Wheels / Tyres

is200 Newbie · April 24, 2015

there has been quite a few posts on wheels and tyres but there are a few questions I have if anyone can help...

My car is due its MOT soon - the tyres on it were on it when I bought it over two years ago. The front ones are just over the legal limit so are ripe for changing.

I would ideally like to change the wheels and tyres rather than replacing the worn ones and have been looking at a few styles.

The tyres on it now are not of any particular well known make and they sit quite "high" on the road (more rounded than flat if that makes sense) and now they are wearing down I am getting a lot of what feels like under steer which I have attributed to the wear on the tyres felt especially when going around roundabouts. Backs are ok and it looks like theres no wear on them - I thought with it being rear wheel drive then they would wear quite evenly with the fronts..

I changed the wheels when I had an IS200 and put 18" Aeros on it but these needed the centre spigots fitted with them to keep them central. If I am looking at non oem wheels then am I right in thinking that its more than likely I will need a set of these and if so are they really ok to use?

So the alloys I will be looking at - I know the fronts are different sizes to the back but is it the tyres that are different sized or the actual alloys themselves that are different sizes?

On the car at the moment are stock SE-L 17s" - I would like to fill the arches better so I was considering 18's or 19's - the 19's I have heard can scrub the liner but will the 18's make that much of a difference to the ride height and looks in filling the arches. I have seen two types of alloy - both 19" on cars that are not lowered that look good but not too sure about what size to go for? I am not too worried about the level of noise that's associated with the bigger wheels as the exhaust is quite loud so it would not make that much is a difference to me.

is there anything else to consider other than the size of wheels? Would going down to 19's knock any sensors out of sync?

Two pictures below are of the two styles I have seen...

toffee_pie · April 24, 2015

17" alloys are the same size front and rear, the tyres are a different width at the back.

19" rims IMO are over kill, especially on UK roads, the ride is going to hurt as much as getting tyres bought. Do you know how much 19" cost?

If you want to fill arches I would look at getting coils or springs, on 17" you can still get all the looks with a proper set of springs or coilovers. Its what I am probably going to do myself.

I asked on here about the level sensor and coilovers and apparently once fitted properly and the OEM sensor is not meddled with you are good to go.

Mouser · April 25, 2015

The standard wheels are 17x8j => 8" diameter front or rear.

I'd strongly agree with toffee_pie, good quality 19" wheels (not heavy clunky ones) plus tyres to fit will cost you a lot more than 18" ones, and the ride will not be as compliant.

As far as style goes, the second ones you posted really don't suit the car, and look like they'd weigh an absolute ton.

toffee_pie · April 25, 2015

think they look ridiculous myself, they are more suited to an 4 x 4 off roader tbh.

is200 Newbie · April 30, 2015

I was just looking for something different to be honest

The wheels on the car are a bit scuffed and they look like they have been refurbished in the past and with two front tyres required I thought it would be an ideal time to look at new wheels and tyres ...

Anyway - MOT's due soon, need two tyres so I rang round locally for a quote today and found what I think is a good deal on tyres only - two new Avon front tyres fitted for £68 each - don't know the tyre name just gave the required size over the phone and was quoted this - Good deal?

petergordon4 · July 21, 2015

going from 17 to 19 you will notice a slightly rougher ride and bigger dent in your wallet buying tyres ( full set of 19 tyres cost about 650 upwards)