Tyre size for crown alloys

[baxlin]

I'm sort of looking for a Crown alloy to replace the space(money)saver spare, and have seen 2 on ebay, but with different tyre sizes, 195-65-R15, and 205-55-R15.

I have 195-65 on my car, is it a problem, or indeed any advantage, to have 205-55? Obviously I wouldn't mix them!!

Malcolm

[Ken]

I'm sort of looking for a Crown alloy to replace the space(money)saver spare, and have seen 2 on ebay, but with different tyre sizes, 195-65-R15, and 205-55-R15.

I have 195-65 on my car, is it a problem, or indeed any advantage, to have 205-55? Obviously I wouldn't mix them!!

Malcolm

Waiting to see the answer on this one as my tyres are coming up to be renewed and was wondering that myself :lol:

Ken

[PaulG]

My understanding is as follows, although I will be happy to be corrected by someone who knows better!

The 205 should give you an increased footprint on the road, so more rubber holding you on. The reduced profile, 55 instead of 65, will mean that you get less sidewall flex, so less 'tyre roll', though some may argue that it will stop the tyres soaking up the bumps as much. Reducing the profile is likely to bring the overall diameter back to that of the 195/65 this not screwing up your speedo calibration etc.
With larger wheels (16" - 18") the profile has to be reduced to keep the overall diameter appropriate, but again improves road holding due to increased tyre width and less sidewall flex.
I seem to recall that the first 75 Conns which came out had 205 tyres when new on the 15" Crowns as standard. Would have to check back in my brochures to confirm what profile they were, but 55 may well be the case.
I suspect that 195/65 are easier / cheaper to get hold of, but haven't tried to get 205's myself.
Regards
Paul

[Ken]

Thanks for that and yes the 195/65 is cheaper. My 75 came with the 195/65 fitted from new. I was wondering about trying the wider tyres so now I know.

Thanks Paul

Ken

[yp53]

My handbook specifies either 205/65/15 OR 195/65/15 for 15" wheels. These have rolling radii of 324mm and 317mm respectively.

The theoretical pros and cons would be:

a) Lower rolling resistance for the 195/65, hence better mpg
b) Better acceleration from the 195/65 (smaller rolling radius = 'lower' effective gearing)
c) It is debatable which would be quieter - it would be down to a trade off between engine noise (higher rolling radius = lower rpm/mph) and road noise (narrow = quieter)
d) 205/65/15 probably gives a more accurate speedo reading (won't over-read by as much).
e) 195/65/15 are generally cheaper and last longer (see a) ) - and I got 45k out of a set on my last 75 (contis) which I thought was pretty good - certainly better than 16k out of the dunlops on the 16" unions on my first 75.

There is no specified option of fitting 205/55/15 - this would in any case give a rolling radius that was markedly too small (303mm)

If anyone needs a crown alloy + 195/65 tyre, I've got 8 of them sitting behind the garage+2 spacesavers. 6 with worn, but probably legal tyres, but two are new & unworn. Most of the wheels are unmarked (never stayed on the car long enough when I used to do 45k (miles) a year!). I keep meaning to put them on ebay, but never quite get around to it...:)

[PaulG]

YP53 - Thanks for adding more info to my reply - I couldn't remember what profile the 205's were supposed to be. Have sent you a pm re your spare Crowns.
Interesting to hear that YP53 got 45K out of a set of Contis - I've been running Goodyears on my daily driver as that is what it was fitted with when I got it. Looks like I will probably get about 25K out of the pair I put on the front.
I heard that people didn't get many miles out of the Dunlops on the 16" rims - I got 22K out of my original set, but couldn't get hold of replacements at the time, so moved to Pirellis instead. Seem to have got a similar distance out of them as well.

[Petew]

Really glad someone brought this up

Just had to spend four days with the space saver on. Terrible, terrible, terrible

As I have a zt what are my options ? Anyone know ? Please

[yp53]

Any idea how much you're looking for yp53? ...and would you sell them in singles?

I wasn't really expecting anyone to want a set of 8 wheels ;)

With worn tyre £35
With unused (goodyear) tyre £60 (1 left I think)

+delivery but let me know where you live/work as our paths may cross..

