Wheel/Tyre Replacement Advice - A Less Harsh Ride Please!

[Radar1968]

Hi Everyone,

My 2018 T6 Camper came to me with 20” Calibre Kensington wheels shod with 275/40ZR20 106Y tyres that are XL rated. See pic.



I had a VCDS adjustment made so the speedo matches these wheels/tyres as this hadn’t been done when they were fitted(!) The speedo was about 7% out showing a slower speed than actual. The speedo now indicates the exact road speed as given by my GPS system so I’m happy with this.

However whilst the tyres are reasonably priced (around £125 each), the longer I’ve had the van the more I’ve noticed that the ride is quite harsh. As far as I am aware the suspension is stock.

I’m therefore looking for advice on replacement wheels/tyres that could look similar but would offer a more comfortable ride and keep the tyre specification for XL whilst also being similarly priced. I’m especially interested in how to match the wheel/tyres.

If it’s possible I’d like to go for a smaller wheel with larger tyre depth which should improve the ride(?) I’d like to keep the stance as close as possible to what it is at the moment as they fill the wheel arches really nicely - well I think so.



If the new wheel/tyre combination circumference is slightly smaller than what I have then this would be fine as it would bring the speedo more in line with a standard configuration where the indicated speed is slightly more than actual, rather than the other way around, like before. This would save another VCDS recode.

Is this thing possible and worth considering and if so what should I be looking at? Ballpark prices appreciated. I'd obviously be looking to move on the old wheels/tyres on to offset the costs of the swap.

I’m in the Cheltenham/Gloucester area if anyone has a company to recommend local to me.

All help and advice appreciated.

Radar

 

[2018T6B7]

Hi Everyone,

My 2018 T6 Camper came to me with 20” Calibre Kensington wheels shod with 275/40ZR20 106Y tyres that are XL rated. See pic.

View attachment 293748

I had a VCDS adjustment made so the speedo matches these wheels/tyres as this hadn’t been done when they were fitted(!) The speedo was about 7% out showing a slower speed than actual. The speedo now indicates the exact road speed as given by my GPS system so I’m happy with this.

However whilst the tyres are reasonably priced (around £125 each), the longer I’ve had the van the more I’ve noticed that the ride is quite harsh. As far as I am aware the suspension is stock.

I’m therefore looking for advice on replacement wheels/tyres that could look similar but would offer a more comfortable ride and keep the tyre specification for XL whilst also being similarly priced. I’m especially interested in how to match the wheel/tyres.

If it’s possible I’d like to go for a smaller wheel with larger tyre depth which should improve the ride(?) I’d like to keep the stance as close as possible to what it is at the moment as they fill the wheel arches really nicely - well I think so.

View attachment 293746

If the new wheel/tyre combination circumference is slightly smaller than what I have then this would be fine as it would bring the speedo more in line with a standard configuration where the indicated speed is slightly more than actual, rather than the other way around, like before. This would save another VCDS recode.

Is this thing possible and worth considering and if so what should I be looking at? Ballpark prices appreciated. I'd obviously be looking to move on the old wheels/tyres on to offset the costs of the swap.

I’m in the Cheltenham/Gloucester area if anyone has a company to recommend local to me.

All help and advice appreciated.

Radar

I fitted Falken 245 50 18 104Y on my t32.

 

[CAB]

Hi Everyone,

My 2018 T6 Camper came to me with 20” Calibre Kensington wheels shod with 275/40ZR20 106Y tyres that are XL rated. See pic.

View attachment 293748

I had a VCDS adjustment made so the speedo matches these wheels/tyres as this hadn’t been done when they were fitted(!) The speedo was about 7% out showing a slower speed than actual. The speedo now indicates the exact road speed as given by my GPS system so I’m happy with this.

However whilst the tyres are reasonably priced (around £125 each), the longer I’ve had the van the more I’ve noticed that the ride is quite harsh. As far as I am aware the suspension is stock.

