Downgrading wheel and tyre size

aeroblade

I personally wouldn't bother with the hassle, there is hardly a difference between your existing wheel size and the ones you wish to move to. 1 inch and at best 10mm width difference?


Leave your existing wheels and just change the tyres.

Strider590

bigjl wrote: »

The tyre size for 16" wheels is likely listed in the Handbook.

I doubt you need to tell the Insurance company as you are not modifying the car, the caveat being you fit Ford Focus 16" wheels.

I reckon the size you want will be 205/55/16 or 215/55/16 both are pretty common.

A set of four in a decent make will likely be nearly the same price as the 205/50/17

Add in the cost of the wheels and I can't see the point,

I agree, except for one thing............. Ride quality will be better on the 16s, less crashy and with have less unsprung weight because rubber basically weighs less than metal.

FreddieFrugal

bigjl wrote: »

Add in the cost of the wheels and I can't see the point,

Its because the cost of this is about the same or less than the cost of r17s alone. £90 vs £60 per wheel. It's at a time when I need to replace all 4 anyway. The ride comfort will in theory improve and most importantly any future tyre changes will be significantly cheaper.

So it would be pointless not to really from a moneysaving perspective.

DominicH

bigjl wrote: »

A set of four in a decent make will likely be nearly the same price as the 205/50/17

Add in the cost of the wheels and I can't see the point,

The OP addressed all that. Decent 205/50/17s are indeed about £30 more, or £120 per set. E.g. Goodyear EfficientGrip £92 vs £60, fitted.

[edit: beaten to it]

dannyrst

Just one thing, why did you buy a car if you aren't content with the comfort?

FreddieFrugal

dannyrst wrote: »

Just one thing, why did you buy a car if you aren't content with the comfort?

It's a comfortable car already. That isn't really a concern just a secondary benefit pointed out by others.

This is purely a cost saving venture

molerat

First go here, http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleSelection.do select vehicle, bung in reg and see what wheels were fitted as standard. Some insurers are picky and may make a point about you modifying the car. Both my cars are showing wheel style and tyre size from the factory.

aeroblade

Please explain how this is a cost saving venture? Are you planning on buying second hand alloys and selling off your existing ones?

To me it's all a waste of time and not worth the hassle. There is hardly any real world savings. What if the alloys you replace them with is slightly buckled and so leaks pressure slowly?

DominicH

aeroblade wrote: »

Please explain how this is a cost saving venture? Are you planning on buying second hand alloys and selling off your existing ones?

Once again, that is all addressed in the OP. Presumably the OP envisages changing the tyres at least once more during his ownership of the car, thereby saving at least £100 + sale value of current wheels in total. Any subsequent tyre change would be another £120.

What bearing the fact that you wouldn't bother doing it yourself will have on the OP's decision, I couldn't say, but I'm guessing "none whatsoever".

Minrich

Johno100 wrote: »

Wow, you get through cars quicker than some of my mates get through girlfriends and that's saying something.:D

I still have 3 of them and i'm 52 so hardly alot tbh