Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
Moderator: RichardW
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Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
I bought a Peugeot 207SW 1.6hdi a few months ago but i’m finding the cars ride at lower speeds too hard. I’ve been used to Citroens, which have softer suspension but i’m stuck with this 207 for the time being so i'm just looking for ways to imporove it.
Under 35mph i’m feeling every bump in the road and that can’t be right. The cars done 126k and doesn’t look like its been lowered. The tyres are correct for the vehicle. The tyre pressure is recommended as 2.4bar and I recently reduced that to 2.2bar all round and that is defiantly improving the ride but at the expense of fuel consumption. The front tyres are new-ish but they look cheap.
I’m wondering if I bought better tyres they might be able to dampen the micro vibrations, which are currently making the lower speed driving so unpleasant? Could be something completely different though..
Any thoughts welcome
Under 35mph i’m feeling every bump in the road and that can’t be right. The cars done 126k and doesn’t look like its been lowered. The tyres are correct for the vehicle. The tyre pressure is recommended as 2.4bar and I recently reduced that to 2.2bar all round and that is defiantly improving the ride but at the expense of fuel consumption. The front tyres are new-ish but they look cheap.
I’m wondering if I bought better tyres they might be able to dampen the micro vibrations, which are currently making the lower speed driving so unpleasant? Could be something completely different though..
Any thoughts welcome
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
Driving with under-inflated tyres isn't a great idea. I have a 207 and to be honest the ride is as rough as a bears bottom
Oh buggle
- Sloppysod
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
What's the tyre wall regidious value? , A softer wall will help give a softer ride.
Not sure the tyres you have but, for my car I can get either 97 or 101 tyres, the lower the value the softer.
But too soft and they won't support the vehicle weight especially when going around corners, typical result is the outer edges going bald.
Not sure the tyres you have but, for my car I can get either 97 or 101 tyres, the lower the value the softer.
But too soft and they won't support the vehicle weight especially when going around corners, typical result is the outer edges going bald.
Stu
"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
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"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
- Michel
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
I've had 2 207s and the ride is total balls. Not a huge amount can be done.
- white exec
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
Michelin Energy Saver+ are known to offer a supple ride, and are good at mopping up a harsh surface.
What size/profile/make etc are you on at the moment?
What size/profile/make etc are you on at the moment?
Chris
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
white exec wrote: ↑16 Jun 2019, 06:46 Michelin Energy Saver+ are known to offer a supple ride, and are good at mopping up a harsh surface.
What size/profile/make etc are you on at the moment?
The cars got 195 55 r16 , one is a Continental and the others no idea.
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
I totaly agree I shouldnt be running the tyres underinflated, just tried for a few days and i'll reinflate to normal.
Makes you wonder why the Peugeot development team would sign off on a car with such poor ride quality?
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
Sloppysod wrote: ↑15 Jun 2019, 22:37 What's the tyre wall regidious value? , A softer wall will help give a softer ride.
Not sure the tyres you have but, for my car I can get either 97 or 101 tyres, the lower the value the softer.
But too soft and they won't support the vehicle weight especially when going around corners, typical result is the outer edges going bald.
Is softness indicated by the load index number on the tyre, 87,91 etc?
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
- Stickyfinger
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
No reason you cannot fit smaller wheels with a larger profile.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
At 126k there is a good chance you are on original dampers. Replacing them with new Bilstein B4s for example would make a huge difference.
- mickthemaverick
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
Stickyfinger wrote: ↑16 Jun 2019, 10:25 No reason you cannot fit smaller wheels with a larger profile.
That certainly is an option, 15" wheels with 195x65x15 tyres like uniroyal rain tyres, which are still available, will help smooth out the rough road noise and vibration but it won't help with bigger bumps and ruts etc. Also as time goes by 15" wheels are becoming less popular and tyres will get more difficult to source cheaply. As you came from a C5 to the 207 I doubt you will ever get the ride close to what you are hoping for but good luck anyway
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
mickthemaverick wrote: ↑16 Jun 2019, 11:01Stickyfinger wrote: ↑16 Jun 2019, 10:25 No reason you cannot fit smaller wheels with a larger profile.
That certainly is an option, 15" wheels with 195x65x15 tyres like uniroyal rain tyres, which are still available, will help smooth out the rough road noise and vibration but it won't help with bigger bumps and ruts etc. Also as time goes by 15" wheels are becoming less popular and tyres will get more difficult to source cheaply. As you came from a C5 to the 207 I doubt you will ever get the ride close to what you are hoping for but good luck anyway
Agreed, i'm just not going to be able to the get anywhere near the hydroactiv suspension. What i've realised about hydroactiv is that it just makes driving so effortless and a pleasure, in contrast to normal which is just so much more work!
Yes totally putting 15s on with larger profile would do the trick. The trick would be to find a whole set for a bargain price which would do me till I move the car on. Unfortunately I cant do that till I replace the gear linkage cable, which of course only come with the selector and box!
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
I'll look into this but have to replace the gear linkage cables before I descide whether i'm going to keep the car or not. Getting severe hydroactiv withdrawl symptoms. Actually the 207 is not wholly pish but the idea of driving long distances in it does not appeal.
Peugoet 207 SW Hdi 1.6 live*
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
C5 2.2L HDi 16v estate (01)
Xsara Hdi 90 estate
Xantia 1.9TD estate, (veg oil)
Zx 1.9TD hatchback
Zx 1.9D hatchback
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- Posts: 947
- Joined: 16 Oct 2014, 12:17
- Location: Meath Ireland
- My Cars: 2008 Laguna 1.5 DCi
- x 235
Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
It's a small cheap car mine has 15" tyres on it and it's not great. However it's easy run and thanks to the guys on this site all repairs so far have been done cheaply by me. What's wrong with your gear cables? Mine is hard to change down over 30 mph however I discovered that blipping the throttle helps
Last edited by doctle on 16 Jun 2019, 12:09, edited 1 time in total.
Oh buggle
- mickthemaverick
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Re: Can the ride quality be improved with better tyres
doctle wrote: ↑16 Jun 2019, 11:58 It's a small cheap car mine has 15 tyres on it and it's not great. However it's easy run and thanks to the guys on this site all repairs so far have been done cheaply by me. What's wrong with your gear cables? Mine is hard to change down over 30 mph however I discovered that blipping the throttle helps
Can't help wondering where you put 15 tyres?
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!