Alfa 156 Tyres/Wheels

[PompeyDarren]

Well, I’ve finally purchased my first Alfa, A beautiful gleaming red 2001 Veloce. No leather trim, although I initially thought I’d buy a tan leather interior, I’m actually quite happy with the recaro/sport seats.

The car currently has Avon ZZ3 tyres on the front and Toyo Proxes on the rear. Although all 4 tyres have plenty of tread (the fronts are nearly new) I’ve experienced some tyre squeal when cornering, fairly enthusiastically but well within the cars potential.

I usually opt for Goodyear Eagle F1's. Before I have them swapped, is there another tyre better suited for the Alfa?

Also, I’d be interested in changing the wheels for a 17" set, to fill the arches slightly better. Does anyone know anywhere I can but a set? Or is it just a case of trawling eBay?

Many thanks,

Darren.

[RicksAlfas]

The 17's look great but upset the ride/handling set up. 16's are definitely the best bet for "spirited driving" but I had 17's on mine...
Look on Ebay - any 147/156/GT wheel will fit.

Goodyear F1s work very well as do Dunlop SportMaxx and P Zero Rosso (not Nero).

[S3_Graham]

Teledials are the wheels you want... 17's are fairly rare. the GTA wheels would be the ones to go for... as they are cheaper. i was looking for a set about 3 months ago. was quoted from a breaker £500 and they wouldnt tell me what the tyres were like.... so muchos expensive!

I bought 16' variants for £140 with very good toyo proxes.

[PompeyDarren]

Hmmmm... I’ve got 16" Teledials at the moment, perhaps I’ll stick with these and just fit some improved/lower springs.

I've seen a metallic dark green 156 locally with anthracite Teledials. I wondered if these were an option or if they've been painted?

Thanks for the advice guys.

[MarkwG]

FWIW: I have a V6 SW on 16" Teledials & Pirelli's; with Bilstein dampers, standard springs, & a strut brace it's pretty good - compared to when I bought it on 15" 8 hole, Michs, no brace & standard dampers. Upping the wheel size did affect the ride, the Billies brought it pretty much back in line.

[wrinx]

Swimming against the tide...I'm running 18s and the handling is fine :lol:

Having said that I'm going to drop down to 17s for a little more comfort.

Had 16s on a previous saloon and hated them...like driving a blancmange, 17s are the way to go imho.

wrinx

Edited by wrinx on Wednesday 14th October 20:30

[RicksAlfas]

Wrinx, was the car you had 16s on a Veloce or SportPack? If not, it's a rare old wallowy thing whatever wheels and tyres you put on! I think a lot also depends on where you use your car. Mine (on 17s) was fine on A roads and no doubt the tyres gave it a fair bit of extra grip but on bumpy lanes and B roads the extra weight (OEM Alfa wheels are very heavy) just seemed to overwhelm the suspension and made the car a real handful on the bumpy stuff. The body control and suspension is the one big improvement on the newer (159 chassis) cars.

Edited by RicksAlfas on Thursday 15th October 10:45

[a_bloke]

S3_Graham said:

Teledials are the wheels you want... 17's are fairly rare. the GTA wheels would be the ones to go for... as they are cheaper. i was looking for a set about 3 months ago. was quoted from a breaker £500 and they wouldnt tell me what the tyres were like.... so muchos expensive!

I bought 16' variants for £140 with very good toyo proxes.

I always thought there was an issue with fitting GTA wheels onto a regular 156 due to offset?

Heres a pic of my v6 on 17 inch supersports..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/pgilc1/DSC0...

And my current one on the 17's it came on

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/pgilc1/i112...

[PompeyDarren]

a_bloke, I love the supersports. I think they look awesome.
How did you think the car handled with those fitted?

Just need to find a set now...

[S3_Graham]

PompeyDarren said:

a_bloke, I love the supersports. I think they look awesome.
How did you think the car handled with those fitted?

Just need to find a set now...

guy at my work offered me those from his 147 last week!!!

if you want contact details i can ask for you....

[PompeyDarren]

S3_Graham said:

PompeyDarren said:

a_bloke, I love the supersports. I think they look awesome.
How did you think the car handled with those fitted?

Just need to find a set now...

guy at my work offered me those from his 147 last week!!!

if you want contact details i can ask for you....

Yes please S3_Graham.
It would be much appreciated.

[S3_Graham]

PompeyDarren said:

S3_Graham said:

PompeyDarren said:

a_bloke, I love the supersports. I think they look awesome.
How did you think the car handled with those fitted?

Just need to find a set now...

guy at my work offered me those from his 147 last week!!!

if you want contact details i can ask for you....

Yes please S3_Graham.
It would be much appreciated.

apologies... it would appear he has changed his mind now.... bloody old people ffs.

[PompeyDarren]

No worries S3_Graham.
Thanks for enquiring.

I'll take a look on eBay.

[V6Alfisti]

I have owned 156's with 15/16/17" alloys and can say that the 15" gave by far the most feel, the 16" are a good compromise and whilst the 17" looked lovely they reduced the feel of the car (quite noticeably).

Edited by V6Alfisti on Sunday 18th October 21:25

[ZesPak]

V6Alfisti said:

I have owned 156's with 15/16/17" alloys and can say that the 15" gave by far the most feel, the 16" are a good compromise and whilst the 17" looked lovely they reduced the feel of the car (quite noticeably).

Edited by V6Alfisti on Sunday 18th October 21:25

My first 159 had 17", but I really think the 16" are the better wheels, as you say, best compromise.