Hello,

Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member and ask a technical question if possible please?

I have a 2008 Panda 1.1 - It has standard 13 inch steel wheels with 155/80 R13 tyres.

I was thinking of buying a set of used Panda alloys and fitting them, but I notice that they're 14inch. Usually 165/65 R14 tyres.

Am I right in thinking that this will change the overall rolling circumference and if so, will this effect the performance or fuel economy of the car?

I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers

Sean

crazyleg said:

Hello,

Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member and ask a technical question if possible please?

I have a 2008 Panda 1.1 - It has standard 13 inch steel wheels with 155/80 R13 tyres.

I was thinking of buying a set of used Panda alloys and fitting them, but I notice that they're 14inch. Usually 165/65 R14 tyres.

Am I right in thinking that this will change the overall rolling circumference and if so, will this effect the performance or fuel economy of the car?

I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers

Sean

Click to expand...

There's an online converter somewhere that's give you exact but the rolling circumference will be around the same. The more rubber you have the lower the economy (and marginally greater noise, though the mirrors are the main noise nuisances).

Many on here are happy with the narrow 155 tyres and will offer suggestions. Personally I'm in the 'more grip' camp and so my standard Panda 14 inch alloys wear 185/60-14 tyres.

More opinions will follow but you will find some happy ground.

Really appreciate that, thanks, I'll have a look for that converter table online.

crazyleg said:

Hello,

Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member and ask a technical question if possible please?

I have a 2008 Panda 1.1 - It has standard 13 inch steel wheels with 155/80 R13 tyres.

I was thinking of buying a set of used Panda alloys and fitting them, but I notice that they're 14inch. Usually 165/65 R14 tyres.

Am I right in thinking that this will change the overall rolling circumference and if so, will this effect the performance or fuel economy of the car?

I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers

Sean

Click to expand...

Hello and welcome.

An online tyre size comparator is here.

The OEM 155/80x13 setup was designed to maximise economy. Running on larger wheels with wider tyres will reduce both economy and performance, and may also lead to increased wear on the front suspension components (I'm still on the originals after almost 80k miles).

This wheel and tyre combination enabled later 1.1/1.2 Active & Dynamic Pandas to make it into the £30RFL band; contemporaneous Eleganzas with 14" alloys couldn't quite make the cut.

I recently changed the tyres on my 1.2 dynamic Eco and swapped briefly onto 175/65x14's on steel wheels (so I could take just the wheels and not risk the tyre fitters damaging the car). The rolling radius is almost identical, but the car felt like a slug in comparison and I was pleased to get it back onto its proper footwear.

The difference probably won't be huge with 14" alloys, so if you want the look, go for it - but from personal experience, the car does ride noticeably better on its OEM wheels and tyres.

IMO if you are concerned about grip, buy decent tyres rather than wider ones ( I run Michelin E3B's and have never even come close to losing it.)

If you do change the wheels, remember to notify your insurance company.