Hi all,

We bought a 2.0 petrol 2008 titanium saloon a few months ago and although I like lots of things about it the ride over broken surfaces is crashy.As this is the family wagon I want to sort this out. I think the problem is the 18 inch wheels fitted from new they look great (that ST/ Mondeo top spec design) but have low profile tyres. My plan is to go down to 16 inch ones with higher profile tyres, either Focus zetec 5 spoke or the Cmax 5 (split) spoke. I assume they will just swap over with no issues.

Is that correct?

Many thanks and Merry Christmas.

Matt

It's very possible they will fit fine. But dropping wheel size so low could cause other problems like speedo being out. I'm sure they'll be someone that will be able to help better.

I went the other way on my Cmax from the 16's to 18's with no problems at all as the rolling radius is virtually the same due to the increased tyre profile on the 16's. Are you going to have the steering rack limiters removed too then or leave them fitted incase you put the 18's back on?

I personally think its criminal to ditch the 18's, they make the car look sooo much better!

Thanks for the replies. Did not know about steering rack limiters? Guess I will leave them on if they are not doing any harm and I might go back to the 18s at some point as you say.

I agree about the looks but I am finding the ride quality in certain circumstances very irritating. I could accept it if it was a sports car and the payback was amazing handling but I don't think it is. On that subject we also have a mk1 1.6 zetec on 16s and that is more fun to drive than the Mk2.5 and the ride better. It is still firm for a normal car but somehow less crashy. I think the mk1 focus is a high water mark for ford handling wise.

are the discs the same size? my 1.6 with 16's on it has drums on the rear front calipers are pretty close to the 16 rims

It has discs front and rear. Not sure what size they are but I think 2.0 petrol's come with 16s sometimes so they should fit over discs. I think I will ask to try one of the wheels on the front before I buy to make sure this is not an issue. Good call.

What size tyres have you got in. If they are 225 40 18 then it will be harsh. I changed to 245 40 18 and the rides so much smoother

235/40/18 on my mk3 and i dont think thats harsh although i never thought the 225's were either to be honest. Im still a boy racer at heart though!

Big engines have the big brake (300/280).. 1.6L has the small one (280/260). But there are some small with big ones and vice versa.. Ford is a bit strange ;p

BTW: I have 19" in summer and 16" now in "winter"

Yes I have 225 40 18 P Zero Rossos on. They are supposed to be a sporty/luxury tyre but I think more sporty. My mind cant compute how having a bigger foot print would improve the ride quality? Obviously I get the logic of more tyre sidewall. Also the 245 40 18 tyres are getting a bit expensive.

I will probably do the 16s assuming they go over the bigger brakes.

Its not so much the bigger footprint but that the sidewall will be bigger on a 245/40 compared to your 225/40. The 40 denotes 40% of the tyre width giving you more cushioning profile on a 245/40.

http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/Tyre-size-coding.htm

I did not know that....embarrassed to say I assumed it millimetres 40mm profile. Every day is a school day!

Yes, now working it out it makes sense. The 16s do give and even greater profile though even with the smaller footprint.

Thanks

I did not know that....embarrassed to say I assumed it millimetres 40mm profile. Every day is a school day!

Yes, now working it out it makes sense. The 16s do give and even greater profile though even with the smaller footprint.

Thanks

Well, it's news to me also, I figured it was mm as well...

An update; I bought some 16s off a guy on gumtree, they looked fine. Took them to a tyre fitter to have some decent tyres fitted and was told they were all slightly buckled. The tyre fitter said with careful balancing I would not feel any vibration through the steering wheel but even so I was not happy. Thankfully the guy I bought them from was apologetic and said I could return them and get my money back. I did thin as did not want to throw good money after bad. So back to square 1 and wasted some time.

I was told by the tyre fitters that most second hand alloys are slightly buckled these days due to pot holes and most people don't realise. Not sure I buy this.

I know one of my fronts are buckled from the previous owner and yet it drives perfectly. I only spotted it when the car was up on ramps. I think it was a fair comment from the tyre fitter, he sees wheels every day after all.