Styling New Panda owner with wheel question

[DaveMcT]

With wider ET wheels, you can use thin spacers (and longer bolts) to correct the offset.

 

[celshady]

With wider ET wheels, you can use thin spacers (and longer bolts) to correct the offset.

So hopefully without the spacers I won't need the longer bolts? I ran spacers on a previous car (albeit bigger ones) and don't want to do it again unless I have to. I doubt I will notice the extra few mm of tuck, and hopefully it won't mess badly with the geometry.

According to https://www.wheel-size.com/size/fiat/panda/2007/#trim-12i-eudm-59 and https://www.wheel-size.com/size/fiat/punto/1996/#trim-14gt-eudm-129 the offset difference is slightly worse than A3jeroen mentioned - 41 plays 45. But I'm still not that worried - the wider tyres will hopefully offset this offset (hoho)

But I will definitely be doing a test fit.

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

eBay?
There are loads on there with 98pdc
luigi

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Whatever wheels you get make sure you have the right bolts, Often Fiat steel wheel and alloy wheel bolts are much the same, however sometimes you might find an alloy wheel needs wider taper on the bolts to secure the wheel properly or they might have an alloy collar fitted to the bolt to help secure the alloy. other times they might have a ball shaped taper rather than a cone, any mismatch and you could see a wheel bouncing off ahead of you.

Most fiat wheels are fairly straight forward with just cone shaped steel wheel bolts.

 

[DaveMcT]

So hopefully without the spacers I won't need the longer bolts? I ran spacers on a previous car (albeit bigger ones) and don't want to do it again unless I have to. I doubt I will notice the extra few mm of tuck, and hopefully it won't mess badly with the geometry.

The wider offset puts the steering centre point OUT-board of the tyre centreline. Spacers will correct it.

A more narrow offset is the same as spacers with the correct wheels. It puts the steering centre point IN-board of the tyre centreline.

5 or 6mm will probably not matter, but both errors can lead to bumps affecting the steering.

 

[A3jeroen]

I run them without spacers, but still needed longer bolts. Spacers are Ok IMO, but they need to be thick enough to have their own ring to center them.

gr J

 

[celshady]

I run them without spacers, but still needed longer bolts. Spacers are Ok IMO, but they need to be thick enough to have their own ring to center them.

gr J

Agreed about hubcentric spacers. I ran 15mm and 27mm bolt-on spacers on a Celica, and ended up snapping some bolts. I did run it pretty hard though, and that won't be the case here. And thanks for the extra bolt length info - sadly I was too late to see it, although I would have done the test fit anyway

I've now done a test fit and discovered exactly what you said - I definitely need longer bolts as the steels are only 1-2mm thick at the mounting points whereas the alloys are approx 15mm. This means the bolts can't actually reach the threads in the hub.

Good news is there's tonnes of space between the wheel face and the brakes.

It actually shocked me that the bit you unscrew is a bolt not a nut - I think all my previous cars' wheels have been the other way!

And since I'm getting longer bolts I might as well get spacers as Dave says - to keep the geometry as close to stock as possible.

Thread length on the standard bolts seems to be 20mm or so. I need another 15mm thread without spacers, and if I get 5mm spacers, I'll need another 20mm thread... so, I'll need 40mm thread bolts. Which fortunately seem to be readily for sale on ebay.

Or I might go for 10mm spacers (for a little extra poke, and therefore stability) and 45mm threads.

Also, the Punto GT wheels seem to be countersunk by the same amount as the bolts, and the little spikey wheel guides in the hub seemed to get lost OK in the dead space in the alloys.

So all looks good, I just need to spend a bit more

 

[A3jeroen]

Yes. You'll have 240 mm discs and could run 13" wheels. My 100HP has 257 mm discs and need 14" at least.

gr J

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

Those wheels look miles better than those others you were mucking about with
A nice clean a spray job and they will look the dogs nuts
ps...fit a nice set of red fiat centre badges as well to bring them up to date!
LUIGI

 

[celshady]

the only downside is now I need to buy another car to put the blue mesh wheels on

 

[celshady]

Some 169s had 14" alloys which looked fine and with taller tyres are better on UK roads.

Noticed yesterday that next door's panda has way taller tyres than mine! 155/80r13 to be precise.

That's definitely a bigger rolling radius! But they fill the arches well, and I bet they ride great too. But do they catch on bump/lock? Surely they must.

 

[koalar]

155/80 R13 are probably the most common Panda size here in the UK

Fairly obsolete van tyre size now so not much choice but fitted with Toyo Nanoenergy they gives a nice compromise. Noise, economy, wet grip and ride.


if you are use to a performance car.. The swap to bicycle tyres can be a shock. But you soon learn to readjust.


the abuse my car takes, farm tracks, curbs and speed humps the tall van tyres and steel wheels are a bonus

 

[celshady]

155/80 R13 are probably the most common Panda size here in the UK

Fairly obsolete van tyre size now so not much choice but fitted with Toyo Nanoenergy they gives a nice compromise. Noise, economy, wet grip and ride.


if you are use to a performance car.. The swap to bicycle tyres can be a shock. But you soon learn to readjust.


the abuse my car takes, farm tracks, curbs and speed humps the tall van tyres and steel wheels are a bonus

just when I thought tyres couldn't get any cheaper! What are they like for wet grip?

 

[koalar]

mmmm how to measure wet road grip.


its a "C" on the label the same as most High end tyres

There is a "B" cant remember which one but was much worse on everything else.

The difference between dry and wet as large isn't as large as you get with wide performance tyre.


I have driven through deep water and the steering hasn't gone light so would guess they are less prone to aquaplaning. Although this is only a gut feeling.


one thing that is noticeably is the 69dB compared to some 72dB I took off.

 

[DaveMcT]

Our 1.2 13" has Firestone tyres about £45 each fitted. My Tyres etc were more than that for supply only.