addo wrote:Just want to "bump" some questions that others might be able to help with:
My rims are 5.5 wide, and are recommended for the 185 width tyres.
What will happen if I go wider/lower profile, as to the 205 used on Activas (albeit with their 6.0 wide wheels)? Will the extra sidewall curvature on the narrower rims negate any real handling gains?
Just spotted this message after replying to your first one. Yes there is a bit more curvature on the sidewall (I guess my rims are 5.5" as well as they are the standard alloys) but as to negating handling advantage - no I don't think so, I notice a big handling and grip improvement over the 185/65/15.
How do 205 go on a non-Hydractive car, in foul weather? Is there a significantly increased risk of aquaplaning, or losing the rear?
Aquaplaning is more about the tread design than a small (20mm) increase in tread width IMHO. One of the reasons I chose the XM1 is they are designed specifically for wet weather and have four large/deep water channels in the middle, and they are an asymetric tread with the outside edge optimised for dry conditions and inner edge optimized for wet. (So they say)
You can see their tread pattern here:
http://www.michelin.com.au/UploadedFile ... 1tekFS.pdf
No problems with aquaplaning that I've noticed - in fact I chuck it around with confidence in the wet and the neutral handling of the Xantia (mine anyway) means that even when you do start to slip sideways a bit its perfectly controllable and driftable - it doesn't suddenly let go at the front or rear only.
I can't see any reason why they wouldn't be ok on a non-hydractive car, although the maximum cornering performance you'll reach will be less since the car will be rolling more and have less damping. (Than the hard mode in hydractive)
Regards,
Simon