I’m therefore looking for advice on replacement wheels/tyres that could look similar but would offer a more comfortable ride and keep the tyre specification for XL whilst also being similarly priced. I’m especially interested in how to match the wheel/tyres.

If it’s possible I’d like to go for a smaller wheel with larger tyre depth which should improve the ride(?) I’d like to keep the stance as close as possible to what it is at the moment as they fill the wheel arches really nicely - well I think so.

View attachment 293746

If the new wheel/tyre combination circumference is slightly smaller than what I have then this would be fine as it would bring the speedo more in line with a standard configuration where the indicated speed is slightly more than actual, rather than the other way around, like before. This would save another VCDS recode.

Is this thing possible and worth considering and if so what should I be looking at? Ballpark prices appreciated. I'd obviously be looking to move on the old wheels/tyres on to offset the costs of the swap.

I’m in the Cheltenham/Gloucester area if anyone has a company to recommend local to me.

All help and advice appreciated.

Radar

@Radar1968 , did you get sorted?

Smaller wheels / more tyre depth will help.

But suspension upgrades will also transform the ride.

I will always recommend CRS Performance in Cannock

Thread 'CRS Performance'

18 Jan 2020

After many months of debate on the best low suspension for the Transporter buses, we have eventually taken our development to another level.
Over the last 6 months we have shown that probably the best all round kit with sensible drops is the KONI shocks and H&R spring kits (correctly spec'd).
We have now had the opportunity to tackle the big drop scene and back to back test the ever popular B14 against a similar H&R/KONI set up.

Here is the story :-

A Forum member called to discuss his needs and ask what we thought was the best way to run his van low and drive well. After a long...

• CRS Performance
• b14 crs performance h&r h&r coilover h&r/koni coilover kit koni lowering suspension suspension trader
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But you are also not far from Absolut5 who I think also provide suspension upgrades:

Thread 'All your Audio needs and more... AbsoluT5'

27 Feb 2017

absolute new | VW T5/T6 Specialists

Absolut5&6 are VW T5 and T6 specialists. Approved VW and Pendle Performance Agents.

absolut5.co.uk

Review: AbsoluT5 Audio

I see no one has actually left a recommendation here for @Absolut5 . Jason is famed for his knowledge about ICE and other things T5/6. His deals are always good, his install work is the best and customer service and follow up second to non. Always worth the drive to Amesbury :thumbsup: Absolute...

www.t6forum.com

Absolut5 only use the best tried and tested products out there for your pride and joy..

We only supply Pro Fit Facias for the T5.1 and T6, the best finish and fit, we have been using these for over 4 years and always in stock

Our wiring harnesses all have CanBus adapters for a plug and play install, these give the following functions depending on what's required, ignition, illumination, speed pulse, reverse, MFSW. Also we only use genuine Pioneer and Kenwood UAR interfaces for...

• Absolut5
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[Paynewright]

I think wheel size is a big factor in comfort, particularly tyre profile. With a 20inch wheel they’re isn’t much give in the sidewall!

 

[Lubrown]

I think wheel size is a big factor in comfort, particularly tyre profile. With a 20inch wheel they’re isn’t much give in the sidewall!

Also tyre type/rating as long as you stay inline with the sticker on the door post.

I dropped from 106/104 C (commercial) tyres to 102 XL (load rated) on my T28.
This has made a big difference in terms of ride comfort and noise (even though the previous were rated at 60db for noise and the new continental tyres - never good for noise rating on the label are 72). Label noise rating is pass by (exterior) noise and doesn’t take pitch and any droning into account. The Contis are far better im terms of interior noise.

I would say they ‘waft’ a bit which is great over imperfections on the road surface but needs more correction inputs on the steering wheel. The commercial rated Hankooks although noisier and less comfortable on bumps were lazer precise and gave incredible confidence.

Always a compromise somewhere with tyres.