Winter tyres - Load rating advice

[daveb99]

My wife's winter tyres for her 2009 Cooper turned up today (Nankang SV-2s, from MyTyres).

They have sent me tyres with a higher load rating than I ordered.

I ordered 195/55/16 87H, and they have sent me 91H XL (extra load).

The question is, should I send them back, or just fit them and get on with it? They will probably be perfectly OK but give a harsher ride I guess.

Anyone's views / experiences would be most welcome!

[AndyACB]

You can check what it should be here, personally i'd just fit them and be ok with it as they have a higher rating.

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating

[daveb99]

Thanks, any other views?

[nickfrog]

I run the "wrong" rating at the rear (98 vs 94 correct rating) and because I replaced old hard rubber with new, the ride is actually more comfy. But like for like there's not a massive difference, as the 91 tyre is only supposed to cope with an additional 70kgs per wheel.
You may want to check with your insurance though, not that I have done it myself.

[AndyACB]

I did find this about the XL suffix, not sure how true it is but they're suggesting the XL tyres have the same load rating but need a higher tyre pressure?

If that is the case I'd send them back and get the non XL ones sent if that's what your car needs.

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/index.php?s...

Also quite a few forums suggesting that the XL tyres have a harsher ride due to the stiffer sidewall