11 replies to this topic

[racingbob]

Would I notice any difference going to 5.5 x10 from 5.5x 12

[Wim Fournier]

Don't know how 'sensitive' you are, but, the difference in circumference between them is about ten per cent (10%).

So, at the same engine speed (rpm) the car goes 10% slower. For instance 72 miles an hour instead of 80 miles an hour at 4000 engine rpm. Can you imagine?

[nicklouse]

It depends on the tyres.

A wheel size means very little without stating what size tyres your have now and plan to go to.

[Cooperman]

Don't know how 'sensitive' you are, but, the difference in circumference between them is about ten per cent (10%).

So, at the same engine speed (rpm) the car goes 10% slower. For instance 72 miles an hour instead of 80 miles an hour at 4000 engine rpm. Can you imagine?

No it doesn't.

 

The type-approved tyre sizes for 10" & 12" wheels are 145/80 x 10 or 165/70 x 10 and 145/70 x 12 or 165/60 x 12.

 

If you do the maths there is no more than 3% difference between the rolling radii of any of these so there will be no noticeable difference.

[tiger99]

But if you have a good understanding of and feel for handling, the car will feel much better on 10 inch wheels. The ride quality will, surprisingly, be better too, partly because of their being less unsprung mass. But some of it is due to wheel offset and scrub radius.

 

The current fad for ever larger wheels on supposedly upmarket, and therefore overpriced, modern cars is a piece of nonsense, perpetrated on a gullible public by certain marketing departments, possibly beginning in Bavaria. The same gullible public who will pay the franchised dealers £180 per hour for routine servicing.....

 

It was proven a long time ago that where wheels are concerned, smaller is better, within limits. Thus the Moggy had smaller wheels than its predecessor, and handled much better. Then the Mini. by the same designer, went smaller again, and handled even better.

[Cooperman]

It's not so much the handling, as the ride quality and overall road-holding which are ruined by these stupid over-large wheels with ultra-low-profile tyres.

My daily driver has 275/40 x 19 tyres on the rear and 245/45 x 19 on the front. How I wish they were both something like 235/65 x 17, but that's not type-approved. Making things even worse are the run-flat tyres some cars have which make the ride even poorer.

One of the finest riding cars ever was the original Jaguar XJ6. That had 205/70 x 15 tyres and was quite simply superb, especially in the wet. This modern low-profile tyre rubbish has ruined the overall feel of many an otherwise fine car. The Mk.1 Ford Granada with 14" wheels was also superb to drive.

[Aridgerunner]

I couln't agree more with you guys. My wifes new Dodge Dart (aka Alfa giulia) came with 40 series tires. As soon as they were half worn wd switchec to 4t series. It rides much better now.

[timmy850]

A reminder, the tyre profile is a proportion of the tyre width, not an absolute value.. e.g.

145/80R10 - Diameter 486mm

165/70R10 - Diameter 485mm (Despite being a "lower profile", they have the same rolling diameter as the 80 series tyres)

[racingbob]

Interesting the car does ride ok and feel good on the 5.5 165 x 12 so the 10 may probably make it better all round

[b_sdaddy]

My first mini was a 'Red Hot' on std. 12". Current mini on 10's (5,5" wheels), is so much more fun as it 'sticks' to the road much better.

 

Dependent on your driving style, if it's aggressive around the bends, then you'll definitely notice the difference.

[b_sdaddy]

Here they are!

 

maifrini mille miglia (hen's teeth)

Attached Files

•  maifrini mille miglia.JPG   27.4K   5 downloads

[racingbob]

Nice wheels