205/60/16 or 215/60/16 tires

J

jonah111

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Location
Rockford, MI
TDI
2015 Golf
Looks like I need to replace my original Continental tires a little sooner than I had hoped on my GSW. Discount tire says I have tread separation on one of them at 33k miles and about 6/32" tread depth. I'd like to go with a taller sidewall for more comfort on Michigan roads and was looking at 205/60 or 215/60. A search shows a few people talking about it- has anyone regretted going with the larger tire due to reduction in handling or mpg? I'm ok with the speedo being off by a few percent.
 
Nuje

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
With no experience with either of those options, I can't comment on handling characteristics; just be aware, though, that the taller tire will affect the speedometer reading.

Given that my car typically reads about 4km/h fast (like, when it reads 114km/h, I'm actually going 110km/h), putting 205-60-16 (which I do have on a set of winter rims...considering them for the coming winter) on my car instead of the factory 205-55-16 would come close to making my speedo dead-on accurate.
 
G

Grigg3

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Location
Lexington, VA
TDI
05 Jetta wagon, 15 Golf wagon
I just went from stock 205-55-16 to the slightly larger 205-60-16.

Wanted continental Purecontact LS but got the "Truecontact" because they were in stock. I'll try the purecontact next time.

We've put near 5,000 miles on the new tires in the last couple weeks and they ride well and handle well. I'm running a little over 40 PSI for better weight capacity and mileage and that seems fine. They would be softer at the recommended pressure but not objectionable as is.

They look a little taller and fill the fenders a little better, no rubbing and still looks like plenty of room.

Speedometer is right on now, it was optimistic when stock.

Mileage I believe is as good but hard to tell with just a few tanks. Even if the MPG calculation said the same it would actually be higher with the taller tires because you're going further than the car thinks by that couple percent. Last few tanks were towing a small trailer and probably an extra 600 or 700 lb total on it and stuffed in the car, still 44 and 46 MPG tanks calculated.
 
J

jonah111

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Location
Rockford, MI
TDI
2015 Golf
Grigg3 said:
I just went from stock 205-55-16 to the slightly larger 205-60-16.

Wanted continental Purecontact LS but got the "Truecontact" because they were in stock. I'll try the purecontact next time.

We've put near 5,000 miles on the new tires in the last couple weeks and they ride well and handle well. I'm running a little over 40 PSI for better weight capacity and mileage and that seems fine. They would be softer at the recommended pressure but not objectionable as is.

They look a little taller and fill the fenders a little better, no rubbing and still looks like plenty of room.

Speedometer is right on now, it was optimistic when stock.

Mileage I believe is as good but hard to tell with just a few tanks. Even if the MPG calculation said the same it would actually be higher with the taller tires because you're going further than the car thinks by that couple percent. Last few tanks were towing a small trailer and probably an extra 600 or 700 lb total on it and stuffed in the car, still 44 and 46 MPG tanks calculated.
Click to expand...
That’s great to hear- just ordered a set of Conti TrueContact in 205/60/16 from Discount Tire yesterday. They had no problem installing that size. 1st test for them will be a 1000 mile camping trip with 3 adults, cargo box on top, & all our gear, so I’ll report back after that. Thanks for the input!
 
7

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
I run 210-60-16 for winter size (6.5" wheel) on our alltrack and 225-55-17 for summer size (7" wheel). 225-55-17 is a great set up for the low low gearing of the alltrack 70mph speedo is actually 74mph. so 2000 rpms is now closer to 63 vs 58-60.

Clearance is at the rockers/mud flaps not the top of the fenders so the lift of the alltrack is mute for the GSW. Only minor rubbing I have is at the front mud flaps under hard corner braking/bumps.

Also some people run 215-65-16 for a more off road look.

Also i would recommend looking into air bags for the rear springs to help counter saggy bottom.
 
J

jonah111

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Location
Rockford, MI
TDI
2015 Golf
740GLE said:
I run 210-60-16 for winter size (6.5" wheel) on our alltrack and 225-55-17 for summer size (7" wheel). 225-55-17 is a great set up for the low low gearing of the alltrack 70mph speedo is actually 74mph. so 2000 rpms is now closer to 63 vs 58-60.

Clearance is at the rockers/mud flaps not the top of the fenders so the lift of the alltrack is mute for the GSW. Only minor rubbing I have is at the front mud flaps under hard corner braking/bumps.

Also some people run 215-65-16 for a more off road look.

Also i would recommend looking into air bags for the rear springs to help counter saggy bottom.
Click to expand...
I just put the Airlift bags on last weekend!
 
7

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
After you drive on the highway a bit check the pressure of the bags, see if they've climbed, mine went from 24 psi to about 30-32 when we parked.

they were filled when temps were about 60F outside, and it was closer to 80, so highway pavement was prob closer to +100F when we parked, as every 10F equals another PSI.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top