Width of 15" wheels

[Stephen Edwin]

I like my Scorpious that I have on my SE. But I am tempted toward 15" to get good tyres choice. I would want a straightforward sort of width and profile if you see what I mean.

Prufrock has mentioned in the forum some that look good. Star? But my local tyre depot tell me 7 x 15 is very wide.

I've seen Volvo Omegas although they were very nice condition, too good for me. Perhaps I can find some more workaday ones. They look practical but I don't know the wheel width.

Can anyone advise what the widths are of Volvo 15" alloys that fit the 240. And what width will suit ordinary sized tyres, in sizes where there is a decent choice of quality tyres available please?

Stephen

[Antz]

Factory fitted Virgo wheels on the GLT were 15x6 with a 196/60/15 tyre.

A lot of folks step up to the Volvo "Galaxy" wheel which is a 16x7 and run a 205/50/16 tyre which fits on without any problems or catching.

Anything wider than a 7 will cause arch issues but a 7 will go on without any problems providing the offset is around the stock ET20.

To be honest, you cant go wrong with the GLT wheels. They are made for a 240, look good on them, can be had for £100-150 a set and will go straight on without any issues ever.

[Stephen Edwin]

Thanks Antz. I've never got involved on more than 185 80 14. I'm lost.

I get the idea from what you say that the 15" wheels start at 6" wide and that 7" is not very wide for the 240? What is the effect on driving of 196/60/15 and of 205/50/16 and of whatever fits 7 x 15?

What is that "Star" wheel of Prufrock anyway? https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attac...9&d=1510829968 It looks neat.

[loki_the_glt]

If you do go for Virgos then I would suggest 195/65 tyres rather than /60s as the former are slightly softer and more forgiving in terms of ride comfort -my GLT is so equipped although the GLT's had firmer suspension than the other cars.

[Stephen Edwin]

Thanks Loki. To use Virgo I would need some Humble Pie. I still regard them as Stalinist Era Industrial. I admit they look reasonable on the GLT for which they were made.

Re width I've looked at my Scorpious. They are marked as 6J x 14. So I am already using 6" wide wheels, with my 185 x 14 tyres.

[Stephen Edwin]

I've just seen the Volvo Vesa design. 6J x 15 so the 15" equivalent of Scorpious. http://www.volvo-480-europe.org/imag...els/wheel6.jpg They could be an interesting choice if I find some.
EDIT: I think the Vesa are four stud fixing....very bad idea for a 240!

I do like the clean lines of prufrock's "Star" wheels. What are they called please???

.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by loki_the_glt

If you do go for Virgos then I would suggest 195/65 tyres rather than /60s as the former are slightly softer and more forgiving in terms of ride comfort -my GLT is so equipped although the GLT's had firmer suspension than the other cars.

And it looks to me as if 195 65 15 has a wider choice range of quality tyres with good grip. Avon, Michelin, Firestone, Goodyear.... or are they van tyres?

And I think that size would fit both 6 x 15 and 7 x 15? Is there any real driving difference between 6 x 15 vs 7 x 15?

How do these wheel and tyre sizes work with speedometer/odometer function? Please....

[Prufrock]

This is all simple stuff really, and 65 profile tyres aren't van tyres per se. As long as the rolling diameter, of the old wheel/tyre combo, is the same as the replacement, there are no issues (this a comment specifically about gearing nothing else).

Example; standard size tyre on a 245 is a 185/80 x 14 (horrible tyre size, limited choice of decent tyres) ? So, if for example you wanted to fit a 7 x 15 combo what tyres size would be best ?

Answer, a 205/65 would give you a rolling diameter well within the 3% tolerance - if you want to do it properly that is.

Jon.

[Stephen Edwin]

Yes I only ask simple stuff on the interweb....

Right so my initial "calculations" are correct. Thanks.

I really do want to know what those "star" wheels are actually called. I would need a spare wheel after all and one the same would be best.

I thought you woz ging away for the weekend Prufrock. Enjoy yourself.

Stephen

[loki_the_glt]

There are several web-sites that let you compare tyre (or tire in the case of the American sites) rolling radius against your current set-up, and there are probably links on either this section or the 700/900-series section of the Forum.

Generally speaking the lower the profile the harsher the ride, since the sidewall is shorter on a 60-series tyre than on a 65-series one.