Tyres

[Iansmi1972]

I know I am hanging on the hope but do you think a set of run flats would work?

[drcdb15]

The structure of run-flats is quite different to conventional radial tyres. The sidewall of a tyre is an integral part of the suspension system. If you remove the sidewall (for example, by fitting very low profile tyres) you are removing part of the system that absorbs all the bumps (among other things). A car's suspension is designed as a whole, with each element contributing some part of the whole suspension performance. If you remove any part of it - sidewall, shock absorber, springs, bodywork mounting etc - then the lost contribution has to be taken collectively by other parts of the system. So they will then be overloaded, or subjected to shock loadings they weren't intended or designed to cope with. So expect them to fail or at least upset the overall performance.

A run-flat sidewall is very stiff and inflexible, and fitting a run-flat tyre to a car never designed to have it can not only make for a very hard ride, it can make the car positively dangerous, for example by affecting the roadholding and steering.

Even if a run-flat got you around the size issue (and I can't see how it would since the physical size will be the same) it will be a seriously bad idea on the 126 which anyway is a very light car, and would in all probability invalidate your insurance. Don't go there.

[Iansmi1972]

Hi all, over in Poland at last and the size of the wheels is 13x5.5 JJ which is a massive relief.

What would the best tyre size be and do I get wobble bolts (what size)
 
Thank you everyone for all your help
 

[derekscoopers]

Guys, this is a lot easier and not so confusing as most people think, I have been selling tyres for over 40 years including F1 etc and to help I have attached a tyre comparison calculator, its very straightforward, we use it every day.

just enter your existing size on the top, and the size you would like to use at the bottom and it will give you the overall dia of both and the percentage difference, try to keep withing the allowable tolerances to avoid the speedo being out.

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresiz2.html

[Iansmi1972]

Hi Derek what would be an acceptable % tolerance? I have typed in the current tyre size which is 135/65/r12 and then typed in tyre size 155/50/r13 and the difference shows 19.1 inches 485 MM's for the new tyre size v 18.9 inches v's 480mm with the old tyre size showing a +1.04% 5mm difference would this be ok? If I go to a tyre size of 145/50/r13 it goes to a -5mm difference?

I assume getting the 155/50/r13 would be ok? Do you sell the correct alloy wheel bolts for the 126?

[derekscoopers]

5mm difference is about as good as you are going to get, sounds good to me, do you have 12x1.25 bolts of as my 126 is 12x1.5 anyway I would certainly have them in stock, let me know when you get your wheels we can sort out the length you need and maybe a free gift could be on its way to you 

Just make sure the size you calculate is actually a correct and available tyre size that you can buy, sometimes a little compromise on the sizes can still be acceptable and save a lot of money.

[Iansmi1972]

Hi Derek,

Went to a local tyre fitter as the car had to sizes of tyres on it (who thought it would be this hard although translation a big problem). He checked and the best size that will fit with the 13x5.5JJ wheels that I have bought is the 165/55/r13. The tyre that is the larger of the two is 135/80/R12. This shows as with this tyre I have - 1.73% and -9mm so should have plenty of space which is a massive relief for me especially with all the messages about this subject.

Many many thanks for the link you sent was a massive help with trying to translate when my partner wasn't there

Now for the alloy wheel bolts......ha ha

Thanks again

[Bambino126]

I have the same size wheels as you, and my tyres are 165/55R13, so you should be fine.

[Iansmi1972]

Hi bambino

Did you use the original wheel nuts or did you buy another set, unsure what to do and or what size to get

[Bambino126]

http://club126uk.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10458.0