wheels on a xantia

exminiman · Post by **exminiman** » 06 Jul 2008, 18:58

I have been offered a set of citroen/peugeot 17" alloys for a stupid price and was wondering if any knew if they would fit. I`m pretty sure the offset is right. They come with 205/40/17 tyres so the rolling radius is as near as makes any difference to my 185/65/15 tyres....any one have any thoughts?

exminiman · Post by **exminiman** » 06 Jul 2008, 19:04

oh, its a 1997 1.9td estate....does that mean its a sieries 1 or 2?

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 06 Jul 2008, 19:58

I would suggest you contact your insurers and ask them if it changes the policy as you are modifying the car by fitting non-standard wheels. If you had an accident and had not told them, that would be their get-out to refuse a claim. If you fit them and do not tell them, you could be driving the car un-insured.

Is the width of the rim the same as you currently have fitted? That will also affect clearances under the wheel arches and I reckon the rears will be where the clearances are tight.

A 1997 model will be a Mk1.

Handyman

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 06 Jul 2008, 20:11

Sorry, posted in the wrong place.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 07 Jul 2008, 00:44

exminiman wrote:They come with 205/40/17 tyres so the rolling radius is
as near as makes any difference to my 185/65/15 tyres

There's more than a minor difference if you're guided by:
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

You'll have a far better handling no doubt, but at a cost to the ride and
Citroen models are generally bought in the first place for a decent ride!!

Andrew

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 07 Jul 2008, 07:54

I reckon you'd definitely need to change tyres if you get the wheels. The 40 profile would ruin the comfort and handling of the car and not only that, they'd look stupid.

Standard Xantias should fit tyre widths of up to 205 as long as the offset is correct. You might also need to fit wheel spacers if not. I fitted a set of aftermarket alloys to mine but kept to the same wheel/tyre dimensions which are 205/60/15, so by that reckoning you would need a 50 profile on a 17 rim to get closest to optimum.

What you do need to be careful of though is what happens when you have the suspension on the high setting, as the clearance between the tyre and the front of the wheel arch is very small, so careful measuring will be needed.

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 07 Jul 2008, 08:43

Although the right set of wheels will look great on a Xantia i fear the ride quality will suffer as a result, dropping down to 40 profiles from 55/60 will be very noticeable, its one of the reasons why i went for Activa wheels when i replaced my trims, the car looks alot better but retains the ride quality.

Post by **CitroJim** » 08 Jul 2008, 13:04

Agree with the points made by Stempy and Gareth. My old 1.9TD is fitted with 1.9 205GTi Speedlines and when fitted with 65 profile tyres the rear wheel arch lips are badly fouled when on high setting. To get teh rolling radius something like it should be it now rides on 55 profiles and ride quality has suffered. It's not bad but not as good as it would be with the pukka wheels fitted.

I see a few Xantias with "aftermarket" wheels fitted and they don't suit the car at all. As Gareth says, a nice set of Activa or Exclusive (VSX) alloys look the part and are desigend for the car.

Downunder · Post by **Downunder** » 11 Jul 2008, 20:48

Why would you want to do it. If you want a racy looking vehicle, go buy a new Mazda 6. If you want an interesting car with a comfortable ride, stick with a Xanita with the wheels designed and engineered by experts for the car.

exminiman · Post by **exminiman** » 12 Jul 2008, 20:54

ok mr down under...you`ve had your little rant, now let me have mine. My original question was will these tyres fit? not Do you think i should fit them? Surely the point is that we all keep our XANTIAS (NOT XANITAS) on the road and its up to the individual what they do with their cars, modded or not. If i had posted the question i`d like a cigar lighter in the rear would you suggest i buy a ford granada? I`ve met narrow minded people like yourself before . They disapprove of the metro turbo lump and supersport alloys on my austin allegro. Again they miss the point that the fact is, the car is being used and is on the road and is not in a scrapper. If i wanted a mazda 6, i`d buy one. I like my xantia estate, and I simple asked if certain wheels would fit. The gentleman that suggested activa or vsx alloys....Would you just tell him to buy an activa or vsx? I`m a hard guy to rile, maybe it was just the way you typed it, but please, next time keep your comments to yourself.

exminiman · Post by **exminiman** » 12 Jul 2008, 20:58

And another thing............Wheels designed by experts for the car??????? not pinched out the citroen peugeot parts bin???????? no... they wouldnt do that.....

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 13 Jul 2008, 13:37

Nobody is actually saying don't do it, just they wouldn't!

I say fit them = I reckon the Xantia estate could look amazing with larger
wheels - it's a very sleek shape that'd look very smart with it's wheelarches
filled out a bit more. Car stylists are always cheating with their sketches for
a future model where the wheels are about 28" and have elastic band tyres!

My only concern would be suspension/hub clearances and the correct rolling
radius - that's why the tyre calculator is so useful. Yes insurance, speedo
and ride issues will always be a concern; but if you've set your mind to
do this, DO IT PROPERLY!!

Take some pictures and show everyone how it could be done?
Might I suggest getting the spheres 100% to aid with some ride comfort
though...

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 13 Jul 2008, 13:55

17"'s on an Activa:

The picture is by CombeMarshal from:
http://z7.invisionfree.com/ActivaNet/index.php?act=idx

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 14 Jul 2008, 03:19

That's just unappealing to me

Makes it look like a BMW.

Post by **myglaren** » 14 Jul 2008, 08:52

Agreed, they just look wrong, too spindly for a solid looking car.
One of my neighbours had them on a black Focus, looked stupid.

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