sorry for the long explanation but lots of factors to consider....



My g/f has a 2006 Fiesta 1.4(?) diesel

It drives really nicely right up until about 70mph when it has a really bad vibration. On examination at a tracking place it was found that the Ford 16" alloy wheels (low profile tyres) were shaped more like 50p pieces than circles! From underneath you could actually see the 'dents' with the wheels stationary- let alone when spinning!

The rears were a little better so swapped them over as a temporary fix and improved things a fair bit but the vibration is still pretty bad.

Fiesta forum investigation has revealed that they are a particularly soft alloy and lots of people have this problem.

Now got to the stage that she needs 4 new tyres urgently and not sure what to do. They're a reasonably low profile at: 194/45 R16

Options:
1. Same wheels, new tyres and put up with it. She does 64mile a day commute so not great
2. New alloy wheels from Ford. £1000(?) + tyres. Presumably they'll be just as soft and will dent again.
3. 2nd hand Ford alloys. Likely to be pre-dented.
4. Aftermarket alloys. £500(?) Most 'Halfords' style alloys seem pretty poor and heavy (and soft?)
5. 2nd hand alloys. Good chance they're dented already?
6. 16" Ford steel wheels. £120(? as get trade price) or 2nd hand if can find straight ones.
7. 14"/15" Ford steel wheels and get a more common (and therefore cheaper!) tyre.

She reckons the handling is great with the current wheels/low profiles. As per other threads.... 16" with low profiles might be great on a flat/dry road but on anything else, handling will be improved with 14/15" wheels right?

The other thing to bear in mind is possible snow issues with the 16". The car was undriveable in the snow last year. My Punto with 13" skinny tyres went everywhere easily!
She's also, therefore, thinking about getting snow tyres!


My current thinking is option 7. Go with a 14/15" steel wheel new from Ford. Benefits will be cheaper tyres, tougher wheels, better handling generally. Disadvantage is slightly worse dry/flat handling, less 'bling' factor.
If she's worried about snow then get snow tyres onto her old wheels, or buy 2nd hand wheels.



Any thoughts/opinions? Have been pondering this for weeks, if I don't decide soon she'll do something annoying, rash and expensive by making up her own mind!


Thanks!

James

[Edited on 20/12/11 by James]

If you can see the dents, it probably won't get through the next MOT, plus any responsible tyre fitter should refuse to send her out with wheels in sucha a state.

I'd go with steels, at least you have some reassurance the problem wont reccur.

can you take em to get a refurb done.

i got my BMW wheels sorted by a local company for £40 per wheel.

2 wheels went over a big piece of metal on the motorway which fell off a lorry in the dark. me and 5 cars hit it so i was in a queue on hard shoulder.

anyway all of them had issues with not being able to be balanced and 2 of them had a dent like the pic below.

This would be the cheapest way of sorting it i guess.




if that fails then sling them on ebay and buy some replica ones or simular ones to yours.

there are some really cheap deals on the bay.

[Edited on 20/12/11 by jossey]

Heard this before haha
Ive got the 2003 fiesta flame and had some 16s on a mates car (same year.but zetec s)who had same issues that and tyres on 16 are not cheap so he swapped for escort gti or cossi wheels I think, but mines on 17s I picked up for 400 new of the net but winter wheels I have my 15 but ill agree most modern ford alloys are very soft.
Id say hunt the net for alternative alloy or go money saver and get steelys.

I'd go for a set of 15" wheels personaly. The reduction in tyre cost (as long as it's a popular size) will probably cover the cost of a s/h set of wheels.

If you didn't buy the car brand new, get steels and if you ever have any issues with the insurance say you bought the car like that. If you fit aftermarket alloys you should tell the insurance company and watch the premium go up (i'd guess).

James. I've just [half an hour a go] replaced the 15", ET38 wheels on my Indy with some 13" ones.

The wheels I took off have 195/50 Yoko A539 tyres with loads of tread on them. The wheels are TSW Heat - not the prettiest but look OK and haven't have any abuse other than a couple of scrapes on the spokes. I've had them from new so I know the wheels haven't been abused - they tyres have done a few thousand miles on the road and a few trackdays -and have never had any punctures.

Not sure what they are worth, but I only paid £280 new.

Have a look at the pics in my archive and if you are interested let me know and we'll see if we can agree a price.

Stu

[Edited on 20/12/11 by whitestu]

With the roads in the the state they are anything below a 55 profile on an everyday commuter car is asking for dented buckled rims.

14" rims with 60 or 65 profile tyres are good choice the tyres are dirt cheap.

James, you have U2U. Cheers Ray