A
Anonymous
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The std 185/55 R15 tyre has a diameter of 586mm. It's an unusual size I am told by Oranguatanus kwicus fitus that one can save £30 a tyre by going for the next size up 195/55 R15. They are happy to sell you these but they don't tell you that these will alter the gearing as diameter for them is 596mm. I've heard you shouldn't alter the diameter of the tyre by more than 8% either way as this is the margin manufacturers use in testing their vehicles.
The other thing to bear in mind is that there is more rubber over the edge of the rim with a wider tyre so might compromise handling or preciseness of the steering if on the front. I find the 185/55 size pretty good and to change it would alter the car's excellent feedback. Ok the tyres are an 'awkward' size, but nevertheless the size that Fiat designed for the cars. A pair will set you back the best part of £140-150 all in. Where as for the 195/55 a pair will about £90-95.
Anyone running this larger size? If the handling's compromised then it ain't much good if you've got to shell out again for 185/55s you should have bought the first time round!
The next size up while maintaining the same gearing on an R15 should be a 205/50 which has a diameter of 587mm. But the std HLX wheels are only 6J???? which would not be wide enough for this tyre and if it was put on the std may result in poor handling as again the tyre would be to wide for the rim. I think you'd need at least a 6 1/2J or 7J wheel to accomodate the 205/50 which may then foul in the wheel arch or against the suspension strut.
I have a full Toyo tyre size and gearing chart if anyone wants diameters.
Any thoughts?
Andybravo
The other thing to bear in mind is that there is more rubber over the edge of the rim with a wider tyre so might compromise handling or preciseness of the steering if on the front. I find the 185/55 size pretty good and to change it would alter the car's excellent feedback. Ok the tyres are an 'awkward' size, but nevertheless the size that Fiat designed for the cars. A pair will set you back the best part of £140-150 all in. Where as for the 195/55 a pair will about £90-95.
Anyone running this larger size? If the handling's compromised then it ain't much good if you've got to shell out again for 185/55s you should have bought the first time round!
The next size up while maintaining the same gearing on an R15 should be a 205/50 which has a diameter of 587mm. But the std HLX wheels are only 6J???? which would not be wide enough for this tyre and if it was put on the std may result in poor handling as again the tyre would be to wide for the rim. I think you'd need at least a 6 1/2J or 7J wheel to accomodate the 205/50 which may then foul in the wheel arch or against the suspension strut.
I have a full Toyo tyre size and gearing chart if anyone wants diameters.
Any thoughts?
Andybravo
