My Fabia is currently equipped with 5Jx14 ET35 rims (57.1mm hole). 

I was wondering if it could take 7jx16 ET 35 rims. I couldn't find any specification as to how much tolerance is allowed.
This would make the rims stick 2.5cm more. It wouldn't bother me, and it seems to me that there is enough space (current wheels are a little bit inside), but I'm not sure if there would be any problems with the brakes or steering. Also, would there be any problems with drum brakes.

 

If those rims would cause problems, what kind of problems would they cause? 

I need somewhat quick answer because I found a quality set at a decent price point. I will adjust the tyre dimensions to fit the car. 

30 minutes ago, DataLog said:

My Fabia is currently equipped with 5Jx14 ET35 rims (57.1mm hole). 

I was wondering if it could take 7jx16 ET 35 rims. I couldn't find any specification as to how much tolerance is allowed.
This would make the rims stick 2.5cm more. It wouldn't bother me, and it seems to me that there is enough space (current wheels are a little bit inside), but I'm not sure if there would be any problems with the brakes or steering. Also, would there be any problems with drum brakes.

 

If those rims would cause problems, what kind of problems would they cause? 

I need somewhat quick answer because I found a quality set at a decent price point. I will adjust the tyre dimensions to fit the car. 

 

5Jx14 ET35 rims with 185/65R14 tyres is a good choice for comfort.

 

Even going to 15" rims would reduce the ride comfort unless you fit oversize tyres such as 185/65R15 or 195/60R15.

 

195/55R15 might be a good compromise and at least keeps the gearing close to standard.

 

If you want bigger wheels, it's best to get a bigger car such as the Octavia. That will take 16" wheels without spoiling the ride as the outside diameter of the tyres is over 1" bigger.

 

 

Edited 27 December, 20205 yr by Carlston

30 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

5Jx14 ET35 rims with 185/65R14 tyres is a good choice for comfort.

 

Even going to 15" rims would reduce the ride comfort unless you fit oversize tyres such as 185/65R15 or 195/60R15.

 

195/55R15 might be a good compromise and at least keeps the gearing close to standard.

 

If you want bigger wheels, it's best to get a bigger car such as the Octavia. That will take 16" wheels without spoiling the ride as the outside diameter of the tyres is over 1" bigger.

 

 

I agree. 
However, my main goal is achieving better handling. Thick and narrow tyre (such as the one I have now) has a lot of flex in cornering. 

 

My current profile is 23.1 inch diameter total (rim + tyre). I have taken measurements and I can go to about 25 inch comfortably. So the thickness will be there, that's not the problem. 

 

My concern is whether wider wheel (7inch) with the same offset (35mm) as stock 5 inch wheel will fit on the brakes. I found that Fabia models also come with 6 inch ET 37 and ET43. 
I'm just not sure if it will fit 7 inch ET35 (because this will cause the rim to stick out by 1 inch).

I am not concerned about the wrong speedometer reading due to overall diameter increase (however it will probably be precisely on point when I increase it). 

If it helps, Mk1 Fabia vRS wheel specs were:

 

205/45R16 82V

6.5Jx16 ET45

5x100

33 minutes ago, DataLog said:

I agree. 
However, my main goal is achieving better handling. Thick and narrow tyre (such as the one I have now) has a lot of flex in cornering. 

 

My current profile is 23.1 inch diameter total (rim + tyre). I have taken measurements and I can go to about 25 inch comfortably. So the thickness will be there, that's not the problem. 

 

My concern is whether wider wheel (7inch) with the same offset (35mm) as stock 5 inch wheel will fit on the brakes. I found that Fabia models also come with 6 inch ET 37 and ET43. 
I'm just not sure if it will fit 7 inch ET35 (because this will cause the rim to stick out by 1 inch).

I am not concerned about the wrong speedometer reading due to overall diameter increase (however it will probably be precisely on point when I increase it). 

 

Fitting heavy oversize 16" wheels that increase the unsprung weight and raise the centre of gravity won't help the handling. 16" tyres are also expensive, so if you try and economise by buying cheap 16" tyres that won't help the handling either.

 

On an old Fabia, you might be better off fitting new good quality shock absorbers.

 

The original Mazda MX5 used 185/60R14 tyres and for good reason.

 

Skoda Fabia ATIC Alloy Rim 6Jx14 ET37

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2008/drive_standart/608/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601040/part_id/2543668/lang/e

 

Steel Rim 6Jx14 ET37

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2008/drive_standart/608/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601010/part_id/2543667/lang/e

 

Michelin CrossClimate 185/60R14 86H XL

https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/crossclimate/185/60/R14/H/86/m?tyre=35184256

 

Fitting 185/60 tyres to 6J rims will give sportier handling than fitting them to 5.5J rims, at the expense of comfort.

I use 195/50/15 on 6J rims, I have a set of 16" VRS rims but the ride was too harsh and the handling skittish in the wet so I stuck with 15".

13 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

Fitting heavy oversize 16" wheels that increase the unsprung weight and raise the centre of gravity won't help the handling. 16" tyres are also expensive, so if you try and economise by buying cheap 16" tyres that won't help the handling either.

