17inch Arcadia wheels without sports suspension.

[nicjomo]

Hi community, i have bought a set of 17inch Arcadia wheels for my volvo s40 2.0. Now volvo say that this car is not engineered for 17inch wheels. I am wondering if any one else has any views on this issue, is it dangerous? do i need to get the sports suspension from a T4 or sports lux? Estimations on how my insurance will go up if i have sports suspension fited. Please Volvo owners let me know what you think of this issue.

This symbol indicates how i feel about my problem. I dont want it to be too wild on the road, i dont want to hurt anyone or myself.

I look forward to your responses friends.

[pyaap]

Originally Posted by nicjomo

Hi community, i have bought a set of 17inch Arcadia wheels for my volvo s40 2.0. Now volvo say that this car is not engineered for 17inch wheels. I am wondering if any one else has any views on this issue, is it dangerous? do i need to get the sports suspension from a T4 or sports lux? Estimations on how my insurance will go up if i have sports suspension fited. Please Volvo owners let me know what you think of this issue.

This symbol indicates how i feel about my problem. I dont want it to be too wild on the road, i dont want to hurt anyone or myself.

I look forward to your responses friends.

Assuming yours is a Phase 2 car, I think it should fit as long as you use a sensible tyre size. Now Volvo fitted a 215/45ZR17 tyre to the Arcadia wheel which actually increases its diameter from the standard 205/50ZR16 wheels which came fitted on predecessor T4s. Personally, I think you have two options here. Firstly, fit 215/40ZR17 tyres to the Arcadia wheels - they don't change the rolling radius of the car by much so you shouldn't get any issues with tyre rub, plus you will not have to reprogram the DIM. If you still encounter issues with the tyres rubbing the wheelarches (most likely at the rear when the suspension is at full travel), then you will need to get the rear arches rolled. I had mine done by "Archenemy" (http://www.archenemy.co.uk/index.htm) and theirs was a very good and professional service. If you do decide to go with 215/45ZR17 tyres, remember than you must have the DIM reprogrammed or else the speedo and odo readings will be out by some margin.

[nicjomo]

No mate its a phase one. Its a long story but i have had a set on their before that were my mates, and the car was wild. I know i can get 2nd hand sports suspension from a breakers for a reasonable price. I just need a cheap solution in a sense just so its not dangerous. I am not a massive performace seeker you see, its all about looks.

[pyaap]

Originally Posted by nicjomo

No mate its a phase one. Its a long story but i have had a set on their before that were my mates, and the car was wild. I know i can get 2nd hand sports suspension from a breakers for a reasonable price. I just need a cheap solution in a sense just so its not dangerous. I am not a massive performace seeker you see, its all about looks.

All the more reason to use 215/40ZR17 tyres IMO. Phase 1 cars were plagued with tyre rubbing issues when going to 17" wheels, which is why the suspension was extensively reworked on Phase 2 cars. Ultimately hub-centric spacers will be an option if you did experience tyre rub, but if I'm being honest, I'm not a big fan of spacers, on grounds of safety.

[nicjomo]

Thanks for being patient with me mate, I am turning it into a phase 1 hyrbid. I have the phase 2 twin head lights and sports spoiler with black inlay and sports grill. If i am to go the sports suspension route will that cure aspects that we have identified.

If i sound like a newbie its cause i am, i went Volvo after my laguna RT sport decided it was a good idea to literally turn off round a bend. I ended upside down after the power steering failed. Thats why i have such an emphasis in safety and looks instead of performance.

[pyaap]

Originally Posted by nicjomo

Thanks for being patient with me mate, I am turning it into a phase 1 hyrbid. I have the phase 2 twin head lights and sports spoiler with black inlay and sports grill. If i am to go the sports suspension route will that cure aspects that we have identified.

Personally I don't think it will. The sports suspension makes virtually no difference to the geometry, it only comprises slightly stiffer shock absorbers and higher rated springs. The car will not be significantly lower (only by around 5mm)The issues you're likely to have (due to the offset of the wheels in part) will stem from the wider tyres which will either rub on the inner wheel arch at full lock, or clip on the wheel arch (esp rear) at full suspension travel (e.g. potholes etc.). Of the two, the latter will result in the rear tyres being gradually cut into, and the former could potentially lead to the N/S/F tyre "eating" through the plastic wheel liner and into the engine wiring loom which resides just behind that liner (OUCH!), neither of which are desirable. The Arcadia wheel has a very weird offset (ET55 if I recall correctly) which I guess would have matched a Phase 2 setup, but on a Phase 1, I think you do have to be a little more careful.

[nicjomo]

Well its something to think about, i feel a bit dis-heartened now, i am the sort of person who likes things to work as the manufacturer insisted. That way i feel safe. So if you had a sports lux that has the suspension would it still be wild? Again sorry for my ignorance, but you know what you are talking about. When i say "wild" i mean when going round bends or islands exotically sometimes you feel the back end just slipping out.

[nicjomo]

Sorry as you said the phase 2 set up is designed for these wheels. Sports lux is phase 2.

[pyaap]

Originally Posted by nicjomo

Well its something to think about, i feel a bit dis-heartened now, i am the sort of person who likes things to work as the manufacturer insisted. That way i feel safe. So if you had a sports lux that has the suspension would it still be wild? Again sorry for my ignorance, but you know what you are talking about. When i say "wild" i mean when going round bends or islands exotically sometimes you feel the back end just slipping out.

No, I very much doubt that. Basically, Phase 1 cars ran a 7x16" wheel as their widest wheel (on a T4). The Arcadia is a 7x17" so the width is the same, i.e. 7 inches. Its the tyre that is 10mm wider when going to a 215/40 tyre so there is where there is a risk of the wheel rubbing on full lock. However, I think a 215/40ZR17 tyre on the Arcadia wheel is the least likely to cause problems and if it does, all you need to do is stick a 5mm max spacer in there. At least one forum member uses a 5mm spacer on his car and has done trackdays etc with no problems. So pls don't be disheartened that it won't work, or that it will become dangerous (dodgy tyres are more likely to cause grip issues). I stuck an 8x17" on the front of my Phase 2 T4 and run 235/40ZR17 tyres with no issues!

[Enigma666]

Got 18's on my Ph1 T4 with no rubbing
can't remember the tyre size though lol