildpeaks but a recent inspection didn't uncover any concerns. This is testament to a decent alignment as much as anything.
The Wildpeaks are a lot bigger than the Goodyears and essentially the biggest that you can fit before the speedo starts to under read (with the 17" chassis coding). My van is a Euro 5, 140 and I didn't think that the acceleration changed that much when switching to the larger tyre. That was, until I towed our horsebox!! The higher gearing is definitely noticeable when loaded up. Not dangerously so, but it's definitely slower. Unloaded, the torque is enough to mask the effectively higher gearing.
I have had the Wildpeaks for a while now and am yet to notice any rubbing at alI. I certainly haven't hit the ground for a while either!!
