It's coming time to buy new tires for my 01 V70. I have 16" Volvo OEM wheels.

Right now the car has 205/55 R16's. What I'd like to do is increase the footprint by buying tires that are a bit wider, but keeping the same height. I know how to read sizes and so forth, but I'm not quite sure if the size I'm shooting for would work well with the stock wheels.

I was looking at 225/50s. The sidewall height would stay the same (which is what I'm looking for) but the width would go up an additional .8", which is also what I'm looking for.

I guess my question is, would +.8" more be TOO wide for the stock wheel? I believe the stock OEM 16" Volvo wheels are all around 7" wide but I'm not sure. I have the specs on my window sticker somewhere.

What do you guys think? I think it would be fine.

 

If the wheel is 7" you can fit a 225 on there.....

 

OK. Thanks!

 

I was finally able to find my OEM wheel online. It turns out it's 6.5"

would 225s still fit ok, or should I stick with 205s?

 

You must keep your eye on the width of tires you fit, its been known to rub the wheel arch liner on full lock. And therfore a MOT rejection.

 

Well I may just keep with the stock size. They have been really good and one thing I don't want to happen is either rubbing or the sidewalls flexing too much which is what I've been thinking about lately.

 

You could try 215s...

I though that all 5 cylinder volvos rubbed alittle at full lock?

 

Well if they do, I haven't experienced it yet with the stock tired.

 

If stock is 205...then your are probably right. I know the "R's" rub at full lock.....(stock 235s)

 

Yeah, mine are stock 205's. I went to a couple of different sites and couldn't find 215's for the ratio I'm looking for, so that's why I went to 225. I don't know if 225's will be too wide for a 6.5" wheel though. I wouldn't think it would be too bad.

 

225 might rub....I wouldn't put 225s on a 6.5" wheel.

Turn you wheel to full lock, then see if you have any room to go wider.

If not 205s might be what you stuck without spacers and/or fender rolling.

 

You can try wider tires and if they rub you can get the thicker steering stop from IPD to help stop the running at full lock.

If it was my car I would try to locate the 17 inch wheels and run the stock 17 inch wheels and tire size.

 

Well then, how about 215/55s as TIPSP suggested? I wanted to see if I could find 215/50 but nobody really makes those in a 16.

I thought about finding the newer wheels but I kinda want to keep the ones I have because they are easy to clean and I don't see too any Volvos with them. Plus, it's cheaper.

215/55s are so common I can find those at a steal anywhere.

 

Ya know after seeing how cheap the almost new stock tire size is on eBay, I think I'm going to just stick with stock size ;-)

 

Go for it!!!! Lol

 

205 /55 / R16 will fit wheels to 5.5 X 16 to 7 X 16

215 / 55/ R 16 will fit 6 X 16 to 7.5 X 16

225 / 50 / R 16 also 6X16 to 7.5 X 16 .