New tyres needed?? For citroen Xantia running Energys.......

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Oct 2009, 09:09

Yep that might be a good idea, i had thought about painting some steels i got for my last car, though looked quite a long job to sand them back and get a good finish.

Though ive just looked for Citroen wheel trims on ebay, around £50-£60 for a new set!

Your tyres will be 205/60/15 arnt they?

I had planned on going to see a silver HDi exclusive today, but its 233 miles away and i just dont have the time today. Which is a shame as someone was going to view it at 1PM - i was going to set off early but i wouldnt get back for the family get together meal! Yet another good Xantia ive missed out on

If its not sold i might go down tomorrow, cant imagine it will still be there if its any good.

Chris.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 17 Oct 2009, 10:46

We've got a small thread going on AussieFrogs presently, about Xantia wheels and their sneaky differences.

Make sure that all the rims you plan to fit, have the correct bolts to fix them off - hole depth did vary somewhat, and by more than a millimetre or two.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Oct 2009, 11:14

Thats a very good point, steel wheels take a different wheel bolt to alloys. So you might need to get some bolts Steve.

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 17 Oct 2009, 12:59

The winter tyres are the same dimenstions as the normal tyres on mine, 185/65/15 which are the same as the tires that just came off the rims, and I've just been stripping the wheels down.

luckily. I have access to a sand blaster lmao. As for the bolts, the citroen dealer just gave me 16 bolts for the steels for 3 quid! Thank 4 the advice on that or I would hav never thought of that!!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 10:04

Thats odd, usually Exclusives have 205/60/15 size. Though it could well depend on what engine model Exclusive. Thought thats what HDIs wear.

Thats a bit of a bargain with the bolts? My Peugeot dealer charged me almost £2 per bolt!

Luckily i only needed 3

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 17:20

I have no idea....

the tyres that were on were 185/65/15 and on the inside of the door jam the sticker says 185/65/15.

Might just be the model and engine combo i think.

Just as a quick update, the wheels are blasted and primered, im going to start spraying tomorrow, will post some pictures as soon as thats done.

that much for wheel nuts? Worse that halfrauds!....

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:17

Citroenmad wrote:Im 100% sure they are the same, nothing like that was changed between S1 and 2. Just think of Activas, they use the exact same wheels for S1 and 2 cars.

They are 15" aren't they? some 96 cars had 14" wheels.

S2 Xantia's have a wider track than S1's (that's why S2's have the wider front wing's) and to that effect 15" wheels do vary, to identify you have the same wheels look at the cut-out's in the wheels, some are circles, others are triangular.

14" wheels were used on 18 petrols and IIRC 1.9D/SD models.

On the subject of tyres personally the only advice I'd take from others is from someone whom I know to be an proven expert (i.e. qualified) as when it comes to driving there are for too many who claim to know what they are doing behind the wheel when in reality the opposite is invariably the case. To correctly assess the ability of a tyre you need to be able to correctly balance a car on the approach to a turn then and continue the process through to the exit side which is a rarely seen skill in isolation, let alone find someone able to do it consistantly in order to make an accurate assessment/comparison.

Whenever I've seen the results of independant tyre tests, in almost every case budget brands have poorer grip with the consequence of longer emergency stopping distances,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:01

I was aware S2 cars have a wider track, however i didnt know that the steel wheels were changed at this time too. By that do you mean they have a different offset?

Who do you class to be 'qualified' on the subject of tyres?
A Tyre fitter?
A tyre manufacturer?
Surely thats views and opinions too, but possibly views of someone who has not even used those tyres ....

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:24

Citroenmad wrote:I was aware S2 cars have a wider track, however i didnt know that the steel wheels were changed at this time too. By that do you mean they have a different offset?

Who do you class to be 'qualified' on the subject of tyres?
A Tyre fitter?
A tyre manufacturer?
Surely thats views and opinions too, but possibly views of someone who has not even with those tyres ....

15" wheels with the triangular holes are the same (they are both 6" wide) but there are two versions of the 5.50" wheels with the round holes so offset may well be the difference.

As for who I'd listen to for an opinion on the best tyre, a tyre fitter would certainly not be on the list! A tyre manufacturer will be able to recommend their own most suitable model, but little more due to commercial pressures

(apologies for the pun

) what I'm getting at is that the fact that someone drives X amount of miles per year or similar makes those "qualifications" worthless IMO, anyone can drive lots of miles, drive a fast car and so on but what does that tell you about their driving skills other than they drive a lot of miles?

If you are really concerned about what tyre you should buy then Google "tyre tests", I know Auto Express carry out a number of these tests where they fit many different tyres to the same car in track conditions but even then you can argue "that tyre did very well on a VW Golf but I own a Xantia".

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:32

Wow, i had no idea there are so many combinations of Xantia steel wheels. I must stop misinforming people!

Ah right, just thought id ask as thats what i was thinking too. Tyre fitters and manufacturers are not the people to believe!

I know what your saying, i agree, doesnt give any indication how they drive or indeed how good the tyres are. I tend to stick with the same brands now anyway.

Auto Express tests are usually a good source, though yes, what works on one car might not be as good on another.

So much easier to be in the catagory of: If its black, round and has tread then ill have a set of those please! .

Chris

stevetheskaterboy · Unread post by **stevetheskaterboy** » 18 Oct 2009, 22:43

Well ive check, they are identical fitment, fit correctly and drive the same as the alloys, before I started to strip them I tried them, they had sum slighty worn tyres and were balanced so they gave a good indicator.

As for the tyres ill take dads word but still prefer to avoid out and out "budget" brands.
I have tested the trayal's out, took his E320 out on a private car park and thrashed it, they gripped well, but I still believe that driving style affects everything...

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 21 Oct 2009, 14:30

Just got a pair of Goodyear Excellence for the C5, size 195/65/15 for £110 fitted. Not a bad price i didnt think.

Although ive put these new ones on the rear and the worn Michelin E3As on the front - will need replacing in a few months. So ill see how i get on with these Goodyears, will get a matching pair for the front soon. Ive gone away from Michelins - which its had all its life, as i wasnt too impressed with the newer Energy sacers, so thought id give another brand a try.

On another note, id not realised how worn out the rear brake pads are, they were fine 4 months ago, now one is about on the metal!

Will have to replace those tomorrow i think. The rear calipers seem to be twisting which have worn the pads wedge shaped. I think thats why its eaten its brake pads so quickly. Nice deisgn fault there Citroen!

There is always something to do with a car isnt there!

dieseldoggy · Unread post by **dieseldoggy** » 29 Oct 2009, 22:25

Hi if your buying 4 tyres id go for 195/65/15's cheaper and more stock available. uniroyal r550's are good do stick to the road very well but do wear edge out if your like me take corners same speed as straight! ive also tried the 680 xl's still have on back they are good harder sidewalls as more plies. on front now i'm using firestone tz 2000? if i remember correctly?or it's 200.anyway.and forget goodyear nct they let go when you least expect it.

If anyones using 16's try the rainsports they are the dogs danglies.
not a great lover of michie's. pirelli's esp 6000's are prone to going out of round and need rebalancing reg.
black circles is a good site plus google tyres and brings a list of comparsion sites.
If i can find it i have a list of wheels for cit/pugs etc giving pcd/offset/center bores.
Offset is to do with hub sizing in relation to wheel bearing/ball joints/castoring not width of track. has if ie the wheel sits to far out ie shallow offset it would knock wheel bearings out and give you bump steer.
IE vauxhalls need a 49mm offset or they really suffer with handling probs.