In line with some people on here I am considering buying a second set of rims and to put winter tyres on them - and store them in the summer. The problem I have is one of size of wheel and insurance implications.
The S-Max comes with 16", 17" and 18" wheels with mine having 18" wheels, 235/45 section tyres. If I were to buy some steel 16" rims and put on winter tyres to the size stated in the handbook would I need to tell my insurers? The car is no different mechanically to any other TDCi S-Max with an auto box and the tyres pressure plate on the door jamb gives details for all sizes of wheel/tyre combination.
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In my experience provided the wheel and tyre size is one recommended by the manufacturer and the wheel size is going down rather than up then my insurance company only makes a note of it on file and does not charge me for it.
My car can run on 16, 17 or 18" rims like yours. I have the standard factory fit 17's for summer use and my after market 16's for winter.
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Only your insurance company can tell you.
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Read the handbook, fit winter tyres in line with the manufacturers recommendations and forget about it. There was a recent "suggestion" from the ABI that as long as you do this, there should be no insurance ramifications/increases etc - see the article at www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11969958. This thread's been done before some weeks ago.
Last edited by: Mike H on Mon 27 Dec 10 at 11:38
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Why not do what we did a few weeks ago on one of our cars. Buy a set of all season tyres with the snowflake winter rating and fit for all year round use. Saves all the faf of storing/swapping wheels. We haven't noticed any significant negatives in ride, noise or dry road performance.
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>> Buy a set of all season tyres..
Which make & model of tyre did you choose?
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On some cars, (like mine) the electric power steering should be re-programmed for the appropriate wheel size.
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>> The car is no different mechanically to any other TDCi S-Max with an auto box..
Do they all have the same size brake disk and calipers? I know this is an issue with some Merc's - 16" wheels won't fit over the calipers on the sportier versions.
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Good question. I shall find out.
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Read the handbook, it will contain all the relevant information with regard to model designations and wheel sizes where brake disc sizes and rolling radii are relevant. I have no idea what size tyres your car takes, but for example a 225/45 17" tyre/wheel combination has the same rolling radius as a 205/55 16", and the 16" wheel clears the larger discs on my Saab 9-5 Aero.
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If I may ask a couple of silly questions - what is the best place to source a set of rims?
And are all, e.g., 15" rims the same, or are they model or brand specific?
Last edited by: tyro on Tue 28 Dec 10 at 07:12
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>> And are all, e.g., 15" rims the same, or are they model or brand specific?
No, they're not all the same. You need wheels with the number of holes, right PCD (how far apart the holes are) and the right offset (how far they stick out from the hub). A good source can be scrapyards if there was a lower spec version of your car and its been around a while (eg. Mk3 Mondeo).
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>>> Buy a set of all season tyres.... Which make & model of tyre did you choose?
We bought the Kleber Quadraxer...
www.event-tyres.co.uk/news/new-kleber-quadraxer-all-season-tyre-1111.php
www.klebertyres.co.uk/KleberUK/front/affich.jsp?&lang=EN&codeRubrique=30032005121111#
I think it's important if buying all-season tyres in place of winter tyres to ensure they meet the snowflake symbol.
Tyro I'm sure these or similar would suit your new Berlingo alll year round to save the spare rims/when do I swap issue.
Last edited by: Fenlander on Tue 28 Dec 10 at 09:09
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Fenlander, it just so happens that I have a brand new, unused, freshly delivered, still wrapped Goodyear Ultra grip 175/70 R14 sitting around, not to mention a few good Michelins in the same size in my garage. If I do get another old shape Berlingo, these will come in useful. Especially if the insurance company will allow me to keep (or sell me) the winter tyres on my wrecked vehicle. (Have you seen the price of winter tyres at the moment?)
It makes sense to me to get a few 14" rims, esp since the probability is that, while any used Berlingo I will purchase will have 15" wheels, they will also take 14" wheels.
Last edited by: tyro on Tue 28 Dec 10 at 10:32
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second set of wheels and tyres - ....
