Upgrading wheels/tyres on Santro

Samurai · 2nd August 2005, 15:43

Now that my new Baleno is decked up with 195/60R14 Yokohamas on BSA alloys, my wife's Santro is feeling ignored.

Now, many of you may turn up your noses at the mention of automatic transmission. But the fact is when driven properly, it can hold it's own. It may not be quick to accelerate or have much passing power, but it can go fast when needed. However, I have never been happy about it's tyre grip. I remember skidding all the time when I was driving the ghats last year on a tyres with just 5K on it, now it has 15K.

Now my wife wants to keep it for 15 years or until it kicks the bucket. Since I end up driving it everyday, I might as well do something to make the drive better. BTW, I drive Santro before lunch and Baleno after lunch. I follow this strange practice because, it is much easier to drive the Santro during the morning rush to my son's school through one narrow road full of pedestrians. My afternoon drive is much more relaxed.

So I want to move it to tubeless on alloys, what else...

What is the best upgrade for Santro Xing, has anyone done it? The stock is 155/70R13, would it make sense to upsize the rim to a 14" alloys? Regarding width, how much is good, 165 or 175? What model tyres?

pranil · 2nd August 2005, 20:23

I am using Goodyear Eagle 3 Tubless 165/65 for last three years.

Sugessted by my brother law who is in Goodyear. No problems os far. and yes they do immensely improve the grip. So much that when I drove a stock xing i felt like the rear was slipping under me.

should cost u between 1700 to 2100 with discount per piece

speedsatya · 2nd August 2005, 20:35

i have driven a santro with 175/60 r13 in mangalore.the ride was a bit on the hard side,but the handling was superbbb.

numerouno · 3rd August 2005, 11:54

I too am using 165/65R13 bridgestone donuts on my santro LE 1999 for the past 6 months or so and the ride has improved dramatically.. can take turns a lot faster.
I wanted to upsize to 175 but wasnt sure of the increased effort in steering (since my santro doesn't have power steering).
I have seen a couple of santro's running 175's but i guess the ride would be a bit harder.

F1amit · 18th August 2005, 15:59

Guys,

I own a Santro (2000 model) which has completed 35000 kms.
Sometime back I notices the wear and tear of tyres (especially right frontand right back tyres).

So I want to change tyres to tubeless one.
which are the best tubeless tyres available for Santro (And Approximate cost) ?

Should I opt for current rims with tubeless tyres or should I go for tubeless tyres with alloy rims?

Also which is the good brand (and approximate cost) for alloy wheels?

please guide me regarding the same.

Thanks,
amit.

Samurai · 17th September 2005, 22:12

Just upgraded my wife's Santro Xing Automatic to 165/65R13 Hankook Optimos on Aura alloys.

The exact alloy model is as follows, except it is of a darker tint.

Paid only Rs.9000 for the 5 set alloys since it was used alloys (has run 1500Kms) from a stock Baleno Vxi. That's like 6000 bucks savings. The Hankooks cost me 2350 per tyre. Paid 50% for the installation, balancing and alignment.

As I started driving the car with new footware, I was literally taken aback by the amazing improvement in ride quality, it has more than doubled, the new tyres literally glide over the pothole chains. I didn't expect this kind of amazing improvement over the usually harsh ride on some of the roads. My wife couldn't believe the quantum leap in ride comfort since I had not promised any improvement. Then came the performance, it just took off like a sprinter and was much more peppy. It is just amazing how changing tyres totally changes the attributes of the car.

Until today our Santro drove around like a old man, and today it feels like a 18 year old.

Conan · 28th October 2005, 00:42

Samurai, Can the same tyre upgrades be done to a wagonr. I have a stock wagonr vxi.

Conan

Samurai · 21st November 2005, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Samurai, Can the same tyre upgrades be done to a wagonr. I have a stock wagonr vxi.
Conan

Oh, didn't see this question. What is the stock tyre on your WagonR?

