Tire widths: trends on modern cars
Discussion
Why are cars getting wider and wider tires?
For example I think that a bog stock Audi TT comes with 245's? Seems like massive overkills...it is even AWD right? My '99 Impreza STi only came with 205's from the factory!
Now I know cars are getting heavier and more powerful but is that sufficient reason?
Wider tires tramline more, and give a more bumpy ride also.
For example I think that a bog stock Audi TT comes with 245's? Seems like massive overkills...it is even AWD right? My '99 Impreza STi only came with 205's from the factory!
Now I know cars are getting heavier and more powerful but is that sufficient reason?
Wider tires tramline more, and give a more bumpy ride also.
I remember when the original Toyota Supra came out about 25 years ago, a toyota exec admitted to one of the car mags it was over-tyred purely for the sake of looks, so it's nothing new.
My MPS 6 comes with 215/45/18 which is quite narrow for the size of car but results in improved agility IMHO. Most cars now are over-tyred, even shopping cars coming with huge rubber on when they would probably drive better on 185's.
My MPS 6 comes with 215/45/18 which is quite narrow for the size of car but results in improved agility IMHO. Most cars now are over-tyred, even shopping cars coming with huge rubber on when they would probably drive better on 185's.
james_gt3rs said:
SmoothRB said:
Now I know cars are getting heavier and more powerful but is that sufficient reason?
Yes. Also, manufactorers want the cars to have more grip than previous models, so they are seen to be making improvements.
When I was last getting my tyres changed I was sat in the waiting room whilst a young guy was paying -
'Ok sir 4x*whatever tyre*...that's £650'
'How much?!'
'£650'
The guy paid up and walked back to his car. I was intrigued as to what he was driving and so got up to have a look - a Fiesta 'Zetec' something or other (not an ST) with big, but standard alloys. When I had my Fiesta I could have got 5 Dunlops for £200! Having a wide tyre would certainly increase the running costs of what would otherwise be a fairly cheap to run vehicle.
'Ok sir 4x*whatever tyre*...that's £650'
'How much?!'
'£650'
The guy paid up and walked back to his car. I was intrigued as to what he was driving and so got up to have a look - a Fiesta 'Zetec' something or other (not an ST) with big, but standard alloys. When I had my Fiesta I could have got 5 Dunlops for £200! Having a wide tyre would certainly increase the running costs of what would otherwise be a fairly cheap to run vehicle.
In part tyres are getting wider because they are getting better. In times gone by a wide tyre could have fairly poor grip on a wet surface. Less of a problem these days.
The BIG question is why standard FWD hatchbacks have the same size tyres all round. The rear brakes/tyres do very little of the work. Brake discs on the rear are often smaller and fluid pressure to the rear brakes is typically limited by a valve to ensure they don't lock before the fronts. As you may have guessed, it's all part of modern safe handling for the average driver with,
1. Understeer at the front, and
2. Not too much braking at the back
all of which is intended to make sure the back of the car doesn't overtake the front! This is generally a good thing....
The BIG question is why standard FWD hatchbacks have the same size tyres all round. The rear brakes/tyres do very little of the work. Brake discs on the rear are often smaller and fluid pressure to the rear brakes is typically limited by a valve to ensure they don't lock before the fronts. As you may have guessed, it's all part of modern safe handling for the average driver with,
1. Understeer at the front, and
2. Not too much braking at the back
all of which is intended to make sure the back of the car doesn't overtake the front! This is generally a good thing....
OnTheOverrun said:
Most cars now are over-tyred, even shopping cars coming with huge rubber on when they would probably drive better on 185's.
I reckon even that is overtyred - I remember back in the 80s when stuff like 185/60x13s were considered veritable racing tyres 
If I could be arsed looking I have a suspicion that the best handling cars don't have tiny rubber-band profiled tyres - I wonder what something like a standard Integrale runs on...? And iirc that kit like Elises aren't massively tyred and stuff doesn't come better handling than that (though weight must factor in somewhere).
Ozzie Osmond said:
In part tyres are getting wider because they are getting better. In times gone by a wide tyre could have fairly poor grip on a wet surface. Less of a problem these days.
The BIG question is why standard FWD hatchbacks have the same size tyres all round. The rear brakes/tyres do very little of the work. Brake discs on the rear are often smaller and fluid pressure to the rear brakes is typically limited by a valve to ensure they don't lock before the fronts. As you may have guessed, it's all part of modern safe handling for the average driver with,
1. Understeer at the front, and
2. Not too much braking at the back
all of which is intended to make sure the back of the car doesn't overtake the front! This is generally a good thing....
Well it looks retarded to have bigger tires on the front. FWD drag cars run such a set up.The BIG question is why standard FWD hatchbacks have the same size tyres all round. The rear brakes/tyres do very little of the work. Brake discs on the rear are often smaller and fluid pressure to the rear brakes is typically limited by a valve to ensure they don't lock before the fronts. As you may have guessed, it's all part of modern safe handling for the average driver with,
1. Understeer at the front, and
2. Not too much braking at the back
all of which is intended to make sure the back of the car doesn't overtake the front! This is generally a good thing....
Also as you imply would promote oversteer.
OnTheOverrun said:
I remember when the original Toyota Supra came out about 25 years ago, a toyota exec admitted to one of the car mags it was over-tyred purely for the sake of looks, so it's nothing new.
My MPS 6 comes with 215/45/18 which is quite narrow for the size of car but results in improved agility IMHO. Most cars now are over-tyred, even shopping cars coming with huge rubber on when they would probably drive better on 185's.
What is the motivation? You're going to the shops, not trying to shave a tenth going round Druid's. On another thread:-My MPS 6 comes with 215/45/18 which is quite narrow for the size of car but results in improved agility IMHO. Most cars now are over-tyred, even shopping cars coming with huge rubber on when they would probably drive better on 185's.
hidetheelephants said:
Targarama said:
Most new cars with oversize wheels/tyres (esp if you then you spot the car's badge '318i' or similar).
What is it with the stupid wheels? Ordinary family cars do not need pin-sharp cornering or the ability to generate 0.8+G in a turn, never mind the ridiculous expense of replacing low-profile tyres. The esteemed motoring journalist I. Thrasham-Toobitz commented in the mid-nineties that the most comfortable ride in the Astra and Escort ranges was obtained in the van derivative, as a result of it being supplied with squidgy 80 profile tyres and light 13" steel rims. I think it's safe to say it's still the case today.Edited by hidetheelephants on Tuesday 6th April 22:10
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