 

On an old Fabia, you might be better off fitting new good quality shock absorbers.

 

The original Mazda MX5 used 185/60R14 tyres and for good reason.

 

Skoda Fabia ATIC Alloy Rim 6Jx14 ET37

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2008/drive_standart/608/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601040/part_id/2543668/lang/e

 

Steel Rim 6Jx14 ET37

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2008/drive_standart/608/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601010/part_id/2543667/lang/e

 

Michelin CrossClimate 185/60R14 86H XL

https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/crossclimate/185/60/R14/H/86/m?tyre=35184256

 

Fitting 185/60 tyres to 6J rims will give sportier handling than fitting them to 5.5J rims, at the expense of comfort.

I have adjustable shocks. 

I want to get rid of sidewall flex in the cornering. 

If you are not prepared to listen to others ,then why bother asking the question . fit your wide wheels and shorter sidewalls and all will be good for you.

1 minute ago, challenger said:

If you are not prepared to listen to others ,then why bother asking the question . fit your wide wheels and shorter sidewalls and all will be good for you.

 

He's a new car owner with no previous experience looking for validation and recognition rather than advice, I'm not bothering any more.

When someone asks about fitting bigger rims than the ones they currently have on they hardly need a lecture on why the diameter they have might be best for comfort.

They were not asking about comfort.

Wheels and Lowering clearance - Skoda Fabia Mk I - BRISKODA

1 hour ago, e-Roottoot said:

When someone asks about fitting bigger rims than the ones they currently have on they hardly need a lecture on why the diameter they have might be best for comfort.

They were not asking about comfort.

 

With a 1.2 performance is hardly a consideration either, his other thread is concerned about efficiency, wide tyres will increase drag substantially, reducing performance and efficiency even further as well as making wet grip a serious issue in such a lightweight car.

@sepulchrave You being an ex professional tuner as you tell us surely know not to assume what power someone has with their engine.

 

There are plenty that only care about show without much go. Stylee over function,

the op might want to travel at 100 kph or be it 150 kph in Croatia and not care what the advice is from some in the UK

the question was about the fit.

 

EDIT.

The previous posts on economy have relevance right enough.

A post on modding the car for economy seems like a 'simply clever' idea.

Edited 28 December, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

It's safe to assume that a 1.2 12V engine is effectively unmodifiable, it's built for economy and emissions, you might get 100bhp out of it with custom cams, exhaust and throttle bodies on standalone management but that lot would cost five times the value of the car!

9 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

 

He's a new car owner with no previous experience looking for validation and recognition rather than advice, I'm not bothering any more.

Sorry man, but I am fully aware of the physics behind this, coefficient of inertia and weight distribution. 
This topic has nothing to do with increasing the efficiency of the vehicle. I am looking for a new set of wheels that I will occasionally use for tests. 
I will be buying multiple sets of wheels with different weight distribution characteristics.  

I am not looking for extra power on this engine, and I wasn't asking for it.
I'm a chemist with quite a bit of experience in programming and automatization. I'm new into cars, but I'm not unaware, and I make sure that I search for every bit of information I can find on the topic.
As an addition, I try to ask questions to clarify things that require experience. I wasn't looking for what's optimal, I was looking for what will fit. I am not sure how you managed to misunderstand this topic, and I am very sorry for that. 

This is not my first time doing a project, in house, with limited resources. I can't go into VW and ask them to do testing on their vehicles without any prior knowledge or experience. When I want to do something new, or work for a different company, I acquire new skills on my own and get there. Can't stay in one place for a long time, because my hobby is optimization. And there is only so much you can optimize in a company before it becomes boring. If you feel like I'm wasting your time, don't react to the topic.
Also, don't waste my time with useless information I didn't ask for. You are a type of person who just waits to "punk" someone he thinks is clueless. You will lose all your friends that way.  

7 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

@sepulchrave You being an ex professional tuner as you tell us surely know not to assume what power someone has with their engine.

 

There are plenty that only care about show without much go. Stylee over function,

the op might want to travel at 100 kph or be it 150 kph in Croatia and not care what the advice is from some in the UK

the question was about the fit.

 

EDIT.

The previous posts on economy have relevance right enough.

A post on modding the car for economy seems like a 'simply clever' idea.

Thank you for the support. 

9 hours ago, Wino said:

Wheels and Lowering clearance - Skoda Fabia Mk I - BRISKODA

Thank you, that was actually what I needed.
I'm not sure, but I can assume that Skoda would behave similarly to this Seat. I will be looking for Skoda/VW 6.5 max then. 

Just now, DataLog said:

Thank you, that was actually what I needed.
I'm not sure, but I can assume that Skoda would behave similarly to this Seat. I will be looking for Skoda/VW 6.5 max then. 

Made a mistake, it is Skoda lol

On 27/12/2020 at 23:24, DataLog said:

My current profile is 23.1 inch diameter total (rim + tyre). I have taken measurements and I can go to about 25 inch comfortably. So the thickness will be there, that's not the problem. 

