BX Alloy Wheels

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m_2975
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BX Alloy Wheels

Post by m_2975 »

Hi Guys,

As you all may know I have a Blue BX and it currently has Silver factory alloy wheels. I have to replace three of them as they were severely damaged when I bought the car. I have purchased two secondhand ones that are good but now I am undecided as to whether I should keep them or put the charcoal factory alloys on it.

I'm after your input. The car looks pretty with silver but I am undecided.

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I'm also after input about what tyre size that I should put on my car. If I keep the silver alloys they are made for 185/60 R14 and if I get charcoal alloys they are made for 195/55 R14.

I am considering putting wider tyres on either of the rims to increase grip and handling. What do you think?

The silver alloys would have 195/55 R14 and the charcoal would have 205/50 R14.

Your input would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Michael
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
Stewart (oily!)
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Post by Stewart (oily!) »

In my opinion the grip from 185 section tyres is probably good enough, the 195s just look that bit bigger.
Stewart
(mind you I have graphites and 195s)
TZD 19 TD one of the few
Xantia Td estate, going soft
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Ian_Fearn
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Post by Ian_Fearn »

Personally i prefer the silver alloys and have always had Michelin 185's which are great.

I had the charcoal alloys on my Hurricane which looked pretty good but i'd decided to fit the silver ones back on once i'd had them refurbished. I sold the car first though so i've still got a set sat in my garage.
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cavmad
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Post by cavmad »

I used to like the silver ones better but now I have the GTi the dark coloured ones really suit it. I personally think it depends on the colour of the car, silver would suit a blue car better i.m.h.o. Can you `photoshop` the different wheels onto your car and then have a think about which seems best.
Incidentally I would have thought 205 series tyres might be a bit big for the BX, 185 or 195 would be preferable.

Thought: why don`t you spray two of the damaged ones grey and put them on one side of the car too see what it looks like. Keep the other side silver and then you`ll have a good comparison test.
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m_2975
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BX Wheels

Post by m_2975 »

Thanks for your input guys. I think that based on your suggestions I have made my mind up on Silver or Grey. Silver it is because it is a light blue car. I must admit that I have black chevrons currently on the bonnet of my car and they don't look as good as the silver ones. I have a feeling that it will be the same for the wheels.
Silver Chevrons and Silver Alloy Wheels. Now all I have to do is find a good set as the ones I have a really bad. I have two reasonable ones spare but as I said I have three wrecked ones.
I am a perfectionist with my car and I have a feeling that even the spare ones won't cut it for me. We'll have to see.

--

As for the tryes...well theres something that i'm still debating on. The silver wheels are designed for 185/60 R14 but can have tyres fitted one size larger or smaller. Currently it has a set of 175/65 R14 tyres on it.

I am considering a set of 195/55 R14 tyres for it to give it that bit of extra stick.

I drove our BX16TRS a few months ago and spun it when I went around a corner :( It had 165/70 R14 tyres and to me they just don't feel like they do much sticking to the road. The car was OK by the way. I damaged one alloy wheel touching the gutter but was able to get a new one for approx 5 pounds.

Regards,
Michael
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
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cavmad
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Post by cavmad »

I found 175-70-14`s gave a good ride and pretty good handling on my diesel estate though the GTi certainly handles better on 60 series 14" tyres.
Another consideration Michael would be price and availability of different tyres sizes. In my experience 195-60-14`s are usually a bit easier to find and are usually slightly cheaper than 185-60-14`s. A few calls to your local tyre centres should give you an indication.
Shame your so far away as posting wheels to Australia could be a very expensive job, I`m sure we could find you some over here in excellent condition.
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Post by ernst stavro blofeld »

Anything bigger than 185 will degrade handling and roadholding. 205 is just silly.
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

I had a set of 195/60 R14's on silver alloys a few years ago. I wasn't that happy with the feel and when I replaced the tyres I went for 185/60 R14's and the difference was very noticeable. Much better.

I have grey 16v alloys with 195/60 R14's on and they're great. I think it's always best to go for the size tyre that the wheels were designed for.

195/55's - I wouldn't if I were you.

Also I find Pirelli P6000s suit the car very well and are cheaper than Michelins... but if you want originality and go for original spec tyres, it's up to you! :D
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
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m_2975
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tyres

Post by m_2975 »

Thanks Guys.

I have decided on 185-60R14's for the car. I am also going to fit Michelin tyres onto it. The tyre models we have here in Australia are different to the tyres that you get in the UK. The tyres I have chosen are similar to the Michelin Energy but are called Michelin XM1 here in Australia. I have a set of them on my BX Estate and they have some real stick on the road.

Thanks for all of your input. It has made my decision much easier.

As for getting a set of replacement wheels from the UK I don't quite know. They are heavy and bulky. I will see how mine come up.
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
adamskibx
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Post by adamskibx »

Slightly, but not totally off topic, ive been wondering if the BX steel wheel offsets vary from model to model. I noticed that the tyres on my 19GT are 165, and I know I could never put wider tyres on as there is currently only about 2-3 mm clearance between the tyre and the wheel-arch outer cover section. On the TRS im breaking, the clearance is about 3 cm and yet it still has 165 tyres.
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ken newbold
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Post by ken newbold »

The rear wings on the Mk2 are flared out wider than the MK1. But I suspect you're right as I've seen different clearances between sides on the same car. :shock:
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