Will my spare wheels fit a newer Mondeo?

greatgimpo

I have a 2001 Mondeo (255/50 R17) and a spare set of wheels I bought on Ebay. I put a set of snow tyres on these spares and replace all the wheels when the temperature gets to a consistent 0-3ºC. Usually they're on for about 2 months. This has cost me a total of about £1000.

I'm looking at replacing the car with the same, about 2008/9, but keeping the spare set. I found a suitable car for sale on Ebay and put the number plate into a tyre search, and the tyre size came up as either 235/40 R18 or 235/45 R17.

My question is, if my spare wheels physically fit the newer car (also 5 wheelnuts), would it drive ok, and what are the consequences of doing it?

Any help would be sincerely appreciated - I don't want to need to buy another set on top of replacing the car - please don't say I should buy a 4WD or anything else, it won't help.

Iceweasel

The wheels/tyres you have on your current car at 255/50 17 are pretty large.
Are you 100% sure that is the size of them?
Is that the size that is listed on the fitment label on the driver's doorpost?

If it is, then both of the wheel/tyre combinations for the newer Mondeo are considerably smaller in diameter (by around 2") which would make your winter wheels/tyres completely unsuitable.

Even if they were capable of physically being fitted, your speedometer will be reading much too low.

Then there is the legal position, as to whether your insurance company would accept such a non-recommended size modification.

In the event of a claim you are giving them an excuse to throw it out. A 3rd party would be covered but not you.

I have no idea what effect it would have on the handling of the car, but I can't imagine it would be very good.

However - if your winter tyres are 205/50 17 (and the 255 was a typo) then everything is peachy-dandy, hunky-dory, tickety-boo, etc.

Ultrasonic

greatgimpo wrote: »

I put a set of snow tyres on these spares and replace all the wheels when the temperature gets to a consistent 0-3ºC. Usually they're on for about 2 months.

I realise this doesn't help with your question but assuming your 'snow tyres' are standard winter tyres as sold in the UK you would benefit from running these for a longer period each year. Winter tyres offer an advantage at temperatures below 7°C, not just when snow is around. This is due to the use of a rubber compound that remains softer at lower temperatures, unlike summer tyres which get hard and therefore have reduced grip.

forgotmyname

255/50 x 17? You mean 205/50x17 ?

A 255 would be 2 inches taller than a 205.

The stud pattern will be the same for the MK4. If you have 205/50 x 17 then it will be within 6mm of the 235/45 x 17 and 8mm of the 18inch.

Within tolerances.

If you really do have 255 then they will be MILES out.

colino

As the maximum recommended difference is 2.5%, your 255/50 x 17 isn't going to substitute for a 235/45 x 17 as that is a 6.6% difference, a 44 mm drop.

Jag or BMW?

greatgimpo

Sorry everybody, I should have said 205/50 R17 (pilchard). How does this affect the information you've given me?

<<I know, don't say it>>

Iceweasel

greatgimpo wrote: »

Sorry everybody, I should have said 205/50 R17 (pilchard). How does this affect the information you've given me?

<<I know, don't say it>>

So it's the peachy-dandy option then. :j :T

And they all lived happily ever after. :beer:

Move along folks - nothing to see here. :rotfl:

colino

As, sorry, forgot his name, said 6mm difference and less than 1% of a difference so fine.

bigjl

The wheels will likely fit just fine if they clear the front caliper

However you have gone from a mk3 to a mk4 and they take different size tyres.

Your wheels would be dwarfed in the wheelarches of a mk4

I would sell them and buy new or used wheels on ebay and buy some more winters.

A fairly big difference between a 205/50/17 and a 235/45/17

Would you feel safe driving a heavy car with 30mm less grip on each corner?

I wouldn't and i don't think your insurance company woukd be that impressed if you had a bang with these other wheels on.

forgotmyname

6mm difference between a 205/50 and a 235/45. 6mm smaller for the 205.

But it will look a bit skinny. OK for a winter tyre if thats what your fitting.

greatgimpo

Ultrasonic wrote: »

Winter tyres offer an advantage at temperatures below 7°C, not just when snow is around.

The reason I said consistently 0-3ºC is that at 7ºC the temperature will probably fluctuate day-to-day by maybe 3ºC. I was forever changing them over and back again just last spring.

bigjl wrote: »

I would sell them and buy new or used wheels on ebay and buy some more winters.

Seriously considering that option. Otherwise, most likely safe, but maybe only just. Why give them an opportunity for a 'get-out' as the insurance companies love a good wriggle.


Thank you everybody for your valuable opinions.