thewinelake

I've just bought some winter tyres, and for expediency had them fitted to the rims that came with the car. Now I want to put the summer tyres onto a new set of rims. Then in the future I can do the winter/summer switchover myself.

My local tyre merchant seems to have a good range of "Wolfrace" rims, but most of them are a bit, um, boy-racery!

I wondered what other options people here recommend? Ford original parts tend to be very pricey, although there are some reasonable secondhand options on ebay (at the same kind of price as the Wolfraces). I've heard that there was a recent period where the Ford rims were considered too weak for British roads. Would want to avoid those....

Any advice (or links to other threads!) most welcome!

I've got the part, but am wondering if there's anything I should know before attempting to install it?
It looks as though it might be fairly accessible without removing anything, although perhaps the rear wheel arch liner might usefully be loosened. That is secured with some clips that I'm not quite sure how to remove without damaging.
Any tips?

Looking to buy a new Ford Fiesta. Had been considering the econetic diesel, but now slightly wondering if it would be a false investment. So that leaves the 1.25 and 1.4 engines. Are there any good reasons to choose one over the other. There would be a fair amount of driving, mostly suburban, but maybe the odd long journey. Interested in feeling to drive, economy, insurance, any other cost implications.

Like the no-tax thing, but how frugal is it really compared to, say, the 1.25 petrol? And how oomfy? This is mostly for city/suburban driving

Thinking of buying a new Fiesta. Was looking at Zetec 1.25 5dr, but now wondering if I'd get payback (in terms of reduced fuel & road tax bills - possibly even insurance) with an Econetic. It would be mostly my wife driving - she does a lot of ferrying around of the kids. Fairly suburban driving. I've read that the theoretical figures aren't achieved, but has anyone here done the analysis against a bog-standard 1.25 petrol?