New tyres - change size or not?

spratley

I need 2 new front tyres on a Mondeo Mk4 2.0 petrol. The size is 215/55R16, but I think I could fit 205/55R16 instead (standard steel wheels). I believe this is OK, legally, and also taking into account the slight change in overall wheel diameter (-1.1% according to the etyres calculator). Then, when the rear tyres needed replacing, I would also change these for 205's.
Not sure whether to stick with 215's & keep it simple, or go for 205, which are a bit cheaper. Well - if I'm going for economy tyres, the 215 are about £50 & the 205 are £45ish. Not much in it. BUT, I can get "premium" 205's for £60-75, compared to £120 for the 215's. Am also hoping the slightly skinnier tyres might make the steering a bit lighter.
What are the pros and cons? What would you do?
Cheers!

Iceweasel

I would need more info - you're only giving the dimensions of the tyres - not the load and speed rating.

What number and letter comes after the 215/55 16 on your current tyres sidewall?

It's likely to be 93H, 93Y, 99W - or something similar.

What comes after the 205/55 16 on the tyres you propose buying?

That's likely to be 91H, 91Y, or 94W - or something similar.

If you car has 99 or 93 as the load index and you replace them with 91 for example - then you are likely going to have problems with your insurance company in the event of any accident - you are handing them a ready-made means of rejecting a claim for damage to your car - a third party would be covered but the insurance company would be looking to claim their costs from you.

Over-tyring (fitting stronger tyres) is no problem at all - but under-tyring as you are contemplating is against all vehicle and tyre manufacturer advice.

Run this past your insurance company before you do anything more.

It may be legal/permissable as far as an MOT may be concerned but I wouldn't do it.

The roadholding with the narrower tyres is likely to be reduced too of course.

If the cost is the main factor, then get some part-worns of the correct size.

force_ten

my last two mondeos both MK3 a 2.0L zetec and a 1.8L zetec both ran 205/55/16 91V tyres

I think the standard tyre on the MK4 is a 215/55/16 93v and if that is what your car was fitted with from new then i wouldnt change them to a 205 tyre

the tyre calculator that i use say the 205 tyre is 33 mm difference in total circumference giving a difference of 1.7% and when the speedo reads 70mph your car would be doing 68.8mph on the smaller tyre

I would pay a bit more and stick with the 215/55/16 tyre

force_ten

also look in the hand book for your car and see what the recommended tyre sizes are for your car and if they don't list a 205/55/16 tyre as standard fitment for your car then don't use them

the reason i say that is your insurance company may use it against you in the event of a claim, incorrect tyre size may invalidate your insurance

Melchizadek

some sites say +/- 2.5% calculated diameter others -2/+3%...the minus 1.1% is absolutley fine...but will lower the car at the front...better this than raising which could cause front end lift at high speed.....dangerous

tyres are funny because popular sizes like 205/55 R16 and 225/45R17 are relatively cheaper ...if not upgrading to 17" alloys which will be alot more ££££ lol then def stick with the same size and search on 'camskill.co.uk' they do really cheap Uniroyal Rainsport3 (not 2) and is a very good tyre.....check out 'tyrereviews.co.uk' for tyre tests and comparisons....'tyreleader.co.uk' is generally the cheapest when I'm searching...others are ...mytyres...lovetyres...blackcircles

the thinner tyre will make the steering a tad lighter after checking the Uniroyals are £73-80 on camskill depending on which tyre load index you choose.

For a bit of an outsider that done great in a recent German magazine tyre test ...the Apollo Aspire 4G is £50 on 'tyreleader.co.uk'...Apollo Alnac £62 ..or Nexen N Blue Eco £50...all have done well in German/Finnish/Russian tyre tests...and faaaar better than budget tyres...all prices 215/55R16.

neilmcl

spratley wrote: »

I need 2 new front tyres on a Mondeo Mk4 2.0 petrol. The size is 215/55R16, but I think I could fit 205/55R16 instead (standard steel wheels). I believe this is OK, legally, and also taking into account the slight change in overall wheel diameter (-1.1% according to the etyres calculator). Then, when the rear tyres needed replacing, I would also change these for 205's.
Not sure whether to stick with 215's & keep it simple, or go for 205, which are a bit cheaper. Well - if I'm going for economy tyres, the 215 are about £50 & the 205 are £45ish. Not much in it. BUT, I can get "premium" 205's for £60-75, compared to £120 for the 215's. Am also hoping the slightly skinnier tyres might make the steering a bit lighter.
What are the pros and cons? What would you do?
Cheers!

Just go for the recommended size. At the end of the day those 4 bits of rubber are probably the most important bit of safety equipment on your car. I realise the is a money saving but why even question it for the sake of a few quid.

spratley

Thanks, all. Think I will stick to 215, then. The other details are 93V.
Rang a local tyre place today to get a price, and was told that they don't do the cheap Chinese ones, the ones they sell are "mediocre". I think they meant "midrange". But they couldn't give me a brand name. Hmmm...

NVRAM

remember, if you change tyre size to notify your insurance.