Downgrading wheel and tyre size

FreddieFrugal

Hello there, my Focus drives on 205 50 R 17s because the pillock who originally bought the car decided it would be a good idea to go for the larger size. however the larger size means much greater cost for tyres.

Front tyres are worn and rear ones have developed a stepped pattern which has made them noisy. Id like to replace them all but it's very pricey. Cost for 4 tyres (Bridgestone/Goodyear) is £360 - £400

Whereas if I had the 16 inch wheels to tyre up it would only cost £240.

Now I've found used ford alloy wheels (used for winter tyres) on places like ebay and gumtree for about £140 for 4. If I changed the wheels and bought the smaller rim tyres then it would only cost me £20 more but mean that subsequent tyre purchases would be cheaper so I'd save a lot of money in the long run. I could Also sell the old alloys to recoup that difference.

Are there any issues with changing the wheel size? Will the car have been changed in any other way apart from the size of the alloy in order to accommodate them? Or would I just be able to swap them over myself? Assuming the wheel nuts are in the same position and the wheels are compatible with my car and engine

TadleyBaggie

Speedo might need adjusting. Also your insurance company would need to be informed of the change.

Iceweasel

17" is not considered large by any manner of means these days.

You need to check that the numbers 'work' when changing wheel size.

What size tyre do you intend fitting to the 16" rims?

What load rating - 91?

What 16" sizes are listed on the tyre info label on the driver's door post?

Then check that your insurance company have no objection to this modification.

colino

Check with your handbook/car plate on what wheel tyre combos are standard. Nothing will need adjusted as going down a wheel inch, or two, you will step up the profile of the tyre to compensate and you'll get a comfort benefit thrown in.

stator

There are tyre size calculators available online that will tell you if it will cause problems with the spedo and odometer.
As long as you go for OEM wheels available for that precise model you should be ok.

FreddieFrugal

Iceweasel wrote: »

17" is not considered large by any manner of means these days.

expensive for this class of car though

Iceweasel

IanRi wrote: »

expensive for this class of car though

You're not telling us which model of Ford Focus though.

Be careful that you don't make your car difficult to resell - as a future buyer may well be put off by smaller wheels - especially if is a top of the range 'sporty' model.

harveybobbles

205 50 17's are a pain. I had them on my Mondeo - they look nice, but were costly to replace compared to other 17 inch tyres.

I'm guessing its got these wheels

FreddieFrugal

harveybobbles wrote: »

205 50 17's are a pain. I had them on my Mondeo - they look nice, but were costly to replace compared to other 17 inch tyres.

I'm guessing its got these wheels

These ones

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ford-17-inch-Y-Design-8-Spoke-Onwards/dp/B0088MSXL0

FreddieFrugal

Iceweasel wrote: »

You're not telling us which model of Ford Focus though.

Be careful that you don't make your car difficult to resell - as a future buyer may well be put off by smaller wheels - especially if is a top of the range 'sporty' model.

It's just standard zetec, only ever seen one other Focus with the same Alloys

It's 59 reg

Rolandtheroadie

Going from 17s to 16s on the OHs car, I found this.

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

Although after I messed about with that, I found the car came with both options from new so it gave me the 16 inch tyre size anyways.