Hi everyone

So hopefully on Wednesday I’ll be picking up this Twinair 500s. I couldn’t afford a new 500s so bought this second hand one with just over 2000 miles on the clock.

However it does have 15” alloys which are simply not big enough. If I go for after market 16” alloys, do I need to do anything else apart from slot them straight on. Spaces and such?

Thanks for your advice in advance.

What's wrong with 15" wheels the car rises better on them then 16"
And overal they will be about the same size when you add the tyres

That being said if the get the correct size like the 16" wheels from a arbarth model they are a stright dit

Beautiful car and close to my favourite colour BMW Estoril Blue we had our MGB painted in when it was built with a new heritage shell.

I agree with Chris......Obviously you will need new tyres to go with the inch bigger wheels and if I can suggest anything it would be look for tyres with 'rim protection'. This is a slightly thicker rubber wall thickness band close to the wheel rim edge. The bigger the wheel the lower profile tyre required and much bigger chance of kerb damage. Great for alloys but no good for steel wheels with hub covers

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/tyres-advices/tyre-with-rim-protection


I am just renewing two new wheels at the front and all our 4 tyres on the 15 inch wheels we have as two tyres are now running low but looking at the scuff marks on the front wheels it is obvious the two new Firestone Roadhawk that have been fitted just do not protect the rims and despite being the correct size tyre the wheel edge actually protrudes out more than the tyre.

Farrah

Hi and welcome. Great choice of colour. Same as my 500S, though I have the 16 inch wheels.

I test drove 500S’ with both the 15 and 16 inch wheels and difference in ride (to me, anyway) was negligible and it just came down to preference.

I wanted a 6 speed and it just so happened to have the bigger wheels [emoji3]

Enjoy your 500S when you get it

This will be my fourth 500 and third S. All had 16” rims and I just think it looks better on the bigger alloys. If I was to buy after market alloys, is there anything I need to look out for? Offset sizes, spaces and such.

Pcd 4x98, Offset is 35 afaik. There should be a good selection available, new or used.

Diameter size of wheels is usually compensated by simply fitting a lower profile tyre. This is the second set of numbers on the side of a tyre wall and currently the standard on a 15 inch wheel is 55. Tyre size 185/55/15 the letter usually then seen after these figures H or V etc relates to the tyre speed rating. One additional number too usually quoted is the tyre weight rating and this is particulary important when searching for tyres for trailers.


Obviously the overall diameter of the wheel has to stay relatively compatible to fit into the body structure but also to show correct speed along the road as per reading on the speedo.

When you get into what is referred to as the width of the wheel this is a J number and again standard is 6J on our models. This figure combined with the offset is critical otherwise you can end up with all kinds of different problems with inner fouling or wheel sticking out further than body and it is not something I ever like messing with and much prefer always using factory model specified wheels or then like a higher model spec wheel ie (Abarth) knowing they are car model structure compatible but still need checking out. This would be my advice and use a Fiat wheel you like in their range and then check it out with the dealer


Moving to aftermarket wheels there are various factors you have to be cautious of and this includes even the wheel bolts/lugs which can vary in length depending on alloy wall mounting thickness and also the shape of the contact where the bolt/nut mates to the wheel surface.

Any spacers/ offset or special wheel bolts required should be provided by the aftermarket supplier who you should ensure is profficient and experienced.

Also if in UK you will probably need to inform your insurance company you have modified the wheels especially if fitting a non standard Fiat aftermarket.

Farrah

Thanks for all your advice.

Today is the last day I have this little beast. I’ve had so much fun with her and a little sad to see her go.

Best experience was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed a couple of years ago. We were directed to park at the top of grass valley near the festival which was fine, however it rained later in the day and turned the valley to mud.

As we left, we passed all these expensive four by fours trying to get out of the valley and we just drove past all the them. How we laughed...

New car looks great. Agreed that 16s look better, I optioned them on the TA Lounge I bought back in 2011. However, the ride was noticeably worse than in a friend's Twinair model with 15s, and indeed my wife's current 500c on the same smaller wheels. The ride on her car was further improved when we fitted all season tyres. We bought Nexens, which don't have rim protection, but the Michelin Cross-Climates I've got on my current Hyundai do.

Lower profile tyres seem to wear more quickly than taller ones and are more expensive to replace, but if their aesthetic merits outweigh all the practical disadvantages, then go for it. Have you looked online for genuine 500 wheels? You may find a good set with decent tyres at a bargain price, and they will fit without you having to mess around with spacers etc.

Couldn't resist a quick look for an example, there are probably better ones out there!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-BY-GUCCI-16-ALLOY-WHEELS-AND-TYRES-/254474357002

So here she is. Took some photo’s above Goodwood.