Ah, I see you have not only done the math on the section width difference, but had personal experience with this on Elena. Same tires, and the wheel underneath it makes THAT much of a difference!?
And man, 45mm on your bump stop... that's almost ~1.75 inches!!! Seems like a lot of cure for such a small deviation in spec. Go figure...
tyres
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Chasm61
Re: tyres
Theoretically, if they could be found, would a 175/75R14 fit on the 4.5 inch stock wheels okay? I know from online calculators I 've used that these appear to be a dead-on match for circumference, diameter, etc, even with that extra 10mm width.
I wouldn't want to squeeze them onto wheels too narrow though...
I wouldn't want to squeeze them onto wheels too narrow though...
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Florent
Re: tyres
Hello,
I just checked on a spare alloy wheel I have and the width is considered on the inner flanges where the tyre fits.
As Huib mentioned, the extra width is on the outside of the wheel.
Since I changed my wheels I've never had trouble with the wheel arches, I've never heard my tyres hurting the arches or even seen any damage but I must say that I usually drive my car alone and with a few luggage in the boot.
The tyres I use (Firestone F560 as previously said) have a quite "round" profile compared with some other modern tyres (that's one of the reasons why I choosed them) and it is probably why I do not have troubles, even fitted on larger wheels.
Michelin XAS are probably the best choice (I love them on Flavias) and they probably are worth the price to pay but they are also so expensive ....
Florent
I just checked on a spare alloy wheel I have and the width is considered on the inner flanges where the tyre fits.
As Huib mentioned, the extra width is on the outside of the wheel.
Since I changed my wheels I've never had trouble with the wheel arches, I've never heard my tyres hurting the arches or even seen any damage but I must say that I usually drive my car alone and with a few luggage in the boot.
The tyres I use (Firestone F560 as previously said) have a quite "round" profile compared with some other modern tyres (that's one of the reasons why I choosed them) and it is probably why I do not have troubles, even fitted on larger wheels.
Michelin XAS are probably the best choice (I love them on Flavias) and they probably are worth the price to pay but they are also so expensive ....
Florent
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tim
Re: tyres
Wheels may foul under extreme deflection of the axle especially if the car is driven hard on an undulating surface.
If you look on ebay now there are some Berlinas in rally prep for sale with some photos showing how a car can deflect the rear wheels into the arch under hard cornering etc.
Tim
If you look on ebay now there are some Berlinas in rally prep for sale with some photos showing how a car can deflect the rear wheels into the arch under hard cornering etc.
Tim
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Chasm61
Re: tyres
Because I just stumbled across a set of 4 brand new 175/75R14s on eBay for 150.00... delivered!
See 160176432832.
For that price, knowing that I need new tires to replace these shabby Pirellis soon, and knowing that I may at some time fit a wider wheel (perhaps) that this tire will also fit... How can I lose?
I'll let you all know how it works out...
See 160176432832.
For that price, knowing that I need new tires to replace these shabby Pirellis soon, and knowing that I may at some time fit a wider wheel (perhaps) that this tire will also fit... How can I lose?
I'll let you all know how it works out...
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Huib Geurink
Re: tyres
As Ed says, I would go for good 165/80R14 tires and definitely not Chinese tires of any size. If wanted to drive a car cheaply here in Holland I would buy a 15 year old Peugeot 205 at 500 euro's including good tires. Actually I bought such a Peugeot for my wife but replaced the good but 2nd rate tires anyway with Goodyear Vector 5 all season tires. Different car.
Claire is or rather was running 175 tires on her Fulvia coupe. Apart from rubbing against the brakehoses there were no interference problems. Driving the thing though was more like driving a tractor. She is now doing some serious work such as repairing sills, replacing the badly rusted subframe, overhauling gearbox, suspension and steering. We haven't decided about the engine yet. Anyway, when the coupe goes back onto the road in a couple of months we will put on the proper 165/80R14 Michelin tires.
Claire is or rather was running 175 tires on her Fulvia coupe. Apart from rubbing against the brakehoses there were no interference problems. Driving the thing though was more like driving a tractor. She is now doing some serious work such as repairing sills, replacing the badly rusted subframe, overhauling gearbox, suspension and steering. We haven't decided about the engine yet. Anyway, when the coupe goes back onto the road in a couple of months we will put on the proper 165/80R14 Michelin tires.
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Chasm61
Re: tyres
You'll probably prove to be right in the end Huib, but as I'm still learning the nuances of this car, I can't see spending more than 4 times as much for the 165/80 XAS tires, or even more than twice as much for the Vredensteins, especially since I'm not altogether sure what I'm going to do ultimately about the wheels. Those are the only 165/80s I've been able to find here in the US. Looks more and more like I'll be coming back to you for a set of those 4.5" FPS alloys some day! We'll see, won't we!
Anyway, I'm not going to do anything with these right away, just "bank them" for when my current tires start to get squishy. At less than $40/tire these were too good to pass up, Chinese or otherwise. By the time I need them I may have a better idea what I want to do with the car.
I'll let you know how it turns out, one way or another...
Chas
Anyway, I'm not going to do anything with these right away, just "bank them" for when my current tires start to get squishy. At less than $40/tire these were too good to pass up, Chinese or otherwise. By the time I need them I may have a better idea what I want to do with the car.
I'll let you know how it turns out, one way or another...
Chas
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Ed Levin
Re: tyres
I'm definitely with Huib on this one. I'd stay away from cheap Chinese tires; I don't know this brand in particular, but there have been some real quality control problems with 'third-world' brands that are made to the lowest possible price point. IMHO, there's no such thing as crap that's "too good to pass up".
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Claire
Re: tyres
Months ago I had to put on new brakehoses because of running on 175 tires on my Fulvia Coupe.
"More like driving a tractor" as Huib writes. Besides the fact that I have never driven a tractor, I could imagine that driving such thing is not a very comfortable experience. I don't think driving my Fulvia was that bad, but Huib is right. Before I took a ride with Tina, Huibs Fulvia Coupe, I had never been driving an other Fulvia than mine. The first ride with Tina was a complete new experience. Much lighter, much sweeter, much more comfortable. That's the way a Fulvia should be. So yes, we will put on the proper 165/80R14 Michelin tires.
"More like driving a tractor" as Huib writes. Besides the fact that I have never driven a tractor, I could imagine that driving such thing is not a very comfortable experience. I don't think driving my Fulvia was that bad, but Huib is right. Before I took a ride with Tina, Huibs Fulvia Coupe, I had never been driving an other Fulvia than mine. The first ride with Tina was a complete new experience. Much lighter, much sweeter, much more comfortable. That's the way a Fulvia should be. So yes, we will put on the proper 165/80R14 Michelin tires.