Panda Panda 4x4 Newbie

[4 x 4]

Hi to all at Fiat Forum,

Have read stuff on here for some time and have eventually got round to joining in. Am hoping that some one has worked out from experience what i am about to ask. Have a 2009 panda 4x4 cross with original tyres that have seen better days. Still legal but will be close to failing an MOT next month and with the weather about to change it is sensible to put brand new on and get some proper grip. The the existing 175/65 R15 continental tyres come very close to the wheel arches allready. Would like to go wider tyres on the same wheels if that was possible without scraping the arches. The only reason is for a fatter more chunky look. Not over concerned about MPG as do very little miles, its only done 15,000. If this was a no no could I put spacers on to widen the footprint or would this also cause problems with the front arches when turning? Any experiences you could share would be much appreciated as a mistake here is likely to be an expesive one which i would rather avoid.
Many Thanks

 

[AB100]

Hi to all at Fiat Forum,

Have read stuff on here for some time and have eventually got round to joining in. Am hoping that some one has worked out from experience what i am about to ask. Have a 2009 panda 4x4 cross with original tyres that have seen better days. Still legal but will be close to failing an MOT next month and with the weather about to change it is sensible to put brand new on and get some proper grip. The the existing 175/65 R15 continental tyres come very close to the wheel arches allready. Would like to go wider tyres on the same wheels if that was possible without scraping the arches. The only reason is for a fatter more chunky look. Not over concerned about MPG as do very little miles, its only done 15,000. If this was a no no could I put spacers on to widen the footprint or would this also cause problems with the front arches when turning? Any experiences you could share would be much appreciated as a mistake here is likely to be an expesive one which i would rather avoid.
Many Thanks

Are you talking about the width of the tyre or the rolling circumference?


I am sure the Cross has a larger offset than the 100hp wheels ET40 is it, versus ET30 (i.e. the inner rim is closer to the centre of the car).


Spacers would reduce the offset I guess, as would old Punto wheels which are ET35 and 6x15.

 

[4 x 4]

Hi to all at Fiat Forum,

Have read stuff on here for some time and have eventually got round to joining in. Am hoping that some one has worked out from experience what i am about to ask. Have a 2009 panda 4x4 cross with original tyres that have seen better days. Still legal but will be close to failing an MOT next month and with the weather about to change it is sensible to put brand new on and get some proper grip. The the existing 175/65 R15 continental tyres come very close to the wheel arches allready. Would like to go wider tyres on the same wheels if that was possible without scraping the arches. The only reason is for a fatter more chunky look. Not over concerned about MPG as do very little miles, its only done 15,000. If this was a no no could I put spacers on to widen the footprint or would this also cause problems with the front arches when turning? Any experiences you could share would be much appreciated as a mistake here is likely to be an expesive one which i would rather avoid.
Many Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Was looking for width of tyre only. The fattest that would go on there without peeling off the rim when cornering or rubbing on the wheel arches when turning. Must be someone who has done this already. Just want to change the tyres and not the wheels.

 

[AB100]

Thanks for the reply. Was looking for width of tyre only. The fattest that would go on there without peeling off the rim when cornering or rubbing on the wheel arches when turning. Must be someone who has done this already. Just want to change the tyres and not the wheels.

Right. This has come up a lot. As I said, I have the 1.2 Panda which normally has: 5x14 wheels offset 38mm 165/65-14 tyresI've just put different wheels/tyres on:6x15 wheelsoffset 35mm195/50-15 tyresSo......the inner wheel rim is 9mm closer to the car centre and the tyre edge is probably 12mm closer. No rubbing at all. Surprised me.I think from an old thread that your Cross wheels are:6x15offset 24mmIn other words, the inner rims are far greater distance from the car than the 100hp and the 1.2 models. You'd therefore expect to be able to but a much wider tyre on.Remember though, if you go wider, you should go lower in profile to try and keep the same rolling circumference.

 

[4 x 4]

Right. This has come up a lot. As I said, I have the 1.2 Panda which normally has: 5x14 wheels offset 38mm 165/65-14 tyresI've just put different wheels/tyres on:6x15 wheelsoffset 35mm195/50-15 tyresSo......the inner wheel rim is 9mm closer to the car centre and the tyre edge is probably 12mm closer. No rubbing at all. Surprised me.I think from an old thread that your Cross wheels are:6x15offset 24mmIn other words, the inner rims are far greater distance from the car than the 100hp and the 1.2 models. You'd therefore expect to be able to but a much wider tyre on.Remember though, if you go wider, you should go lower in profile to try and keep the same rolling circumference.

Your right! The original alloys have number 2288 and then under that 6J X 15H2-24 embossed into the inside of the wheel. So the existing tyres are 175/65's has anybody put a 205 or 225/65 on a 4x4 Panda cross and found it to be safe and reliable on the standard wheels as above. Would be reluctant to lower the tyre profile for as you point out rolling circumference, as the ground hieght is one of its best qualitys making it very much easier to get in and out. Would however dropping the hieght of the tyre allow for a wider tyre in the arches as the circumference is now smaller?
Could always just put Vredestein Snowtrac 3's 175/65 and keep the same. This is a chance to be different, a chance to improve and butch up this 2009 4x4 Panda cross a bit and add a little better stability at the same time. Was hoping for some one to say "yes! I also have a 2009 Panda Cross diesel 4x4 and have fitted 205/65 on the original alloys with no rubbing better cornering and great looks" And not to here the tyres now rub on the arches when parking, frequently get flats and the power steering has failed under the added stress. But hey it looks great!
All comments and opinions are welcome and I very much appreciate your knowledge and time.
Thank you.

 

[Goudrons]

I think AB100 might be trying to suggest keeping the tyres height the same or very near.

To do this on a wider tyre, the profile number needs to be smaller.

A 165/50/14 tyre works out like this:
165mm wide,
50 is 50% of the 165mm (82.5mm) profile.
14 is the rim size in inches.

Where a 205/50/14 is 205mm wide, 50% is 102.5mm profile, a much taller profile.

To widen the tyre and keep the same profile a 205/40/14 would have a 82mm profile. (40% of 205mm is 82mm)

So the wider you go, the lower profile % you need to keep the rolling circumference the same/similar.

 

[AB100]

I think AB100 might be trying to suggest keeping the tyres height the same or very near.

To do this on a wider tyre, the profile number needs to be smaller.

A 165/50/14 tyre works out like this:
165mm wide,
50 is 50% of the 165mm (82.5mm) profile.
14 is the rim size in inches.

Where a 205/50/14 is 205mm wide, 50% is 102.5mm profile, a much taller profile.

To widen the tyre and keep the same profile a 205/40/14 would have a 82mm profile. (40% of 205mm is 82mm)

So the wider you go, the lower profile % you need to keep the rolling circumference the same/similar.

Exactly.........


My 1.2 Panda went from 165/65-14 to 195/50-15 so the rolling circumference (or overall diameter) is similar.


The wider you go, the lower the profile you need - BUT, the tyre will be of similar 'thickness'.


Also bear in mind the limits of your existing Cross wheels - a 225mm tyre would be pushing it on a 6inch rim.

 

[chopsuk]

In answer to the question about fitting wider rubber, on a '15 Cross I had a 195/65 R15 (fitted in error), which rubbed the arch when close to RH lock, but 185/65 R15 (the standard tyres) don't - 1952mm circumference, but at 195 wide, only 10mm more, it was just slightly too wide for the arch.

 

[johnbushell]

Fiat know best, stick to the standard size tyres.