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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:44 am
by timrosser
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:08 am
by yorkshire480
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.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:31 am
by dcwalker
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:52 am
by timrosser
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:35 pm
by jamesy12345
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:44 pm
by jamesy12345
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:15 pm
by timrosser
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

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

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:57 pm
by dcwalker
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

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

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:07 pm
by timrosser
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

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

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:30 pm
by dcwalker
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

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

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:49 pm
by timrosser
They do look fit- I will keep the forum updated on aquaplaning progress ;-)

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

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:27 pm
by doingitsideways
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:

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

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:46 am
by jamesy12345
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!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:48 pm
by timrosser
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