Tyre Speed Rating.

[Huntsman]

My wife's Merc handbook says 225/55/16 ZR 95.

Its a 280 SL, same speed rating is called for the 280, 300, 320, 500 and 600.

Do I really need to fit ZR rated tyres for a car that's not anything like that fast? I can see the need on the 500 and 600. But it feels like unneccessary expense on the 280.

Currently fitted with a motley selection of odd makes, mostly from China, I reckon the Falken ZE912 which is a 95V, rated to 149mph should be fine?

Ta.

[WhoseGeneration]

Huntsman said:

My wife's Merc handbook says 225/55/16 ZR 95.

Its a 280 SL, same speed rating is called for the 280, 300, 320, 500 and 600.

Do I really need to fit ZR rated tyres for a car that's not anything like that fast? I can see the need on the 500 and 600. But it feels like unneccessary expense on the 280.

Currently fitted with a motley selection of odd makes, mostly from China, I reckon the Falken ZE912 which is a 95V, rated to 149mph should be fine?

Ta.

If MB say ZR, stick with ZR.
You wouldn't want to be arguing the toss with an insurance assessor if you should (although hopefully not) ever be in that position.
We could all say, "Well I never drive my car outside the UK and the speed limit is 70mph, so the lowest speed rating will do".

Edited by WhoseGeneration on Thursday 6th May 14:06

[Fartgalen]

V's will be fine.

[Huntsman]

Fartgalen said:

V's will be fine.

Thanks.

I think so too, V is rated to 149mph and the 280 wont get near that.

I do wish we'd bought a 500 though, cant believe I broke one of my own rules of always buying the biggest engine (although in this case the 600 is a scary prospect)

[marshalla]

Before you fit something with a lower speed rating than the one listed in the handbook - PHONE YOUR INSURER and ask them what their attitude to this is.

[ArtVandelay]

Huntsman said:

Fartgalen said:

V's will be fine.

Thanks.

I think so too, V is rated to 149mph and the 280 wont get near that.

I do wish we'd bought a 500 though, cant believe I broke one of my own rules of always buying the biggest engine (although in this case the 600 is a scary prospect)

What's the price difference between Vs and VRs for that size tyre?

[HellDiver]

ArtVandelay said:

What's the price difference between Vs and VRs for that size tyre?

Nothing, they're the same.

[Huntsman]

HellDiver said:

ArtVandelay said:

What's the price difference between Vs and VRs for that size tyre?

Nothing, they're the same.

The book says ZR, I'm proposing to fit V.

Just so we are clear, I'm not suggesting to fit tyres that have a speed rating of less than the car is capable of. I guess the car's top speed is 120mph, the V rating I want to fit is 149mph.

Not sure on the cost difference, I'll go check.

[mat205125]

marshalla said:

Before you fit something with a lower speed rating than the one listed in the handbook - PHONE YOUR INSURER and ask them what their attitude to this is.

..... with my official hat on.

V rated tyres will be perfectly good for your car. It's the load that I'd want to get right

[Huntsman]

mat205125 said:

marshalla said:

Before you fit something with a lower speed rating than the one listed in the handbook - PHONE YOUR INSURER and ask them what their attitude to this is.

..... with my official hat on.

V rated tyres will be perfectly good for your car. It's the load that I'd want to get right

I'm not at all convinced its much concern to the insurers, does everyone on PH check with their insurance company when they top up with Halfords own brand brake fluid? or fit aftermarket discs and pads? Of course the part, or tyre needs to be fit for purpose. Worry about telling the insurance company about fitting a tyre good for 150mph on a 120mph car smacks a bit of nanny state to me.

Having looked at the prices, its much closer than I thought, in fact, less than a tenner a corner to get a W rated tyre. Which exceeds the ZR rating, ZR rated tyres seem few and far between.

I'll go with the W rating I think.

[HellDiver]

If insurance companies were concerned, they'd be cancelling policys of people fitting Wanli and Linglong tyres. I'd bet £20 that a good proportion of accidents in wet and slippy conditions could have been prevented if people fitted tyres not made out of Chinese PVC.

[bassanclan]

What about looking for a W or Y rated tyre rather than V.

ZR 150mph+
W up to 167.8mph
Y up to 186.4mph

Prices for these start at £52.96 from Camskill for a "Nexen" tyre

[JR]

HellDiver said:

ArtVandelay said:

What's the price difference between Vs and VRs for that size tyre?

Nothing, they're the same.

Close but not quite. In theory you could have a V rated cross ply.

[JR]

Huntsman said:

Having looked at the prices, its much closer than I thought, in fact, less than a tenner a corner to get a W rated tyre. Which exceeds the ZR rating, ZR rated tyres seem few and far between.

Have a look at Bassan's post. ZR is the daddy but to please people with your outlook there are now two sub divisions of Z: W and Y, each of which has its own limit. Whilst we're at it V isn't 149 it's up to 150, there's no gap. Phew.

[louismchuge]

bassanclan said:

What about looking for a W or Y rated tyre rather than V.

ZR 150mph+
W up to 167.8mph
Y up to 186.4mph

Prices for these start at £52.96 from Camskill for a "Nexen" tyre

Those Nexens are good for the money

[Huntsman]

louismchuge said:

Those Nexens are good for the money

Oh bugger, now you've been and uncovered me as a snob, I couldn't possibly put Nexen tyres on a Merc SL.

[jon-]

louismchuge said:

bassanclan said:

What about looking for a W or Y rated tyre rather than V.

ZR 150mph+
W up to 167.8mph
Y up to 186.4mph

Prices for these start at £52.96 from Camskill for a "Nexen" tyre

Those Nexens are good for the money

What Nexens? It's like saying "those fords are good for the money" without specifying a model.

Edited by jon- on Thursday 6th May 15:36

[blueg33]

Huntsman said:

mat205125 said:

marshalla said:

Before you fit something with a lower speed rating than the one listed in the handbook - PHONE YOUR INSURER and ask them what their attitude to this is.

..... with my official hat on.

V rated tyres will be perfectly good for your car. It's the load that I'd want to get right

I'm not at all convinced its much concern to the insurers, does everyone on PH check with their insurance company when they top up with Halfords own brand brake fluid? or fit aftermarket discs and pads? Of course the part, or tyre needs to be fit for purpose. Worry about telling the insurance company about fitting a tyre good for 150mph on a 120mph car smacks a bit of nanny state to me.

Having looked at the prices, its much closer than I thought, in fact, less than a tenner a corner to get a W rated tyre. Which exceeds the ZR rating, ZR rated tyres seem few and far between.

I'll go with the W rating I think.

When I fitted V's to my car rather than W's (the right size is no longer available) I phoned my insurer and got their written approval. I am glad I did because after an accident caused by loss of grip the insurance assessor said "this car should have W rated tyres" I then had to contact the insurers to remind them that they had approved the tyres as the assessor told the workshop he wouldnt approve the repairs.

One phone call for peace of mind strikes me a good value for money!

[louismchuge]

jon- said:

louismchuge said:

bassanclan said:

What about looking for a W or Y rated tyre rather than V.

ZR 150mph+
W up to 167.8mph
Y up to 186.4mph

Prices for these start at £52.96 from Camskill for a "Nexen" tyre

Those Nexens are good for the money

What Nexens? It's like saying "those fords are good for the money" without specifying a model.

Edited by jon- on Thursday 6th May 15:36

Got N3000 on my car

[louismchuge]

Huntsman said:

louismchuge said:

Those Nexens are good for the money

Oh bugger, now you've been and uncovered me as a snob, I couldn't possibly put Nexen tyres on a Merc SL.

Well neither would I in truth!