Wheels, bolts and trims again

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:30 am

I am considering putting a new set of 185 profile tyres on a set of good steels from a GTi and putting them on my TGS. Can I use the same bolts from the existing narrower profile wheels and will the wheel trims (they're the ones that are held in place by the bolts) fit OK?

I know it's not 'authentic' to put 185's on a car that came originally (as an auto) with really narrow 155/80's but for driving security as well as comfort I fancy replacing the noisy old-fashioned Nankangs with Michelins or similar.

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:34 am

In my experience, BX handling is very sensitive to tyre choice and 155 is not enough. Sod authenticity, I really don't think that's safe. Go for it!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:49 am

But will the trims and bolts fit OK? I guess the only thing to do is fit one on and see

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:37 pm

There's a load of information in the Krook Lok catalogue here:

http://www2.qha.com/catalogues.asp

mnde · Post by **mnde** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

If you go for 165/80s, you can get Uniroyal Rallye 680s (aka "The Rain Tyre"), which are mid-price and marketed by Continental. In North America they are a Michelin brand.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/w ... 80_en.html

I had these fitted on the front of my BX, and I've been pleased with their performance (until the car broke down recently....)

Advantage being that you can fit them to the existing rims and no problem with trims or bolts.

Apparently you can also get them as a 185/70 if you do want to go ahead with the GTi wheels.

Mark.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:38 pm

Hi Mark, shouldn't that be 165/70?

mnde · Post by **mnde** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:48 pm

Yeah, whatever is the BX16 manual standard size

Mark.

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:17 pm

You can upgrade the tyresto 165/70s with no worries AND you can fit a set of Gti steel wheels and keep the same bolts as the hub width is the same.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:19 pm

For some time I've been buying Continental Eco whatsits for both the ZX and the TD BX Estate - which are both on 175 65 x 14. I recently put the front end of the ZX on Klebers of the same size and they are a revelation - better grip, much better ride and far less noise - in fact the difference is so great that even my wife noticed it and commented unprompted.

Klebers were in fact cheaper (not by much) and are made by Michelin.

As a comment I'd say that both BX and the mighty ZX 1.9D would probably benefit form a larger tyre - but you must remember that both these are diesels with the heavy engine in the front and a petrol one with a much lighter engine may feel rather different.