Damaged 17" alloys!!!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Birel

Guest
I don't know whether any one can help. I have a 1 year old A2 1.4TDI Sport with 17" wheels and low profile tyres (205/40 ZR17). My problem is that the rims of the wheels keep getting damaged despite me being very careful driving/parking etc. It seems you only have to get near the curb and these wheels get marked. The interesting thing is that the offside wheels are worse than the near side - very strange! The Michelin tyres offer absolutely no rim protection even for the very lightest touch. In fact the first thing that touches the curb is the wheel.

I am not a clumsy driver, very careful in fact and I look after my cars with great care, but this is really baffling because no matter how careful you are the wheels keep getting marked. The standard Michelin tyres have no protection bead to protect the wheel unlike other tyres like the Bridgestone S02 & S03. Have any other members suffered this problem and has anyone got a solution?

One very good tyre specialist suggested going for a 215/45 x 17 tyre which would allow the tyre to protrude beyond the edge of the rim giving more protection. This is how it is done on a Porsche 993RS using Bridgestone S02's. Trouble is that the 45 profile will slightly alter the gearing.[27][5][5]

Graham Tricker
 
215/45R17? Surely the tyre specialist means 215/40R17.

Going to a 215/40R17 is like adding 4mm of tread to the 205/40R17, as it changes the outside diameter of the tyre from 595.8mm to 603.8mm.

The outside diameter of the 215/40R17 is therefore 1.3% bigger than the 205/40R17.

215s may cause rubbing problems on the wheel arch. It certainly did when one owner tried fitting 215/35R18s. Also, 215/40s work best when fitted to slightly wider 7.5" rims.
 
i used to have a set of dunlop SP`s on a 195/40/16 which had a sacrifical kerb band of solid rubber on the edge of the tyre not sure if the tyre is available in your fitment, don`t particulary rate the tyres grip but if you don`t push the A2 it will be more than fine.

A2 TDI Sport Gone but Not Forgotten.

A3 TDI DSG, What do i do with my left arm and leg now ?
 
The best tyres that I have come across for a decent rim protector band is AVON Z range.
Should you chose to change your rims, then I have just got a new set whereby the tyre has to be fitted in reverse at the tyre shop.

It is all due to the fact that these rims almost tuck in a little so the tyre appears to be slightly over sized, trust me this makes an amazing difference if used with a tyre with rim protector as there is about 15mm of protection being offered.

I am using 215/40/17 on a set of 7.5 x 17 rims.
 
Used BF Goodrich Tyres on my Alfa GTV and they had a superb rim protector ridge on them. The tyres were pretty good too.
 
Ok so is there any way at all of getting 18"/7.5 wheels on this car?


Black 2001 A2 with 16" 6 spoke, Open sky system, xenon lights, and concert single cd.
Tha Best
 
The outside diameter of 18" tyres tend to be too big for the A2. For example, 215/35R18 tyres have an outside diameter of 607.7mm. The standard A2 tyre sizes are around the 590mm mark. So although you might be able to juggle the wheel offset so that the tyres don't rub, the gearing will be about 2% higher than standard and the car's centre of gravity will be raised about 8mm. Also, the tiny sidewalls won't absorb the bumps very well, resulting in a hard ride and possible damage to rims and suspension when hitting potholes. Only recommended for fashion victims.
 
was thinking of maybe getting arch mods, but have no idea of where and what sort of cost?

Black 2001 A2 with 16" 6 spoke, Open sky system, xenon lights, and concert single cd.
Tha Best
 
18" will fit provided you use 215s, and 7.5" wheels - i don't think you can get this combination tho'.

215/40s are great. much better ride (i have suspension again now) and they fit nicely my 7.5Jx17s.

bear in mind different brands have a different width - toyo and pirelli are very wide in 205/40; dunlops are really narrow. nokias in 215s are not too bad.

there's a couple of comparison pictures around between 205s and 215s, let me know if you want one and i'll email it.

Bret

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
2002, Petrol 1.4, 17", sports suspension, OpenSky, leather / alcantara in iceblue
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
 
i tried 215 45 17s but they rubbed so i got 205 45 17 bridgestones they were fine and gave much more rim protection and a better ride about £95 each + + + you have my sympathy
 
I have found whatever tyres you have, it is the blinking pot holes that do the damage! I have kerbed mine once - boo hoo - but I have marks on 3 wheels all due to pot holes.

On this note - anyone had their alloys repaired? If so would you recommend them?

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue, winter pack, leather, rew
 
Thanks for this! A recommendation is always good. £75 is a cheap 'new' wheel if it is done properley. Had a bad experience a few years ago where the firm didn't laquer the wheel properley and the wheel was ruined, so have been really wary since.

Fi

2002 TDi Sport Cobalt Blue, winter pack, leather, rew
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top