Get some nice Wolfrace multifits from Halfords, pretty cheap and they look bangin'.
Actually not that bad at all, the black ones they do. Might be a winner.
Get some nice Wolfrace multifits from Halfords, pretty cheap and they look bangin'.
MOT requires the bodywork to be the outer part of the car. wider tyres (and wrong offset) can cause the edge of the tyres to sit outside the bodywork (even if it doesn't rub when driving) and thus be a MOT fail. Even if they're not outside the car, tyres that sit close to the bodywork can rub against the arches when the suspension flexes, so you might need to roll the arches to make more space...
The speedo works on the fitted wheel (alloy + tyre) diameter. Its a MOT fail if the speedo reads less than the real speed and more than 10% (i think) over. So, when changing alloy you need to pay attention to the profile (the 2nd number) to ensure the total wheel diameter is v similar, and certainly not much bigger, which could cause it to under-read.
Yup - bigger alloys cost more and require lower profile tyres, which also cost more. You also have heavier wheels which arguably reduce performance, and the lower the tyre profile the harsher the ride (less air in the tyres to act as compliance) and more risk of curbing the alloy (more exposed and closer to the curbs). But... the smaller the alloy, and bigger tyre profile, the more tyre flex and less handling and manoeuvrability.
Generally, car designers choose a good alloy/tyre for the car they've designed... Family car will have bigger profile to make the ride smother and a sports car will be less to get better handling at the expense of ride quality. The designers are paid good money and spend even more money on research and testing - so you have to accept there might be a reason why the car is fitted with a size of alloy v v different to what you think it should have.
tyres that sit close to the bodywork can rub against the arches when the suspension flexes
If you do get aftermarket alloys make sure you get some spigot rings for them, they adapt the centre bore of the alloy wheel to fit snugly on to the hub. Without them you put all the stress on the wheel bolts which aren't really designed to support the weight of the vehicle, they're there to hold the wheel tight on to the hub.
Going to see the car on Saturday, in all honestly provided I dont spot anything obviously wrong with it, I'll probably buy it.
So, I found these alloys:
https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/ats/emotion/black/17-inch/volvo/s60/2nd-gen
The fittings should match exactly, although the standard rim size is 7" wide, this is 7.5" wide, everything else matches exactly including the offset (the website says 32 - 55) the volvo is 50, so I guess they inlcude spacers?
The only thing I dont know is with regards to this :
How would you find that out? I definately do not want them putting the weight on the wheels bolts.
The tyre size will be almost identical after also, changes a 205/60/16 to a 215/50/17 - this throws the speedo out by like .5 mph at 70mph, I can definately live with that, in my experience car speedos arn't that accurate anyway. Other than that, yes they are half an inch (10mm at the tyre) wider, but I suspect I'll get away with that, I'll eyeball the clearance with the stock wheels, but 10mm your talking 5mm each side, pretty tiny amount.
Waht do you guys think?
well if you stick third party alloys on it. it is a modification. if you don't declare them you don't have valid insurance.
it doesn't sound like you have a clue tbh
Wouldn't it be cheaper and less hassle just to buy a T4 in the first place?
Anyone familiar with Alutec?
https://m.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/alutec/raptr/matt-black/18-inch/volvo/s60/2nd-gen
The ATS ones I was looking at have a silver trim around which I dont like.
Also think I'll be brave and go for 18".
It's funny cus the sidewall figure on a tyre is actually a percentage of the width.
So the Mrs Fiesta actually has pretty low profile tyres on the stock rims, her tyres are 195/50/15, but, the physical sidewall amount measured is almost bang on 3"
Where as the physical sidewall amount of the 18" proposed Volvo wheels would be 3.7" or 4.2" on the 17"s. So although the side profile is lower as a percentage because the wheel is bigger the physical amount doesn't reduce in scale with that sidewall figure.
Man I'm learning so much.
I've posted on the Volvo forum also to see if anyone has run an 18" specifically on an S60.
I'm not gonna lie the larger wheel appeals but.. not if you get to the point of detriment to your suspension and risking damage to your rims.