Swapping Steelies for Alloys

[ally406]

Ok, a local breaker has this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0699898951

My current steelies on my D8 are listed on service box as being: 6,00 J15 H2 4-18

The ones on that car I think are called "Ouragan", going by pictures on Service Box. They are: 6,50 J15 CH 4-20

Currently I have 195 tyres. If my calculations are correct, it will increase the track by a total of 8mm. My questions are, will my current tyres be ok on the wider wheel (I think they will be fine), and will the difference in track cause me any issues, rubbing etc (I think not).

[ally406]

And another thing, I've just forked out for 4 wheel alignment on a Hunter system. Will changing the wheel offset and width bollox that up?

[waue1978]

Ok, a local breaker has this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0699898951

My current steelies on my D8 are listed on service box as being: 6,00 J15 H2 4-18

The ones on that car I think are called "Ouragan", going by pictures on Service Box. They are: 6,50 J15 CH 4-20

Currently I have 195 tyres. If my calculations are correct, it will increase the track by a total of 8mm. My questions are, will my current tyres be ok on the wider wheel (I think they will be fine), and will the difference in track cause me any issues, rubbing etc (I think not).

195/65x15s will be fine on 6.5ins wheels & there will be no issues with rubbing. However, if the car in the Ebay ad is the one that the wheels are coming from, they are more likely to be 6.5ins wide 16ins diameter, as the car looks like an S or SE model & these had 16ins wheels. The 15ins ones were on the Rapiers. The wheels will still fit your car & I believe the offset is still only 20mm (maybe 22mm), but you will need new tyres. 100% confident on that because my car is on 7ins wide 16ins diameter Nautilus wheels with 215/55x16 tyres (larger diameter than your 15ins tyres) & an offset of only 12mm.

Don't forget, you are only replacing your wheels with wheels which were fitted as standard to other 406s anyway.

By the way, if he'll let you have it, I wouldn't mind the chrome trim that sits on top of the bumper & under the main grill if he'll let you have it as part of the deal. Will happily chuck you a few quid if he does, but he probably won't as they don't usually let people take bits off the bumpers.

[ally406]

Thanks, I've already messaged him and apparently they are 15". I'm going to look at them tomorrow.

Do you mean the bit of chrome between the headlights? How is it attached? If he wants a couple of quid for it is that ok?

[omega]

dont forget you need the alloy wheel bolts as well.

[waue1978]

Thanks, I've already messaged him and apparently they are 15". I'm going to look at them tomorrow.

Do you mean the bit of chrome between the headlights? How is it attached? If he wants a couple of quid for it is that ok?

As far as I know, there are little nuts under neath it attaching it to the bumper. Happy enough to pay, but as a rough guide, they are £40 from the dealer.

As Omega says too, make sure you get the bolts for the alloys. The ones holding your steelies on won't be any good.

[ally406]

Well you were right, they were 16" I think I'll just keep my rusty steelies, I like the scruffy look.

The car was stacked ontop of another, so I couldn't get up to the front, sorry waue.

[waue1978]

Well you were right, they were 16" I think I'll just keep my rusty steelies, I like the scruffy look.

The car was stacked ontop of another, so I couldn't get up to the front, sorry waue.

No prob, but out of curiosity, why didn't you want the 16s? The 16ins Ouragan wheels don't come up for sale often. How much did he want for them?

[ally406]

Well I've just bought a new set of tyres for the 15's. Plus, generally speaking bigger wheels are just for aesthetical reasons. They usually increase unsprung weight, which degrades handling and ride quality. A bigger tyre with a lower profile is also significantly more expensive.

I'm not sure how much they were, but he had quoted £15 a corner based on them being 15" wheels. They did have a bit of bubbling here and there, so a perfectionist would have them refurbished.