Hi, I need a new 15 inch wheel for my 2004 Ford Fiesta Zetec, will this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175520332301 fit? Thanks for any help!

Technically yes.  But it's the wrong design, colour and tyre size.  And there's not much tread on that tyre.

The Mk6 Zetec wasn't a rare spec.  There should be plenty of exact replacement wheels in breakers yards.

Not sure 2004 fiesta had 15 inch wheels originally did they? Show us photo of your wheels. All fiestas have the same mounting hole dimensions so you don’t need to worry about if the holes line up.

3 hours ago, isetta said:

Not sure 2004 fiesta had 15 inch wheels originally did they? Show us photo of your wheels. 

The Zetec did.  Had the wide, square style, 5 spoke 15's as standard.  Though the tyre size was 195/50/15 at the time iirc.  

 

Of course, it's possible that the OP's had optional extra's from the factory, or they've been replaced since, so I agree a picture of the exact alloys would be beneficial.

I stand corrected. My sisters 2004 fiesta ghia has standard alloys on which are 14 inch but I have checked what you say and agree. Seems strange that alloys on the zetec were bigger than the ghia but it does appear to be the case for 2004 at least. 

Hi, I now can't find any of the 5 square spokes type, I did order one from the spares website (1st choice?) and the breakers yard sent a rusty one, so back to eBay, at least they have a 30-day guarantee. 

will this one be suitable? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334480203540 does it matter there's no picture of the reverse of the wheel? Thanks for reading

29 minutes ago, AndrewAfresh said:

Hi, I now can't find any of the 5 square spokes type, I did order one from the spares website (1st choice?) and the breakers yard sent a rusty one, so back to eBay, at least they have a 30-day guarantee. 

will this one be suitable? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334480203540 does it matter there's no picture of the reverse of the wheel? Thanks for reading

Is this the one you need?  15” 1x FORD FIESTA MK6 6Jx15H2 ET:52.5 ALLOY WHEEL 2S61-AB tyre | in Dorking, Surrey | Gumtree

10 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Is this the one you need?  15” 1x FORD FIESTA MK6 6Jx15H2 ET:52.5 ALLOY WHEEL 2S61-AB tyre | in Dorking, Surrey | Gumtree

Thanks, I asked the seller if it's Rusty (there's only pics of one side) & what the treads like, they just replied it's 20 £ postage, so I don't think I'll be buying from them

11 hours ago, AndrewAfresh said:

Thanks, I asked the seller if it's Rusty (there's only pics of one side) & what the treads like, they just replied it's 20 £ postage, so I don't think I'll be buying from them

For reference, alloy wheels can't rust, there's no iron in them.

If they've got a brown coating inside, that's just a layer of rust powder from the brake disc that will wash off. 

Alloys can corrode and create aluminium oxide which is white & powdery.  If this happens underneath the paint, it creates a bubble in the paint, as shown in your ebay wheel above.  I certainly wouldn't be paying £70 for a bubbly wheel in the wrong design myself.  But it's your choice at the end of the day.

Do you have any breakers yards locally?  They often have piles of alloys for sale near the front.  That way you can see exactly what you're buying and collect it without additional postage.

Lastly, you should have a look at the back of the wheel, but you're checking for dents, bends or cracks in the rim, not the colour.

Thank you very much for your help. My wheels look like the one in your pic of 21st December.

1) The first wheel I bought (pics attached) is the one two garages said was rusty;

2) The second wheel I bought was described as steel, because the ebay seller ("official-ford-store") sent the link for it and said it is correct for my car - is this unsafe to use or just because it would look strange? 

1 hour ago, AndrewAfresh said:

Thank you very much for your help. My wheels look like the one in your pic of 21st December...

Steel wheels can rust, but it's normally only surface rust which can clean up with a little light wire brushing. My own steel wheels looked a bit shabby which I cured by painting then with a coat of satin black Hammerite!

 

If I clean up off rust from the steel wheel, can it be safely fitted to my car, despite the other wheels being alloy?

17 minutes ago, AndrewAfresh said:

If I clean up off rust from the steel wheel, can it be safely fitted to my car, despite the other wheels being alloy?

Why on earth would you want to run a car on 3 x alloys, and one steel wheel?

All 'space saver' wheels are steel, and can be used in an emergency with alloys, but because of size difference are limited to 50mph.

1 hour ago, AndrewAfresh said:

If I clean up off rust from the steel wheel

You seem a little pre-occupied by the fact the wheel has some rust. In my 44 years of driving and many of those in cars that had steel wheels, I've never ever seen or even heard of anyone having a steel wheel that was dangerous because of rust.

When you buy a used vehicle with steel wheels do you scrap the paint off to check that there is no rust underneath ?

