Wheel diameters?

r-designbob · Jun 28th, 2010, 01:28

What exactly is the advantage of having larger wheel diameters?
Are they safer, better wearing or what?

XC60KEV · Jun 28th, 2010, 07:36

The actual combined wheel diameter i.e. tyre & wheel will be the same on most cars otherwise each car's speedo would have to be calibrated differently.

HGV's have as large combined diameter as possible to reduce tyre wear i.e. less revolutions = longer life.

in my experience the larger the rim the lower profile the tyre the harder the ride and the more expensive the tyres are to replace. This has to be balanced however with the cosmetic look I suppose.

thanosgr · Jun 28th, 2010, 07:50

First of all they look great!
Bigger rims equals wider tires, again they look better!
Except better looking, bigger wheels have better grip (breaking, handling, etc).
But they have match more worst grip in wet conditions (aqua planing).
And of course bigger energy consumption...

wimorrison · Jun 28th, 2010, 08:24

The difference is largely down to roadhandling and ride comfort.

The OP is correct in that the final diameter is the same, but not so much for the speedometer, it is actually because the steering geometery would be incorrect of you moved from the designed criteria such as rolling diameter.

The net result is smaller rim = more rubber between you and the road, softer ride; larger rim = less rubber, therefore firmer ride and as the tyre has less flex in the sidewall due to reduced size you get much more responsive performance, especially in steering.

There is another difference in that the unsprung weight is less with large wheel rims and 'thin' tyres, though this difference is not major on a car such as the XC60.

Then there is the issue of cost .....

r-designbob · Jun 28th, 2010, 15:39

Thanks for the comments guy's

r-designbob · Jun 29th, 2010, 01:22

Are you guy's happy with the factory fitted tires?

XC60KEV · Jun 29th, 2010, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by r-designbob

Are you guy's happy with the factory fitted tires?

What make.model are the standard factory fitted tyre?

wimorrison · Jun 29th, 2010, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by r-designbob

Are you guy's happy with the factory fitted tires?

NOPE - they are good in the summer, but TOTALLY useless in snow

I bought a set of rims (£400) and have fitted Cooper Discoverer M+S onto them and I will change the wheels over November (ish) until February (ish).

That *may* seem expensive but the economics do work out (well if you want to fit winter tyres it does). The other choice would be to fit all-season tyres when the factory fits wear out.

Jun 28th, 2010, 01:28	#1
r-designbob Premier Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2016 11:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: portsmouth	Wheel diameters? What exactly is the advantage of having larger wheel diameters? Are they safer, better wearing or what? __________________ XC60 D3 R-Design- geartronic Sapphire black/ beige interior - Panoramic roof- Tinted rear screen Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery..

Jun 28th, 2010, 07:36	#2
XC60KEV Master Member Last Online: Sep 23rd, 2011 15:05 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Scotland View Photos By: XC60KEV	The actual combined wheel diameter i.e. tyre & wheel will be the same on most cars otherwise each car's speedo would have to be calibrated differently. HGV's have as large combined diameter as possible to reduce tyre wear i.e. less revolutions = longer life. in my experience the larger the rim the lower profile the tyre the harder the ride and the more expensive the tyres are to replace. This has to be balanced however with the cosmetic look I suppose. __________________ MY11 Black Sapphire XC60 D5 AWD (205) R-Design Premium, R Design Convenience Pack, Passenger & Cargo Blinds. Continental Cross Contact UHP Tyres with Nokian WRG2's in the tyre hotel.

Jun 28th, 2010, 15:39	#5
r-designbob Premier Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2016 11:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: portsmouth	Thanks for the comments guy's __________________ XC60 D3 R-Design- geartronic Sapphire black/ beige interior - Panoramic roof- Tinted rear screen Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery..

Jun 29th, 2010, 01:22	#6
r-designbob Premier Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2016 11:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: portsmouth	Are you guy's happy with the factory fitted tires? __________________ XC60 D3 R-Design- geartronic Sapphire black/ beige interior - Panoramic roof- Tinted rear screen Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery..

Jun 28th, 2010, 07:50	#3
thanosgr Thanos Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 17:04 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Thessaloniki	First of all they look great! Bigger rims equals wider tires, again they look better! Except better looking, bigger wheels have better grip (breaking, handling, etc). But they have match more worst grip in wet conditions (aqua planing). And of course bigger energy consumption...

Jun 28th, 2010, 08:24	#4
wimorrison Grumpy Old Sod Last Online: Dec 14th, 2021 15:39 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hampshire, nee Scotland	The difference is largely down to roadhandling and ride comfort. The OP is correct in that the final diameter is the same, but not so much for the speedometer, it is actually because the steering geometery would be incorrect of you moved from the designed criteria such as rolling diameter. The net result is smaller rim = more rubber between you and the road, softer ride; larger rim = less rubber, therefore firmer ride and as the tyre has less flex in the sidewall due to reduced size you get much more responsive performance, especially in steering. There is another difference in that the unsprung weight is less with large wheel rims and 'thin' tyres, though this difference is not major on a car such as the XC60. Then there is the issue of cost .....

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