Your tyre setup.(pics)

[millwall15]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

wow i want them wheels (2nd pic):p

[NeuroBeaker]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

Andrew

I recommend that if you change you go for four tyres of the same type -

Have you tried the Cointinental premium Contact - you get decent grip (wet and dry) with those - or alternatively Toyo Proxes T1-Rs. You will have to change all four if going the Toyo route as they don't mix well with Continentals. Check on a tyre site (http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html) for comparable sizes and then check with the manufacturer that the trye width will fit on your rims) and go for the largest maximum size you can get away with. For example a 5J tyre will accept from about 165 to 185 tyres but not 195s, which is a bummer as the 195/50 15 can be bought for much less (a third) than the comparable 185/55 15!

There will be lots of opinions - but go for what you can afford - and try find a decent tyre that scores 4 or more both wet and dry in reviews.

Also, if available in your area I recommend event-tyres.co.uk for an excellent mobile service.

Campbell

Thanks very much Campbell! :teeth:

Presumably by same type, you mean tyres from the same company? Or did you mean try to fit the same sized tyres to both front and rear axles?

I've had a look at the tyre equivalence and the 185/55/R15 looks pretty good - available in both the Continental Premium Contact and the Continental Premium Contact 2. What's the difference between the two? They appear to be the same price? Also, I couldn't seem to find a fitment for these tyres that would work with the front axle - as I think someone mentioned somewhere that 145 was the absolute maximum sane width here?

Same questions on the Toyo T1-R.

Many thanks,
Andrew.

[bt75alfa]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

just two quick questions what is the weight diffrence between the roadster steel wheels and alloys of the same size i am guessing the alloy is lighter , and also if the roadster steel wheels are fitted with the correct size tyre for the fortwo, are arch extensions needed

p.s it would be for a mk5 fortwo

regards billy

[ZorroReturns]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

just to quick questions what is the weight diffrence between the roadster steel wheels and alloys of the same size i am guessing the alloy is lighter , and also if the roadster steel wheels are fitted with the correct size tyre for the fortwo, are arch extensions needed

p.s it would me for a mk5 fortwo

regards billy

Yes, roadie steel wheels will fit on fortwo mk5 no probs, you have to fit 175 fronts and upto 195 rears or 175's all round

[T.8ATH]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

wow i want them wheels (2nd pic):p

Them wheels is now mine!

[millwall15]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

how much are they to buy?

[T.8ATH]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

Wellsmart had a set for about £700 I think.

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

the roadster steels and spinline alloys are almost identical in weight.
Arch extensions are very cheap for a fortwo. I used 185s all round on my cdi and while there was a wee bit rubbing from the front on hard lock, the tyres were within the arches and therefore legal. That was with steels, not spinlines, but both sit out the same amount from the hub.

just two quick questions what is the weight diffrence between the roadster steel wheels and alloys of the same size i am guessing the alloy is lighter , and also if the roadster steel wheels are fitted with the correct size tyre for the fortwo, are arch extensions needed

p.s it would be for a mk5 fortwo

regards billy

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

yes I mean tyres of the same type/tread pattern from the same manufacturer.

If you want to go bigger, and I'd recommend it, try find a set of roadster steels (although brand new they are only about £120 a set), then pop 195s or 185s on the rear and 175s on the front.

Your existing wheels will probably only go up to a 145 as you say (if you're lucky a 155 will fit. Bigger tyres/wheels will remove a lot of the understeer and make the car more surefooted. I went from 135s on the diesel to 185s and the difference was huge.

Thanks very much Campbell! :teeth:

Presumably by same type, you mean tyres from the same company? Or did you mean try to fit the same sized tyres to both front and rear axles?

I've had a look at the tyre equivalence and the 185/55/R15 looks pretty good - available in both the Continental Premium Contact and the Continental Premium Contact 2. What's the difference between the two? They appear to be the same price? Also, I couldn't seem to find a fitment for these tyres that would work with the front axle - as I think someone mentioned somewhere that 145 was the absolute maximum sane width here?

