loveshandbags said:

Makes sense what you're saying Maxi. Do you reckon that the wheel should have worked ?

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*A moot point considering that melanabb says the wheels hit the calipers*

A bit of searching reveals that the GPA and boggo 1.2 GP share the same rear wheel bearings so one would imagine that the rears would be OK, barring clearance on the brakes of course.

The fronts have a different bearing, but that will probably be different due to having to have beefier driveshafts. As Melanabb pointed out they hit the brakes so you'd need spacers really

A couple of pairs of these and those 16" wheels would be absolutely fine. Would probably need longer bolts too.

http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/424514/vauxhall/eibach-pro-spacers/s90-2-12-006.html

306maxi said:

*A moot point considering that melanabb says the wheels hit the calipers*

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I have deleted the last 3 postings because I was going around in a circle.
Not too sure if this link is entirely relevant - others have had troubles getting 16s to fit over Brembos on 500s. Not entirely comfortable with spacers being used. Would much prefer having the 'right' wheel. Getting the feeling that maybe 17s could be the best option 'on balance'. Daron in TMC could be 'your man' given his experience with the Abarth community.

306maxi said:

A couple of pairs of these and those 16" wheels would be absolutely fine. Would probably need longer bolts too.

http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/424514/vauxhall/eibach-pro-spacers/s90-2-12-006.html

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I really appreciate your advice, but in this case the cost of the spacers would negate the savings on second hand wheels...

These are not bad price but the bore is 0.1mm too small, mallet would help I recon
http://www.goodgrip.co.uk/steel-pf8895-65x16-4-100-et37-b565

That would come to £150 a corner (with £100 Pirelli W210) - a bit steep just before Xmas. What do you all think?

Melanabb said:

That would come to £150 a corner... ...What do you all think?

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I think it's a lot of money, especially just before Christmas. It's possible that the tyres you have may get you safely through the winter without drama. And it's also possible you might find yourself driving in conditions which will make it seem like a lot of money well spent.

So I'd say it's a tough call.

Melanabb said:

I really appreciate your advice, but in this case the cost of the spacers would negate the savings on second hand wheels...

These are not bad price but the bore is 0.1mm too small, mallet would help I recon
http://www.goodgrip.co.uk/steel-pf8895-65x16-4-100-et37-b565

That would come to £150 a corner (with £100 Pirelli W210) - a bit steep just before Xmas. What do you all think?

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Depends if they actually fit over the calipers. As I said yesterday, wheel clearances are funny things and going off wheel diameter, centre bore and offset doesn't give you a guaranteed fit.

loveshandbags said:

I have deleted the last 3 postings because I was going around in a circle.
Not too sure if this link is entirely relevant - others have had troubles getting 16s to fit over Brembos on 500s. Not entirely comfortable with spacers being used. Would much prefer having the 'right' wheel. Getting the feeling that maybe 17s could be the best option 'on balance'. Daron in TMC could be 'your man' given his experience with the Abarth community.

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Isn't that kind of the idea with wheels?

loveshandbags said:

I have deleted the last 3 postings because I was going around in a circle.
Not too sure if this link is entirely relevant - others have had troubles getting 16s to fit over Brembos on 500s. Not entirely comfortable with spacers being used. Would much prefer having the 'right' wheel. Getting the feeling that maybe 17s could be the best option 'on balance'. Daron in TMC could be 'your man' given his experience with the Abarth community.

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There's no issue with spacers as long as they're hubcentric and they're merely being used to give the right offset rather than just push the wheels out like a Chav

The problem with 17's is that the tyres are bound to cost a packet compared to 16's.

306maxi said:

There's no issue with spacers as long as they're hubcentric and they're merely being used to give the right offset rather than just push the wheels out like a Chav

The problem with 17's is that the tyres are bound to cost a packet compared to 16's.

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:yeahthat:
Melanabb can get the steelies for free if she opts for the 16s. 'Seen' quite a few with 10mm spacers - I wonder how thick will she have to go to clear the Brembos. Getting longer bolts shouldn't be a problem. Unsure of the clearance on the arches of the GPA with the wheels but on the 500 it gets a little tight. Hopefully if all goes well 'we' can get the wording right for the insurance guys. I learnt my lesson not to 'engage' but just to give one 'simple' update.

loveshandbags said:

...Came across this ad as a Mito steelie and it was advertised as fitting a GP. Queried the ebayer awaiting an answer. I previously said that a Mito / Fiat 4x98 PCD will not fit onto a GP Hub of 4x100 so to double check this I have sent another query to this ad to see if the wobbly bolts will 'work the other way around'....

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Got feedback from the wobbly bolts ebayer
The bolts for a grande punto are a 12x1.5 thread, not 12x1.25, so these will unfortunately not work

And I've suggested to the other ebayer to change the ad title.

306maxi said:

There's no issue with spacers as long as they're hubcentric...

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Good explanation here on a recent thread following on from Maxi's good advice.

Melanabb said:

I really appreciate your advice, but in this case the cost of the spacers would negate the savings on second hand wheels...

