Any reason why you shouldn't downsize the wheels on a car?

[Ari]

Going to look at a new car at the weekend, same as I have now but much newer and lower mileage.

The only thing really putting me off it is stupid 18" wheels (mine has 16's). They bugger up the ride, kerb easily, cost a fortune for tyres and worst of all, make the car noisier at speed. Genuinely cannot understand why people pay money to achieve all this but there you go, previous owner did.

If I decide to buy I'm wondering what the scope is for seeing if the wheels can be swapped for smaller ones. It's even crossed my mind to see if they'll swap them for the wheels from my car, but putting seven year old wheels on a three year old car seems a bit daft (plus the wheels on mine were pre-facelift so weren't offered on this era of car).

But people seem to value bigger wheels so maybe if the dealer has a car with more sensible wheels on he'll be happy to swap them on the basis it'll "improve" the spec of the other car.

Anyone ever tried to do this?

Also, if I did get the wheels swapped would an insurance company consider the car modified?

[Marquis Rex]

I would do the same.
Function over Fashion

[Whitean3]

Just as long as the smaller wheels fit over the brake discs and calipers...

[hornetrider]

What car is it?

[Digger]

What car is it?

[bicycleshorts]

Buy standard wheels, keep big wheels, put big wheels back on at time of sale, sell standard wheels?

Failing that, see what the large wheels will go for on ebay and use the money made to buy standard/a few pints?

I dislike larger wheels on cars, especially when they're heavier than the standard ones and they've not uprated the brake discs/calipers.

[Davi]

If the previous owner put the 18s on, then it's a modified car now - putting smaller ones on could - if you choose the correct ones - return it to standard?

[Ari]

doogz said:

The only other potential issue i can see is that you'll need to make sure which ever smaller wheels you go for fit over your brakes, and if the diamater of the tyre is different, it'll throw the speedo out.

The thing with the larger wheels is that it enables lower profile tyres to keep the same rolling circumference with less sidewall. So the speedo wouldn't be affected.

Good point about the brakes but if they're "correct" original option for the car they should be fine.

[Megaflow]

As long as you adjust the tyre size to keep the rolling circumfrence the same and they fit over the brakes, then go for it.

If you fit a set of smaller OE wheels I don't see how your insurance company would ever know.

[Ari]

Davi said:

If the previous owner put the 18s on, then it's a modified car now - putting smaller ones on could - if you choose the correct ones - return it to standard?

It's a one owner from new car so my guess is he/she just ticked the option box for bigger wheels. Would be no point buying with smaller wheels and upgrading later.

[Ari]

Digger said:

What car is it?

An SLK (and no I'm not leasing, I can't afford a new one! )

[Ari]

bicycleshorts said:

Buy standard wheels, keep big wheels, put big wheels back on at time of sale, sell standard wheels?

Too much hassle and expense. If I buy it I'll just keep it as it is if it's acceptable noise/ride compromise and I can't get them swapped prior to purchase.

[Ari]

Megaflow said:

If you fit a set of smaller OE wheels I don't see how your insurance company would ever know.

It's a fair point and I would definitely get OE wheels, hate aftermarket stuff on cars.

Agree about insurance never knowing, but even so I prefer to be absolutely squeaky clean with insurance, just in case.

[RicksAlfas]

Ari said:

An SLK (and no I'm not leasing, I can't afford a new one! )

Have you thought about a personal plate for it?


I can't see there's a problem if the car was originally available with smaller wheels.
I'm sure you'll be able to pick some up at a good price, as most people will be swapping the other way.
e.g. I wanted some 16" E90 wheels for winter and there were loads available.

[Ari]

RicksAlfas said:

Have you thought about a personal plate for it?

Got one...

RicksAlfas said:

I can't see there's a problem if the car was originally available with smaller wheels.
I'm sure you'll be able to pick some up at a good price, as most people will be swapping the other way.
e.g. I wanted some 16" E90 wheels for winter and there were loads available.

It did cross my mind that since most people seem to want larger, if I could find someone with wheels I liked then a straight swap might be possible. Trouble is then you start wondering whether you've ended up with worse tyres or something. Seems a lot of hassle.

[Ari]

doogz said:

Well that's fine as long as you pick a tyre that has the same rolling radius as the originals. Otherwise, the speedo will be out.

Indeed. But would go with OE specification so would work out the same.

Apart from anything else the point is to try and avoid low profile tyres as much as possible because of the harsh ride and increased road noise.

[Cotty]

doogz said:

Your insurance would probably class it as a "modification".

They probably wouldn't bother if they are factory wheels. Even so I changed from 15" factory to 15" aftermarket wheels and there was no change in my insurance.

[Digger]

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[E38Ross]

doogz said:

Ari said:

The thing with the larger wheels is that it enables lower profile tyres to keep the same rolling circumference with less sidewall. So the speedo wouldn't be affected.

Good point about the brakes but if they're "correct" original option for the car they should be fine.

Well that's fine as long as you pick a tyre that has the same rolling radius as the originals. Otherwise, the speedo will be out.

even going OE may be slightly different, as it's unlikely the new tyre circumference will be identical. it may just mean the speedo is 1 or 2 % different from what it was before.

OP - have a look here

http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator

put in current tyre size, then new tyre size and you can see the speedo % difference. i suspect it'll be small.

[Ari]

That's interesting, thanks.

Would imagine it can't make an appreciable difference otherwise it'd mess up the gearing as well presumably.