Putting high profile tyres with smaller wheels on newer cars
Discussion
All Cars seem to come with low profile wheels by default. I'm aware of the modern racing car connection but I feel we're losing out on UK roads. All we hear about are cracked rims and harsh rides.
I've an Abarth 595 on the similar size wheels as an old Mk3 Golf but a much thinner profile (notwithstanding they're stupid diamond cut ones that already need sorting). The ride is harsh.
Our A5 TDi Quattro is much nicer on its 17" winter wheels than its 19" summers. So much so we kept them on over the summer and they wore out very unevenly and had to be replaced.
I've a Z4M with standard non runflats just like the other 2 and that rides much better than a friends Z4 with runflats.
So I'm wondering, other than insurance implications.
What would be the real world effect of putting say 14"/15" wheels on any of these cars?
As long as the overall radius of the tyre+wheel is the same what would be the changes?
Has anyone done this already?
Forget looks, Steels wheels must be available but could you get tyres in the sizes requires nowadays?
Thoughts?
I've an Abarth 595 on the similar size wheels as an old Mk3 Golf but a much thinner profile (notwithstanding they're stupid diamond cut ones that already need sorting). The ride is harsh.
Our A5 TDi Quattro is much nicer on its 17" winter wheels than its 19" summers. So much so we kept them on over the summer and they wore out very unevenly and had to be replaced.
I've a Z4M with standard non runflats just like the other 2 and that rides much better than a friends Z4 with runflats.
So I'm wondering, other than insurance implications.
What would be the real world effect of putting say 14"/15" wheels on any of these cars?
As long as the overall radius of the tyre+wheel is the same what would be the changes?
Has anyone done this already?
Forget looks, Steels wheels must be available but could you get tyres in the sizes requires nowadays?
Thoughts?
Caddyshack said:
My Range Rover came on 22" Autobiography rims and lowish profile, I swapped out to much smaller and higher profile, it drives much better.
I have done much the same on my daily. Wheel rim diameter down; tyre profile up; rolling circumference the same; ride improved; handling entirely acceptable.a340driver said:
What would be the real world effect of putting say 14"/15" wheels on any of these cars
Forget looks, Steels wheels must be available but could you get tyres in the sizes requires nowadays?
Thoughts?
as you mention the tyre sizes are not common anymore, if available at all.Forget looks, Steels wheels must be available but could you get tyres in the sizes requires nowadays?
Thoughts?
Also, will the smaller wheels fit over the front brakes?
I purposely buy smaller OEM alloys (3 series on 16"s at moment) and fit nice fat sidewalls, soak up the roads beautifully....My 530d is much nicer on 17" non-runflat winters than it's usual 19" runflats. Direct Line insurance were happy provided the wheels & tyres were BMW approved, I'm not sure how they would have felt about steel rims (I thought about it) or smaller diameter alloys (I doubt you can get them in the right bolt pattern).
My F30 330d mSport came on 19 inch run flats. It looked great so I can totally understand why they are optioned. The ride was pretty stiff though, and just unpleasant when in sports mode as the steering stiffened up. I was also really paranoid about kerbing the alloys and weaving around pot holes.
Circumstances led me to swapping to a set of OEM 18 inch run flats (the 'standard' style and fitment for the model). Unquestionably the car rides much better and is far more enjoyable to drive but it does look a little under-tyred looks wise compared to before.
The ride may have improved as a result of moving from Bridgstones to Pirelli tyres. In sports mode though, its still fairly stiff, so most of the time I'm in comfort.
I'm now running on a new set of winter tyres (from Mr Winter Wheels). They too had to be 18 inch as anything less won't fit over the mSport+ brakes that are bigger than standard. I chose to have non-runflat Goodyear winter tyres fitted and having done 600+ miles in the last week, apart from the obvious noise from the tread pattern, it's transformed the car. I spent most of the time in sport mode as comfort made the steering too light, but the combination of firmer suspension and far more compliance in the tyre made the car more enjoyable to drive than it's ever been.
Once my run flat 18inch summers are worn out, I'll definitely be swapping to non-run flats.
As for the 19 inch that came with it... under a dust cover keeping perfect until I come to sell it. I can totally see why they would make the car more attractive to a buyer but I've no interest in going back to them for day to day use. Ruins the actual drive.
Circumstances led me to swapping to a set of OEM 18 inch run flats (the 'standard' style and fitment for the model). Unquestionably the car rides much better and is far more enjoyable to drive but it does look a little under-tyred looks wise compared to before.
The ride may have improved as a result of moving from Bridgstones to Pirelli tyres. In sports mode though, its still fairly stiff, so most of the time I'm in comfort.
I'm now running on a new set of winter tyres (from Mr Winter Wheels). They too had to be 18 inch as anything less won't fit over the mSport+ brakes that are bigger than standard. I chose to have non-runflat Goodyear winter tyres fitted and having done 600+ miles in the last week, apart from the obvious noise from the tread pattern, it's transformed the car. I spent most of the time in sport mode as comfort made the steering too light, but the combination of firmer suspension and far more compliance in the tyre made the car more enjoyable to drive than it's ever been.
Once my run flat 18inch summers are worn out, I'll definitely be swapping to non-run flats.
As for the 19 inch that came with it... under a dust cover keeping perfect until I come to sell it. I can totally see why they would make the car more attractive to a buyer but I've no interest in going back to them for day to day use. Ruins the actual drive.
Fire99 said:
Would there be any insurance issues with swapping the wheels to sizes smaller than the OEM fit?
Yes, there would be issues.I looked into slightly smaller alloys with slightly larger sidewalls for my Swift Sport to avoid damaging tyres on the crumbling B-roads in my area.
My insurer didn't want to insure a 'modified' Swift Sport and wouldn't even give me a quote.
It is not the profile %, but the absolute sidewall height.
OP see this for suitable comparisons.
http://www.wheelcalc.com
Insurance should allow fitment of any tyre shown in handbook/tyre label, ask them and manufacturer if another size is considered.
Huntsman said:
Caddyshack said:
I still think one of the best riding cars I have been in was my old e39 540i bmw s reg, big balloon tyres on 16 inch roulettes and comfort suspension.
My E28 was on 14" wheels with 195/70 tyres and was like driving on a bed of Hungarian goose feathers.Lemming Train said:
SAS Tom said:
I went from 16” 45 profile to 17” 40 profile and it rides better. I would say that the tyres themselves make a bigger difference.
SAS Tom said:
I meant to put that as it’s a different answer to all the grandads on here who think all cars should come with 70 profile tyres.
His point is that the profile is a percentage of the width of the tyre - so if you went for a larger wheel with a wider tyre its possible that your new 40 profile tyre has a taller sidewall than your old 45..Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff