[Guest]

My 2004 owner's manual shows 6.5 x 15 steel rims and 6.5 x 16 alloys as standard fitment for the Progression model and the Distinctive model

Are there any known issues fitting 6.5 x 15 alloys instead of the steel rims ?

 

[156Chris]

Apart from them looking rubbish ... There would be no technical issues

 

[Guest]

I consider the improvement in the ride quality to be more than worth the slight cosmetic downgrade.

 

[David C]

Are there any known issues fitting 6.5 x 15 alloys instead of the steel rims ?

No issues at all as long as you have the correct 205/60R15 91V tyres.

 

[Pascs]

One of my V6 is fitted with 205/60R15 tyres on 6.5x15" alloys and I feel it doesnt have any better ride quality than 205/55R16 tyres that I had on my other car. Also the 205/55R16 gave the car much improved handling

And 15" wheels look rubbish compared to 16" wheels :lol:

 

[Guest]

Apart from them looking rubbish ... There would be no technical issues

...
And 15" wheels look rubbish compared to 16" wheels :lol:

And all join in with the chorus 'rubbish, rubbish etc ...'

So it's not all baseball caps and bling on this forum, you do get some creative, objective advice then. I'm sure all the loving Alfa loving owners who have bought cars with 15" alloys over the years will be delighted that they bought rubbish. Quite what me and all those nice chaps have done to deserve the unprovoked ridicule is beyond me.

The wheels I have taken off are Alfa 17 x 7 with 215/45 Avon ZZ3 and having had FSD's fitted the ride was still too harsh for the cluster bombed ponds and lakes that pass for the roads I have to drive on.

I also have the Eibach ARB kit fitted so I can afford to lose a bit of handling if necessary. The 15 inch alloys went on with a new set of Rain Experts (The August Bank Holiday Tyre) on Friday and after 250 miles of road testing - the ride quality is improved massively with no noticeable depreciation in grip or handling.

Interestingly, but not the issue here, the Uniroyals completely waste the ZZ3's in the wet on the same crap roads.

 

[156Chris]

and someone else who can't take a slight bit of banter ...

... fwiw I still had 15" wheels when I had FSD's and Eibach fitted and the handling improved significantly when I went upto 17", notably turn in was significantly cleaner and the car is 100% more balanced mid-corner.

 

[Guest]

Rubbish !

 

[1of1]

 

[156Chris]

Rubbish !

I see you're joining in with the chorus!!! Well done :lol:

 

[Guest]

I walked past a Honda Integra Type R today, which most of the magazines consider to be one of the top 5 best handling fwd cars ever built - it had standard Honda wheels with 205/55 16 tyres.

If Honda don't understand that 19 inch Carlos Fandango Superwide Wheels are the best at everything and everything else is rubbish - then I don't suppose me or Alfa stand much of a chance either.

 

[156Chris]

It seems that Honda need to listen to you because they seem to have forgotten which wheels to select as the current civic type r has 225/40 R18

 

[Guest]

Whatever, the 17 inch alloys are up for sale on ebay !

They also weigh 20.3 kg with Avon ZZ3's compared to 19.7 kg for the 15's with the Rain Experts. So much for the unsprung mass then as well as the mass of the car !