smaller wheels for Mondeo?

cyborg

I have decided that while the 17" wheels and 45 profile tyres on my mondeo look great they are less than suited to the roads I travel and generally ruin the ride comfort. So would changing to a 16" wheel with 55 profile tyres give a dramatic change in comfort? and if so where would I pick up a set without going to a main dealer? car is a new model mondeo with 235/45/17 tyres.

MidlandsM

You'll find it more comfy alight. Probably best buy a set of rims of ebay, might even get a good deal on a wheel and tyre package.

Velocitee

I've got 18" Focus ST alloys on mine - feel your pain Cringe everytime I hit a pothole on a back road - great for grip in the corners though

Which trim level do you have? I have an LX and I believe the suspension is not set up as low as the Zetec (remember reading it somewhere).

To be honest for day to day I don't notice a whole pile of difference comfortwise when I went from 16" to 18" as my stock suspension absorbs a lot... but man those potholes!

cyborg

Its a ghia which AFAIK has the same suspension as the lx and zetec on the mondeo , (focus is different alright zetec is harder)

Velocitee

Ah I remember that now re: it was a focus I heard that on, I stand corrected. I'm not sure if you'll notice massive difference going down one inch though- it'll be better for petrol aright but I'm not sure, it would offset the cost.

Maybe see if you can drive a mondeo with 16's somewhere just to compare before you commit as it's largely a matter of your perception anyway, you might decide it's not worth the expense/ can;t see any difference.

Just an FYI, I bought my wheels and tyres up north (can't remember the site) but it wasn't more expensive than a rim + three tyres down here (which is what I needed at the time)

cyborg

Good idea will try and get a spin in a 16" wheeled model 1st
Came across these for 625 for the 16" ST's with a set of BF goodrich tyres
http://www.alloy-wheels.ie/ford.html
dont know what the quality of the wheels is like would have to see them in the flesh really
although a second hand set would do me the finest if i could find them

_Conrad_

16s would make a small difference...but you know what's way better? Slowing down. That and avoiding potholes, which is easier when you're going slow

pburns

I agree with James May, too much emphasis on lapping the 'ring at the expense of ride quality on everyday roads. Back in the early '80s even a 911 looked OK on 16'' Fuchs alloys. Now everyday cars are frequently on 17''s.

Thing is though, modern cars are designed to look good with bigger wheels. it'll look crap on smaller ones. It seems a lot of effort for little reward. Expensive too - it'll add nothing to the value of the car come trade-in time.

Anan1

I run on 17"s in summer, 16"s in winter - the 16"s are a lot more forgiving.

cyborg

I agree 16" wheels will look lost in the mondeo's huge wheel arches, and would do no favors to resale value if left on (I would be keeping the 17"s anyway) but I still think the benefits of a smaller wheel are worth the effort ,
16" wheel -better ride comfort,reduced road noise and fuel cons. ,no tramlining, cheaper tyres, more pothole friendly etc
benefits of 17" wheel - they look better.....

EPM

The ride surely cant be that bad on 17's? My fathers is on 17's and I find it quite smooth and quiet. You'd pick up a set of Zetec spec wheels on adverts no problem but I cant see there being a huge difference comfort wise.

cyborg

No it's not that uncomfortable but it does tramline and there is a lot of road noise(which I hate) compared to say a 5 series BMW but probably no worse than any other car in that segment with 17" wheels.
going from a 235 wide tyre to 205 has got to cut road noise,however I cant find a single set of 16" wheels in adverts/donedeal/buy n sell etc....

EPM

It's not in the same class as a 5 series though. The 5 series will of course be quieter. A lot of tyre noise is down to tyre choice too, some are noisier than others.

ottostreet

_Conrad_ wrote: »

16s would make a small difference...but you know what's way better? Slowing down. That and avoiding potholes, which is easier when you're going slow

I'm on 16s, and even driving at 5-10mph on a bumpy road (roads around my area are disgraceful) is so rough and horrible. I sometimes drive the long way around just to avoid driving on the crappy area.

Anan1

It's not just the wheel size that's the problem; 235/45 is a pretty low profile. My 17"s wear 215/55, which, while still a bit rough, is a lot better. Of course the only way out of that problem with the Mondeo is 16"s with taller sidewalls.

cyborg

no it not in the same class as a 5er I mean its prob as noisy as any other car in it own class , passat superb etc
Tyres are OEM continental sport contact 2 , any suggestions for a quieter tyre?

EPM wrote: »

It's not in the same class as a 5 series though. The 5 series will of course be quieter. A lot of tyre noise is down to tyre choice too, some are noisier than others.

pajo1981

cyborg wrote: »

no it not in the same class as a 5er I mean its prob as noisy as any other car in it own class , passat superb etc
Tyres are OEM continental sport contact 2 , any suggestions for a quieter tyre?

From my experience the mondeo is one of the noisiest in its segment.

The C5 is v. quiet, though.

cyborg

Might be easier find someone willing to swap their C5 for my mondeo so....:)

pajo1981 wrote: »

From my experience the mondeo is one of the noisiest in its segment.

The C5 is v. quiet, though.