Conan · 21st November 2005, 18:28

Well the stock tyres in a wagonr Vxi is 155/65R13.
Hence the ideal upgrades after researching came up to,
165/60R13 or 185/55R13. Dont know if they fit in properly inside the tyre well.
Let us know as to where you bought the alloys and tyres in bangalore.

Conan

Samurai · 21st November 2005, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Well the stock tyres in a wagonr Vxi is 155/65R13.
Hence the ideal upgrades after researching came up to,
165/60R13 or 185/55R13.

Your best bet is 165/60R13 Tubeless on 5J Alloys. The 185/55 would severely affect your ride comfort. Although 165/60 doesn't sound like much of an upgrade, the difference will be major. The difference comes from the reduction in unsprung weight (due to lighter rim) and softer tubeless tyre compound.

speedsatya · 21st November 2005, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Your best bet is 165/60R13 Tubeless on 5J Alloys. The 185/55 would severely affect your ride comfort. Although 165/60 doesn't sound like much of an upgrade, the difference will be major. The difference comes from the reduction in unsprung weight (due to lighter rim) and softer tubeless tyre compound.

the ride will deteriorate on bad roads ....but the grip will be awesome...go for the G3's ...they are the best...and yeah ...stick to 5j rims..

Samurai · 21st November 2005, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedsatya

the ride will deteriorate on bad roads ....but the grip will be awesome...

In Bangalore we have only one kind of road, BAD. Surely you must have noticed by now...

max8791 · 26th November 2005, 22:37

Santros have 155/70 R13 tyres, what are the pros and cons of fitting and 155/70 R14 (not sure if 155/70 R14 is aviable)

what i understand by making tyres bigger, it will increase top speed, decrease acceralation, improve ride quality, improve fuel efficency.

Or should i go for wider 13" tyres

jkdas · 26th November 2005, 23:14

Glad that you made a thread just for Santro. Let me too add some doubts that I have.

1. Would using Alloys + Existing 155/70 R13 improve handling/comfort
2. If not, the next best bet
3. If i have to get another set of new tyres with alloys, will one seller buy the used (done 5k) tyres?

Samurai · 26th November 2005, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by max8791

Santros have 155/70 R13 tyres, what are the pros and cons of fitting and 155/70 R14 (not sure if 155/70 R14 is aviable)

Not a good upgrade. It will increase the height by 12.6mm and would affect the handling of the vehicle, and will have 4.64% speedo error.

Your proper choices are:

165/65R13: Wider tyres, lower profile improves handling.
175/60R13: Try this only if you have power steering, great handling, but harsh ride.
175/55R14 or 185/50R14: Well, try this only if you have great roads & power steering. Ride will be really harsh.

All the above choices will have minimal effect on speedometer reading and rolling radius.

However, switching to tubeless will improve ride because of softer compound.
Switching to alloys reduces unsprung weight, would improve performance.

2nd August 2005, 15:43	#1
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,002 Thanked: 49,643 Times View My Garage	Upgrading wheels/tyres on Santro Now that my new Baleno is decked up with 195/60R14 Yokohamas on BSA alloys, my wife's Santro is feeling ignored. Now, many of you may turn up your noses at the mention of automatic transmission. But the fact is when driven properly, it can hold it's own. It may not be quick to accelerate or have much passing power, but it can go fast when needed. However, I have never been happy about it's tyre grip. I remember skidding all the time when I was driving the ghats last year on a tyres with just 5K on it, now it has 15K. Now my wife wants to keep it for 15 years or until it kicks the bucket. Since I end up driving it everyday, I might as well do something to make the drive better. BTW, I drive Santro before lunch and Baleno after lunch. I follow this strange practice because, it is much easier to drive the Santro during the morning rush to my son's school through one narrow road full of pedestrians. My afternoon drive is much more relaxed. So I want to move it to tubeless on alloys, what else... What is the best upgrade for Santro Xing, has anyone done it? The stock is 155/70R13, would it make sense to upsize the rim to a 14" alloys? Regarding width, how much is good, 165 or 175? What model tyres?
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 20:23	#2
pranil BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 153 Thanked: 3 Times	Upgrade tyre I am using Goodyear Eagle 3 Tubless 165/65 for last three years. Sugessted by my brother law who is in Goodyear. No problems os far. and yes they do immensely improve the grip. So much that when I drove a stock xing i felt like the rear was slipping under me. should cost u between 1700 to 2100 with discount per piece
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 20:35	#3
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,167 Thanked: 741 Times View My Garage	i have driven a santro with 175/60 r13 in mangalore.the ride was a bit on the hard side,but the handling was superbbb.
	() Thanks