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On the above thread the cost of a set of TUV approved spacers would set you back £150. Since there is a 'no return' policy it could be tricky working out the minimum spacer you would have to buy. Unsure of the total cost with bolts, etc.
Since you posted a set of white esseesses earlier on would you consider putting a set of winters (if you still need them) on the current alloys (despite the 17 inch tyre cost). To avoid swapping tyres over every season you could opt for a 'cheap' set of GP 17 scuffed alloys (around £40 on ebay last week) or a nice set of 17 inch esseesses for the summers.

Here is a ‘cheap’ set winter Nokians 17s at £113 from mytyres. Not too sure how well they would be suited to the UK weather. Note that this test is for the 'D3' model as opposed to the 'A3' model and is in a slightly different size. Although if you were going for 17s I would have a preference for the Pirelli Sottozeros at £138 which a few have raved about.

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=37888425.110.5338&typ=D-117085&ranzahl=4&Breite=215&Quer=45&Felge=17&Speed=T&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=37888425.110.5338&typ=R-172495&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=45&Felge=17&Speed=T&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

loveshandbags said:

Good explanation here on a recent thread following on from Maxi's good advice.

On the above thread the cost of a set of TUV approved spacers would set you back £150. Since there is a 'no return' policy it could be tricky working out the minimum spacer you would have to buy. Unsure of the total cost with bolts, etc.
Since you posted a set of white esseesses earlier on would you consider putting a set of winters (if you still need them) on the current alloys (despite the 17 inch tyre cost). To avoid swapping tyres over every season you could opt for a 'cheap' set of GP 17 scuffed alloys (around £40 on ebay last week) or a nice set of 17 inch esseesses for the summers.

Here is a ‘cheap’ set winter Nokians 17s at £113 from mytyres. Not too sure how well they would be suited to the UK weather. Note that this test is for the 'D3' model as opposed to the 'A3' model and is in a slightly different size. Although if you were going for 17s I would have a preference for the Pirelli Sottozeros at £138 which a few have raved about.

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=37888425.110.5338&typ=D-117085&ranzahl=4&Breite=215&Quer=45&Felge=17&Speed=T&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=37888425.110.5338&typ=R-172495&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=45&Felge=17&Speed=T&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi

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The problem I have with having 17" winter tyres is the expense.

Once you've paid for the 4 tyres and alloys you may as well just take the pay cut and just drive slowly during the winter months when it's cool and wet.

I know that's in direct contrast to what I always blabber on about, but you do have to wonder sometimes whether £115 + for a tyre and then £10 for fitting and balancing and then 50-100 per corner for a wheel is a bit much.

You could buy yourself a whole bleeding car like a 106 and put it on winter rubber on it for less.

306maxi said:

The problem I have with having 17" winter tyres is the expense.

Once you've paid for the 4 tyres and alloys you may as well just take the pay cut and just drive slowly during the winter months when it's cool and wet.

I know that's in direct contrast to what I always blabber on about, but you do have to wonder sometimes whether £115 + for a tyre and then £10 for fitting and balancing and then 50-100 per corner for a wheel is a bit much.

You could buy yourself a whole bleeding car like a 106 and put it on winter rubber on it for less.

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I don't think so. This was the set of GP wheels that sold on ebay for £91. Total cost would have been £573 (allowing £30 for fitting & balancing).

loveshandbags said:

I don't think so. This was the set of GP wheels that sold on ebay for £91. Total cost would have been £573 (allowing £30 for fitting & balancing).

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Pretty nasty wheels though. Silly to put scummy wheels on a nice GPA

Melanabb said:

Well, I can tell you that the brakes and calipers did definitely fit inside the wheel but brembos just protrude too much hence the ET 36-39. Admittedly, original wheels were ET39 but 205 in width and as I want 195 width I might get away with less exact ET. More investigation to follow...

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Looking at a Mito 155TB '09.
Fitted with 16 inch Lusso spec wheels.
Brembo brakes fitted (4 pot)
Apologies on the quality of the pic - did not see the car in the flesh for a close up...

That is not a flattering angle to photgraph a Mito from. Looks like the love child of Kenneth Williams and Jimmy Hill.

RobinPJ said:

That is not a flattering angle to photgraph a Mito from. Looks like the love child of Kenneth Williams and Jimmy Hill.

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From that angle, the front grille bears more than a passing resemblance to an unmentionable part of the female anatomy. Much like the Ford Edsel, for those with long memories.

jrkitching said:

From that angle, the front grille bears more than a passing resemblance to an unmentionable part of the female anatomy.

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The minge?






Sorry, I just love that word

306maxi said:

The minge?
Sorry, I just love that word

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Careful - you'll have someone suggesting it needs 'bonnet knickers' next....

jrkitching said:

Careful - you'll have someone suggesting it needs 'bonnet knickers' next....

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Grilleless ones?

:Offtopic:One thing I'll never understand about Alfa's front styling is the seeming impossibility of fitting a numberplate without it looking like an afterthought. Completely spoils the appearance of the car for me.