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?

[Gruber]

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%


In other words - approx 4cm difference in tyre diameter and a 6% difference in rolling circumference.

Not necessarily a big deal, but obviously it'll put your speedo and milometer out a little.

Edited by Gruber on Monday 17th October 16:13

Edited by Gruber on Monday 17th October 16:16

[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?

[BarnatosGhost]

theironduke said:

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?

Think it'd overread, no? ie, when you're going 30, it'll tell you you're doing 32.

As a plus, it'll improve your acceleration. Just what you need in the snow.

[theironduke]

So is the consensus a no?

[richardxjr]

I would. Should be a giggle if you can get some traction in the snow.

[BarnatosGhost]

no, go for it. Over-reading is ok, it's under-reading that isn't allowed. Not that anyone would ever catch you (...)

And I'm sure 6% is within reasonable bounds.

[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

[ExPat2B]

I have RWD barge with slushbox, I fitted winter tyres last two years and had no problems in snow, I would say its essential on a barge, my usual fit continental contactsport 3's were completely useless.

Changing the profiles will make virtually no diffence in my experience, my tyre size is supposed to be 215/45/17 but I have had 235/55/17, 225/50/17 and 225/55/17 on before with no issues.

[richardxjr]

My LS has 'snow mode' electrickery. Still st

[GreigM]

I've done similar with the exact same sizes - hardly noticed the difference....

[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!

[BarnatosGhost]

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.

[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

[Beyond Rational]

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

[Gruber]

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

Well I barged with a W124 300E saloon last year. The combination of open rear diff, ordinary tyres, no ABS, an autobox and less-than-precise throttle control made for an interesting mix. But with snow socks on and a "gently does it" mind set, all was well.

It was the first time I'd driven a rwd auto in the snow. The thing I found most disconcerting at first was the feeling of the engine and brakes working against each other. You'd try to brake very gently, to avoid locking up the fronts, but the engine keeps pushing the car forward from the rear, so you brake a bit harder and it locks up. But I soon got used to knocking it into neutral at just the right moment.

[theironduke]

Beyond Rational said:

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

Merc W126 SEC. About 1.7 tons unladen IIRC.

[richardxjr]

theironduke said:

Beyond Rational said:

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

Merc W126 SEC. About 1.7 tons unladen IIRC.

About the same as most modern smaller saloons/estates then.

It'll be fine. Go find some hills and waft past stuck RRs and X5s with 35 profiles on