AT3 tyres? 235 55 18 or 235 60 18?

nosiesta

Member
Hi there

I'm pretty set on General Grabber AT3s for my non-lowered T6. Was thinking 235 55 18 or 235 60 18. What's the difference from a ride/performance perspective? Presumably the 60 will look 'bigger'.

Many thanks
 
235/60/18 is about 7.2% bigger than the OE claytons fitted with 215/65/16 tyres that my van left the factory on.
I went for 235/55/18 which is 4.1% bigger than OE and I still noticed the increase in gearing. I lost about 4MPG by fitting the bigger wheels and tyres.
I wouldn't want to go as big as 235/60/18 as I think it would be too big a step up in gearing.
@chriscroft has tried both and so has direct experience:
 
235/60/18 is about 7.2% bigger than the OE claytons fitted with 215/65/16 tyres that my van left the factory on.
I went for 235/55/18 which is 4.1% bigger than OE and I still noticed the increase in gearing. I lost about 4MPG by fitting the bigger wheels and tyres.
I wouldn't want to go as big as 235/60/18 as I think it would be too big a step up in gearing.
@chriscroft has tried both and so has direct experience:
My OE tyres on Claytons are 205/65 R16. So the 235/60R18 are 9% (about 60mm bigger) than those. Thats a lot.

By the way, how do you know you lost 4mpg?
 
My OE tyres on Claytons are 205/65 R16. So the 235/60R18 are 9% (about 60mm bigger) than those. Thats a lot.

By the way, how do you know you lost 4mpg?
My daily drive at that time was 41 miles each way (measured on Google maps) and I wasn't using the van for anything else so I knew how many miles I was doing each week and how much fuel that used. After fitting the heavier steel wheels and bigger tyres it worked out at 3.9 MPG less. :(
 
Thanks all. I guess reading all that and the link to the other post, 55 makes more sense. That site reckoned 60s would be a 6% ish change on the speedo so I imagine it's going to affect the drive quite a bit. Maybe 55s and then if I still want to fill the space more then it's a lowering job. Difference between the current 50s and the 55s in size is only 10mm or something so I guess it isn't going to look that much fuller :confused:
 
Last edited:
Hi there

I'm pretty set on General Grabber AT3s for my non-lowered T6. Was thinking 235 55 18 or 235 60 18. What's the difference from a ride/performance perspective? Presumably the 60 will look 'bigger'.

Many thanks
Evening bud, I have run both sizes and both work perfectly. No rubbing in any situation. White van is 55s and Grey is 60s 20190127_161800.jpg20200905_181954.jpg
 
Just fitted Michelin cross climate suv 235/55/18 104 on Rial X10X Racing Black 18x8.5 (5x120) ET50 65.1
No rubbing, real smooth ride, I thought the tyres might look stretched but plenty of rim protection. Hopefully that helps someone. Only +0.7% difference between these and 215/65/17 on the Devonports that were on the van…no noticeable lag in acceleration, much smoother ride.

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271CF592-542B-47F2-8BA5-F88D8C796BB3.jpeg

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Just fitted Michelin cross climate suv 235/55/18 104 on Rial X10X Racing Black 18x8.5 (5x120) ET50 65.1
No rubbing, real smooth ride, I thought the tyres might look stretched but plenty of rim protection. Hopefully that helps someone. Only +0.7% difference between these and 215/65/17 on the Devonports that were on the van…no noticeable lag in acceleration, much smoother ride.

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Hi mate
I’m thinking of getting the exact same set up, (same alloys and tyre size) did you notice any difference in the gearing of the van? Cheers
 
Hi mate
I’m thinking of getting the exact same set up, (same alloys and tyre size) did you notice any difference in the gearing of the van? Cheers
I know there are different reports on here but I have been running them since October and no discernable notice in gearing. 204 still shifts when you need to, gearbox doesn't struggle - only +0.7% difference which in reality isn't much. Now, 7 months on, wear on the tyres is negligible they are still like new prob about 5000 miles on them. Hope that helps, I'm sure you're sorted by now anyway!
 
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