Hi their i have my 2008 fiat 500 which has factory 16" multispoke rims. Would like to change the color of them or go for a whole different set-up... Need your pics or brands which you recommend. i was going for somethng like rotiform, avante garde rims.... also spacers whos used them, any issues running them??

Thanks julian

Well it depends entirely on what style you're after!

Something sport-esque?





Something with some swag concave always looks good. It's normally nice and wide so you won't even need spacers necessarily!

Maybe something retro/euro? These are mine, I love them so I'm biased!





Justin's baby Abarth <3



If you have a style in mind I've love to see what you come up with! Avant Garde make some beautiful wheels. Just remember PCD might limit your choice unless you use wobble bolts or adapters or something!

badWoG JuELz 500 said:

also spacers whos used them, any issues running them??

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I've had the odd car briefly on spacers, but they're not legal for street use in AU, even if they're DOT/ TUV approved (unless factory fitted).

UFI said:

I've had the odd car briefly on spacers, but they're not legal for street use in AU, even if they're DOT/ TUV approved (unless factory fitted).

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AFAIK legal in the UK providing the wheel doesn't protrude beyond the part of the wing that forms the mudguard. Probably seen as a declarable mod by most insurers.

badWoG JuELz 500 said:

any issues running them

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Expect shorter life from the suspension parts, particularly wheel bearings, as they'll magnify the effect of any out-of balance forces acting on the wheel (and there are always some, however carefully you balance them). On the 500, I wouldn't expect they'd help with the life expectancy of the notoriously weak lower balljoints, which since Fiat chose to make them integral with the wishbones, are a pain to fit and much more expensive than they would otherwise be.

You could say the same about most any car, really - accelerated suspension wear is just a natural consequence of fitting larger, heavier wheels, though not everyone takes the cost of this into their calculations.

I remember the day when wheel spacers were extremely fashionable on the original Mini; you needed wheel arch extensions (later factory cars had them as standard as there's no real scope for fitting wider wheels otherwise), and bearing failures were commonplace.

Just as a little addition r.e. spacers, unless you're fitting wide arches, you won't likely need them. My wheels are an inch or so wider than stock, and sit beautifully flush with the bodywork. Spacers would just make them stick out silly amounts!


My understanding was 30mm protrusion from the bodywork of the car. This may be wrong. And also something to do with the tread of the tire not protruding (which is why stretched tires and camber are a big deal).

Noxide said:

My understanding was 30mm protrusion from the bodywork of the car. This may be wrong. And also something to do with the tread of the tire not protruding (which is why stretched tires and camber are a big deal).

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The relevant legislation is The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986:

Wings

63.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (4), this regulation applies to—

(a)invalid carriages;

(b)heavy motor cars, motor cars and motor cycles, not being agricultural motor vehicles or pedestrian-controlled vehicles;

(c)agricultural motor vehicles driven at more than 20 mph; and

(d)trailers.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (5), every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks.

(3) The requirements specified in paragraph (2) apply, in the case of a trailer with more than two wheels, only in respect of the rearmost two wheels.

(4) Those requirements do not apply in respect of—

(a)a works truck;

(b)a living van;

(c)a water cart;

(d)an agricultural trailer drawn by a motor vehicle which is not driven at a speed in excess of 20 mph;

(e)an agricultural trailed appliance;

(f)an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor;

(g)a broken down vehicle;

(h)a heavy motor car, motor car or trailer in an unfinished condition which is proceeding to a workshop for completion;

(i)a trailer used for or in connection with the carriage of round timber and the rear wheels of any heavy motor car or motor car drawing a semi-trailer so used; or

(j)a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle the maximum speed of which is restricted to 20 mph or less under Schedule 6 to the 1984 Act.

(5) Instead of complying with paragraph (2) a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 78/549.

This wording clearly leaves some scope for confusion, but I'd say that if any part of the tread protrudes beyond the wings, then you could be committing an offence. If the police decided to press this, the final decision would be down to the judgment of a Court. In practice, I'd expect you'd just be given a VDRS Notice & told to get it sorted within 14 days.

In the strict legal sense, fitting any tyre and wheel combination which caused the car to produce more spray than when it was homologated could be deemed an offence under S.63(2), but I'm not aware of any relevant case law on this. In the real world, the most important consideration is probably whether or not your intended modification will still pass an MOT, and at least to some extent, that's down to the discretion of the tester on the day.

Significantly stretched tyres are a separate issue and will most likely fall foul of the relevant tyre legislation.

Ok, so if i was to use the rims i have now with spacers is that a good thing or will it affect other driveline parts??

badWoG JuELz 500 said:

Ok, so if i was to use the rims i have now with spacers is that a good thing or will it affect other driveline parts??

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I would imagine it would have some impact. Whether this is actually noticeable would depend on how the size of the change, etc.
Although I reckon wider wheels/track mean the car will follow bumps/recenter steering wheel better.

Remember it'll probably have to be declared to your insurance though

You'll get a pretty stance though. Can't see any other real benefits (someone else will know more!)

jrkitching said:

AFAIK legal in the UK providing the wheel doesn't protrude beyond the part of the wing that forms the mudguard. Probably seen as a declarable mod by most insurers.

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Always pays to check the flag under the users name when replying

UFI said:

Always pays to check the flag under the users name when replying

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If you use the app like many of us do you get no such flag.

badWoG JuELz 500 said:

Ok, so if i was to use the rims i have now with spacers is that a good thing or will it affect other driveline parts??

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I think UFI did say spacers are not allowed in AUS on the roads.

Essentially all spacers do is alter the offset of the wheel. If you fitted different wheels with a different offset the forces on the suspension and drive components would be the same. The size and weight of the wheel will also have an impact, grande puntos are particularly prone to gearbox problems and bigger wheels accelerate the failure point of the gear box.

The best way to deal with this is to buy a appropriate wheel with the correct offset, if you have to go down the spacer route then make sure it's done properly with longer/stronger bolts if needed and keep it legal for your country

ok no worries, i think ill just go for some abarth rims or custom made rims with offset i require...