14s or 15s?

[S2satom]

Last question, well maybe!

On the lesser powered Atoms (e.g. the 160), what differences do 14 or 15 inch wheels make. I expect the 15s offer more grip, but what differences does it do the steering and its oversteer behaviour?

Cheers

[Bruce Fielding]

S2satom said:

Last question, well maybe! On the lesser powered Atoms (e.g. the 160), what differences do 14 or 15 inch wheels make. I expect the 15s offer more grip, but what differences does it do the steering and its oversteer behaviour? Cheers

The factory recommends 15" at the front and 16" at the rear on the 220 for track use. My wet wheels were 15" all round and they worked fine and looked good, though. However, I don't think it would look right on 14" wheels... Thanks to Mark, my current car came with a spare set of 17" rears and I don't think they look right either - plus I don't think there's enough suspension in them for 'enthusiastic' track use.

[ross.mcw]

Yeah, I think the 14s are really only left on in Japan where apparently they can get some weird sticky 14" tyres.

I had 15" wheels on my original Atom and they were fine - the big advantage is that all 4 wheels are the same size so you can swap the wheels round a bit when necessary to even up wear - I guess tyres may also be a bit cheaper?

If you're trying to keep costs down, definitely go for the 15s. Personally, I think the wheel design (fewer spokes) looks better and is easier to clean as well.

16s seem to be the standard step-up and 17s are a waste of time.

Cheers, Ross.

[monza]

For Atom 160, the 4 wheels in 195/50x15 will be fine and i'm sure that you can obtain the Tecnomagnesio wheels if you ask for that, because they are used for the front in 15" (if you order the "16" Wheel/Tyre Package"). With some price increase, logically.
Jean-Pascal