Pm me if interested

[JP53]

YP53 - Thanks for adding more info to my reply - I couldn't remember what profile the 205's were supposed to be. Have sent you a pm re your spare Crowns.
Interesting to hear that YP53 got 45K out of a set of Contis - I've been running Goodyears on my daily driver as that is what it was fitted with when I got it. Looks like I will probably get about 25K out of the pair I put on the front.
I heard that people didn't get many miles out of the Dunlops on the 16" rims - I got 22K out of my original set, but couldn't get hold of replacements at the time, so moved to Pirellis instead. Seem to have got a similar distance out of them as well.

Contis tend to be hard wearing.

[Spôôk]

I'm sort of looking for a Crown alloy to replace the space(money)saver spare, and have seen 2 on ebay, but with different tyre sizes, 195-65-R15, and 205-55-R15.

I have 195-65 on my car, is it a problem, or indeed any advantage, to have 205-55? Obviously I wouldn't mix them!!

Malcolm
Hi Malcolm
Simply put you will loose 4.5% of your speed if you go for the 205/55x15 (circumference 1905 mm) vs. 195/65x15 (circumference 1993 mm). That equals a speed of 67.5 Mph if your meter show 70.
And with that your MPG will go down 4.5% as well.
Best solution is to stick with the 195 or get 16" wheels with 215.
Changing tyre sizes may require quite complex calculations, if you give a damn about Mpg and performance.

[baxlin]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I'll stick with the 195-65s

Malcolm

[yp53]

Have you got an absolutely immaculate wheel with 195/65 tyre?

Simon W: Yes.

I checked this morning. Two wheels have unworn tyres and are 'unused' - They were removed from production cars when someone upgraded the wheel package, so have probably covered a mile or so at longbridge or a dealer somewhere. They still have the little mounding bobbles on. One of them I am holding for Paul G. The other remains available if you want it.

[yp53]

Any chance of a pic yp53? I just want to make sure it's the same wheel as mine.

PS. I'm near Stratford on Avon in Warwickshire, so miles away from you.

This is one of the unused ones (click for larger image):

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/th_IMG_0355.jpg (http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/IMG_0355.jpg) http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/th_IMG_0356.jpg (http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/IMG_0356.jpg) http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/th_IMG_0357.jpg (http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/sppurvis/IMG_0357.jpg)


MIL lives in Darlingscott (about 8miles south of Stratford) if you can pick up after xmas.

[tigerchubs]

If this helps, I work within the tyre industry and the Michelin fitment data lists the 195-65R15 91v as standard, with the 205-65R15 94v as an option. the 205-55R15 is not a recommended fitment on this vehicle. hope this helps

[Ken]

If this helps, I work within the tyre industry and the Michelin fitment data lists the 195-65R15 91v as standard, with the 205-65R15 94v as an option. the 205-55R15 is not a recommended fitment on this vehicle. hope this helps

Thanks for that :lol:

Ken

[David3807]

I seem to remember comments from one of our members who worked for Rovers to the effect that the larger tyre was original fit and was used when the car was being developed.

Cost cutting exercise reduced the tyre size to 195/65/15 which did not impress him as to handling and comfort.

Trouble is I cant find that thread at the moment. Any body help??

[Livermpj]

Hi all,
My car was originally supppplied with 195/65x15, but when I changed the tyres I fitted 205/15x15 (the correct original size).

Ride comfort is definately better with 205/15x15, also I reckon they look better IMHO.
205's will stand a slightly lower inflation pressure than 195's - I've also remembered my handbook includes a note amending tyre pressures for 15" wheels (my car was an early Longbridge one, when tyre size had just been reduced to save cost).

If you shop around, 205's can be had at prices comparable to 195's (e.g. ETS in Nottingham).

Pete.

[David3807]

Hi all,
My car was originally supppplied with 195/65x15, but when I changed the tyres I fitted 205/15x15 (the correct original size).

Ride comfort is definately better with 205/15x15, also I reckon they look better IMHO.
205's will stand a slightly lower inflation pressure than 195's - I've also remembered my handbook includes a note amending tyre pressures for 15" wheels (my car was an early Longbridge one, when tyre size had just been reduced to save cost).

If you shop around, 205's can be had at prices comparable to 195's (e.g. ETS in Nottingham).

Pete.


Having used both sizes have you noticed any difference in noise or wear ???

My 195/65/15s are coming up for replacement and I was thinking of using the 205/65/15.