Changing Ibiza Wheels

[kojack]

During the recent snow my wifes Ibiza has struggled to go anywhere and we where told it was due to the low profile tyres on the car I guess that is correct as I have never had them myself.
I came up with an idea of swopping the 16" Seat rims for 15" seat ones & getting normal profile tyres just slightly wider, someone at my wifes work told her that this would devalue the car ? Is that a crock or am I missing some thing.

cheers

 

[thePHILosipher]

which car is it you have??

 

[RUM4MO]

Changing down a size or two if the callipers will let you would be a smart move - and fitting winter tyres to the new wheels, while keeping the original wheels for "non winter" use. I think that this is where the first reply's question comes in - ie what model of Ibiza does your wife have? Changing down to 15" should be possible and using 195/55 X R15 82H should keep the insurance people happy. Remember that most local authorities are playing the old "we can't afford to use rock salt on all roads" trick - so this year is going to continue being a bit tricky until all the low temperatures have gone - ie until maybe April - so winter tyres could save the car. Remember as you drop a wheel size and increase the aspect ratio, it is narrower tyres that you are aiming to fit.

Checking your previous posts I see that it is the 1.4 75PS 2005 Sports Ibiza that you have, so even dropping down to 14" wheels should be possible for winter use - and the tyres would be 185/60 X R14 82T - or 82H - that size of winter tyres will be cheaper than the 15" - maybe just buy some steel wheels for winter use?

 

[kojack]

Hi guys

Thanks for your reply
Yep your right it is a 1.4 75PS 2005 Sports Ibiza, I was just looking for a good cheaper alternative to spending £70+ per tyre that is crap & dangerous in winter, I know its only for a short time but was hoping to maybe find some one who would swop the 15" rims for 16" then put std tyres on the 15"s

 

[iain1970]

Me too!

I'm planning on doing the same for our FR TDI. I fitted some Cooper Weathermasters to our Fiesta and they have proved themselves a good buy umpteen times in the last couple of weeks.

I'm going to see if Audi 15" pepperpots will fit over the caliper tonight...

 

[iain1970]

...they do!

 

[kojack]

Sounds cool nice one

 

[PCIronmike]

Probably not a good idea , keep it as it should be , or if you want to change wheels and tyres for the snow go to a scrap yard and buy some 15" steel rims , its not the wheel size its the tyres , thinner tyres will be better in snow than wide tyres or you can use the steels to fit snow chains on to , when the sun comes out put the O.E. alloys back on . Jobs a good un !!