V70 Wheels/Tyres: T5 wheel/tyre combo..

[TDIvolvo]

My GF got a nice slash in a front tyre on Friday leading to the spare being put on, which is a 16inch Metis.

I have another V70 which is about to go for scrap and it has another 4 Metis alloys on it in bitter need of a refurb but decent enough looking apart from that.

I had been thinking at the back of my mind that I might go down a wheel size and get some bigger rubber. I am told these cars are smoother and quieter on R16's with 215/55 tyres.

Currently I have R17's which came on it newly re-furbed in black, they look smart enough but I think I prefer silver.

Option 1 was to have them redone in silver and keep them with the 225/45R17's

Option 2 was to have the Metis alloys done up and switch to 215/55R16's, but I also note some saying they put 205/55R16's on them.

Does anyone have any experience with the various sizes and the difference it made.

Thanks.

[Brendan W]

Haven't driven the wider bigger wheels. Have 205/55/16 and can't fault them in any way.
The odd time I pull over to help damsels in distress, if it's low profile, the tyre is dead.
T5 and 16" don't seem to sit well together for some reason, maybe it's the look.

[TDIvolvo]

Here are some photos to help the jury.

Current 17 inch setup:

Black.jpg

Proposed silver 16 inch Metis setup:

Silver.jpg

[TDIvolvo]

Originally Posted by Brendan W

Haven't driven the wider bigger wheels. Have 205/55/16 and can't fault them in any way.
The odd time I pull over to help damsels in distress, if it's low profile, the tyre is dead.
T5 and 16" don't seem to sit well together for some reason, maybe it's the look.

I know what you mean, T5 is sort of expected to have a sportier look isn't it. However, Volvo sleeper look is good too!

Bear in mind the Police used the 16's - I think this was so they had more rubber for clattering about.

I think the 17's do probably look better, but I also think my Metis looks quite smart as it is, possibly as I would rather have silver alloys but that is just my personal taste.

[Brendan W]

Even as is the silver looks better, imho.

[marcb]

Having had two V70s, one with 215/55/16 and the current 2.5T with 225/45/17 I can say the ride is far better on the smaller wheels and fatter tyres.

[DickyB V70R]

Bigger rubber is the way to go for comfort without a doubt.

I remember a few years back when we used to have a Volvo meet at the Talbot Pub near Northweald, Big Andrew was running 215/35/17s on a set of Comets on his Saffy V70R...35s !! they looked like Elastic Bands, the ride was not good..lol

The good ole days.

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by marcb

Having had two V70s, one with 215/55/16 and the current 2.5T with 225/45/17 I can say the ride is far better on the smaller wheels and fatter tyres.

This is a good read for me as I just picked up another V70 - this one with 17" tires - and my older V70 has 16" - and I've been thinking of swapping the sets as the older one has newer and better tires (Uniroyal Rainsport 3).

[TDIvolvo]

Originally Posted by Brendan W

Even as is the silver looks better, imho.

That's what I think.

Thinking of getting the 17's redone in silver and hoping for the same look but I like the idea of the smoother drive and better kerb and pothole robustness.

[Brendan W]

...............and the 205 is 10% narrower than the 225 and should pick up fewer screws on the road, or linear fastener storage device in officialese