General That Extra Inch

[rickstie]

The Fiat Configurator is tempting me into spending money...

I'm tempted to go for 16 inch alloys on a 500 mainly for aesthetic purposes as opposed to standard 15 inch on a 1.2 Sport. How will that extra inch effect handling; safety and replacement tyre costs?

I'm aiming for a nice looking car but don't want to spend too much money if it adversely affects the ride and ends up costing too much over the years.

Someone please tell me they massively improve grip, that way I can legitimise the purchase on the grounds of safety

 

[Ulpian]

Sorry, some people (me) think the smaller wheels suit the car better, and they definitely provide a slightly better ride. As to safety, who are we kidding here

 

[JimMagill]

You don't really buy a 500 for the ride anyway so stick on what you want, lol!

Jim

 

[rallycinq]

Apparently an extra inch is the difference between 'ooooo' and 'aaaah'

Cheers

Gormless Cretin

 

[Nuova500]

I went with the standard 15s, as I didnt really like any of the options... thinking Ill get some wheels after I get the car. However, it now seems I just cant find any rims with the right pitch for the 500 without using wobbly bodgy bolts So, my advice is go with what you like the most.

 

[yoshi]

We have 16" o spoke alloys on our sport and would say that they 1st of all look awesome & are also fairly easy to clean! BUT they do slighty make the ride slightly firmer. But who cares when they look this good......

Yoshi

 

[cjay]

I went for the 16's as well, they look great

 

[RobW]

having driven a Sport on 15"s and 16"s I will be staying with the 15"s, and fitting Eibachs

the 16"s do fill the arches better but from my experience you do lose some of the 'fun' factor and agility in the handling

 

[Nuova500]

Hello Rob, you getting a 500 then mate? See you about, Barry... ex clubcento

 

[306maxi]

Sorry, some people (me) think the smaller wheels suit the car better, and they definitely provide a slightly better ride. As to safety, who are we kidding here

I agree. You've got to weigh up how much time you're going to spend looking at the car vs how much time you're going to spend driving the thing.

 

[white 500]

red and white cars are 16" yellow and blue are 15"

 

[yoshi]

I agree. You've got to weigh up how much time you're going to spend looking at the car vs how much time you're going to spend driving the thing.

so far i would say mmmmmm...........about the same

Yoshi

 

[white 500]

its all about the look, you wouldn't wear a vivienne westwood dress with some nike trainers
you need the jimmy choos to match

the 500 is a style statement treat it like one

 

[RobW]

Hello Rob, you getting a 500 then mate? See you about, Barry... ex clubcento

Hi Barry!

Yes I have one already - the car that was featured on Fifth Gear
1.4 Sport Black with Red stripe
Loving it
You at Stanford this weekend?