Same questions on the Toyo T1-R.

Many thanks,

Andrew.

[NeuroBeaker]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

yes I mean tyres of the same type/tread pattern from the same manufacturer.

If you want to go bigger, and I'd recommend it, try find a set of roadster steels (although brand new they are only about £120 a set), then pop 195s or 185s on the rear and 175s on the front.

Your existing wheels will probably only go up to a 145 as you say (if you're lucky a 155 will fit. Bigger tyres/wheels will remove a lot of the understeer and make the car more surefooted. I went from 135s on the diesel to 185s and the difference was huge.

Your recommendation does sound like the best way to go, but I'm afraid my girlfriend is the main driver and policy holder on my SmartCar and her years of no claims bonus (1 - we're trying to build it up) are restrictive to making changes like the addition of larger alloys. :redface:

For matching the exact same tread and working within the strict guidelines that the alloys themselves must not change, the only alternative to the Continental EcoContacts I've been able to find are the Yokohama A.Drives. :embarasse

I suppose the problem isn't so much the rear axle, it's more the front with the awkward 145/65/R15 fitment. Do you know of any other grippy tyres that might fit the front wheels - as hopefully a matching tread would also be available for the rears?

All the best,
Andrew. :thanx:

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

I k now nowt about these tyres but you can get

145/65/R15 in

Michelin Energy XT1

Bridgestone B340

Pirelli P6

Continental Eco Contact

Yokohama Adrive

I don't think that you'll get a decent sports tyre at this size. It fits smart and a few other vehicles, none noted for their high performance.

There will be other manufacturers out there but I'd stick with a decent quality tyre and all of the above are a decent make.

WHy not stick with the continentals - that's what came on the car from new.

[NeuroBeaker]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

I k now nowt about these tyres but you can get

145/65/R15 in

Michelin Energy XT1

Bridgestone B340

Pirelli P6

Continental Eco Contact

Yokohama Adrive

I don't think that you'll get a decent sports tyre at this size. It fits smart and a few other vehicles, none noted for their high performance.

There will be other manufacturers out there but I'd stick with a decent quality tyre and all of the above are a decent make.

WHy not stick with the continentals - that's what came on the car from new.

Sounds good, I'll start pricing up those Michelins, Bridgestones, and Pirellis as well.

On other cars, I've not been impressed with Continentals (poor wet weather performance) and the Continentals on the SmartCar, while acceptable in the dry, have also been extremely prone to aquaplaning in the wet. Over my 7 years of driving, I've tried Continentals a few times and been consistently disappointed - so it's not necessarily a 'sports' tyre I'm trying to get, but certainly a better gripping tyre than the EcoContacts.

Thanks for the help Campbell, I think you've definitely pointed me in the right direction - much appreciated! :thanx:

All the best,
Andrew.

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

Andrew

the eco tyres are often of a harder compound and it doesn't give such great grip - I'm used to the premium contact Continentals which have good wet and dry characteristics but I changed to toyo proxes on the rear and there is more grip with them, you can just feel it.

The fortwo's front end is quite light so I'm not surprised you get aquaplaning at times, especially where you live in the damp West of Scotland. Also, I think the 145s are very skinny and they will never help the roadholding. When you cosndier how much of the tyre is actually in contact with the ground, I assume they don't do too badly though! The 145 is a very skinny tyre and not much will help its road holding. There simply isn't enough tread width to ensure a great wet weather tyre.

I'm sure there must be other tyres of this size but I would stick with a premium make.

[madDan]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

narrower tyres actually help against aquaplaning! more pressure / sq inch , why not try some all weather tyres?

[bt75alfa]

Re: Your tyre setup.(pics)

cheers for the info zorroreturns and messerschmittowner i think i will go for the steel wheels come mot when new tyres will also be needed