What to replace standard Fiesta 16" alloy wheels with?
Discussion
Chaps,
Mrs owns a 10-plate Fiesta Titanium. Came from the factory with 15-spoke 16" alloy wheels, fitted with 195/45 tyres.
Throughout her 2-and-a-half years with the car we've had 3 seperate incidents with buckled alloy wheels, the last being yesterday afternoon. Googling this issue shows it up to VERY common with the Fiesta alloys, and although various forums seem to discuss getting Watchdog involved etc there is evidence that Ford aren't interested in replacing owners buckled wheels free of charge. New ones cost approx. £163 inc. VAT.
The lad @ the alloy wheel place yesterday said that Ford wheels are by far and away the worst for buckling. Both of the front wheels on the Mrs car were buckled (she can't remember hitting any potholes recently) and it was quite obvious when he ran the wheels up on the tyre balancing machine, they were wobbling all over the place. He managed to sort them on some sort of lathe-looking machine + a hydraulic 'pusher' - I don't know the technical terms! The issue we went in with (steering wheel wobbling @ speed on the motorway) is now cured, but alloy wheel place guy said best to think about changing the wheels completely for stronger after-market ones.
Was thinking of dropping down to 15" wheels with a higher sidewall, obviously informing the insurance co. accordingly.
So:
a) Any other PH'ers had issues with Fiesta alloy wheels, particularly the 15-spoke 16" ones fitted to the Titanium model? If so what did you do to resolve?
b) Any suggestions on what I should replace the standard alloys with that have a reputation for being strong?
Many thanks.
Mrs owns a 10-plate Fiesta Titanium. Came from the factory with 15-spoke 16" alloy wheels, fitted with 195/45 tyres.
Throughout her 2-and-a-half years with the car we've had 3 seperate incidents with buckled alloy wheels, the last being yesterday afternoon. Googling this issue shows it up to VERY common with the Fiesta alloys, and although various forums seem to discuss getting Watchdog involved etc there is evidence that Ford aren't interested in replacing owners buckled wheels free of charge. New ones cost approx. £163 inc. VAT.
The lad @ the alloy wheel place yesterday said that Ford wheels are by far and away the worst for buckling. Both of the front wheels on the Mrs car were buckled (she can't remember hitting any potholes recently) and it was quite obvious when he ran the wheels up on the tyre balancing machine, they were wobbling all over the place. He managed to sort them on some sort of lathe-looking machine + a hydraulic 'pusher' - I don't know the technical terms! The issue we went in with (steering wheel wobbling @ speed on the motorway) is now cured, but alloy wheel place guy said best to think about changing the wheels completely for stronger after-market ones.
Was thinking of dropping down to 15" wheels with a higher sidewall, obviously informing the insurance co. accordingly.
So:
a) Any other PH'ers had issues with Fiesta alloy wheels, particularly the 15-spoke 16" ones fitted to the Titanium model? If so what did you do to resolve?
b) Any suggestions on what I should replace the standard alloys with that have a reputation for being strong?
Many thanks.
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