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Kodiaq on steel rims ("poverty spec")

15K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  Anonymous 
#1 ·
There weren't any photos of Kodiaqs on steelies, so I thought I'd change that.

"Winter" tyres equipped on 17" OEM steels. I've got Michelin Crossclimates 215/65r17s on. Should be good for the winter climate in the South.



I think it looks more utilitarian now over the Triglavs. I'll leave off from putting on hub covers, but will get some wheel nut protectors.
 
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#2 ·
Slap a bit of vaseline on the exposed wheel hub centres to stop them going rusty if you aren't going to fit trims
 
#3 ·
Lol I'm the same, really debated wether I bothered with the hub caps. But as I had them I figured I may as well fit them. However when I drive it to Czech I'll take them off.
 
#5 ·
You do need to inform your insurance just in case. According to the ABI, as long as you are using the recommended sizes then it is not treated as a modification.

However, if you put alloys on with winters some will treat it as a modification as you have put different alloys on - depends on your insurance company.

Better play safe and inform them, but if they try to charge you more then complain and escalate.

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/winter-tyres/
 
#6 ·
Elephantstone76 said:
Were the Triglav's 19inch wheels?
When you move down to the 17 inch wheels with the winters does it have an impact upon your insurance?, do you need to tell them. Also for the UK where is the best place to get the Steelies with the tyres or were they separate purchases?
I bought my steelies from the dealer so that I had genuine - the only 3rd party steelies I could find with the right offset were only about £10 a corner cheaper anyway,
 
#7 ·
I am intrigued as to why you put Cross Climates on steel wheels for the winter.
If you are worried about the winter, why did you not simply put Cross Climates on the Triglavs?
The hint is in Michelin's name ;) CROSS CLIMATE.
Road test have proved that they perform brilliantly winter or summer. That is what they were designed for.
 
#9 ·
Colin Lambert said:
I am intrigued as to why you put Cross Climates on steel wheels for the winter.
If you are worried about the winter, why did you not simply put Cross Climates on the Triglavs?
The hint is in Michelin's name ;) CROSS CLIMATE.
Road test have proved that they perform brilliantly winter or summer. That is what they were designed for.
Quite a few good reasons really, and you are missing the point of a 2nd set of steels for winter:

They don't do them in the right size for the 19" Triglavs anyway, or didn't the last time I checked.

The nearest size they do are about twice the price per tyre than the recommended 17" version for steelies. You also have the option of fitting chains if you fancy heading off up the Alps. Can't do that on any other size that 17".

If I spend 4-5 months of the year on tyres that cost half the price I am saving quite a bit of money on replacing expensive tyres.

I handed back my Octavia 3 with over 50k on the clock and it was still on the original 18" summer tyres with 3mm of tread left. The 16" winters had about 5mm on - so I had spent £350 on tyres and £240 on steel wheels to cover 50k miles. I then sold the used winters and steels for £200, so I only spent £390 on tyres for 50k miles. An OEM low profile tyre was about £160 and I would have needed at least 4, if not 6, so I saved £250 minimum on tyres, plus was safer in the winter and had diamond cut anthracite alloys that still looked near perfect when I handed it back.

In wet slushy or snowy conditions a narrower profile tyre is better in terms of reduced aquaplaning and increased grip on slush and snow.

If I do lose it on a slippy bit and hit a kerb it is only a cheap steelie that gets a ding, not a £300 alloy and £180-£200 tyre.

The Cross Climates are not as good as a summer tyre in hot dry conditions, and time will yet tell, but I expect them to wear faster in the summer than summer tyres. They haven't been around long enough for evidence either way on this, regardless of reviews in magazines.

Taking tyres on and off alloys twice a year is a good way to get dings and marks on the alloys no matter how good your tyre fitter is.

You are right though, I would go with Cross Climates as OEM and run them all year round if I could (especially up north in t'hills where it rains more than average) as it would save a lot of hassle - but what do I do with the 4 Hankooks that come from the factory? And they are best part of £200 a tyre in 19's so is still pricey. If only you could choose your tyres from the factory .........

You also have the added bonus of looking like an umarked police car on the motorway (especially if you have a white Skoda) and everyone gets out of your way, or you can earn some extra spends at the weekend as a taxi. Bonus.
 
#10 ·
tangler said:
I don't think Cross Climates are available to fit any Kodiaq wheel except the 17"
Last time I checked they didn't do them in the factory size for 19's - so that would be a modification to declare to the insurers if you fit a non homologated size. Or risk having no insurance if anything happens.
 
#11 ·
Tangler.
Points taken and well made!
Living in Poole, we don't know what snow is so admit I am somewhat ignorant of theses matters! :lol:
 
#12 ·
andyvee said:
You do need to inform your insurance just in case. According to the ABI, as long as you are using the recommended sizes then it is not treated as a modification.

However, if you put alloys on with winters some will treat it as a modification as you have put different alloys on - depends on your insurance company.

Better play safe and inform them, but if they try to charge you more then complain and escalate.

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/winter-tyres/
Not all insurers will need notification of going onto winters as long as you keep to OEM sizes. Best to check the ABI list via the link above.

I've little else to add as Andyvee has pretty much said it all.
 
#13 ·
Colin Lambert said:
I am intrigued as to why you put Cross Climates on steel wheels for the winter.
If you are worried about the winter, why did you not simply put Cross Climates on the Triglavs?
The hint is in Michelin's name ;) CROSS CLIMATE.
Road test have proved that they perform brilliantly winter or summer. That is what they were designed for.
Easy...

Mine were free from Skoda so I took what they gave me :D
 
#14 ·
Lucky you! I have Hankooks.
seem to be ok, but I have always been a Michelin fan.
 
#15 ·
Do you mind me asking how much were the steel rims? I can't decide whether to go for second hand alloys (well nearly new as some are for sale here) or get the Steels. On my Superb I got a set of almost new alloys, but on the furry we have steels.
 
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