There's a few threads on here of members getting alloys refurbished.
It'll be a lot cheaper than buying new (try a search of the subject)
It'll be a lot cheaper than buying new (try a search of the subject)
Technical Alloy Wheel Upgrade
- Thread starter Scottie909
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Alloy Wheel Upgrade
Scottie909
New member
I'll be honest....I don't really like the ones that are on my car. Was hoping to look for something different.
If that's all it is then why not keep a lookout at your local scrapyard for a set of proper Fiat 17's.
...also keep an eye on eBay
... or even place an add saying you want to pay someone to swap your 16's for their 17's (you might be flush at the moment but there must be many owners keen to take some of your money for just a change of wheels).
Be a darn site cheaper then buying new allows plus you know they're going to fit properly
...also keep an eye on eBay
... or even place an add saying you want to pay someone to swap your 16's for their 17's (you might be flush at the moment but there must be many owners keen to take some of your money for just a change of wheels).
Be a darn site cheaper then buying new allows plus you know they're going to fit properly
wotnowarninglight
Member
To put it simply, you already have alloys that fit perfectly, therefore to fit any wheel that fits imperfectly is a retrograde step (or a downgrade if you prefer)
I second that Argo and agree with Morty's comments re sticking with Alfa/Fiat/Lancia alloys to ensure you get the 4X98 PCD. I have 16vt Coupe alloys on my JTD for that reason, having had problems with aftermarket alloys with hub shims / spigot rings resulting in wheel balancing / vibration issues in the past.
Other issue with aftermarket alloys is that very few are specifically made 4x98PCD, only one I can think of is the Team Dynamics Monza multispoke which is actually 4x98PCD and not 4x100 + wobbly bolts and hub shims - hole in the centre of the wheel to clear the stub axle is often larger to accomodate the widest variety of vehicles, FIAT stub axle bore is one of the smaller ones!Vendors on the net in general seem a bit economical with the truth and will mostly steer you towards 4x100...
Alfa/Fiat/Lancia wheels are fine but you still have to be careful about what you choose! Alfa have moved onto 5 stud now and most of the 4x98 pattern alloys are either too small in diameter or the rim is narrower (164) there are the 155 5 spoke speedlines which are suitable but these are really scarce now and were my first choice. Lancia scarcer and like Alfa often come up smaller or narrower than what is specified for the Stilo (even the Integrale Alloys!) and Fiat leaves you with the Dynamic 16"s, like fitted to me Dads Stilo MW I assume, that you dont like or 17"s in Claws or 5 spoke Blades in original Stilo flavour.
I found it would only appear to be Coupe alloys that are suitable in terms of off set, size, availability & cost. Even though the 16vt's are only 6.5" wide and not 7" as specified for Stilo, 2 sets of tyres on the 16vt Alloys & 11K (1.6) + 36K(JTD) later I can vouch that these are a good choice when fitted with 205/55xWR16's.
I have got the hots for the new Bravo Sporting alloys (Fox Racing R3's are similar) but these are not cheap to come by and the tyres are cost wise more expensive than I would care to pay.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 1,145
- Points
- 229
Interesting you mention these wot, I've got Fox Racing R1's which are 4x98. the only issue i had was that the centre hub is slightly thinner than the Fiat alloys so when i fitted them with the supplied wheel nuts the nuts hit the hub behind and the wheel wouldn't turn.
Got round this by fitting a 3mm made to fit spacer from a guy on here who was selling some he made.
I suppose it could have been the wheel nuts were too long but didnt want to buy a whole set from Fiat.
I had 16" Fiat alloys before and the nuts must be shorter as two of these OE ones sheered off, hence the spacer saga, doh!
Scottie909
New member
Guys,
Again, thank you so much for all the responses. Taking in to account what you have all said I think I will stick with trying to get the correct fitting (4x98) on a 17" alloy. Unfortunatly Argo I don't trust Ebay. Local scrapyard is a good idea, anyone know of one in Oxfordshire?
If I can't find any in a scrapyard, does anyone know if these will work? From my limited understanding (you think I'd of learnt something by now) they look like they have the correct fitting (4x98), just a slightly different offset (ET38) (i think). I'd stick with the 205/40/17 tyres.
Again thanks guys!
