If you fit 15" wheels to a Cento you do not want to go over 6" wide, ideally you want 5.5-6", any wider is pointless on a Cento. This can prove to be difficult to get as most aftermarket wheels are 6.5-7" wide in 15" fitment, but many OEM wheels as fitted to larger Fiats/Lancia's etc are 5.5-6" wide.
Another reason for sticking to this width is you can then fit 165/50/15 Bridgestone Potenza V rated (upto1 49mph) OEM Daihatsu Copen OEM tyres which if you book online at Kwikfit were only £38 each last week when I looked but prices vary.
This tyre makes a good choice for a few reasons other than price.
The standard 13X5.5" wheel is fitted with a 165/55 13 tyres, so although same overall size, as it has a higher profile a slightly narrower footprint.
The 14X5.5" wheels ie Sei Abarth are fitted with 175/50 14, though many folk due to cost fit a 185/50 14 though I believe that car behaves better on the narrower tyre on the 5.5" wide standard rim.
Now when you got from a 165/55 13 to a 175/50 14 you increase overall diameter from 20.1 to 20.9" or in case of a 185/50 14 tyre you go to 21.3" an increase of over 1" from the 13".
When you fit a 165/50 15 tyre you go to 21.5" so again 1" bigger than standard, but not much bigger than the default 185/50 14, but you get a slightly smaller footprint.
How does it increase size so little, well its all down to it having the smallest sidewall at only 3.2" over 3.6" on both OEM 13" and 185/50 14.
With having a short side wall the ride comfort will go down, but you will get much better turn in and less side wall flex meaning that although the tyre is narrower the grip levels it provides may well be higher. As overall grip is much more complex than just fitting wider tyres.
The 165/50 15 Bridgestone is recommended upto 6" wide, but the VW owners with there stretch look are putting them onto anything upto 7.5" wide, though I don't agree with doing that, a tyre is a major safety component and should only be fitted to manufacturer regulations.
Another reason for sticking to this width is you can then fit 165/50/15 Bridgestone Potenza V rated (upto1 49mph) OEM Daihatsu Copen OEM tyres which if you book online at Kwikfit were only £38 each last week when I looked but prices vary.
This tyre makes a good choice for a few reasons other than price.
The standard 13X5.5" wheel is fitted with a 165/55 13 tyres, so although same overall size, as it has a higher profile a slightly narrower footprint.
The 14X5.5" wheels ie Sei Abarth are fitted with 175/50 14, though many folk due to cost fit a 185/50 14 though I believe that car behaves better on the narrower tyre on the 5.5" wide standard rim.
Now when you got from a 165/55 13 to a 175/50 14 you increase overall diameter from 20.1 to 20.9" or in case of a 185/50 14 tyre you go to 21.3" an increase of over 1" from the 13".
When you fit a 165/50 15 tyre you go to 21.5" so again 1" bigger than standard, but not much bigger than the default 185/50 14, but you get a slightly smaller footprint.
How does it increase size so little, well its all down to it having the smallest sidewall at only 3.2" over 3.6" on both OEM 13" and 185/50 14.
With having a short side wall the ride comfort will go down, but you will get much better turn in and less side wall flex meaning that although the tyre is narrower the grip levels it provides may well be higher. As overall grip is much more complex than just fitting wider tyres.
The 165/50 15 Bridgestone is recommended upto 6" wide, but the VW owners with there stretch look are putting them onto anything upto 7.5" wide, though I don't agree with doing that, a tyre is a major safety component and should only be fitted to manufacturer regulations.