3 hours ago, unofix said:

You seem a little pre-occupied by the fact the wheel has some rust. In my 44 years of driving and many of those in cars that had steel wheels, I've never ever seen or even heard of anyone having a steel wheel that was dangerous because of rust.

When you buy a used vehicle with steel wheels do you scrap the paint off to check that there is no rust underneath ?

2 garages told me it was too rusty, pics abv

4 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Why on earth would you want to run a car on 3 x alloys, and one steel wheel?

The literal answer is becos there's no alloys for sale in local yards and I've bought the steel wheel alrdy, the seller having told me it was correct for my car. I'm so sorry for obviously asking a ridiculous question but I don't know anything about cars, that's why I have to ask the question, if I knew the answer I wouldn't be on a forum lol

When I try to buy a wheel I'm told its correct then I take it to a garage and they say they cant fit it. today there are no similar looking wheels (I don't really care what they look like, lots an old banger) on ebay except ones to collect from too far away.

for some weird reason I don't actually want to waste time and money on a third wheel that won't be usable and can't send back. all I want is a 15 inch wheel that is safe to use, I don't care what its made of 

9 minutes ago, AndrewAfresh said:

2 garages told me it was too rusty, pics abv

Now, have they actually seen the wheels and judge their structural integrity, or, have they just seen a picture LOL

4 minutes ago, AndrewAfresh said:

The literal answer is becos there's no alloys for sale in local yards and I've bought the steel wheel alrdy...

Your profile states you live in London, the biggest city in the country with a population of 10 Million, and there isn't a spare alloy wheel for a Ford Fiesta?? Try Ebay, you need an alloy wheel the same as the other 3 on your car. I would not advise you driving with 3 x alloys, and one steel, if for no other reason than you'd look a prat! LOL

Will he need a ULEZ compliant wheel if he lives in London ? 🤣

Just now, unofix said:

Will he need a ULEZ compliant wheel if he lives in London ? 🤣

That actually made me laugh out loud! 

Another point that may also be a problem is that with some Ford cars the Wheel Nuts for Alloy wheels are not the same ones that are used for Steel wheels. I don't know if that applies to your year of car or not.

They are generally the same size but the Taper is different when the above applies.

The weight of steel wheels is also different to alloys.  It's ok if you're using 2 across the same axle, but when you're only using one it could pull to one side and increase wear on the drivetrain.  Doesn't matter for short term emergency use but I wouldn't do it long term.

I do feel for you, as you say you're not a car person, and I think sellers and garages are taking advantage of that.

The steel wheel in your picture looks ok from a safety aspect.  The only rust of concern is around the rim where the tyre would fit - it could cause a slow air leak.  But a decent tyre fitter should clean that off with a wire brush before fitting the tyre anyway.

Lastly, are you totally sure you have alloys?  Not steels with hub caps that look like alloys?  A picture of your exact alloys on your car would help us clear up whether you have steels or alloys and which wheel nuts you have.

On 1/19/2023 at 9:25 AM, TomsFocus said:

The weight of steel wheels is also different to alloys.  It's ok if you're using 2 across the same axle, but when you're only using one it could pull to one side and increase wear on the drivetrain.  Doesn't matter for short term emergency use but I wouldn't do it long term.

I do feel for you, as you say you're not a car person, and I think sellers and garages are taking advantage of that.

The steel wheel in your picture looks ok from a safety aspect.  The only rust of concern is around the rim where the tyre would fit - it could cause a slow air leak.  But a decent tyre fitter should clean that off with a wire brush before fitting the tyre anyway.

Lastly, are you totally sure you have alloys?  Not steels with hub caps that look like alloys?  A picture of your exact alloys on your car would help us clear up whether you have steels or alloys and which wheel nuts you have.

Thank you very much for your help.

I went to a tyre place yesterday (recommended by Halfords guy), they said of the two (steel) wheels I've bought, the brand new shiny one is the better bet (which makes sense even to me!) & it shouldn't cause steering to shake but, if it does, go back to them. I forgot to ask for a receipt so if I crash & die no-one will know who to blame, oh well.

They put it on back-left and moved back-left to the front.  Please see attached pics of the wheels now in place. Is it a good idea to get another brand new steel to put on back-right

2 minutes ago, AndrewAfresh said:

Is it a good idea to get another brand new steel to put on back-right

Yes...

As it’s the same size tyre I don’t know if I would bother. (I can see zooming in they are 195 50 15). My sisters fiesta had one steel wheel on back with the others being alloy wheels and passed mot last three times like that. But I think I would have bought matching alloy so it wouldn’t like so bad. Putting a silver plastic wheel trim on it will make it look slightly better. I can see you have the alloy wheel nuts on the steel wheel. I know they are designed to fit the steel wheel also, but in my experience the cone shaped washers rattle so I put silicon sealant around those washers to stop them rattling.