Freebie winter tyres for the barge?

[theironduke]

Been working at a house today and in the garage are 4 pretty much new Yokohama winter tyres...

Now my barge is currently shod with 205/65/15 rubber (i know....80's wheels ha....on a big ass Merc)

Anyway, said Yokos are 205/55/15...i.e 10mm lower in profile than my current tyres.

Woudl they still be ok? I was thinking of getting some steelies for them (which are available as merc fitted them as a base option)

Now the Merc is a big old girl, with RWD and a slushbox....so is it really worth the effort or should i just accept i'm going to be screwed some the white stuff?

Thoughts welcome.

Oh i can get the tyres for pennies so was thinking of whacking them on ebay if i done use them, got to worth a few quid?

[theironduke]

Gruber said:

The 55 is a ratio rather than a millimeter measurement, so the difference in circumference might be somewhat greater.

I doubt the formatting will work, but:

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/65-15 5.2in 12.7in 25.5in 80.1in 791 0.0%
205/55-15 4.4in 11.9in 23.9in 75.0in 845 -6.3%

Edited by Gruber on Monday 17th October 16:13

ahhhhhhhh

So would the speedo underread?

[theironduke]

So is the consensus a no?

[theironduke]

Good stuff, i'll see if i can blag them tomorrow!

Has anybody got any experience of barging in the snow? Even with the fabled winter tyres i'm guessing it's still...interesting

[theironduke]

richardxjr said:

My LS has 'snow mode' electrickery. Still st

I don't have any electrickery on the Mercs gearbox!

Giving it some kickdown coming off roundabouts is epic though, feels like the old girls about to fall over! I know it's undignified but it is bloody funny!

[theironduke]

BarnatosGhost said:

theironduke said:

Good stuff, i'll see if i can blag them tomorrow!

Has anybody got any experience of barging in the snow? Even with the fabled winter tyres i'm guessing it's still...interesting

Everything happens very slowly.

Except bad things. They happen very quickly. But don't stop happening very quickly. It's an enigma, really.

I have driven RWD stuff in the snow before with normal tyres, a couple of E36's and my old 325 E30. However a slushbox barge will be a first....

Spending new years in rural Lincs...as long as i can get there and back, alls good

[theironduke]

Beyond Rational said:

Big Merc? what are the load ratings on the 55 profiles?

Merc W126 SEC. About 1.7 tons unladen IIRC.