A Strange wheel question, should I go smaller?

[1955Davidr]

In my yooth I was an avid reader of Hot Car, Car and Car Conversions and Custom Car, every other reader’s question was how big can I go with my wheels, such as can I fit 4 1/4 inch wide wheels in place of the standard 4 inch on my Escort 1100L.

How times have changed with endless possibilities and sizes, my current wheels are 17 inch by 8 inch all round and the stance looks spot on, the car has 20mm lowering springs and is poly bushed. It handles wonderfully and I am loath to change it at all, but and it’s a big but Mrs R and I both have back issues and on our current potholes with the occasional bit of smooth road the ride can be painful.

I am thinking of going to 15 inch, possibly winter tyres, to get a softer ride, having checked they will fit I want to stick with OE wheels and like the good old fashioned Pepper Pots. Just struggling to understand if an extra 1 inch of rubber in the side walls will make enough difference to be worthwhile,

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pond]

Depending on your brake disc/ caliper sizes, you won't get 15" over them.
I know 15" won't fit over the 3 litre's front calipers, although I heard somewhere they have bigger brakes than most of the other variants.

Are your lowering springs stiffer than standard? Putting normal springs back on could help.

 

[Devon Z]

Do you have sport seats? They have less padding in the the base, standard seats may be better?

 

[as400]

So you are going to enjoy an extra 2" of rubber going from 17 - 15...and with a softer compound rubber am sure you will notice the difference.

Have a fiddle with this configurator

Wheelbase Alloy Wheels & Tyres

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A year ago on my Mercedes E350cdi I dropped from 19 to 16" and certainly enjoyed a softer ride and was less anxious about causing damage to my wheels when hitting a pothole.

 

[1955Davidr]

Thanks for your comments, for now it will be cushions and I will get a set of 15's for the winter, sadly I am an alloyholic and spend way too much time on that website.
Cheers

 

[1955Davidr]

I took the plunge and bought a clean set of Pepper pots, style 36, the tyres were old and cracked but were good enough to try out, on a private road of course, and ride was more comfortable. So a set of new Avon ZV7’s went on yesterday, just need to decide on wheel badges, left are M50 anniversary style and right standard with M logo, any thoughts?

 

[Z Victor 1]

Love the pepperpot wheels.

 

[as400]

Look very nice, very in keeping with the retro element of the car.

 

[Jam03]

I’m surprised at how good that looks. Pretty rare to see a lowered car with those alloys, but I think it works.
Incidentally, did you consider or experiment with lowering your tyre pressures to improve comfort. I have a feeling the recommended pressures are a bit high based on the wear I had on my rear tyres thar were recently replaced and I never exceeded the recommended pressure.

 

[1955Davidr]

Yes I must admit I wasn’t sure but they do work and give it a retro feel, homage to the 507, racing jags of the 50’s and my all time favourite the Alfa Zagato S Z.

I did try lowering the pressures but the OCD in me felt uncomfortable and no real difference to feel, no idea what pressures the new tyres are but will have a look when the rain stops.

 

[inkey$]

My 16’s are a good comfortable ride while still looking good.