Any CX experts faimiliar with the MK2's out there?

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:24

SwissSPEC wrote:If i decide to go for 16's, should i be getting 6j, 6.5 or 7?

I presume that i need 5 bolt rather than 4 bolt wheels?

(the 5x 98PCD in my spec notes lists the number of bolts and the pitch
circle diameter). Damned if I actually know what the Alfa rim width is but it is
a standard Alfa rim - the all important hub centre boss is identical on the Cx
and the Alfa rim so no worries there too and if there is any offset, it's not
causing any issues on any of my Cx's - IIRC I haven't had to resort to 'nasties'
with the rear spats on any of them but in some cases it's going back a long
while now as I've been running these rims for years when they first appeared
on the Alfas.

Andrew

CGATCX25GTITURBO · Unread post by **CGATCX25GTITURBO** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:29

new wheel suppliers send the wheels with spiggot rings to make up the correct hub diameter where needed

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:32

Yep realise that - just saying there's absolutely nothing extra needed to fit
the standard Alfa rims and original spec tyres straight onto a Cx as long as
the correct bolts are used.

Andrew

CGATCX25GTITURBO · Unread post by **CGATCX25GTITURBO** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:37

theres always the 14 inch gti wheels if you can find any

not good examples, this car donated it's head for the good of science 'gasflow and porting limits'

one of the originals

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:42

Did you buy and break this one from Stroud then Neil? I nearly succumbed...

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 22:46

I've still got B123 EBL - the Motorsport April '85 cover page blue metallic s1 T1.

Inside page:

SwissSPEC · Unread post by **SwissSPEC** » 25 Jan 2011, 23:48

I actually quite like those 14" rims on the red spares Gti

I'm sure i saw some on e-bay recently for approx £40 each, but they needed refurbing as they were pretty corroded looking, tbh if they were £10 each i might have been interested, but that price was ludicrous as they looked fit for scrap

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 23:51

Watch because there are metric (yes silly price tyres) rims that look identical.
I seem to recall the recent eBay ones were metrics...

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 26 Jan 2011, 18:36

Those x2 estates being broken up in Hampshire look like they're sitting
on 14" alloys. Their deeper section tyres won't really do the turbo2
handling any benefit mind! May look a bit underwheeled now as everything
gets bigger wheels and other Cx's ate running larger alternatives.

SwissSPEC · Unread post by **SwissSPEC** » 26 Jan 2011, 18:44

I would prefer large alloys as i think they do suit the car well, i just don't want to pay extortionate tyre prices for large tyres when smaller tyres do the job just as well. Do you think 16's Alfa alloys would suit the cx well? or should i go for 17's as they are the best compromise to the originals?

CGATCX25GTITURBO · Unread post by **CGATCX25GTITURBO** » 26 Jan 2011, 18:52

andmcit wrote:Did you buy and break this one from Stroud then Neil? I nearly succumbed...

noo this one was in Doncaster about 3 years ago. I was looking for a cylinder head for a tuner with a flow to do some tests with.

It flows more now than the Maikonics head I have

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 26 Jan 2011, 22:02

There's probably a tenner per corner difference between decent brand tyres
from the 16" to the 17"s so go on the style you fancy and what can be found
secondhand on ebay. You can get wheels and tyres shipped about the country
for 8 quid a rim using www.parcel2go.com. I've had loads delivered and
always ask to have them wrapped in cardboard and a bin liner:

I'd now expect a set of good Alfa 16" rims and tyres to be arouns £100-120.
Courier £30 and bolts £20-25. Ther's even some guys selling single wheels
if you want to buy them in piecemeal to be kinder to the finances!

Happy ebaying!
Andrew

SwissSPEC · Unread post by **SwissSPEC** » 27 Jan 2011, 00:10

Yeah, i've seen those single alloy's for sale, but knowing my luck i'll only have 3 & start struggling to find the last one for sensible money, so i won't go down that risky route

I'll do some tyre research to see if what you've said about the price difference pans out, in which case its 17's

Spaces · Unread post by **Spaces** » 20 Mar 2011, 23:19

Nowt wrong with Mich 185 14s for everyday use. Bollox to all this 40 or 50 profile rubber. The CX was not optimised for such low profile tyres. There's no rubber anywhere else in the suspension (ignoring the stops) so what are you all going on about? Why try and make it feel like a 21st century piece of MacPh s**t when it isn't???

My hydractive Xantia on wider, lower profile rubber than the CX fails to corner any faster on a tight, long and smooth-surfaced A-road bend - no matter what I try. So it's a given that on a less perfect road, the CX is much better. Especially on 185x14s.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 20 Mar 2011, 23:33

There's no argument from this corner that a Cx is one of the best places to be
sitting piloting hard around a fast tight, long and smooth-surfaced A-road bend
but I feel substantially happier running on the Alfa rims with the lower section
larger rims I have on mine than 70 section 185's.

You mustn't have decent spheres!

Disagree on the only 'give' in the Cx's suspension being in the tyres though;
my GTi T2 is far suppler than practically everything else I currently drive
which includes various Activae, Xant V6 Exclusives, VSX and boggo spec
suspension Xants although mix in various other flavoured Cx and Gs and
it get's a harder decision. Mind, bafflingly, my Xm 24v v6 s1 runs it close.

Have you hydraflushed your VSX Xant and done the centre spheres?
They can get soft but there is definitely more body control than the
hydropneumatic suspended Cx, Bx or Gs.

Welcome to the forum BTW.

Andrew