Hello All,

New-be to this site.

We have a 1.2 Fabia 5 door, on an 57 plate

We are having some fun making it look "Bling":

- Metal Flake white Shelby stripes, on a black car

- Black painted grill cover and surround

Pictures will follow

We also plan to smoke the light cluster covers and black out the side and back windows.

however, next on the list of things to do, is:

New Wheels

We want to change the wheels from the standard alloy five spokes for some multi spoke jobs. The question is:

What size wheel is the best?

- Standard 15"

- 16" with semi low profiles

- 17" with elastic band thick tyres

My instinct says that the 16" will give the combinations of; looks, ride comfort, slightly improved handling. However, I'm looking to see if other have any experience in this field.

I'd also be interested to hear views of tyre makes. I'm looking for grip and low road noise. I'd rather pay more for good handling and a quiet ride than get a million miles before going back to the tyre centre.

Looking forward to hearing view and opinions

With thanks in Advance

Jillian & Richard

Hello All,

New-be to this site.

We have a 1.2 Fabia 5 door, on an 57 plate

We are having some fun making it look "Bling":

- Metal Flake white Shelby stripes, on a black car

- Black painted grill cover and surround

Pictures will follow

We also plan to smoke the light cluster covers and black out the side and back windows.

however, next on the list of things to do, is:

New Wheels

We want to change the wheels from the standard alloy five spokes for some multi spoke jobs. The question is:

What size wheel is the best?

- Standard 15"

- 16" with semi low profiles

- 17" with elastic band thick tyres

My instinct says that the 16" will give the combinations of; looks, ride comfort, slightly improved handling. However, I'm looking to see if other have any experience in this field.

I'd also be interested to hear views of tyre makes. I'm looking for grip and low road noise. I'd rather pay more for good handling and a quiet ride than get a million miles before going back to the tyre centre.

Looking forward to hearing view and opinions

With thanks in Advance

Jillian & Richard

If you give me your standard size, I'll run it through a tyre size calculator if you like, and see just how "rubber band" they may be..... but as an offhand guess, I'd probably go for 16's if you are on standard 15's.

16s will probs be best all round. But just for looks definatly 17s

Hello Shark Rider,

Thank you for the offer. I need to learn what a tyre size calculator is.

Meanwhile, the numbers on the side of the big bits of black rubber say 195-55-15. I guess this is what you mean by "Standard Size".

Thanks in advance

Jillian and Richard

Hello Shark Rider,

Thank you for the offer. I need to learn what a tyre size calculator is.

Meanwhile, the numbers on the side of the big bits of black rubber say 195-55-15. I guess this is what you mean by "Standard Size".

Thanks in advance

Jillian and Richard

just typre 'tyre siza calculator into google...

195/55/15's would probably best equate to 205/45/16 which is just a 0.84% difference in roliing radius, and they say anything up to about 2.5% is fine... 0.84% is 5mm less RR, that will still give you comfort and handling, its the same size as the mark I vRS.

if you went to 17's it would be 205/40/17's (exactly the same RR as 195/55/15) and these are the same size as on mine (mark II vRS) and the sidewall is very small, gives sharp turn in , but no give in the tyre sidewall...

Hello All,

Thank you for the advice and guidance, We are now the proud owners of as set of:

http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/17_Inch_Wolfrace_Nitework_Alloy_Wheels__2216

We were only a few miles from their shop on a family trip, so called in, and were able to a very nice discount, without even asking. Falken tyres were fitted while we waited, and coffee was served to help the wait go by. I was suitably impressed with their service.

The looks are defiantly improved, as is the handling, all-be-it at the cost of some very slightly increased road noise.

Photos will appear when we get a chance, and learn how to post them.

The old standard issue wheels will be fitted with snow/winter tyres, ready for the worst of the Welsh weather, but that will have to wait until there are a few more pennies in the piggy bank.

Thanks for the advice again,

Jillian and Richard

Edited 1 July, 201115 yr by M15 Jll