Hi there

We have had various Fabias and ive just changed my 2009 1.4tdi fab hatch for a 2013 fabia scout 1.2tsi estate.

I love the car except for one thing

The wheels!

The car is running on 16" wheels

They are alloys and look nice but the tyres are 205/45r16 and they feel every bump. Which isn't great on the pot holey roads on Dartmoor.

We do lots of markets and when i load the car there isn't a huge amount of room between the top of the tyre and the bodywork. I used to load up our hatchback with same stuff and never noticed this. Once upon a time we had a Peugeot 306 estate and this seemed to do the same thing. The rear wheels would disappear under the arches and I'd always worry about rubbing against the bodywork

So my question

When i type in my registration onto the car tyre websites it says I can have either 14 or 15 inch wheels

Would this help with the issue at hand? I guess 15" wheels but a tyre such as a 195/70 rather than 45 would still have the same issue

Sorry... confused!

Thanks

Ps current tyres are Triangle th202 of that makes a difference

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by PhilPalmer
Added more info

Typo in the title if it is on 205/45 R 16,s now. A Mk3 Fabia size as well.

Why not go 195/ 50 R 16 with the wheels you have. & Maybe all season tyres.

@Carlston could tell you sizes, or look at the many many similar threads on this forum on wheel sizes and tyres.

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by Evolution13

It is definitely a mark 2 not a 3. I needed one where the bolsters go forward and the mk3 doesn't do that.

I've just checked the tyres and then are all 205/45r16 87w

Triangle th202.

Maybe changing the springs will help with loading.

As i posted, typo in title. you have 205/40 r16.

Yes a mk2, i know that. It is a 2013 model you say that. Mk3,s come in late 2014 into 2015.

I do not know of on standard springs or lowered as you comment on tyres to body. Or maybe the suspension parts need refreshed.

A Scout in not higher, such standard clearance and Body Trim Parts.

An Estate is 8 3/4" longer than a hatch and as standard has higher rated springs on the rear as standard i seem to remember.

Are the tyres on XL / Reinforced sidewalls?

EDIT, sorry missed some of your post.

so not XL just these....

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by Evolution13

Ah sorry. I can't edit the title of the post but I see my typo now

Doesn't matter.

@Carlston can tell you all the scores on the doors. Tyre / Springs etc.

What engine power is

1 hour ago, PhilPalmer said:

...2013 Fabia Scout 1.2TSI estate...

Is that the 86PS or 105PS version?

The 105PS version probably has 288x25mm front brake discs, whereas the 86PS version probably has 256x22mm front brake discs. However, do check yourself to be sure what size front brake discs are fitted to the car.

288x25mm front brake discs need at least 15" rims to clear the front brake calipers, whereas 256x22mm front brake discs need at least 14" rims to clear the front brake discs.

Perhaps look for a tyre pressure white label inside the fuel flap. If 14" tyres are listed on this white label, then 14" wheels should fit the car...ie. have the smaller 256x22mm front brake discs.

Some of the Fabia MK2 wheel sizes

165/70R14 5Jx14 ET35

185/60R14 6Jx14 ET37

195/55R15 6Jx15 ET43

205/45R16 6.5Jx16 ET38

205/45R16 6.5Jx16 ET43

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by Carlston

3 hours ago, PhilPalmer said:

...we do lots of markets and when I load the car there isn't a huge amount of room between the top of the tyre and the bodywork...

gknautomotive lists both 6Q0511115M and 6Q0511115AL rear springs for the Fabia MK2 1.2TSI estate. 6Q0511115AL are stiffer than 6Q0511115M, so 6Q0511115AL should stop the rear end sagging so much when loaded up.

6Q0511115AL rear springs on autodoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/6q0511115al?supplier%5B%5D=253&supplier%5B%5D=246&supplier%5B%5D=32&supplier%5B%5D=85

6Q0511115AL rear springs on ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392296331679

gknautomotive online spring catalogue

https://www.gknautomotive.com/en/Aftermarket/online-catalogue/

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by Carlston

I ran a Mk2 Monte Carlo on Audi A1 wheels with 215/45 R16 90 load rating. These are standard Audi size and the A1 is vv similar to the Fabia. That greatly improved the ride over 17s. You have to declare nonstandard wheels and tyres to insurance (didn’t affect premium but some insurers won’t quote for that).

Currently running a Mk2 Elegance on 205/45 R16s and it seems skittery and not quite as well setup. It is on the ditchfinders it came with though, I may swap it to the A1 wheels when they need replacement (MC got written off and I put the original wheels back on)

Edited 6 November, 20256 Nov by NotQuiteAVrs

Hi.

If you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.