Scottie
Again, thank you so much for all the responses. Taking in to account what you have all said I think I will stick with trying to get the correct fitting (4x98) on a 17" alloy. Unfortunatly Argo I don't trust Ebay
. Local scrapyard is a good idea, anyone know of one in Oxfordshire?If I can't find any in a scrapyard, does anyone know if these will work? From my limited understanding (you think I'd of learnt something by now) they look like they have the correct fitting (4x98), just a slightly different offset (ET38) (i think). I'd stick with the 205/40/17 tyres.
Again thanks guys!
Scottie
Have a look at this, it might be of interest to you http://www.partsworld-uk.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_386_792_819
They've got a set of brand new 18" OZ Superturismo's as on the Schui for £350 Plus they've got all of the original Fiat alloys in case you want to go down that route
They've got a set of brand new 18" OZ Superturismo's as on the Schui for £350
Plus they've got all of the original Fiat alloys in case you want to go down that route - Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 1,145
- Points
- 229
ET38 is fine, im sure that's what mine are.
From memory anything up to ET45 will fit but DON'T quote me on that, LOL
From memory anything up to ET45 will fit but DON'T quote me on that, LOL
Scottie909
New member
Have a look at this, it might be of interest to you http://www.partsworld-uk.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_386_792_819
They've got a set of brand new 18" OZ Superturismo's as on the Schui for £350
Nice find! I really like those. Look like they are without tyres tho....nice tho :slayer: good website too! Thanks! Do they only have one set or will they get more if i order them?
Would there be any issues with me putting 18" on? (Its not lowered, hence why i'm looking at bigger wheels)
Think they're the same lot that keep on putting those 18" Schumacher wheels on eBay for around that, sometimes with a "Best Offer" option. One set went for under £300 not too long ago for example.
A Stilo will easily take 18s, even if it gets lowered. The Stilo Schumacher GP has these fitted as standard after all.
Personally, I'm running 16s and though I wouldn't mind some larger alloys, I'm waiting till I lower it till I decide whether an upgrade is on the cards. Would prob go for Fiat alloys as well to save the bother of fitment. Many of the alloys I've seen with the correct PCD have looked awful. In my opinion of course.
I'm actually tempted to get mine refurbed and sprayed a different colour...black or dark met grey perhaps :chin:
Very true. The Schui GP had the 18's as well as the Prodrive suspension pack. I'm not sure how well the 18's will ride with standard suspension but they do look great
I also think I'm going to go down the refurb route. I've got 17" razors on mine and I think they really suit the car. Have you noticed the new Lambo Gallardo LP560 has Razor clones on it? If they look good on a Lambo, then they'll be fine for my Abarth
Mine are just kerbed to buggery by the previous owner
and I've been quoted £250 to shot blast, refurb and powder coat all four in Anthracite. I just need to get around to doing it now 
Depends on alloy width though.
Scottie909
New member
Does anyone know what widths fit what offsets? Like a rough guide or anything?
Cheers,
Scottie
Don't know exactly, but high offset means the wheel will come further towards the centre of the car, hence closer to the chassis and suspension details. So on full lock a wide alloy with deep offset will scrape and be a real destroyer.
Also, all cars have an optimal wheel to wheel width - most likely different OEM setups. With this I mean the length from centre left front wheel to centre right front wheel. This measurement will most likely always differ from the rear axle. It is sometimes (like in Norway) stated in the car's registration papers, and it is not allowed to alter this - at least not make it shorter. It will make the car street illegal. So an offset change will change the car's optimal behavior, if this is not adjusted with wider alloys. Wider is usually better, as it will get the wheight flattened out, but a more narrow lengt will not make the car pass the moose-test. And tilt in the zig-zag avoid move.
Difficult to explain, but it was at least a try. That is why original equipment is most safe... Or at least with the same specs.
Morten.
Also, all cars have an optimal wheel to wheel width - most likely different OEM setups. With this I mean the length from centre left front wheel to centre right front wheel. This measurement will most likely always differ from the rear axle. It is sometimes (like in Norway) stated in the car's registration papers, and it is not allowed to alter this - at least not make it shorter. It will make the car street illegal. So an offset change will change the car's optimal behavior, if this is not adjusted with wider alloys. Wider is usually better, as it will get the wheight flattened out, but a more narrow lengt will not make the car pass the moose-test.
And tilt in the zig-zag avoid move.Difficult to explain, but it was at least a try. That is why original equipment is most safe... Or at least with the same specs.
Morten.