215/55R17, Tyre loads 94 vs 98XL load tyres?

[cirian75]

Should be picking up a Vitara on Saturday

Its on Conti EcoContact's 6 which is not a well regarded tyres.

Size is 215/55R17 with a 94 load rating

Now the choices at 94 are OK but limited

But when you go to 98XL load

Good sporty tyres like the Pilot Sport 5's are available

So wondering what are the issues of going to 98XL vs 94 as in tyre pleasures, ride and comfort.

[MustangGT]

Vitara and 'sporty' do not really go together.

Why not go for a good quality 4 season tyre?

[Huzzah]

My wife's carc is on continental eco contact 5s. Absolutely fine, I wouldn't be changing them unless they really needed it.

[Scrump]

I have heard that XL rated tyres with a higher load rating must have stiffer sidewalls and hence give a harsher ride. I have also heard that this is a load of rubbish.

Over the years I have changed tyres to/from XL load ratings and not noticed anything adverse, although in each case I changed to a different brand of tyre so not able to do a fair comparison.

If the tyres you want are only available in XL then get them would be my advice.

[cirian75]

Huzzah said:

My wife's carc is on continental eco contact 5s. Absolutely fine, I wouldn't be changing them unless they really needed it.

The EcoContact 6 is regarded as very poor in the wet and dangerous in aquaplaning

Hence my desire to change them.

The older 5 is a better tyre.

Edited by cirian75 on Tuesday 26th August 12:16

[mmm-five]

If aquaplaning resistance is that important, then the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 (or the Pirelli All Season SF3) has a 20kmh higher float speed than the Michelin PS5...but it really depends on exact sizes, as a 30 profile tyre may perform better/worse than a squidgy 55 profile tyre.





But to answer your question, there'll be no harm going to a higher load rating tyre...other than maybe comfort/acoustics.

Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 26th August 12:41

[leef44]

cirian75 said:

Should be picking up a Vitara on Saturday

Its on Conti EcoContact's 6 which is not a well regarded tyres.

Size is 215/55R17 with a 94 load rating

Now the choices at 94 are OK but limited

But when you go to 98XL load

Good sporty tyres like the Pilot Sport 5's are available

So wondering what are the issues of going to 98XL vs 94 as in tyre pleasures, ride and comfort.

I have a Vitara. The ride is a bit bumpy so I wouldn't put XL tyres on them which have stiffer walls.

I put ContiPremium Contact 94V on mine and I wouldn't want the ride to be any bumpier. I've been using them for 3 years now and am happy with them.

Although I bought it from a Suzuki dealership who put new cheap tyres on them, I found the cheap tyres felt like the car was slipping on ice all the time so I replaced them straight away. The ContiPremium have been good in the wet.

[cirian75]

leef44 said:

cirian75 said:

Should be picking up a Vitara on Saturday

Its on Conti EcoContact's 6 which is not a well regarded tyres.

Size is 215/55R17 with a 94 load rating

Now the choices at 94 are OK but limited

But when you go to 98XL load

Good sporty tyres like the Pilot Sport 5's are available

So wondering what are the issues of going to 98XL vs 94 as in tyre pleasures, ride and comfort.

I have a Vitara. The ride is a bit bumpy so I wouldn't put XL tyres on them which have stiffer walls.

I put ContiPremium Contact 94V on mine and I wouldn't want the ride to be any bumpier. I've been using them for 3 years now and am happy with them.

Although I bought it from a Suzuki dealership who put new cheap tyres on them, I found the cheap tyres felt like the car was slipping on ice all the time so I replaced them straight away. The ContiPremium have been good in the wet.

Which version? 7 seems to be latest

[wyson]

Conti Premium Contacts are on the sporty side for touring tyres, if that matters. The ride is a bit harsher than softer touring tyres like the Goodyear Efficient Grips.

Personally, I'd get the car first and then see what sort of character you want out of it, then get the tyre to suite.

[leef44]

cirian75 said:

leef44 said:

cirian75 said:

Should be picking up a Vitara on Saturday

Its on Conti EcoContact's 6 which is not a well regarded tyres.

Size is 215/55R17 with a 94 load rating

Now the choices at 94 are OK but limited

But when you go to 98XL load

Good sporty tyres like the Pilot Sport 5's are available

So wondering what are the issues of going to 98XL vs 94 as in tyre pleasures, ride and comfort.

I have a Vitara. The ride is a bit bumpy so I wouldn't put XL tyres on them which have stiffer walls.

I put ContiPremium Contact 94V on mine and I wouldn't want the ride to be any bumpier. I've been using them for 3 years now and am happy with them.

Although I bought it from a Suzuki dealership who put new cheap tyres on them, I found the cheap tyres felt like the car was slipping on ice all the time so I replaced them straight away. The ContiPremium have been good in the wet.

Which version? 7 seems to be latest

Conti6