Regular readers may recall my sub-project to provide GAM with a spare set of wheels that could be used instead of its smart red ones and shiny hubcaps in the winter months. I'd already procured 4 good wheels (from a later Amazon with the 8 oval holes) and fitted some new 175/60 tyres - the final piece of the jigsaw was a set of Volvo 9 1/2" hubcaps that arrived with the postie this morn. I've just fitted the silver wheels, here is the before photo of GAM with 165/80 tyres, the red wheels and shiny hubcaps:
... and 20 minutes later with the silver wheels, 175/60 tyres and black centred hubcaps (I'm guessing they came from a 144):
Even if I say so myself, these look much better than I had been expecting. The slightly smaller radius tyres lower the motor car by about 20mm, and the slightly shorter but fatter sidewalls suit GAM quite well. The hubcaps look quite good also.
So, how does the motor car drive on the silver wheels? The answer is surprisingly well. The steering is slightly lighter - probably because I'd used 32PSI all round. Grip is very good - I suppose due to the slightly wider section. I stopped at Morrison's store to take a few photos:
For driving around town I'd say that gearing is slightly more suitable now. The smaller tyres lower the overall gearing by about 7%, so GAM is noticeably more sprightly:
I took GAM out for a test drive on some local A and B roads with a short section of dual carriageway to test the speedometer against the GPS app on my cell phone. Making the speedometer less inaccurate was a subsidiary aim of the silver wheels project, but I'm pleased to report it is now just about spot on. That is an additional bonus.
One last shot of GAM with its new boots:
... I think that all works rather well.
Costs: the wheels were £40, the 175/60 tyres £130 and the hubcaps £11.90 (yes, seriously - what a bargain, one of those eBay auctions where no one else took an interest). Let's say about £185 including a few new valves and weights - in context that was less than I paid for the set of shiny new (fabulous looking) chromed hubcaps for the red wheels.
I'm going to leave these wheels on GAM for a few weeks and use that time to give the red wheels a good clean up, I'll swap them back in time for the Trent Valley section meeting I'm planning to attend in June. Then I'll put the silver wheels away with the other winter boots until November; the 175/60 tyres are all season (M&S) and so could be used during the summer, but I like the look of the red wheels as well.
I'm happy to call this little aside an absolute success. It didn't cost much and achieved all its aims.
:-)
Alan
PS. A small issue I have is the spare wheel still has a 165/80 tyre. It would be fine as a get you home repair, although the steering might be a bit wayward with a 1" larger tyre in one corner!