Has anyone tried running with anything wider than the stock 205/55 R16 width tires on their S70 (using the stock 16 inch wheels)? I didn't find anything conclusive on the board wrt this topic. (Not looking for theories here, but people who are actually running with this)

Thanks,
Ted

Am I correct in that you guys are saying that we can run 225/45's on our 16in stock wheels? I have a 98 S70 T5M and I have beeen looking for beefier tires because the 205's look like kiddie wheels. I am also lowering my car in the spring after the snow goes away. We don't have economy cars, so I don't think the tire size makes sense.

I could put some 225/45's on and not have rubbing problems? I like the wheels that came with the car, but I want bigger tires. What about something like 225/45's in the rear and 215/50's or 215/45's in the front. I know we have FWD but that could give a more powerful look.

Basically, what are the biggest tires we can mount on the stock 16's without problems.

TIA

I don't have any experience with 225/45's, I am just assuming that they wouldn't rub based on where the 50's are rubbing. Hopefully someone who has experience with 225/45's can chime in here (Please?). Also, you say that you are going to be lowering your car, I've heard reports of 225's being too wide for a lowered car, and I'd believe it because if my car was lowered and you compressed the rear far enough, I can see the tire would be hitting the top of the fender on the outside. Search the archives if you haven't already, there should be some stuff on lowering the 70 in there.

You also mention that you may want differnt size tires on the car and acknowledge the fact that its FWD. If looks is all you want, then fine. I personally wouldn't do this because I've heard of undesired handling characteristics occuring becuase of different sizes on a FWD car.

DG
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1998 S70 T5M

Check the tire spec's (usually available from the tire manufacturer's or Tire Rack' web site), I am still running 205/55 on my t5, but they are much wider then the original tires also 205/55. I had the original Mich. xgt-v on the car and they looked wimpy, I now have 205/55 mich pilot XGT-Z and they are significantly wider (to the point of occationally rubbing the upper part of the shocks in the back (they rub on tight turns on hills, i.e. ramps in parking garage). My advice is get the spec sheet for the tires you are considering and for the tires you current have and conpare the two. As for speedo error I think they have a spec on the no. of rev per mile (what ever tire you select the numbers to be close to you original tire).
Good luck.

Rob
'98 T5M

http://www.brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/1998MAR/10791.shtml

Most everything you can do with a Volvo, and many things you CAN'T do have already been discussed at length.

-bill d cat

Sorry bout the blank above.

850's has slightly smaller wheel wells.

I have 225/50's on the stock 16's and they rub slightly at full lock. I should have gone with 225/45's beacuse the 50 is just a wee bit big looking from the side of the car. 45's probably wouldn't have rubbed either based on the the areas I have sighted rubbing. But I would much rather you find someone to confirm this theory instead of just taking my word for it. If you want to just be safe then run 215's, I havent heard of problems with those. Overall I am happy with the 225's though, and it makes the car look even better from the rear (which is all people ever really see of our S70's right? haha) much beefier looking with wide tires, instead of those dinky 205's. Interms of traction and what not that all depends on what tire you run. and thats my 2 cents worth.

DG
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1998 S70 T5M

Thanks DG. (Yep, it was the S70 rather than 850 feedback I was looking for)

I think that the 225/50 size is dead on to the 205/55 in terms of speedo error and the 225/45 is dead on to the 205/50. Have you caclulated your speedo error with the 225/50s?

How much of a problem is the rubbing for you? Not sure if it's an occasional annoyance or if it causes
damage/wear over time.

You are right about the 205s. They are really dinky for this sort of car. In my case it's a GLT with the IPD chip.

Thanks again,
Ted

I had 215/45's...XGT4's and I think they're the only major make in that size. But I wore those down to the belts easily - and very unevenly.

I just put on 225/50's. Sumitomo HTR Z. They feel grippier than the Pilots - and don't light up nearly as easily.
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1998 S70 T5M, Nordic Blue, iPD ECU/Strut Tower Brace/Anti-Sway bars, SuperSprint SS exhaust, Magnecore plug wires, K&N Filter Charger, Blackout Grill, European Side Marker Lamps, Two-Tone interior, 225/40 Series tires

Irollturbo,

When I was running 205/55 GPS and speedo were same reading ( so assume 0% error)
I'll try to remeber to do a test with the 225's soon.

The rubbing isn't that much of a problem to me since its not rubbing all the way through, except in one spot where it is all the way through, but its only a sliver and looks like possibly there is a seam there between two pieces of the plastic shroud. This is probably due to an alignment issue that it only went through on the one area. So yes, its more of just an annoyance to me. The rubbing noise has dimished (rubbed as much as they can rub) and is barely noticeable, so as far as I am concered they can't rub much more.

DG

P.S. My car originally came with the 205/50 option FWIW
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1998 S70 T5M