 

It sounds like your current tyre size is 165/70R14 as not only does that size have an outside diameter of 23.1 inches, but it is the standard tyre size for the 5Jx14 ET35 rim.

 

Tyres that have an outside diameter of just under 25 inches include 195/65R15 and 205/55R16. Neither of these two tyre sizes will fit the Fabia MK1. The outside diameter is too big.

 

You will notice in the chart below that 175/65R14 tyres fitted to 5.5J rims and 185/55R15 tyres fitted to 6J rims are listed as possible alternative sizes. These two tyre sizes form a group of three. The other being 195/45R16 fitted to a 6.5J rim. This low profile tyre shouldn't even be legal, as the jarring you will get through your spine could cause long term health problems. Also, expect any passengers to complain about the very hard and uncomfortable ride.

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 is a common rim size that has been fitted to various VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda group cars including the Golf MK4 and will also fit the Fabia.

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 Steel Rims

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2002-266/6/601-601010/

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 Alloy Rims

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2002-266/6/601-601055/

Skoda Fabia 2005 1.2i 12V

– Generation: Mk1 6Y [1999 .. 2007] [EUDM]   

– Power: 63 hp | 47 kW | 64 PS 

– Engine: I3, Petrol

– Center Bore: 57.1 mm 

– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts 

– Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 

– Trim Production: [2003 .. 2007]

Tire	Rim	PCD
165/70R14 81T	5Jx14 ET35	5x100	2.4
185/60R14 81T	6Jx14 ET37	5x100	2.3 / 2.4
195/50R15 81T	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3
175/65R14 81T	5.5Jx14 ET38	5x100	2.3 / 2.4
185/55R15 81T	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3
195/50R15 82H	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/fabia/2005/

 

Edited 29 December, 20205 yr by Carlston

On 29/12/2020 at 04:57, Carlston said:

 

It sounds like your current tyre size is 165/70R14 as not only does that size have an outside diameter of 23.1 inches, but it is the standard tyre size for the 5Jx14 ET35 rim.

 

Tyres that have an outside diameter of just under 25 inches include 195/65R15 and 205/55R16. Neither of these two tyre sizes will fit the Fabia MK1. The outside diameter is too big.

 

You will notice in the chart below that 175/65R14 tyres fitted to 5.5J rims and 185/55R15 tyres fitted to 6J rims are listed as possible alternative sizes. These two tyre sizes form a group of three. The other being 195/45R16 fitted to a 6.5J rim. This low profile tyre shouldn't even be legal, as the jarring you will get through your spine could cause long term health problems. Also, expect any passengers to complain about the very hard and uncomfortable ride.

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 is a common rim size that has been fitted to various VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda group cars including the Golf MK4 and will also fit the Fabia.

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 Steel Rims

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2002-266/6/601-601010/

 

6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 Alloy Rims

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2002-266/6/601-601055/

Skoda Fabia 2005 1.2i 12V

– Generation: Mk1 6Y [1999 .. 2007] [EUDM]   

– Power: 63 hp | 47 kW | 64 PS 

– Engine: I3, Petrol

– Center Bore: 57.1 mm 

– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts 

– Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 

– Trim Production: [2003 .. 2007]

Tire	Rim	PCD
165/70R14 81T	5Jx14 ET35	5x100	2.4
185/60R14 81T	6Jx14 ET37	5x100	2.3 / 2.4
195/50R15 81T	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3
175/65R14 81T	5.5Jx14 ET38	5x100	2.3 / 2.4
185/55R15 81T	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3
195/50R15 82H	6Jx15 ET43	5x100	2.2 / 2.3

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/fabia/2005/

 

Thanx!

I have already used this chart and that's how I calculated that the rim I want to buy will stick out by 1 inch (based on et number and width). I am not planning to go with ultra thin sidewall, as I will convert it to new dimensions accordingly and make it as thick as 165/70. With higher width, the thickness as a number can be less and remain the same because number 70 is percentage of number 165.

10 hours ago, DataLog said:

Thanx!

I have already used this chart and that's how I calculated that the rim I want to buy will stick out by 1 inch (based on et number and width). I am not planning to go with ultra thin sidewall, as I will convert it to new dimensions accordingly and make it as thick as 165/70. With higher width, the thickness as a number can be less and remain the same because number 70 is percentage of number 165.

 

If you want to experiment, you might want to try 185/60R14 fitted to your current 5Jx14 ET35 rims. Then afterwards, you could try fitting them to wider 6Jx14 ET37 or ET38 rims. The wider rims would sharpen the steering feel because the rim won't move about so much inside the tyre while cornering. The downside though to fitting tyres to wider rims, is that it makes the ride harder. So it's a balance only you can decide.

 

One driver on here was surprised at how good the handling was when they went down from a 225/50R17 tyre on a 7J rim to a 215/60R16 tyre on a 7J rim. It didn't surprise me, as a 215/60R16 tyre on a relatively wide 7J rim is still a high performance combination. However, I would have fitted the 215/60 size to a narrower 6J or 6.5J rim for the extra comfort.

 

Edited 30 December, 20205 yr by Carlston