Winter is soon over, and time has come to decide on summer rubber.

My Snehvide was born with 16" Moons and aftermarket Goodyear Multigrip tyres in the standard 16" 215/60 size.

My favored summer tyre was up to now Goodyear Optigrip in either the same size or with Annapurna Black 17" wheel in the 2215/50 -16" size.

I place a lot of faith in the ADAC ratings, and last year they would have rated this tyre in top, except it was only available in a H rating - mainly for wet handling, which is also what I think matters most.

This year, they are not even mentioned.

That brings up two questions:

1. Are there really any benefits in handling with the 17" 225/50 vs the 16" 215/60 sizes? I am not stuck on the extra 10 mm width, but are the 17" tighter with a smaller slip angle? They are more prone to damage from an errant curb, and are not better in the wet.

2. The ADAC rated tyres are all W or Y rated, which is well above the Yeti sped potential. If the Optigrips ae not included just for this reason, then I still like them as a summer tyre. Tey ahve ablut the same block geometry as the MultiGrips, which have done well, so similar noise and a harder compound would seem suitable.

The fancy Vredesteins do not seem to be made in the right sizes, so cannot be considered.

Wll founded opinions are really sought - particular from someone with experience in driving the Yeti with both tyre sizes.

Thanks.

Hi Agerbundsen,

been running on the 17" standard alloys and Goodyear Excellence for a week after removing the winters (205/55 as opposed to 215/60). Ride is firmer and slightly more choppy than before but cornering particularly fast bends and overall handling is noticeably improved, generally quieter to.

Unfortunately not got rid of that slight vibration I'm now getting through the foot pedals and floor; developed out of nowhere about 3 weeks ago. Had hoped this was associated with the winter tyre wear pattern.

Difficult to say for certain as the instruments were over reading before but I think fuel consumption has increased based on fill to fill for this last week. Got about 43mpg; on the winters I was around the 45 + mark by reckoning.

Regards,

TP

oh thanks again for spotting my error re the mud flaps, think I need to do yourself; take a break

HI,

Don't know if this helps at all...

My link

Still on the 17" Winters where I live - and will be till Easter time at least I think!

rgds

Graham

Thanks to you both - but the decision was made from an economics standpoint as mentioned in another post.

The dealer still had the original Conti Premium Contact-2 tyres that came on my SM in stock and made me a good deal to mount them on a set of Spectrum wheels, 16 inch size. Paying three times as much for the 17" a´nnapurna Blacks and Optigrips just did not seem prudent.

The Conti's got very good ratings from ADAC in 2007, and as I am a bit leary about hitting granite curbs with 45 and 50 series rubber, I stayed with the 60 series. The Winter whels have handled quite well, so the same size with sumer rubber should be a little better.

Due to the silliness that 8hrs of sun has induced in me, I'm going to swap over from my winters today. It's been consistently over 9 degrees here for the last week (early am about 3-6 degrees) which equals summer in my head.

The original Pirelli Pzero Rosso's that came with the snow-monster will be a voyage into the unknown for me.

Ager, if it's any comfort....I used Continentals on my Octy 4x4 and they were by far the best tyres for grip/wear in "summer" conditions I have ever had.

Due to the silliness that 8hrs of sun has induced in me, I'm going to swap over from my winters today. It's been consistently over 9 degrees here for the last week (early am about 3-6 degrees) which equals summer in my head.

It's 10 degrees already! at 7.25am...now when are they going to bring out the soft top...

Winter is soon over, and time has come to decide on summer rubber.

My Snehvide was born with 16" Moons and aftermarket Goodyear Multigrip tyres in the standard 16" 215/60 size.

My favored summer tyre was up to now Goodyear Optigrip in either the same size or with Annapurna Black 17" wheel in the 2215/50 -16" size.

I place a lot of faith in the ADAC ratings, and last year they would have rated this tyre in top, except it was only available in a H rating - mainly for wet handling, which is also what I think matters most.

This year, they are not even mentioned.

That brings up two questions:

1. Are there really any benefits in handling with the 17" 225/50 vs the 16" 215/60 sizes? I am not stuck on the extra 10 mm width, but are the 17" tighter with a smaller slip angle? They are more prone to damage from an errant curb, and are not better in the wet.

2. The ADAC rated tyres are all W or Y rated, which is well above the Yeti sped potential. If the Optigrips ae not included just for this reason, then I still like them as a summer tyre. Tey ahve ablut the same block geometry as the MultiGrips, which have done well, so similar noise and a harder compound would seem suitable.

The fancy Vredesteins do not seem to be made in the right sizes, so cannot be considered.

Wll founded opinions are really sought - particular from someone with experience in driving the Yeti with both tyre sizes.

Thanks.

As an intended owner I would be grateful for views on 16" wheels/tyres v. 17" (ie S vs SE). In relation to ride quality, which is an over-riding consideration for me. On 2wd petrol 1.2. Thanks.

As an intended owner I would be grateful for views on 16" wheels/tyres v. 17" (ie S vs SE). In relation to ride quality, which is an over-riding consideration for me. On 2wd petrol 1.2. Thanks.

Hi rhud,

having driven with both 16" albeit 205/55 and the standard 17" 225/50, my thoughts would be along the lines that if your not a 'speed demon' and you can live with less 'toys' then I would go with the 'S' trim level with some of the options like park sensors (found useful due to Yeti's height) and obviously ESP; quite like the Maxidot too, gives a very clear indication if passengers are getting in and out which doors are open particularly when they have left :S

The 16" give a smoother and more compliant ride but are less stable at speed when it comes changes of direction, whereas the 17" give you sharper handling and control particularly in fast sweeping bends to the slight detrament of ride comfort.

Regards,

TP

Hi rhud,

having driven with both 16" albeit 205/55 and the standard 17" 225/50, my thoughts would be along the lines that if your not a 'speed demon' and you can live with less 'toys' then I would go with the 'S' trim level with some of the options like park sensors (found useful due to Yeti's height) and obviously ESP; quite like the Maxidot too, gives a very clear indication if passengers are getting in and out which doors are open particularly when they have left :S

The 16" give a smoother and more compliant ride but are less stable at speed when it comes changes of direction, whereas the 17" give you sharper handling and control particularly in fast sweeping bends to the slight detrament of ride comfort.

Regards,

TP

Many thanks for this helpful reply. At present my local dealer only has 17" wheel version for test drives so will try that over Easter and see what I think. May then to have to wait to try the S. They seem happy to cater for 20-mile test drive - as opposed to round the block - so that should give a good indication.

On a separate but related matter would you recommend me to 'settle' the PCP on my current car - maturing in November - or allow the Skoda dealer to do that as part of a part exchange deal. This is my first PCP experience so don't know what's best. All assuming I go ahead with the Yeti.

On a separate but related matter would you recommend me to 'settle' the PCP on my current car - maturing in November - or allow the Skoda dealer to do that as part of a part exchange deal. This is my first PCP experience so don't know what's best. All assuming I go ahead with the Yeti.

It depends what your dealer values your part exchange at. If there is any equity in car then part exchange it and get the Skoda dealer to settle the finance at the same time. Are you planning on disposing of the car privately? If not and you are going to part exchange it for sure then there is no advantage to going through the hassle (albeit minimal) of settling the finance yourself.

It depends what your dealer values your part exchange at. If there is any equity in car then part exchange it and get the Skoda dealer to settle the finance at the same time. Are you planning on disposing of the car privately? If not and you are going to part exchange it for sure then there is no advantage to going through the hassle (albeit minimal) of settling the finance yourself.

Many thanks.