17" wheels OK for 105HP 147??

Hi guys,
I have a 105 hp 147 2002 and I had planned to swop the standard 15" alloys for 17" alloys, will this be OK, will it negatively affect the ride in anyway?? Would 16" be better for this lower HP car??
Thanks,
Jim

Provding the fitment is ok 5x98PCD there should be no problem. It will probably handle better.

It will not affect your HP.

isn't there another thread asking the exact same just posted?

That was me, sorry...

You might find the ride abit firmer as the lower profile cant soak up the same kinda of bumps from the road.

The first thing you Will notice is tho is the 4x4 stance of the car, a set of 30mm lowering springs should really get the car sitting where it should sit on 17's

It'll be firmer yes, maybe choppy if the roads you drive at a bit rough. Got 17s on mine and yes I need to get it lowered a little. Some days I think its on stlts.

Nice looking 147 Paul!

It will be slower with bigger wheels.

5x98pcd and correct offset (dependent on wheel width) & it won't be a problem. I think standard tyres are 215/45/17 but I've seen one with 205/50/17s too. Both have a slightly smaller rolling radius to a 205/55/16, but nothing requiring speedo recalibration.

I've got a 2004 147 on 16" wheels and recently had a 2008 one (on 17s) as a courtesy car. Comparing them back to back, I couldn't say that I noticed it being any harsher on the ride, but it did feel more responsive to direction changes. They do look a much better fit in the arches too!

They will make it slightly slower unless the wheel and tyre combo is the same weight or less and the tyres have a similar or better rolling resistance - basically because the engine has to move this mass forwards and rotate it too.

You can put 17's on a 998cc Fiesta if you wanted and yes it would slighty make it slower but its mainly down to looks.

Have you desided what style you are going for? Multi spoke, Flat 5spoke, aftermarket, Alfa? etc etc

Thanks for the info guys, one issue I do have is the quality of the roads in Athens is a but naff, but I see plenty of 147's with 17" wheels around.
As for style... I really like those "biohazard" style wheels, I think they are called supersports, multispoke are also nice but not with a too wide clearance between the spokes if you know what I mean....

Originally Posted by jgp147

Thanks for the info guys, one issue I do have is the quality of the roads in Athens is a but naff, but I see plenty of 147's with 17" wheels around.
As for style... I really like those "biohazard" style wheels, I think they are called supersports, multispoke are also nice but not with a too wide clearance between the spokes if you know what I mean....

Not a fan of the supersports myself but they do look at home on the 147.
17"s won't spoil the ride just firm it up, the increase in handling should make up for the downfall in ride quality

One final thing, I was told by a dealer (that has since shut) that the front end is quite light on the 1.6 and so it is important to be careful how wide the wheels are because it can make it a bit tricky in the wet.

Not having driven one I couldn't say!

Not if you keep the offset to 35mm and over. If it gets under that I suspect that the front end will get twitchy and the tyre shoulders will start scraping the inside of the wheel covers when the suspension is near its full contraction.

Originally Posted by andypj

One final thing, I was told by a dealer (that has since shut) that the front end is quite light on the 1.6 and so it is important to be careful how wide the wheels are because it can make it a bit tricky in the wet.

Not having driven one I couldn't say!

Hmmm never heard that before

Thanks for all the advice guys, I have still haven't fitted the wheels as I spent my monthly allowance on a new exhaust, new bonnet badge and spoiler and my wife won't give me any more money...

afew yrs ago i had 17" wheels on a 1.1 106

Originally Posted by rainski

afew yrs ago i had 17" wheels on a 1.1 106

back in the day, huh?