C-class tyres - V or W rating ?

[grpar]

My C180 came with Contisport Contact2 205/55/R16 V's.

Local tyre fitter has suggested moving to W's, as these are a harder compound and will wear more slowly.

Anyone know if this is "safe" or whether the handling will be affected ??
Sorry if this seems a noddy question to the experts out there.

 

[jberks]

I didn't think the V/W rating directly affected the hardness of the compound. Its the speed rating.
W is up to 168mph
V is up to 149mph
On a C class (bar the amgs) either would be fine.
If you consider that the really fast stuff tend to wear tyres out at an alarming rate, whilst runing Z rated tyres, his argument rather falls flat. More than anything else, the rating is allied to how well they handle the heat and stresses of these speeds and whilst in theory the higher performance tyres should handle mileage better as they need to be stronger, they also need to grip better and hence be softer - its all a compromise. Mine are Z rated, but I suspect they won't last any longer than the previous set, which was not impressive.
All sorts of things affect compound hardness and wear rates, primarily the make more than anything and more of a difference would be found by switching makes. My advice is to simply buy the best value available that day as the overall cost per mile will be more affected by that than by anything else.

 

[Blobcat]

It depends, W rated can be higher load as the estate cars have W rated as standard whilst the saloons have V rated. Some tyre descriptions have the increased load some have the speed. Mine had W rated on to start with and these tyres did last longer than the V's I replaced them with. I have switched back to W so will note the mileage.

 

[television]

It depends, W rated can be higher load as the estate cars have W rated as standard whilst the saloons have V rated. Some tyre descriptions have the increased load some have the speed. Mine had W rated on to start with and these tyres did last longer than the V's I replaced them with. I have switched back to W so will note the mileage.

Most police cars (motorway) use W as they are cheaper than the VR


malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

check out the price. it wont make a difference to safety of handling a such, but it certainly could help the wear as long as you keep the pressures even.

best to look at the financial view point.

and my ZR's are down to 4mm in 8200miles!

 

[television]

and my ZR's are down to 4mm in 8200miles!

Would it have anything to do with that man who I saw driving a car like yours on that video clip


Malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Would it have anything to do with that man who I saw driving a car like yours on that video clip


Malcolm

errrrrr. nope!