"Vimto" (smudgey)
03/18/2015 at 20:40 • Filed to: None
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"Vimto" (smudgey)
03/18/2015 at 20:40 • Filed to: None | 0
| 24 |
My Fusion is less than 2 years old. With its 18" wheels and 235/45R18 tires, it already has curb rash at all 4 corners, and I'm certain that this size tire is overkill for a 240 horsepower FWD midsizer.
I'm thinking of downsizing the wheels when the current Falken tires, which appear to be fairly new (bought the car with them, and they aren't OE) are wearing out. 5x108 is a bit of an awkward bolt pattern but I can get a set of MSW Type 23s (gunmetal) in a 16" size and pair it with a 215/60R16 tire for a better ride, better fuel economy, and less wear on suspension components. The base Fusion runs this size tire so I assume the car will maintain most if not all of its driving dynamics. What does Oppo think?
These are the wheels I'm talking about but probably not the same size.
FromCanadaWithLove
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:46 |
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I would stick with the 18s for the looks and grip, but it's your call. There are ways to cheaply repair curb rash.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:49 |
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I think the 16s would looks absolutely tiny on the Fusion. I think the 18 inch wheels on my mom's already look somewhat small as it is!
Shankems
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:50 |
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Curb rash just means you don't have to worry about curbing your wheels anymore!
Textured Soy Protein
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:55 |
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I'd probably just stick with the wheels you have, live with the curb rash, and get some tires that are more suited to your driving style.
Since all the car manufacturers have been on the too-big wheels bandwagon for a few years now, the tire companies have largely caught up, and you should be able to get some reasonably comfy and long-lasting tires in that size.
I just checked, and yeah, tons of options in that size. For your use, I'd do something like the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus . Comfy, quiet, long tread life, decent snow traction, not too pricey even in that size.
If you're particularly irritated by the curb rash, you may be able to find somewhere that does same-day wheel refinishing, because shipping wheels out from your daily driver likely isn't feasible.
My local Discount Tire has a wheel refinishing guy they contract with, so if you make an appointment, you can bring your car in and they'll have the dude fix up your wheels right there.
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Vimto
> FromCanadaWithLove
03/18/2015 at 20:55 |
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Is there really a noticable grip distance between 215 and 235 in a vehicle that doesn't get pushed to its limits?
deekster_caddy
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:55 |
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I completely support this. 18s are nice rally wheels for hard cornering all the time. But on a typical car it doesn't make any sense. Sidewall is what protects the rim from the road. Potholes etc have nowhere to go but the rim. Tires are more expensive than they need to be and wheel/tire combinations weigh more, hurting fuel economy a little.
If 16s will clear your brakes, go for it. Most tire manufacturers list "revs per mile" or something like that if you dig into their site, you should be able to find a tire of exactly equivalent height to what you have now to keep your speedometer accurate.
edit - just saw you mentioned 16" is the stock size. If you don't corner hard all the time, go for it!
Milky
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 20:57 |
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Breh, step your fitment game up.
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Vimto
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/18/2015 at 20:59 |
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I've seen base models with the 16" steel wheels in the flesh and they didn't see disproportionate.
scoob
> Milky
03/18/2015 at 21:03 |
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Bruh do you even bruh, bruh?
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FromCanadaWithLove
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 21:06 |
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Probably not, I guess. The steering will feel lighter, but that's about it.
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Vimto
> deekster_caddy
03/18/2015 at 21:06 |
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Yeah, as far as I'm aware the base 2.5L Fusion runs 215/60s with 16" wheels. I am tentatively assuming that the brakes are the same across the lineup despite my 2.0T having considerably more power. Under the chassis section of the Fusion page on their website they aren't specific on diameters.
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Milky
> scoob
03/18/2015 at 21:12 |
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Bru stretch is so last year. Im about to get summer tires that are 275s instead of 255s.
jkm7680
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 21:26 |
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Curb feelers yo.
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scoob
> Milky
03/18/2015 at 21:27 |
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Brigh, I'm going to get 305's to replace my 245's.
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Milky
> scoob
03/18/2015 at 21:37 |
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SHHHIIITTTT SOONN
bryan40oop
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 21:39 |
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stop hitting curbs
"with a 215/60R16 tire for a better ride, better fuel economy, and less wear on suspension components"
Ride will be more wobbly, not "better." Fuel econ & suspension wear? You won't notice, at all.
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Vimto
> bryan40oop
03/18/2015 at 21:55 |
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I don't really think 'wobbliness' is a metric of ride, but I can't imagine it being much worse given that Ford runs this size tire on lesser Fusions. On other vehicles I have noticed a roughly 3 MPG gain reducing section width by 20mm, which is significant when you drive 5000+ miles a month like I do. And while few things are objective in this situation, there's going to be less unsprung weight spinning around, and more air/sidewall to absorb bumps.
Wurrwulf
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 22:24 |
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I can't wait for smaller wheels to come back in style. Every car nowadays seems to have 18s or 20s from the factory with tiny little rubberbands wrapped around them.
I'd much rather a wheel that's ~5 lbs lighter with a fat sidewall to soak up road imperfections. Better MPGs, better rolling acceleration, more comfortable. It's all win-win-win.
If you're driving so hard on the street that sidewall flex is limiting your abilities, kindly stay the fuck away from me, douchebag.
vwbeamer
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 22:33 |
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My .02. I have gone the other way, from a 15inch rim to a 17 inch on a MKiV Jetta.
Things I noticed, ride is harsher, especially over small road imperfections. The larger side wall soaks them up. So your ride will improve.
Turn in and handling is much better with the larger wheels. The smaller takes longer for the car to actually start turning. It seems like you would not notice, but you will. It will take sometime for you to adjust to the way the car handles.
MPG was better with the smaller wheel. In my case almost 2 mpg, which I consider a significant amount.
My other .02, 16 tires are harder to find and often more expensive. In my observation, 17 in tires seem to be cheaper than 15, 16 or 18 inch tires. This based on my limited experience shopping for tires. You should compare tire prices in the sizes you are contemplating.
I would look at 17 in tire on a light weight wheel for your needs IMO.
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Vimto
> vwbeamer
03/18/2015 at 22:38 |
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From brief searches on Tirerack, 18" tires in my size are around $150 a pop while I can get name brand, LRR 16" tires for around $100 a pop. My Dad had a Kia Forte which went from 195/65R15 to 225/45R17 and it dropped 4-5 MPG, ride got much rougher, and the car felt more sluggish. He settled on 205/60r16 because it seemed to bridge the gap well and get the best of both worlds. But my Fusion does 5000+ miles a month - every fuel and long term cost saving opportunity counts.
Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 22:40 |
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Far as I can remember, they all have the same. Working on the good number that I have, (I'm a Ford Tech-in-training) I haven't noticed any that have obviously different-sized brakes. And I've driven the Fusion across the entire trim line and they all have given me similar brake performance, which if I'm honest is pretty darn good.
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Vimto
> Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
03/18/2015 at 22:42 |
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Coming from a Panther my Fusion's brakes felt Herculian in strength when I first bought it 2 months ago haha.
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Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
> Vimto
03/18/2015 at 22:46 |
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When I first started at Ford, and first drove the car, I hit my head on the ceiling so many times because I couldn't get used to how grabby they were. Of course, anything is grabby compared to a Ranger with drums in the rear
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vwbeamer
> Vimto
03/20/2015 at 21:26 |
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Yea, you are right. and the smaller tire/wheel is lighter. Got me thinking about 16" now.