Wheel Change

[scw]

My XC60 came with 20" wheels but I took advantage of the Volvo deal for a set of 18" rims with winter tyres (Nokian WR SUV4) for £1366 all in.

Fitted them last weekend and after calibrating TPMS and ~700 miles during the week I can honestly say other than being a slightly smoother ride (if that's possible on the air suspension) there's no noticeable difference between the 18s and 20s. Don't see any need for a s/w update. Plug the wheel/tyre dimensions into this site:

https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/t...ire-dimensions

In my case, the key point seems to be that the 20" wheels will rotate 432 times/km whereas the 18" will rotate 431 times/km. I'd call that pretty insignificant and not worth the expense of a dealer visit.

Steve

[weemark]

These are the rim/tyre package details I've got from my dealer for my XC90

[Lexman8]

I bought the 18" 5-spoke with Conti WinterContacts two years ago. The Michelin tyres weren't an option back then but with a noise rating of just 68dB I'd consider them now assuming they measure up in terms of performance.

The winter Contis at 72dB are actually noticeably quieter than my summer Pirellis even though the Pirellis are rated at 71dB.

Incidentally, the 5-spoke (and 6-spoke?) are sooo much easier to clean compared to the summer 10-spoke. This is particularly relevant in winter when the wheels get dirty so quickly.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

I bought the 18" 5-spoke with Conti WinterContacts two years ago. The Michelin tyres weren't an option back then but with a noise rating of just 68dB I'd consider them now assuming they measure up in terms of performance.

The winter Contis at 72dB are actually noticeably quieter than my summer Pirellis even though the Pirellis are rated at 71dB.

Incidentally, the 5-spoke (and 6-spoke?) are sooo much easier to clean compared to the summer 10-spoke. This is particularly relevant in winter when the wheels get dirty so quickly.

Yes. It’s not just the number of spokes but their lateral position on the rim that makes the Inscription 20’’ much more of a faff to clean than the 19’’ ones.

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by Duri13

And do you guys change the whole wheels?
On my current XC60 I have 18" wheels and changing just summer/winter tyres. Now I am about to order a new XC90, which will come with 20" wheels and there I am also inclined to changing just tyres. This way I get nice wheels throughout the whole year, plus no hassle with changing wheels at home. And as I read now, no need for software update every time

1) I think we established that the software update is not necessary. Besides- you can go for same dimension summer/winter wheels.

2) Not sure about the cost in UK, but in France I pay between €100-150 for a changeover/balancing. So that would be €300/yr, + the wasted time, as I have to leave the car at the shop to have the tires changed. I paid €380 for a (new..) set of 19" Ronal wheels - so they have paid off in 1 year. Since I can do the swap on my own in under half an hr - I keep the wheels in the garage- saving a few more € on the storage..

3) Driving your "nice" wheels year round (and having tires removed/mounted on them twice a year..) will ensure they don't stay nice for long.

4) Mounting/removing tires annually damages the tires.

Etc, etc..

[Philip Fisher]

So, if you had a T8 with 19in 6 spoke alloys and you wanted a tyre package which is suitable for a typical Sheffield British Winter ie:- Cold, wet, some frost, some snow (occasionally lots of snow) and living on a housing estate, but one which is rarely gritted, then which would you go for? My criteria are safety and wear, but also I never want to get stuck......

Michelin or Nokian WR4? Or one of the others? Also, how come WR4 is cheaper than WR3?

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

So, if you had a T8 with 19in 6 spoke alloys and you wanted a tyre package which is suitable for a typical Sheffield British Winter ie:- Cold, wet, some frost, some snow (occasionally lots of snow) and living on a housing estate, but one which is rarely gritted, then which would you go for? My criteria are safety and wear, but also I never want to get stuck......

Michelin or Nokian WR4? Or one of the others? Also, how come WR4 is cheaper than WR3?

I have used Nokians for a while now on different vehicles, and a van, and tbh not got a bad thing to say about them, and I use them all year round on some vehicles with no issues at all.

My T8 has Nokians on them WR4, do not know why WR3's are more expensive thought they were an older version.

Any good winter tyre, on the car and you will not get stuck.

[simonjedrake]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Also, how come WR4 is cheaper than WR3?

I was also wondering this same question, my conclusion was that as the WR3 has now been discontinued and replaced by the WR4, that any stockist still with WR3’s in stock is maybe selling them at a premium to any punter who wants that product - maybe because he had them fitted last time and wants an identical replacement?

[weemark]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

So, if you had a T8 with 19in 6 spoke alloys and you wanted a tyre package which is suitable for a typical Sheffield British Winter ie:- Cold, wet, some frost, some snow (occasionally lots of snow) and living on a housing estate, but one which is rarely gritted, then which would you go for? My criteria are safety and wear, but also I never want to get stuck......

Michelin or Nokian WR4? Or one of the others? Also, how come WR4 is cheaper than WR3?

By reputation and review the Nokians appear to be the better snow tyre, not surprising I guess given where they're based! Contis seem to be the best all-rounder but at a bit of a premium - so I guess it's just taking a punt on what you predict the winter weather to be! Good luck with that!

More seriously any winter tyre will perform better than summers or all seasons at lower temperatures, just stick with a premium brand. Having had to go out in the heavy snow brought in by The Beast last Feb I won't be doing that in a hurry again on the summers

[gaby]

A few test results, although not for the size(s) for the XC90:
https://www.adac.de/infotestrat/test...cePageId=31821
https://www.adac.de/infotestrat/test...cePageId=31821