Rim & Tyre Sizes for Chim 500

[kavs44]

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing a 1999 Chimaera 500 with the following rim and tyre sizes:

Front: 15" Griff rims with 205/60/15VR tyres
Rear: 16" Griff rims with 225/50/16ZR tyres

Is this the factory standard or not.

Paul.

[900T-R]

Nope - front tyres are correct size for an early car, but not the correct speed rating
Rear tyres are correct size for a later car and the right speed rating

I'd haggle to allow for replacement of the fronts (205/55/15 with a ZR or W rating).

Out of interest - what is/are the brand(s)/type(s) of tyres?

[edit] now that I think of it, should a 500 not have 225/50 fronts and 245 section rears - or was that optional? Personally I'd go for the narrower tyres anyway. [/edit]

Edited by 900T-R on Friday 11th January 06:43

[WokingWedger]

900T-R you state 'Personally I'd go for the narrower tyres anyway'


Why is that ?

My 97 500 has 225/50 ZR15 front, and 245/45 ZR16 rear

Edited by WokingWedger on Friday 11th January 08:54

[900T-R]

2 Reasons:

- The wider front tyres do offer more (dry) grip at the expense of steering feel.

- Generally, with a car like this I gladly sacrifice ultimate dry grip for a bit more progression in the wet. There's a reason the 400+ bhp Marcoses sat on 225 section rear tyres - they wanted to make the car driveable and progressive in all weathers and also near the limit, which IMO is the way to go for a sports tourer like the Chimaera. If I wanted an out and out track car, I'd have chosen something different.

As said, it's mostly a matter of personal preference anyway.

Edited by 900T-R on Friday 11th January 09:04

[raceboy]

Isn't the front tyre size dependent on whether the car has PAS or not?

[900T-R]

raceboy said:

Isn't the front tyre size dependent on whether the car has PAS or not?

Could well be - but then again I don't remember any cars that came with a 205 (front) /245 (rear) combination from the factory...

[Cider Andy]

Owner's manual says:

205/55 ZR 15" front (225/50 15" for Chimaera 500 with PAS)
225/50 ZR 16" rear.

You might struggle to find 'Z' rated 15" tyres, most insurance companies will allow fitting of 'V' rated tyres as long as you inform them.

Original specification was for Bridgestone S02 Pole Position, no longer manufactured.

[WOO5IE]

Hi Paul

I have recently bought a Chim 4.0 and have exactly the same spec as you mention , Some makes dont do the 205 in a ZR only a VR

I ran it past my insuranace company and they stated there was absolutely no problem as long as I didnt have an accident caused by the tyres whilst going over the fitted spec ( V 149 MPH ) very Unlikely
I have asked them to put this in my notes on the policy rather that just a verbal.

I didnt fit them but they are nearly new Pirelli s and had only done 1K miles . Not my choice

Trevor

[richy759]

My '98 500 has 225 15' front 245 16' rear.
Rich

[RichB]

900T-R said:

raceboy said:

Isn't the front tyre size dependent on whether the car has PAS or not?

Could well be - but then again I don't remember any cars that came with a 205 (front) /245 (rear) combination from the factory...

Well I know it's a Griffith 500 but would have thought that the Griff 500 & Chimaera 5 Ltr used the same wheels, but my Griff 500 was supplied by the factory in 1999 with 205 fronts and 245 rears... unless that is, TVR realised that even the Chimaera 5 ltr would be driven more sedately than a Griffith

Edited by RichB on Friday 11th January 17:37