16'' Alloys

Can someone please tell me if the tyres on the 500's come with rim protectors or not as standard?

I have just spent £120 getting the alloys on my current car re-done before I sell it and will buy some of the tyres for my new car if it doesnt come with them as standard.

PS: What dimensions will the 500 tyres be on the 16'' alloys?

Don't think the standard tyres have rim protectors on the 16" alloys. The tyres are 195/45.

What are rim protectors?

(No smutty comments Tom! )

Have you heard of a Femidom? Well, like those but for the other en . . . . . . only joking

Rim protectors are a raised bead on the face of the tyre that is supposed stop the alloy getting kerbed. This probably explains it better but in my experience they don't really work. http://www.toyo.co.uk/page.php?identity=tyre_design

Rim protectors dont work. Makers used to target lady car fans with offers for them - I tried them - waste of money - they dont work - end of.

I always find not hitting the kerb protects your rims... its not hard

Offsetting the door mirrors slightly always helps avoid the dreaded crunch when reversing.

I'm gonna have to be extra careful parking my 500 as my street has virtually no decent lighting at night when I get home...

Got some 7 x 16, 4 x 100pcd aftermarket alloys, does anyone know what size tyres I can put on.

I assume standard ones would be 195/45/R16 but I want to go a bit wider like say 205 or 210 (would these be ok for the 500?)

You'll be able to fit 195/40/R17 tyres on no problem. These are what Nigel has fitted to his 500 over at Nuova 500 Shop. They're a bit more expensive than 205/40/R17s though, but we know for definate that the 195/40/17 don't scrub the arches. I don't think anyone's tried 205 width tyres yet, I'm sure they'll be okay -no scrubbing etc- but I guess it's just one of those things... yer gotta try it! The Abarth is fitted with 205/40/17 tyres, but we don't know yet if they've modified the arches or not.