General Tyre size explained.

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General Tyre size explained.

Rpayne

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Being a complete rookie here, but could some please explain tyre size and diameter etc, and offsets? And what ones are best for a mk2 punto. Looking for some alloys for mine, would be very greatful.

Cheers guys

Rich
 
Being a complete rookie here, but could some please explain tyre size and diameter etc, and offsets? And what ones are best for a mk2 punto. Looking for some alloys for mine, would be very greatful.

Cheers guys

Rich


Depends entirely what size alloys you buy.

However the rolling radius, Total diameter, should be kept the same to keep your speedo accurate.

The standard Fiat 15" Alloys come with 185/55 15, this means that the width of the tyre is 185, the Profile percentage is 55 (the lower the thinner the sidewall look Hence "LOW PROFILE") and the 15 regards the inner diameter or Rim size.

The bigger the Rim diameter then the smaller the required profile gets.

i currently have Fiat500 alloys which are wider than standard, and are 16". these require 195/45 16 tyres. These have a width of 195. a profile of 45 which makes them LowProfile and are 16".

I wouldnt recommend getting anything wider than 195, 205 at the most. as any larger would rub on the arches. also 17" are going to be extreme low profile on a punto.

Regarding OFFSET;

This is how much the hub is from the centre of the alloy. Negative offset means the hub is closer to the out of the alloy. Nutral is normal and Positive offset "pushes" the alloy outwards similar to what "Spacers" do.

Hope this helps
 
standard wheels on a punto are usually 165/65/r14
that means the width of tyre thread is 165mm, the hieght of the sidewall is 65% of the width and rim radius is 14 inches

the best option for alloys are 195/45 r16, as this keeps the rolling radius similiar, so speedo wont be too unaccurate, and with 45's the ride over bumpy roads isnt too bad..

165/65/R14 - rolling radius - 1739mm
195/45/R16 - rolling radius - 1775mm (+36mm)

what you style of alloy you end up goin for is up to personal taste, have a look through the members motors section give yourself some ideas..

offset 35 - 45mm , give or take a few mm each way

pcd is 4x98 (4x100 can be used via wobbly bolts)
 
Depends entirely what size alloys you buy.

However the rolling radius, Total diameter, should be kept the same to keep your speedo accurate.

The standard Fiat 15" Alloys come with 185/55 15, this means that the width of the tyre is 185, the Profile percentage is 55 (the lower the thinner the sidewall look Hence "LOW PROFILE") and the 15 regards the inner diameter or Rim size.

The bigger the Rim diameter then the smaller the required profile gets.

i currently have Fiat500 alloys which are wider than standard, and are 16". these require 195/45 16 tyres. These have a width of 195. a profile of 45 which makes them LowProfile and are 16".

I wouldnt recommend getting anything wider than 195, 205 at the most. as any larger would rub on the arches. also 17" are going to be extreme low profile on a punto.

Regarding OFFSET;

This is how much the hub is from the centre of the alloy. Negative offset means the hub is closer to the out of the alloy. Nutral is normal and Positive offset "pushes" the alloy outwards similar to what "Spacers" do.

Hope this helps

So basically, as I have an 1.2 8v, im guessing the suspension set up will be alot different to that of a sporting, so when i get new alloys, ideally i want them to sit without huge gaps between the wheels and arches, without lowering it at all. what sizes etc would you suggest? cheers pal
 
here is mine with 195/45 r16s
p1000566g.jpg


here is russ' with same size
SDC100031.JPG


so unless u buy lowering springs they will sit like this
fkautomotive are doing 60/40mm lowering springs for £46
 
So basically, as I have an 1.2 8v, im guessing the suspension set up will be alot different to that of a sporting, so when i get new alloys, ideally i want them to sit without huge gaps between the wheels and arches, without lowering it at all. what sizes etc would you suggest? cheers pal

Mines not a sporting...

Its a Punto 1.2 8v ActiveSport, came with "Sporting" alloys (alloy design). This is set up identically to the active.

click on the thread link below my post, pictures are on there. here MY THREAD

If you MATCH the rolling radius to YOUR CURRENT alloys the gap will be IDENTICAL.

I presonally recommend 16" alloys with 195/45 16 tyres

Cheers Russ
 
here is mine with 195/45 r16s
p1000566g.jpg


here is russ' with same size
SDC100031.JPG


so unless u buy lowering springs they will sit like this
fkautomotive are doing 60/40mm lowering springs for £46

Yeah noticed that offer. Ive got 35/35 springs to fit, didnt want to be over the top. however 60/40mm looks quite good. =( any offers of a swap? :ROFLMAO:

Both mine and Colin's have identical rolling radius to the standard Fiat wheels and identical suspension set up. (y)
 
so basically, if i just went for the the standard sporting alloys and tyres, would is sit different to a sporting? looking high and silly, or not? sorry for the stupidity.

cheers guys
 
so basically, if i just went for the the standard sporting alloys and tyres, would is sit different to a sporting? looking high and silly, or not? sorry for the stupidity.

cheers guys

No, will sit identically to how yours is at the moment (y)

It will only look differnt if you put too larger or smaller tyre on. :D

Both me and Colin have different Specification's of Punto's i believe. Yet we have identical ride heights.

No such thing as a silly question, only stupid answers (which happens alot around here)
 
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okay i will probs just get them, think yours and others ive seen are alot nice tho mate! just in terms of cash, hopefully i can find some ones in alright condition of ebay or a scrappy, unless anyones selling any on here! side skirts are my next project lol, really want abarth ones but cant find them anywhere!
 
okay i will probs just get them, think yours and others ive seen are alot nice tho mate! just in terms of cash, hopefully i can find some ones in alright condition of ebay or a scrappy, unless anyones selling any on here! side skirts are my next project lol, really want abarth ones but cant find them anywhere!

Abarth side skirts on the Classifieds page under Punto.

Several sets of Alloys on the FF Classifieds aswell. (y)

Plenty on Ebay. look for deals. Mine are worth £400 from Fiat, i get them all for £100 off ebay :slayer:


PLEASE NOTE;
Your insurer will want an increased premium if you are going from Steel Wheels to Alloys. If you are just swapping alloys you should be ok. Please Notify your insurer when done.

Cheers
 
How many doors and what colour car?
I've been thinking of standardising my car again before selling it.

Punto suspension is quite high anyway. I presume they designed it like that for comfort. As the gearbox is designed for better economy rather than speed.
Comfortable suspension as opposed to better handling. I personally hate the way a punto handles! Far too much body roll and generally rubbish cornering.

The only way to get rid of that gap is to lower the suspension. If you do go down that route then anything lower than 35mm will need shorter shocks aswell unless you like replacing them often.

I have my car lowered 30mm on 15 inch alloys but the tyre is lower profile that the 14 inch (therefore the rolling radius will be the same, so the gap doesnt change)

This is how mine sits atm
 
3 door, ahh thats annoying, would defo have snapped your hand off for them... got anything else for sale? cheers for the help guys
 
so dave, if mine is 20 mm higher, would you suggest getting 16" instead of the standard 15", without going for the lower profile tyres? or is this not allowed because is changes the overall wheel diameter?
 
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