THE FABIA CLUB

orionph05 · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:40 am Post subject: Tyre Upgrade

Any one who has upgraded the Tyre profile from 185/60-R-14 to 185/65-R-14.
Any noticable difference in ride quality.
Difference in Diameter: percentage is 3.11 %
_________________
Rgds
Pravin
Bangalore

k_ajay · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject:

Buddy, the diameter difference is ~3.1%. Not recommended. Best to stick to an update under 2%..
_________________
Peace precedes Prosperity..

jayblor · Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2011 Posts: 45 Location: Bangalore

Just replaced stock 175/70-R14 Apolo Acelere tyres with 185/65-R14 Michelin XM2.

orionph05 · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:40 pm Post subject:

aayushnair · Newbie Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 39 Location: Mumbai

Hi guys,
Its been a while since I’ve quoted here. Well the experience will be shared in another forum here’s how my recent tyre and rim upgrade was and looks Very Happy

After 31k kms of being on the stock Apollo Aceleres, I felt the need to change the tyres ‘cause of a noticeable loss of grip and eventually braking distance.

So began the search for the right tyre. I looked at team-bhp for reviews on Michelins, Yokohamas and Bridgestones.
Finally I made up my mind on the Yokos as I’ve had them before and they were real good; but which one was still a question!
A, S, C or the AVS DB series? The sizes in 14” were only available in a few select options and the inane need to upgrade the rim size too started developing.
I now also included an upgrade in rim size in my research and started looking for them.

Now the Fabia comes in a very weird (5*100) PCD factor; hence the choice I had was very limited. I searched all over Bombay for those special ones which I finally found at Popular (Malad W).

They are the Lenso (Raiden) Project D – Spec D 15” 7J rims - http://www.lensowheel.com/Raiden-Sub-Brand-list/?SubCatID=20007

I was in 2 minds with the Spec E as well, but they didn’t have them in stock and I had to wait over 3 days to get them. Well that was not the problem – I would have to pay 50% advance for them and if they didn’t go well with the car..I really don’t know. So went in for the Spec D’s.

Popular didn’t have the tyres I wanted (195/60/15) in the AVS series from Yoko available off shelf, couldn’t wait so decided to purchase the rims and off I went to Saifee (Santacruz) to get the tyres.

The owner recommended that 195/60 were bigger than the original spec by over 2% and hence not recommended, he suggested I go with 195/55 which were off the same size. He even showed me the tyres side by side with the OEM. There was a noticeable difference in size.

With a lot of speculation and discussion I decided to go with the 195/55/15. This means a reduction in the comfort level but ensures the tyres don’t touch the upper side walls under stress. I wasn’t worried too much about the front with Skoda fitting those spacers to improve ride height; the rear not having those was. Hence the decision.
195/55/15 are not available in the AVS series and were only available in the S Drives. I had a good experience with the S Drives on my Indica and opted for those (no other choice).

With a reduction in comfort and noise levels comes an increase in handling and braking (even under wet conditions). The S drives can be heard, but a lot lesser than the Apollos, with excellent control and braking. You can feel the extra grip on corners. The car feels much much more comfortable than before and a lot more poised and stable.

It’s only been a few hundred Kms since the upgrade, theres a lot more to notice especially on long drives – will keep you’ll updated.

Here are a few shots of the beauty in the meanwhile.

The Rim:

A few more angles:

Cheers,
Aayush.
_________________
When Cars are in your DNA you get This!!