I'm in the process of recommissioning my Marea. I haven't used it for 6 years other than occasionally moving it up and down the drive. I'm replacing all service parts (filters, brake discs and pads, oil, tyres etc). The tyres currently on it are 195/60 which I'm sure were the correct ones when I bought them, however if I put the reg number into a search on Kwikfit and National it comes up as 190/55. Does anyone know which is correct?
Also what oil should I use. Searches are coming up with 10w40 semi synthetic but should I be using a fully synthetic oil? (It's lowish mileage 72K if that makes any difference).

I think 195/60-15 should be fine, that it what it says on the books. Ive had 195/65, goes, not too much room on front, currently 195/55 (came with rims) and they are way too small.
Mine is 155 20v, but the brakes/suspension setup should be same.

Full/semisyn doensn't matter if you change it often, cheap fullsyn is worse than good semisyn...take your pick.

Remember that the JTD has cambelt, not chain.

Thanks for the reply. I changed the cam belt not long before I laid the car up. It's probably done less than 10K miles but will be about 7 years old now. I always change the oil every 6 months. I think I'll use semi and change again after a few hundred miles (use it like a flushing oil).
I'll go with the 195/60's as I must have used then for quite some time and never had a problem.
This, of course, is all assuming I can get it MOT'd without major incident or expense. After the car being practically unused for the last six years, who can say what else has expired?

On jtd engines cambelt needs to be changed after 62.500 mls or 4 years....
Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel FST 5W40 is a good choice and fully synthetic.
Often overlooked: flexible brakehoses should be replaced after 10 years, no matter their outside condition.
And after 7 years, the brake fluid is in need of a change as well.
And how about the windscreenwipers, they must be dried out and not very functional anymore...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...01&langId=-1&productId=164264&catalogId=10151

Neverth said:

I think 195/60-15 should be fine, that it what it says on the books. Ive had 195/65, goes, not too much room on front, currently 195/55 (came with rims) and they are way too small.
.

Click to expand...

195/60-R15, 195/65-R15 and 195/55R15 are practical equal in size, just the height of the tire differs....195 means 195mm width

Peter Pick-Up said:

195/60-R15, 195/65-R15 and 195/55R15 are practical equal in size, just the height of the tire differs....195 means 195mm width

Click to expand...

195/65 rubbed lightly on full lock, and no room for front mudflaps, no speedo error, filled the wheelarch completely.
195/55 around 10% speedo error and they look small.

I will be flushing the brake fluid so I may as well change the flexi's at the same time. I think I may have some new blades around somewhere. Must go have a look in my big box of Marea bits.

Consider these:

http://www.brake-lines.co.uk/hel-brake-lines-for-fiat-marea-weekend-2.4td-1997-2001.html

Bit of an up date. Work is progressing (very slowly) on getting my Marea back on the road.
Thanks to Peter for suggesting using braided brake hoses. I've decided to go that route. Apart from the "Hel" ones, I've also found also ones available from "Wezmoto" and "Hose Technik".
Has anyone had any experience of using any of the above or does anyone have any recommendations?

I really don't think there's much difference in braided brake hoses, there are several makes on the market, like Hel indeed, but also Goodridge etc. etc...
It's all about price and availability I guess...