3rd August 2005, 11:54	#4
numerouno BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 39 Thanked: 20 Times	I too am using 165/65R13 bridgestone donuts on my santro LE 1999 for the past 6 months or so and the ride has improved dramatically.. can take turns a lot faster. I wanted to upsize to 175 but wasnt sure of the increased effort in steering (since my santro doesn't have power steering). I have seen a couple of santro's running 175's but i guess the ride would be a bit harder.
	() Thanks

18th August 2005, 15:59	#5
F1amit BANNED Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 140 Thanked: 26 Times	Alloys For Santro Guys, I own a Santro (2000 model) which has completed 35000 kms. Sometime back I notices the wear and tear of tyres (especially right frontand right back tyres). So I want to change tyres to tubeless one. which are the best tubeless tyres available for Santro (And Approximate cost) ? Should I opt for current rims with tubeless tyres or should I go for tubeless tyres with alloy rims? Also which is the good brand (and approximate cost) for alloy wheels? please guide me regarding the same. Thanks, amit.
	() Thanks

17th September 2005, 22:12	#6
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,002 Thanked: 49,643 Times View My Garage	Just upgraded my wife's Santro Xing Automatic to 165/65R13 Hankook Optimos on Aura alloys. The exact alloy model is as follows, except it is of a darker tint. Paid only Rs.9000 for the 5 set alloys since it was used alloys (has run 1500Kms) from a stock Baleno Vxi. That's like 6000 bucks savings. The Hankooks cost me 2350 per tyre. Paid 50% for the installation, balancing and alignment. As I started driving the car with new footware, I was literally taken aback by the amazing improvement in ride quality, it has more than doubled, the new tyres literally glide over the pothole chains. I didn't expect this kind of amazing improvement over the usually harsh ride on some of the roads. My wife couldn't believe the quantum leap in ride comfort since I had not promised any improvement. Then came the performance, it just took off like a sprinter and was much more peppy. It is just amazing how changing tyres totally changes the attributes of the car. Until today our Santro drove around like a old man, and today it feels like a 18 year old.
	() Thanks

28th October 2005, 00:42	#7
Conan BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 223 Thanked: 0 Times	Samurai, Can the same tyre upgrades be done to a wagonr. I have a stock wagonr vxi. Conan
	() Thanks

21st November 2005, 18:28	#9
Conan BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 223 Thanked: 0 Times	Well the stock tyres in a wagonr Vxi is 155/65R13. Hence the ideal upgrades after researching came up to, 165/60R13 or 185/55R13. Dont know if they fit in properly inside the tyre well. Let us know as to where you bought the alloys and tyres in bangalore. Conan
	() Thanks

26th November 2005, 22:37	#13
max8791 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: delhi Posts: 44 Thanked: 3 Times	Bigger tyre on santro :: pros and cons Santros have 155/70 R13 tyres, what are the pros and cons of fitting and 155/70 R14 (not sure if 155/70 R14 is aviable) what i understand by making tyres bigger, it will increase top speed, decrease acceralation, improve ride quality, improve fuel efficency. Or should i go for wider 13" tyres Last edited by max8791 : 26th November 2005 at 22:45.
	() Thanks

26th November 2005, 23:14	#14
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,496 Times View My Garage	Glad that you made a thread just for Santro. Let me too add some doubts that I have. 1. Would using Alloys + Existing 155/70 R13 improve handling/comfort 2. If not, the next best bet 3. If i have to get another set of new tyres with alloys, will one seller buy the used (done 5k) tyres? Last edited by jkdas : 26th November 2005 at 23:15.
	() Thanks