Tyre Profile Advice Needed

[The Hitman]

Hi guys, my Dad is looking for new rubber for his oil burner, all 4 need changing, its a fairly new one but unfortunately it came with low profile tyres which he couldn't change. It was a Mk2 Focus which he bought just before the new Mk3 came out, so he got a very nice discount but didn't have a say on what wheels he got.

He has on there 225/40 R18, and he does't much like the ride on it at the momment and he does a high amount of miles. I was wondering if getting a slightly higher profile tyres for it would be better, like 225/45. There looks like theres a decent amount of space between the tyres and arch.

Are there any problem with doing this, and will it help.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I'd start with smaller wheels and then fit taller tyres to bring things back to the right rolling radius. Anything else is just a fudge. Wheels should be cheap as chips on ebay.

Whichever way you go don't forget to tell your insurers about the modification.

[The Hitman]

Ozzie Osmond said:

I'd start with smaller wheels and then fit taller tyres to bring things back to the right rolling radius. Anything else is just a fudge. Wheels should be cheap as chips on ebay.

Whichever way you go don't forget to tell your insurers about the modification.

Doesn't want to buy new wheels as it will cost more money than its worth. Just wondering if getting a higher profile tyre while keeping the same wheels is possible and will have a positive effect on ride comfort if any at all.

[jagnet]

As Ozzie says, get some secondhand rims with a smaller diameter. Putting a 45% profile on your existing rims is going to be more than the usually recommended 2.5% difference. The speedo will under read, the car will be slower to accelerate and it's not going to make any noticeable difference to ride quality.

Can you fit a 15" wheel on there? 195/65/15 tyres will be cheaper and far more supple over potholes and bumps.

225 18" wheels on a diesel shopping trolley - that's just ridiculously over tyred

[jagnet]

The Hitman said:

Doesn't want to buy new wheels as it will cost more money than its worth. Just wondering if getting a higher profile tyre while keeping the same wheels is possible and will have a positive effect on ride comfort if any at all.

225/45/18 conti tyres = £180 each
195/65/15 conti tyres = £60 each

I bet you can get a set of four second hand alloys for less than £480

[Watchman]

Yes it'll be fine. I've gone from 45s to 50s this year, on the same wheels. My speedo is more accurate now (used to overread a lot) and the car rides better.

Keep an eye on tyre wear to see if the geometry is significantly altered, and Google to see what adjustments are possible.

[Ozzie Osmond]

The Hitman said:

Doesn't want to buy new wheels as it will cost more money than its worth.

Don't believe that for one second. You'll get a set of wheels AND tyres cheaper on ebay than just a set of new tyres for the existing wheels.

[ohtari]

A change of rims is needed, 18" on a focus is going to be spine shattering. The st170 rims are only 17"!!!

A set of 15" is cheap, and easily found. The tyres will be cheaper as well, I payed 62 a corner last week for dunlop fastresponse.

[va1o]

jagnet said:

Can you fit a 15" wheel on there? 195/65/15 tyres will be cheaper and far more supple over potholes and bumps.

225 18" wheels on a diesel shopping trolley - that's just ridiculously over tyred

I'd argue 15" wheels would be ridiculously under wheeled. It will make the car look a lot worse!

I'd rather just put up with the poor ride on the 18s

EDIT: Pictures to prove my point...

Edited by va1o on Saturday 28th April 14:32

[ohtari]

va1o said:

I'd argue 15" wheels would be ridiculously under wheeled. It will make the car look a lot worse!

I'd rather just put up with the poor ride on the 18s

You mad???

[jagnet]

va1o said:

I'd argue 15" wheels would be ridiculously under wheeled. It will make the car look a lot worse!

I'd rather just put up with the poor ride on the 18s

What price vanity eh?

[jagnet]

va1o said:

EDIT: Pictures to prove my point...

Sorry, but imho that looks ridiculous. Enormous alloys revealing tiny discs and mighty one pot sliding calipers behind. It tells me the driver's bought into the whole big wheel equals performance sports car con with no consideration to how it actually drives on the UK's roads and no consideration to the fact that it's a shopping hatchback, not a V8 supercar. Must shave at least three nanoseconds off the trip to Tesco through that tricky left right after the roundabout.

I'd also bet that it's running budget tyres as well given the ~£500 cost to replace all four with premium rubber, versus ~£250 for 15" wheels, so is actually going to have lower performance.

Sorry, not a fan of this trend for big low profile tyres on family cars.

[SSBB]

va1o said:

I'd argue 15" wheels would be ridiculously under wheeled. It will make the car look a lot worse!

I'd rather just put up with the poor ride on the 18s

EDIT: Pictures to prove my point...

Edited by va1o on Saturday 28th April 14:32

I'll take the first one, every day of the week. The second looks ridiculously "over wheeled". Pure council estate bling.

[abbotsmike]

Wow, heaven forbid people have different tastes on what looks good.

On topic:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-MK3-16-9-SPOK...

4 16" alloys with tyres that may or may not be usable, for under £250. And I didn't even try looking!

[jamei303]

The Hitman said:

Doesn't want to buy new wheels as it will cost more money than its worth.

No, you sell your big bling st alloy wheels for £XXX and buy sensible 15 or 16" steel wheels for £X. It shouldn't cost him anything.

[davepoth]

jamei303 said:

The Hitman said:

Doesn't want to buy new wheels as it will cost more money than its worth.

No, you sell your big bling st alloy wheels for £XXX and buy sensible 15 or 16" steel wheels for £X. It shouldn't cost him anything.

Get on a Ford enthusiast website and I'm sure you'll find someone to swap them for a set of decent wheels and some money. He'll end up with money to spare I would think.