Tyre sidewalls

[twoblacklines]

So I want to get some new tyres for my A3 and it seems I have the choice of quite a lot.

Looking at Continental SportContact 5's. BUT I can get either XL or normal, XL being stiffer sidewalls.

What are the advantages of this? my car is an SE so 17", non-low-profile tyres. I want low road noise and supreme comfort.

Thanks

[MrBarry123]

Are you fat?

If you are, by XL. If you're not, buy the normal ones.

[TooMany2cvs]

XL usually goes along with a higher load rating number - say 98 instead of 95.

Have a look in your handbook - it'll give the tyre spec as 225/65 17 95V, or whatever. It's that last couple of digits that are the load rating.
If your car doesn't need the higher load rating, then don't go for the XLs. They'll be stiffer-riding, probably without any handling or grip benefit.

[kambites]

If you value ride over turn-in sharpness, get the softer sidewall unless the load rating is too low for your car.

[PlayersNo6]

XL will have a harder ride. I personally would avoid on a car that doesn't specify them.

[twoblacklines]

I just typed the number plate into blackcircles and it came up with those choices.

The Audi OE symbol is also next to the one without the XL (but is £30 a tyre more???) should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?

The profile, the Y and the number are the same but the stats are different? Bit confusing...

here is a pic

[Ozzie Osmond]

twoblacklines said:

should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?

Well, in theory it's a "modification" which you would need to disclose to your insurers.

[ging84]

XL tyres use a different load inflation table to determine how much load they can carry

typically XL tyres are rated to carry slightly less load at lower inflation pressures than standard load, but are rated for a higher pressure than a standard load tyre so ultimately are capable of carrying a greater load.

Running standard load where only XL is specified by the vehicle manufactuer or XL where only standard load is specified, would mean that the recommended tyre pressures for that vehicle are no longer particularly applicable

[kambites]

Ozzie Osmond said:

twoblacklines said:

should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?

Well, in theory it's a "modification" which you would need to disclose to your insurers.

I'm pretty sure most insurers don't care as long as the tyre is type approved, the same size as the original and of a suitable load and speed rating for the vehicle.

[TA14]

twoblacklines said:

So I want to get some new tyres for my A3 and it seems ... my car is an SE so 17", non-low-profile tyres.

The chances of this being true are nil. Audi won't have used full section tyres on standard road cars for at least forty years.

[richs2891]

I would personally choose something else other than the Continental SportContact tyres, the wear rate on them is terrible in my experience

[TooMany2cvs]

TA14 said:

The chances of this being true are nil. Audi won't have used full section tyres on standard road cars for at least forty years.

Since he then goes on to illustrate with a bunch of 225/45 17 tyres...

[Fastra]

Tyre wall stiffness is something I've come to know of quite well recently;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've actually now got 4 of the same Dunlops on (hoping that 4 of the same might solve the 'squirm') but it is still no where as sharp as when the OE Bridestones were on.

I now firmly believe that easy to digest info should be relayed to customers.

Bridgestones:
Tread - 1 Polyester.
Sidewall - 1 Polyester + 2 Steel + 1 Polyamide

Dunlops:
Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)


???? Exactly!!!

[TooMany2cvs]

Fastra said:

Dunlops:
Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)

???? Exactly!!!

It's Rayon. Both are Rayon. Rayon is hardly an unusual material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayon

[Fastra]

ok - so how do the general public know who that compares with the make up of the Bridgestones?
There needs to be a scale that all manufacturers use so a true comparison can be made.

[LeoSayer]

I thought SE's came with 16" wheels as standard.

That's probably you best option if you want low noise and better ride. There will probably be greater choice of tyres and cheaper too.

On my A3 I went from 17" on Pirelli Cintaurato onto 16" with Nokian WR D3 winter tyres. There's a noticeable reduction in road noise and less vibrations from rough surfaces. I previously ran Dunlop SportMaxx RT on the 16" wheels were similar to the 17"s for noise and comfort.

[twoblacklines]

By low profile I mean 35's, these are 45's. My s-line had 35's I think and it was terrible!

So I still have no idea what tyres to buy for my car?

[TA14]

twoblacklines said:

By low profile I mean 35's, these are 45's. My s-line had 35's I think and it was terrible!

So I still have no idea what tyres to buy for my car?

Anything below full section (which ironically is 80/82) is known as low profile - you need an extra adjective, eg super low profile.

With the requirements that are in your OP, I agree with the poster above: put the 17" wheels in the garage and buy a set of 16s.

To answer your question, ignor XL tyres. In 225/45/17 you have lots of choice - how about: http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110... that's a Dunlop with an A rain rating and 67db.

[LeoSayer]

I would take those dB ratings with a big pinch of salt.

I found Dunlop Sport Maxx RT with 67dB to have far more road noise than my current Nokians which are rated at 72dB.

[TA14]

LeoSayer said:

I would take those dB ratings with a big pinch of salt.

I found Dunlop Sport Maxx RT with 67dB to have far more road noise than my current Nokians which are rated at 72dB.

Yes, I was half asleep there; the db ratings are drive by and one way to reduce that number is to have the noise bouncing round in the wheel arch.