Wheels & Tyres

SLYTZD · Unread post by **SLYTZD** » 23 Oct 2008, 19:23

Hi to all. I recently bought a '96 Activa & the tread's a little low. I'm looking to upgrade the wheels, currently there's a set of steels on there. Thinking of getting a set of 17" Alloys & running 225/45/17 tyres. (or 225/40/17)

I'd be interested in knowing what size & make you use & what sort of miles you get out of them.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 23 Oct 2008, 22:01

225's sound very wide. Too wide!

Have a play around on:
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

Nearest to the spec of Activa standard rims with 17" diameter alloys are
215 45 17's with an 18mm difference in diameter or 2.97% difference.

Andrew

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 23 Oct 2008, 23:55

I have yet to ride in an Activa with non-standard wheels or tyres that did not handle like s**t.

My first Activa came with 50 profile tyres and was both uncomfortable and downright dangerous. A return to the manufacturers specification and comfort and stability were restored.

No doubt, after fitting non-standard wheels and tyres, you will be informing your insurers and paying the extra premiums.

Handyman

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 24 Oct 2008, 09:09

There is a very good reason why Activa's have the wheels and tyres they do, and such high pressures. A higher sidewall retains the comfort level, the high pressure ensures the sidewalls do not flex too much and also help with the handling on the limit. Because the Activa can generate huge amounts of grip, it can also make it skittish on the limit. Lower profile tyres give less of a warning of their intention to break away and the results could be disasterous.. dont forget insurance would need notifying too.

In short, if you need more grip get better tyres, i you want a different look thats fine aswell by dynamically the car will suffer in ride and on the limit.

SLYTZD · Unread post by **SLYTZD** » 25 Oct 2008, 10:49

Ok, how about favoured tyres & mileage you get out of them? I'm debating at the moment whether to get a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric.

Spec / Review http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goody ... metric.htm Has anyone ran a Xantia on these?

(Hi andmcit, I use this site for wheel / tyre dimensions take a look. http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html)

(Sorry superloopy1 but I'm going to keep them for my other Xantia 1.9 TD)

Quackers · Unread post by **Quackers** » 25 Oct 2008, 20:42

I still have as yet to decide on Tyres on an Activa.

I've had 2 Activa's, and i've had the backend kickout twice once on each and both time it was when they had the Michelin tyres on.

Currently have the Kwik Fit home brand cheap and nasty tyres and they seem to grip well

First time i happend the roundabout had a brick wall and my Activa had a nasty smash into it.

. Was doing less than 30mph too!

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 09 Nov 2008, 11:59

Also looking for an replacement of the 205/60 x 15 Michelin SX GT with the reinforced sidewall and loadindex of 91.

Had a plan to go for annother brand, since Michelin does'nt make that SX GT anymore, but suggest Primacy instead, wich i allready have, and im not impressed...at all. They are way to wobbly because the sidewall is to soft.

Thinking of Runflat tecnology, because the reinforced sidewall is very , very stiff since they have to carry the entire weight of the vehicle when flat

The "new" Primacy ZP(RunFlat) is available in 205/55x 16, wich is very close to stock diamenter. But then i have to jump up to 16" rims as the BMW 1-series runs on 16" and this tyre is made for that car.

Michelin appear to have them in 15" but unsure if its the ZP/HP RunFlat

Conti have been a very nice tyre indeed, looking at the SSR eddition, but costly
Any thoughts or ideas

SLYTZD · Unread post by **SLYTZD** » 13 Mar 2009, 11:06

As an update, in December I bought a set of 17" alloys for my Activa with 225/45/ZR17 Kaiser KR20 tyres, sold as "Ultra high performance - Low noise," also cheaper than a lot of others.

They have good grip & are wearing well even with spirited driving.

The ride felt instantly more planted when cornering. They fit well under the arches with plenty of room without rubbing in any position. On a practical side; wheel change is now easier as there is more room between the brakes & the wheel. Also I can now bleed my brakes with the wheels on - useful for bleeding the rear callipers. As for comfort I was curious about how this would be affected but was pleased to find it changed so little that it was not noticeable.

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 15 Mar 2009, 10:29

Do you have any pictures to show us what they look like?

SLYTZD · Unread post by **SLYTZD** » 17 Mar 2009, 09:49

As you can see, straight forward to clean & good access to the callipers.

(Before & After)

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 17 Mar 2009, 10:22

Not bad, would have gone to a chunkier, rounder spoke personally but looks different.

KP · Unread post by KP » 17 Mar 2009, 11:22

Those before wheels look like the ones i have on my car, cant believe an Activa left the factory without alloys, how dare they play with something so sacred!! lol

Personally they dont look too bad, bit thin for me as well but i have got used to the 17's on my wifes T180 which are quite thick as well..

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 17 Mar 2009, 11:44

KP wrote:Those before wheels look like the ones i have on my car, cant believe an Activa left the factory without alloys, how dare they play with something so sacred!! lol

Personally they dont look too bad, bit thin for me as well but i have got used to the 17's on my wifes T180 which are quite thick as well..

Makes it more of a "Q" car or sleeper, if it really did leave the factory with non Activa rims.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Mar 2009, 12:55

The rims in the "before" picture are Exclusive Alloys; i.e. those fitted to the Xantia Exclusive...

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 17 Mar 2009, 13:12

CitroJim wrote:The rims in the "before" picture are Exclusive Alloys; i.e. those fitted to the Xantia Exclusive...

Look closer, they are SX spec wheeltrims as fitted on the S2.

Doubt one would have left the factory without alloys, they were standard fit.