I've been lurking around the multiple tyre threads for some time. The time is nearly here for me to renew the current tyres with something more comfortable, but not spoiling the handling. I'm potentially looking to replace- OEM 195/40/R17 Side wall height 78mm With PS4 195/45/R17 Side wall height 88mm As yet I've not seen this done (hence the new thread). To put this into perspective the side wall height on a golf with 18" wheels 90mm, so this isn't so crazy and shouldn't throw the speedo out too much (+2mph @ 70mph). I had considered slightly wider tyres (205/40/R17) on the fronts, but I'm leaning towards keeping them all the same. The PS4 is widely viewed as a comfortable tyre. People have gone with higher profile tires and not had any rubbing, so this shouldn't be a showstopper. Anyone done this before with this size or tried staggered tyres sizes?

I’ve trialed a few setups and I’m running a stage 2 but here’s the rundown on wet/cold weather: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 205/40R17 (all round) this is optimal for handling grip, even first gear it will not spin up in wet unless surface is smoother. For Summer/hot weather there’s 3 different setups: 1. Standard tyres on rear with a Michelin Pilot Sport 4 up front, this is really more a speed set up as the stock tyres are Bridgestone 195/40R17 having thinner tyres on rear allows greater speeds(this set up is cool come winter cuz the rear end comes to life. 2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rear with Nankang NS2R up front, this is when the car became a legit go kart and I mean it went round corners like it was an f1 car, warning you lose straight line speed as they’re a semi track tyre and they’re very slippery in the wet and cold.3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5 all round, again this set up is probably the best all rounder set up with supreme grip and speed. I have trialed all these setups and got the information from a YouTuber can’t remember his name but he trials tyres and I got in contact with him. Hopes this helps.

 

Thank you for this. It's good to see you're trying something different. I expect I'll probably be going with the alround option of PS5 on all 4 corners. I have eibach coilovers fitted and I'm finding the car very well balanced, so for me I think I'll try this first, but I did consider mixing the tyres front to back.
Stage 2 must be fantastic is this little light car.....one day!

 

Yeah man can’t go wrong with the Michelins they’re superior especially for typical UK weather. Stage 2 is definitely worth it, however I’m coming across issues with the flexy joint on the exhaust as it can’t handle the pops and bangs.

 

Just need the PS5's now. - The weight in the photo is for 17".
The wheels are lovely, I'll have to see how the bright silver fairs on the dark (tungsten) silver car. They'll get their chance!

 

It's amazing how light they are, really. Getting on for half the weight of the Oswalds!

 

That is crazy light what offset did you go for et37?

 

Yes, ET37. I think this means the wheel will stand out 7mm further than oem.
I may delay putting them on as the gas board are about to dig up the road and probably my drive and don't fancy parking round the corner on new wheels (paranoid as knce had z set nicked.. 25 years ago).

 

The Oswald are et 39,if fitting et 37 the difference will be 2mm further out.

 

Looking forward to some photos when they go on 😊

 

Just laid all the wheels out. One is a different shade to the others. Same batch🙄

 

Contact the seller considering the cost of them you would expect perfection!

 

Agreed. They only arrived Friday afternoon, so I'll be in touch first thing tomorrow.

 

And looking at the wheel in more detail, it's as if 100% of all the wheels are painted and then the front face has a finishing coat, which looks as if it could have been missed on one wheel.

 

Yes gives the appearance of that wheel hasn't had a clear coat applied and the others have.

 

Not sure if they're painted or powdercoated; how do you tell difference? They'll surely fix that as soon as they're able though. Annoying but sounds as though timing might be convenient

 

Your right. Luckily they are repututable companies, so fingers crossed. I'm not sure if they are painted or powder coated either, but I'll just state that it looks like a finishing process has been missed. That way it takes "perception" and colour tolerance out of the equation.
When I do get these wheels on they will be the same width and offset as yours Aitch, so I will tell you with confidence if they rub on the pro st's👍

 

I only ask as my tyre fitter thought mine were powdercoated whilst i thought they looked as though they'd only seen the faintest coating of matt spray paint; i genuinely don't know the difference.

Hope they can set you right asap👍

 

Plenty of roads in far-flung areas the UK with improved roads from EU money, but sadly no more! Luckily the UK has become so rich from Brexit, that we'll all be buying private helicopters, as soon as our Brexit bonus cheques come through the letterboxes. Hahaha!
Or maybe paying through the nose for imported new tyres...

 

The Bridgestone are absolute dog turd. I fitted a new one last year as the Mrs smashed it against a kerb and it blebbed. 12month on, same tyre has blebbed again, no kerbs this time. Gone for Toyo Proxes in 205 fitment...

 

Maybe you mean the Goodyears?

Looking forward to the change👍🙂

 

Holy sh|t, what a difference, no more banging and crashing over potholes, just a gentle thud.

 

Just an update on the wheels the I ordered. I now have a matching set (remember one was a different shade - replaced). I ordered 4 tyres but blackcircles only sent the garage 2 tyres! 2 more are on the way, so all will be well.(never previously had any issue with blackcircles, always been very good). It's going to be a couple of weeks as I'm busy.

I went for Pilotsport 5. (205 x 40 R17). Visually they look good on the wheel (2 fitted). I know frostiless mentioned that they might look a little stretched on a 7" wide wheel and that's a fair point, but the ps5 has a chuncky sidewall so I've got away with it. The sidewall overhangs the tyre.
I'm looking forward to getting these on, I think this bad Karna is due to me calling the efficient groups "ditchfinders"🤣 - Joke.

Cheers

 

Just an update on the wheels the I ordered. I now have a matching set (remember one was a different shade - replaced). I ordered 4 tyres but blackcircles only sent the garage 2 tyres! 2 more are on the way, so all will be well.(never previously had any issue with blackcircles, always been very good). It's going to be a couple of weeks as I'm busy.

I went for Pilotsport 5. (205 x 40 R17). Visually they look good on the wheel (2 fitted). I know frostiless mentioned that they might look a little stretched on a 7" wide wheel and that's a fair point, but the ps5 has a chuncky sidewall so I've got away with it. The sidewall overhangs the tyre.
I'm looking forward to getting these on, I think this bad Karna is due to me calling the efficient groups "ditchfinders"🤣 - Joke.

AT999 you did well going up half a J to 7inch. Good decision. The 205 needs a 7J rim to keep the contact-patch 100% central to stop overlap.👋

 

Glad you got it sorted! blackcircles have gone downhill recently had a very odd experience this week 2 tyres ordered and delivery confirmed..

Only one turned up and then after a phonecall another tyre the following day 🙈.

Still looking forward to your thoughts and some photos when on the car.

 

That's crazy.....We've both had half blackcircle orders turn up this week. How weird.

 

It was for my son's car after doing a bit of digging it seems they've been taken over and the standards have really started to slip!

I've used them many times before and never had a problem but with limited days off I will think twice before using them again....

 

Blackcircles is owned by Michelin, AFAIK.
Kiss of death when a big global takes over a company....

 

Perhaps they will be running corporate away days on number appreciation.

 

Let's hope the additional two tyres are the same colour as the first two