Tyre sizes

[ritmo]

I have some ZX 15" alloys on my BX estate. I need to get a new set of tyres, but I'm changing size.

The question is: Does anyone know if 185/65 R15 tyres will fit under the rear arches? The 195/55 tyres on there at the moment sometimes rub which I'm really not happy with.

Thanks very much for any help.

Jake

[citronut]

well 185's are 10mm narower than the ones you have on there at the moment,

i cant remember what the widest tyres were fitted to the BX, i think BX's did run 185's apart from you have gone up in diamiter,

if you have your owners hand book it will say in that what width tyres were fitted but allow a bit as your on 15" tyres

regards malcolm

[Jayboy]

I think really you should be running on 195/50 15's as these will make your speedo run slightly fast rather than the one's you have on which will give a slow reading due to their larger than standard circumference which may also be giving the clearance problems!

[akarso]

Does anyone know if 185/65 R15 tyres will fit under the rear arches?

I have 185/55 15 rear, and they fit, but very slight arch bending was involved (few milimeters). 185/65 are 37 mm larger in diameter, so acceleration will be worse, and speedo wil read 6.3% too slow, not mentioning possible clearance problems.

[MULLEY]

Jake, are the rear arm bearings ok? If not it might be wiser to get them sorted rather than changing tyre size to sort out a pre-existing problem. If the rear arms are ok, unfortunately i dont have any experience of 15" rims, i use speedlines in either 5.5 or 6j on 14" & run 185/60's without any problems.

[stoterstangen90]

I have fitted 185/70 - 14 on my BX break in the past.

[ritmo]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Mulley - I'm pretty sure the rear arm bearings are fine, pretty vertical wheels.

The problem is the front edge of the rear tyres ever so slightly rub. It's not actually at the point of largest diameter, so I'm thinking narrower tyres will be better. Trouble is, I don't know if the larger diameter will make more of problem. It's really hard to try to work out. I am looking into 175/65R15 tyres also, these seem more appropriate (although more expensive for some reason?! 185/65 seems to be the cheapest profile for R15 wheels).

By the way, if anyone has some spare Citroën R14 wheels, I would probably happily swop them for these bloody R15 ZX alloys.

I realise the change in wheel size will change the car characteristics. However, my speedo doesn't work and I'm more of a cruiser than a quick acceleration guy!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Way2go]

It seems many get away with the 165's but it does say in the Citroen BX sales brochure of the time that the 16v arches were made wider to accomodate them.

[Aerodynamica]

Ello Jake - I don't think the wheels are the problem, just get a set of 185/60 s and they'll clear the wheel outer arch they're only 1.2% larger overall diameter than your present 195/55 15s

Try a set of part worns? can you wait till I'm back up in Glasgow (26th) and I'll get them from the place near my Sister's

[citronut]

i didnt know any ZX were ever fitted with 15" rims or are they after market

regards malcolm

[MULLEY]

Werent the larger alloys fitted to the more sporty petrol versions as standard?

[ritmo]

Not as far as I know. There is a ZX TD Volcanne down the end of my road with very similar wheels, so I'm guessing they're genuine.

Graeme, I'm after a good set out low rolling resistant tyres. Like the sound of low drag and less wear. The thing is it seems quite hard to find them in the sizes I am looking for. I have found Eco Contacts in 185/65 and 175/65 but doesn't seem to be much else useful. Any ideas?

I could wait till you arrive, but I think at the speed they are deflating now, they're quite dangerous. 2 hours driving sees them go from 35psi to 20!!!