Big wheels or small.....

[jamin]

So.....
I'm about to purchase a new/nearly new car and really want the trophy for the durability of the leather seats, it's going to be a heavily used work vehicle. But......I also could really do with the extra range of the smaller wheel/tyre combo. The dealers seem reluctant to swap them for me.
Anyone out there fancy a swap?
Anyone know how much the 16" with tyres would be?
Anyone know of reasonably priced, eco alternatives?
Thanks in advance
Ben

 

[MickeySw]

So.....
I'm about to purchase a new/nearly new car and really want the trophy for the durability of the leather seats, it's going to be a heavily used work vehicle. But......I also could really do with the extra range of the smaller wheel/tyre combo. The dealers seem reluctant to swap them for me.
Anyone out there fancy a swap?
Anyone know how much the 16" with tyres would be?
Anyone know of reasonably priced, eco alternatives?
Thanks in advance
Ben

If you really have to rely on the roughly 5-10% difference in advertised range then you're going to be in trouble come winter..

The seats are not ‘real leather’ so durability might no be what you’re expecting. Cheap seat covers could do the trick instead.

 

[jamin]

If you really have to rely on the roughly 5-10% difference in advertised range then you're going to be in trouble come winter..

The seats are not ‘real leather’ so durability might no be what you’re expecting. Cheap seat covers could do the trick instead.

I've owned an 8 year old Leaf for the last 5 years, so I'm wellllll used to the vagaries of winter range (and driving with a wooly hat on!).
I'll be doing a lot of miles, so that extra 5% would definitely be handy. I don't see the point in losing range for aesthetic reasons.

And unfortunately the only used ones for sale are the Trophy option

 

[MickeySw]

I don't see the point in losing range for aesthetic reasons.

Ditch the Trophy and go for the SE LR instead then add a decent set of seat covers or will you be using it as a taxi?

 

[jamin]

Ditch the Trophy and go for the SE LR instead then add a decent set of seat covers or will you be using it as a taxi?

I think you have the right idea, unfortunately there aren't any available and time isn't on my side as having to give my Yeti to my dad pretty much immediately

 

[Gomev]

Also to consider if you swap wheels to different sizes you have resetting the TPMS to do and also the speedo etc will no longer be accurate.

 

[salty]

Also to consider if you swap wheels to different sizes you have resetting the TPMS to do and also the speedo etc will no longer be accurate.

The Speedo will be accurate, if you get the right set up. Wheel size goes up, tyre profile goes down, to compensate. And the opposite with smaller wheels. So Speedo will be ok. Don't know about the TPMS, though. ??

 

[Ian MG5]

Yep salty is right
Smaller wheel bigger profile tyre and bigger wheel lower profile tyre to get the same diameter / circumference
???????

 

[Gomev]

The Speedo will be accurate, if you get the right set up. Wheel size goes up, tyre profile goes down, to compensate. And the opposite with smaller wheels. So Speedo will be ok. Don't know about the TPMS, though. ??

Yep salty is right
Smaller wheel bigger profile tyre and bigger wheel lower profile tyre to get the same diameter / circumference
???????

Of course. But that won't achieve the OP's objective (post#1) as wanted the smaller diameter for the extra range.

 

[salty]

Of course. But that won't achieve the OP's objective (post#1) as wanted the smaller diameter for the extra range.

He won't achieve it. Unless he goes for a smaller wheel and smaller profile tyre, then the Speedo will be out. Besides is it really gonna make that much difference in the real world, doubt it. ??

 

[Verdigris]

Besides is it really gonna make that much difference in the real world, doubt it

PFLs seem to turn in better economy than FLs, and wheel size seems the only relevant difference.

Also, most new car reviews will tell you that a smaller wheel version of a particular car will be more economical.

 

[maskull]

PFLs seem to turn in better economy than FLs, and wheel size seems the only relevant difference.

Also, most new car reviews will tell you that a smaller wheel version of a particular car will be more economical.

I'm surprised that an inch difference in wheel size makes that much difference in economy . My PFL's economy was hovering around 4mi/kWh in the winter but most of the FL's economy I am seeing are barely reaching 4mi/kWh in the summer .
All rather baffling . Is something else at play here ? Maybe the 20 mph speed limit in Wales ?

 

[crispyjay]

I'm surprised that an inch difference in wheel size makes that much difference in economy . My PFL's economy was hovering around 4m/kw in the winter but most of the FL's economy I am seeing are barely reaching 4m/kw in the summer .
All rather baffling . Is something else at play here ? Maybe the 20 mph speed limit in Wales ?

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested

Plus-Size Models: Testing the performance effects of upsizing wheels and tires.

www.caranddriver.com

Would be interesting to see FL SE vs Trophy economy comparison. There are not many SE’s sold though.

 

[maskull]

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested

Plus-Size Models: Testing the performance effects of upsizing wheels and tires.

www.caranddriver.com

Would be interesting to see FL SE vs Trophy economy comparison. There are not many SE’s sold though.

I've not got the SE LR . Mine is an exclusive SR , which is the equivalent of the FL Trophy LR I believe

 

[Ian MG5]

Hi all
The difference between the pre fl (16” wheel) to the fl (17” wheel) circumference/ diameter of the tyre is negligible so wouldn’t make much difference to the economy as the chart below shows
???????

 

[MickeySw]

Hi all
The difference between the pre fl (16” wheel) to the fl (17” wheel) circumference/ diameter of the tyre is negligible so wouldn’t make much difference to the economy as the chart below shows
???????

Correct, but there seem to be quite compelling manufacturer data supporting the claim that smaller wheels are more economical:

 

[salty]

Correct, but there seem to be quite compelling manufacturer data supporting the claim that smaller wheels are more economical:

Mmmm, perhaps, but they look, crap. ?

 

[Gomev]

He won't achieve it. Unless he goes for a smaller wheel and smaller profile tyre, then the Speedo will be out. Besides is it really gonna make that much difference in the real world, doubt it. ??

Exactly what I said.

I'm surprised that an inch difference in wheel size makes that much difference in economy . My PFL's economy was hovering around 4mi/kWh in the winter but most of the FL's economy I am seeing are barely reaching 4mi/kWh in the summer .
All rather baffling . Is something else at play here ? Maybe the 20 mph speed limit in Wales ?

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested

Plus-Size Models: Testing the performance effects of upsizing wheels and tires.

www.caranddriver.com

Would be interesting to see FL SE vs Trophy economy comparison. There are not many SE’s sold though.

Hi all
The difference between the pre fl (16” wheel) to the fl (17” wheel) circumference/ diameter of the tyre is negligible so wouldn’t make much difference to the economy as the chart below shows
???????

Simple comparison, the WLTP for the FL Trophy with 17 inch wheels is 235 miles, the WLTP for the FL SE with 16 inch wheels is 250 miles. Otherwise identical cars barring a few bits.

 

[Paul Mason]

Having owned both, I am struggling to notice any difference under a wide variety of driving conditions

 

[shpub]

Correct, but there seem to be quite compelling manufacturer data supporting the claim that smaller wheels are more economical:

It is all about the motor revs. Electric motors have efficiency graphs and the trick is to get the motor revs in the most effecient region. Slightly falling off that can lead to several percent reduction in the efficiency, and thus the power used and thus the range. Given that the wheels are turning at 1-2000 rpm, even a small difference in circumference can change the engine rpm and its efficiency.