Alloy wheels for Series One Xantia

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 Sep 2011, 22:57

Ive got some c5 alloys on my v6 xantia with 65 wall and they foul the filler pipes on high setting...

Paul

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 25 Sep 2011, 23:01

I'm guessing they are 16 inch? Is that a problem when getting tyres fitted etc?

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 26 Sep 2011, 07:09

The alloys paul has on his Xantia are only 15" C5 wheels but they have the biggest tyres, 205/65/15 if I remember correctly

C5 wheels in 16" have 215/55/16 tyres, which will be far far too big for the Xantia. However I have seen Xantias on 16" C5 wheels but the tyres were a smaller profile.

As those are C4 wheels the tyres will be smaller, 205/55/16 I think? Which will give them a lower sidewall and so they might fit ok.

Dont be fooled by the size of the rim, going from 14 to 16" doesn't mean you need 2" more room around the tyre, the size of the tyre will help compensate for that. You might well need to fit smaller tyres to get them to fit if you go for 16". A lot of Xantias came with 15" and so as long as they are around 195.65.15 or 205.60.15 tyres then they will be fine. As paul says his 205.65.15s are a tight fit and probably look over tyred on a Xantia.

To check for the rolling radius try searching for a rolling radius calculator on google and put in your current tyre size and that of the wheels you might get. That will give you an idea of how much differece there will be and also how far the speedo might be out. Xantias are rarely spot on in the speedo department so you shouldn't have a worry there, the wheels might correct the difference.

Something to think about is the width of the alloy, and also the offset, to make sure it doesn't foul the bodywork or the wheel arch liners.

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 26 Sep 2011, 10:48

Chris,

Do Xsara/Xsara Picasso/C5 wheels all have the same offset as on the Xantia? Do you know what the Xantia's offset actually is?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 26 Sep 2011, 10:55

On 5½J wheels it's 8mm outboard of the centreline.

On 6J wheels it's 16mm (my measurements, both) - they say 15mm.

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 26 Sep 2011, 14:11

Cheers guys. The Xantia alloys are 15 inch, 195 I think. The C4 rims are 205/55/16's. Gone off the C4 wheels a bit now as they look too modern. May just get the Xantia alloys. They're cheeper too and I'm not paying for tyres that I don't want on them. Look to be in good nick. My plan is to get new tyres on the new wheels and later on, get a set of winter/snow tyres on the old steel rims.

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 26 Sep 2011, 19:44

Ok, deal done. I'm picking up a set of four 'Exclusive' 15 inch alloy wheels on wednesday. Tyres on new alloys are (205/55 R15). Old tyres on steel rims are (185/65 R15). I don't think this will make much difference to the speedo etc. Slightly larger tyre but smaller sidewalls and a bit wider.
Thanks for all the help and advice guys.

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 26 Sep 2011, 20:10

Ooops. Old tyres are 185/65/14.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 26 Sep 2011, 22:38

It should have a very similar rolling radius, no doubt improve the drive too.

If your considering winters then bear in mind prices often go up as we near winter and availability decreases.

I too am going for a set of winter wheels and tyres this year, im interested to see how much of a difference there is.

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 26 Sep 2011, 22:51

I hope there might be a small increase in mpg too.

After many years of off roading in everything from Suzuki SJ's to V8 powered comp safari motors I've learned it's all about tyres. I've seen 4x4's that are totally stock run rings around Land Rovers because they had the right tyres on the day. My kit car was hopeless until I fitted Toyo R888's. It just needed the grip. I'm looking forward to my first set of winter or snow tyres. Still doing some homework although the Uniroyal Rainexperts did ok last year.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 26 Sep 2011, 23:11

Im not sure if you will notice a difference in economy, perhaps but it might use more depending on the situation.

I think a Discovery4 would go anywhere on any tyres, what an unbelievable car. If I had my choice its what id be driving daily

Toyo R888s are quite the track day accessory, I like the T1-Rs myself, but they are a bit soft for the C5, mine ate through a pair in no time. Michelins are what I try and stick to now.

Stepto1 · Unread post by **Stepto1** » 26 Sep 2011, 23:26

Heard mixed reviews of Michelins recently but always fancied set to see for myself. I love Discos too but seen a few shown up by 'lesser' 4x4's with Maxicross or Diamondback tyres. What winter tyres are you looking at? I'm toying with Toyos so to speak.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 27 Sep 2011, 01:22

Citroenmad wrote:I think a Discovery4 would go anywhere on any tyres, what an unbelievable car. If I had my choice its what id be driving daily

As much as you might like to I don't think you'd be driving one every day unless you bought two

andy5 · Unread post by **andy5** » 27 Sep 2011, 10:28

It looks like the new tyres you mention are about 1.8% bigger, 11 mm greater diameter; if you had 195 55 15 instead they'd be exactly the same size as 185 65 14

I don't think you'd notice any difference in fuel consumption, or if you did it might be slightly worse as the tyres are wider so more aerodynamic drag.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 27 Sep 2011, 11:12

I get on well with Michelins, all our cars have them fitted now. Ill be getting them for the front of my Activa (has them on the rear) once its Fulda Carrat Progressos are worn out. Mind I have been impressed with the Fuldas ... they also get good reviews, are made in Germany and owned by Goodyear. Id recommend them as a cheaper alternative ... a good mid-range tyre. They are better know in other countries, not a bad choice at all.

And that is the brand of winter tyres im going for, after doing reviews, looking around on tyre review sites and online buying sites I narrowed it down to two. The Kleber Krisalp HP (made by Michelin) or the Fulda Kristall Control (made by Goodyear). I did consider the Michelin Alpin but they are costly. I settled on the Fuldas, they look good quality, have good reviews and should do the job nicely. Ill be getting them fitted to my spare C5 wheels soon.

Yes Michelins are pricey, £280 a pair for my C5s Pirmacy HPs, but they are good summer tyres and suit the car nicely. I have just had new Michelin Energy Savers put on the front of the eldest SX C5 which wears much smaller tyres than mine, they were a very reasonable £130 fitted for the pair. OUr XM also has Michelin Energy Savers, as does the C1. I find grip with all Michelins to be very good, and in the wet too, a good all rounder and my tyres do need to grip!

I had an off roading day in a new Disco4 recently, what a fantastic machine. On and off road it was superb for such a vehicle.

205.60.15 is a standard Xantia size, right for Activas, VSX and Exclusives, id stick with that size rather than going to 195.55.15 - which is a bit of an unusual size anyway. You wont notice the difference, the Xantia speedo is not accurate so it wont underread.