Are there any benefits apart from looking better? I know the disadvantage: increased noise and probably more prone to punctures. But should the car ride better on bigger 16" Atria wheels than the Antares 15" ones? The consensus from the car mags that the smaller wheels are more comfortable. Thks

well my wife has the fabia 2 and i have just ordered a 3 estate, and although the 3 on bigger wheels was slightly noisier I felt that the extra grip was well worth it

Interesting. I didn't know the 16" Atria wheels offered extra grip over the 15" Antares?

I've got 16s on my '3'.

I've driven a '2' on 15s as well and the ride did seem ever so slightly better than with my car - the 16s will be slightly firmer as they are a lower profile tyre.

Didn't really notice much difference in noise. Mind you, after my wife's MINI on 17s with sports suspension and run-flats, anything is quiet for tyre noise!

I guess the only extra 'grip' that the 16s would offer over the 15s would be due to the lower profile giving a shorter sidewall and less flex round bends.