Puma Wheel Size

[dezza87]

I am getting a Puma and was wondering if anybody could tell me what size wheels the archs will take without them rubbing. It has the standard 15inch but I wasnt sure whether 16's or 17's would be better.

[UK952]

As the puma is universally praised for its handling I would of thought you would be better keeping the standard size - going larger might bugger it up, though it will probably look coool and wiked
Tony

[nightdriver]

The racing puma had 17s, I know the arches were different but I'm pretty sure they fit onto standard pumas. You might be able to get away with 18s but they might rub. Try pumapeople.co.uk, will be able to give you an answer staright away.

[atgsambo]

17s look fantastic on the puma due to it having such large wheel arch's

17s should fit without too much problem

Sam

[Sssline]

We have the 17" ford ST170 alloys sat under our Puma, IMHO they do look the part, but with less sidewall they are 'firmer' over bumps in the road etc, not really changed the handling, slightly sharper turn-in and still got lift off understeer if wanted.

[nightdriver]

They look really good! but dont you mean lift off oversteer......

[dezza87]

Did you have any problems with rubbing tony? I have read that 17' wheels can give less grip going round corners with crap surfaces have you experienced this? Plus what is the actual comfort of the ride like with 17's

[Sssline]

nightdriver said:

They look really good! but dont you mean lift off oversteer......

Umm Yep that's the one.

[Sssline]

dezza87 said:

Did you have any problems with rubbing tony? I have read that 17' wheels can give less grip going round corners with crap surfaces have you experienced this? Plus what is the actual comfort of the ride like with 17's

Rubbing, yes on the fronts, car will not take full lock without rubbing on the wheel arches, rears have been fine , (am thinking of trying shims to increase clearance)

Car has been on the 17's for over 2 years now but I seem to remember it did feel a bit more 'skittish' on bad surfaces and a little more prone to tramlining.

Comfort wise it is firmer but not too bad springs/shocks are standard so it is just sidewall flex that is lost.

Overall grip its hard to say choice of tyre would be a bigger influence, it is more a styling mod than performance.

[etj257]

I've seen ST170 17's on a Puma before, look much better than dropping the springs, those holes need filling up! Next job on mine once the cash is available.

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

There is a forum called 'puma people' and they suggest if your going to have big rims you should lower the car first? I thought this would defeat the object? I have asked again to make sure and they always come back and say lower the car before having larger wheel. V.confusing. Mines lowered has standard 15 but want ST170 too, but am now worried that it will scuff the wheel arches when turning. Thoughts much appreciated

[BossCerbera]

Ahhh Moneypenny said:

stuff

Didn't take you long to find it then?

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

BossCerbera said:

Ahhh Moneypenny said: stuff Didn't take you long to find it then?

I lurveeees me Pooooma!!

Oh and MKII Escorts!!

No-ones replied though...

[Sssline]

Ahhh Moneypenny said:

There is a forum called 'puma people' and they suggest if your going to have big rims you should lower the car first? I thought this would defeat the object? I have asked again to make sure and they always come back and say lower the car before having larger wheel. V.confusing. Mines lowered has standard 15 but want ST170 too, but am now worried that it will scuff the wheel arches when turning. Thoughts much appreciated

I guess it would depend on how low you go, the rubbing that I experianced was on full lock against the inner wheel arch/ bulkhead, drivers side will 'un-clip' the ABS sensor lead for me, have now added 3mm shims allround which helps to return the offset back to std, she will still rub on full lock but it has helped. (Worth remembering the ST170 runs 215 tyres, these will not fit under the rear spring cup, you need to run 205's).