195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

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timrosser
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195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:44 am

HI, I reckon 195's are generally cheaper than 185's- has anyone stuffed a 195 onto a standard celebration alloy? Any pros or cons? I figure this will improve the grip and protect the rims of the alloy from getting scuffed? Any views?

Tim

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by yorkshire480 » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:08 am

I'm really interested in this right now as I'm going to have to replace all 4 corners real soon. I've noticed the difference in choice and price between the two sizes also.

The handbook for my '94 ES lists two sizes like this so I'm a little confused.
185/60 R 14 H, 185/60 R 14 H
195/55 R 15 H

Given the layout above I'm guessing that means you've got a choice of sizes on the fronts and not on the rear.

Anyone?

In terms of brand I'm thinking Toyo Proxes. The last set of Goodyears on the front haven't lasted to well particularly since I had the car terracleaned and the amount of torque and power noticeably increased.

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by dcwalker » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:31 am

I have had 195/55/R15's on my Celeb's standard Cetus wheels ever since I got it 6 years ago.

No issues, they last very well, they give a slightly bigger footprint which can't hurt, and the speedo still thinks we're going faster than genuine speed as per the stanav, so that's all fine.

As you say, the slightly wider tyre does prtect the rims, as well.

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:52 am

Thanks for the reassurance there David! I havent got my thinking head on today, can you help me with why they would they alter the speedo reading? I figure changing the '55' bit for say a '60' or a '50' would change the spedos 'speed' as the length of the rotation of the wheel would be changed? But if you kept the side wall depth the same then shouldn't the spedo be working with the same assumption?

I say this like I'm bothered of course, my spedo cuts out all together a lot of the time!

Thanks again

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by jamesy12345 » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:35 pm

Hey Tim, 55 means the sidewall height is 55% of the width. So if you go for 195s over 185s it means your tyres have a slightly larger diameter...see below...this makes your gearing a little taller and speedo read a little higher

http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual ... calculator

But it's next to nothing I wouldn't worry about it
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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by jamesy12345 » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:44 pm

More stuff...a page showing different types of 400-series alloys with recommended tyres sizes and offsets etc

http://www.lvmgroup.co.uk/alloy-wheels-3133.html#400
Current:
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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:15 pm

Ahhh Brilliant Holmes!!! There was me just assuming it was mm or something! That makes perfect sense, it is going to abe a tiny % though isnt it. Might gain an extra mph top end tho!

Thanks again

Tim

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by dcwalker » Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:57 pm

Hi Tim

Others have explained what I would have done about the speedo. I can't comment on the actual amount of difference as I have only ever had the 195/55's, but there are sites to calculate it but whatever it is the key thing is it stays within the legal tolerances.

Go for it!

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:07 pm

Hi James & David, any views about these bad boys? Most 480's owner's seem to like the Toyo sports tyre...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150660332335? ... 1438.l2649

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by dcwalker » Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:30 pm

Certainly a striking looking tread! Can't really offer any opinion either way based on experience I'm afraid; at that price, though, they look too good to miss!

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:49 pm

They do look fit- I will keep the forum updated on aquaplaning progress ;-)

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by doingitsideways » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:27 pm

Yoko Peradas are a very popular choice with track day fans.

No experience personally, but they're supposed to be good :)

Toyo Proxes are a good choice too, by pure coincidence. A set of Turbo wheels I bought recently came with 2 Peradas (goosed) and 2 Proxes!!

Tbh though, I can't see either brand lasting too long, as anything that grips well will have a soft compund rubber and wear quite quickly, but let's face it, anything that helps a 480 off the line quicker is only a good thing!! ;)

Steve :hopping:
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Hammers can't fix a 480!!!

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by jamesy12345 » Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:46 am

No worries fella glad to try and offer something that might help. I think it's very hard to buy a bad tyre now, in terms of grip anyway. I use winter tyres all yr round so quite soft e.g. Avons, Coopers, etc. More natural rubber so still flexible at cold temps or so they would have u believe. Narrow ones cope with aqua planing better but 480s aren't exactly heavy......

Wintrac Vredsteins on the V70 but that is 4x4 and heavy so a different animal altogether.

The tyre I can remember being really above others was Pirelli P6000s on a Ford Focus I used to have. But then I changed them for an Avon winter set that were nearly as good for about a third of the price. Oh yeah and some Hankooks on a Range Rover they were good.

I always get tyres delivered to me from someone like Camskill then take them to a local fitter. Choice and cost in Kwik Fit for example is a joke. When changing 2 fronts on an Audi A6 the Audi dealer was cheaper by some margin!
Current:
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Mazda RX-7 '93
Renault 5 '84

Previous:
440 2 litre, 440 Turbo, 460 Turbo, 480 Turbo x2, 854 T-5R, S40 T4, V40 T4, S70 T5 & R, V70 R x2, S60 R

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Re: 195/55/15 tyres vs 185/55/15s on a Celebration

Post by timrosser » Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:48 pm

Thanks for all that! I might abuse my 185s for a month or two then go for those sexy Yoko Peradas- what a gorgeous looking tyre!

Thanks again

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