Wheels

The Angry Welshman · 15 Apr 2025 at 22:05

Wheels on my insignia are pretty rusted up and looking poor. They are 17" wheels, would it be ok to switch upto 18" wheels if i do decide to go down the route of getting new ones??

Thanks

shifty_uk · 15 Apr 2025 at 22:08

No issue, bigger wheels means slightly more expensive tyres and reduced ride quality but I doubt you’d notice much between 17 and 18.

The Angry Welshman · 15 Apr 2025 at 22:18

shifty_uk said:
No issue, bigger wheels means slightly more expensive tyres and reduced ride quality but I doubt you’d notice much between 17 and 18.

my tyres are pretty new, so i could just go with 17s and get the tyres swapped over.....

p1RATE · 15 Apr 2025 at 23:08

Tire Size Comparison

Calculate tire diameter from code and compare tire size speedometer differences

www.blocklayer.com

You can use something like this to see what tyre will match or if you are going up in diameter what that might do to your speedo

shifty_uk · 15 Apr 2025 at 23:14

p1RATE said:
Tire Size Comparison

Calculate tire diameter from code and compare tire size speedometer differences

www.blocklayer.com

You can use something like this to see what tyre will match or if you are going up in diameter what that might do to your speedo

Just to be clear, you can upgrade wheel size on a car no issue but you’ll need to purchase new tyres to be compatible with the bigger wheels.

Rroff · 15 Apr 2025 at 23:29

There is usually a range of wheel sizes and tyre profiles suited to the vehicle, sometimes listed on the driver's side door placard - if you change the size too much it will slightly affect the accuracy of the speedometer.

Personally, though it depends on the vehicle, find 18" the sweet spot - 17" gives better ride comfort and is better with larger profile all-season and/or all-terrain tyres if you do much driving off-road or back roads in winter, etc., 18" gives a good compromise between ride comfort and handling, while 19" upwards with lower profile tyres trades ride comfort for handling but also becomes more prone to damage from potholes, etc.

Delta3D · 16 Apr 2025 at 02:50

Assuming you've checked and written off the idea of wheel refurbs?

Might be worth looking to see if 18" wheels were an option on your model. Might be able to pick up a 2nd hand set with tyres already on!

The Angry Welshman · 16 Apr 2025 at 07:04

Delta3D said:
Assuming you've checked and written off the idea of wheel refurbs?

Might be worth looking to see if 18" wheels were an option on your model. Might be able to pick up a 2nd hand set with tyres already on!

Prob going to get these for £524 a set of four including wheel nuts....extra £10 for locking nuts

Armageus · 16 Apr 2025 at 07:16

The Angry Welshman said:
Prob going to get these for £524 a set of four including wheel nuts....extra £10 for locking nuts

Which I assume you'll declare with your insurer given they are aftermarket

Penfold101 · 16 Apr 2025 at 07:45

Insignia’s came with 16” up to 20” alloys - the 2009 to 2015 model anyway. There’ll be thousands of sets on ebay for mucho cheapness without spending a grand on aftermarket’s and then new tyres…

Source: had a 2012 Insignia from brand new for 9 years…

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 16 Apr 2025 at 07:51

Do you want 18s or were you happy with 17s?

You can get your existing refurbished.
You say rusted, are they not alloys?

Technically changing anything away from the spec as supplied is insurance notifiable. Be that different OEM or aftermarket wheels.

Armageus · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:05

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Technically changing anything away from the spec as supplied is insurance notifiable. Be that different OEM or aftermarket wheels.

However if they are OEM option wheels (i.e. ones you could pay extra for when new) it's a much easier argument with the insurer. "They are Vauxhall wheels - how am I supposed to know they aren't the Vauxhall wheels it came with from new?" (Assuming it's a second hand car)

sovietspybob · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:10

I always try and use the smallest wheels possible as the ride is usually notably better on smaller wheels on our roads.

I'd be looking to get a decent genuine insignia 2nd hand set from a breaker, will look better than any cheapo aftermarket ones, no issues with insurance and will probably be stronger and safer too.

If you do get aftermarket ones like you linked above make 1000% sure you've got the correct spigot rings for the wheels to your hubs, they're super important.

Penfold101 · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:25

sovietspybob said:
I always try and use the smallest wheels possible as the ride is usually notably better on smaller wheels on our roads.

I'd be looking to get a decent genuine insignia 2nd hand set from a breaker, will look better than any cheapo aftermarket ones, no issues with insurance and will probably be stronger and safer too.

If you do get aftermarket ones like you linked above make 1000% sure you've got the correct spigot rings for the wheels to your hubs, they're super important.

*laughs in 20” EV tyres with stiff suspension*

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:28

Armageus said:
However if they are OEM option wheels (i.e. ones you could pay extra for when new) it's a much easier argument with the insurer. "They are Vauxhall wheels - how am I supposed to know they aren't the Vauxhall wheels it came with from new?" (Assuming it's a second hand car)

You can which is why I said technically.

However you should always remember that there will be a line in your policy that says something along the lines of "if you are not the original purchaser you should ensure that the vehicle has not been modified away from manufacturers spec and may need to consult an expert"
TLDR; Ins cos have heard the "it was second hand how was I supposed to know these bits were not OEM as supplied" a few million times before

Optional OEm equipment is supposed to be declared as well BTW. Its just very very rarely ever something that will affect premium.
(But it can if they deem it makes the vehicle more stealable for example)

The Angry Welshman · 16 Apr 2025 at 09:36

not sure why the insurers bit is a concern to anyone, im 49 not 9.... i do know that i have to inform my insurers lol

as for refurbing my current ones, they are defo not alloy, they are steel and look terrible. so looking at options and for 500 bucks for a new set, i think thats the better option. That way i dont have to lose my car while the wheels are being refurbed.

jpaul · 16 Apr 2025 at 10:03

if current tyre depth is OK not sure why you wouldn't get same size upgraded oem alloy wheel to transfer them to, rather than an additional £400+ there,
purchasing wheels off of ebay would nonetheless have risk they weren't true/undamaged, so a local refurb company is more reliable source.

The Angry Welshman · 16 Apr 2025 at 10:06

jpaul said:
if current tyre depth is OK not sure why you wouldn't get same size upgraded oem alloy wheel to transfer them to, rather than an additional £400+ there,
purchasing wheels off of ebay would nonetheless have risk they weren't true/undamaged, so a local refurb company is more reliable source.

can you get same oem alloy wheels for £100 then....as the ones i linked to are £520 and the tyres i got are the same size as stated for the wheels.

sovietspybob · 16 Apr 2025 at 10:16

a 20 second look on eBay shows that a full set of 4 alloys for an insignia are around £250

jpaul · 16 Apr 2025 at 10:43

The Angry Welshman said:
can you get same oem alloy wheels for £100 then....as the ones i linked to are £520

ok ( see you were already transferring tyres) ... some legit oem new wheels wheels seem to be £350+delivery , rather than nomark new, or scratched 2nd hand @250

Genuine Vauxhall Insignia A - 17" 7 Spokes Silver Alloy Wheel (7J X 17)

Genuine Vauxhall Insignia A - 17" 7 Spokes Silver Alloy Wheel (7J X 17) - 13351762

vauxhall-accessories.com

[maybe they are not legit company though]