51 replies to this topic

[Artful Dodger]

i am thinking of buying some 7 x 10 split rims from MED, but me and my dad have conflicting oppinions, he thinks that these wheels will not hanle well at all and that the biggest you can go WITH performance is 6 x 10,wheras i think that there is nothing wrong with 7 x 10's and that they would be better. This car is for road / track use so please keep this in mind:) thanks, Harri

[bmcecosse]

7 X 10 wil be fine with CR81 (or similar) racing tyres...... For 165 X 10 road going tyres - 6 X 10 is fine - in fact, 5 1/2" is probably better........

[Cooperman]

The widest allowable wheel for a 165 section width tyre is 6". As 'bmc.....' says, a 5.5" is probably better.

[Dan]

As above, if you want to keep it road legal you won't get tyres that fit a 7 x 10. Not properly anyway.

[Artful Dodger]

can you not get tires that fit 7 x 10 wheels properly?? i swear i have seen mini's with these wheels and they looked fine to me... and what about the performance?? how do 7 x 10 wheels compare to 6 x 10 wheels?? which ones would you recommend?

[fastcarl]

i am thinking of buying some 7 x 10 split rims from MED, but me and my dad have conflicting oppinions, he thinks that these wheels will not hanle well at all and that the biggest you can go WITH performance is 6 x 10,wheras i think that there is nothing wrong with 7 x 10's and that they would be better. This car is for road / track use so please keep this in mind:) thanks, Harri

can you show us the link to these wheels that MED sell.

[E.L.M.O]

You can get 165 tyres to stretch and fit 7" wide, but because this isnt within the manufactures recommended tyre size everyone always gets their panites in a bunch over it. Its your car, so your choice. I am pretty sure there hasnt be a recorded case of a tyre issue caused by putting a 165 on a 7" wide wheel, but should their be an accident their is a slight possibility you could run into insurance and maybe even legal issues because you have a 165 tyre which is stretched to fit a 7" wide wheel. there could possibly also be issues with VOSA should they pull you over and inspect your car. But its your choice at the end of the day.

[Puddings]

Just stretch them on, thats all i did to the force racing ones i had and people say they are not safe i had mine for 4 years and countless laps of the ring and fast uk driving with no problem

ps i ran inner tubes too

[Cooperman]

You will not get improved performance by 'stretching' a tyre to fit a rim wider than it was designed for. In fact, in addition to probably being in breach of 'Constructions & Use regulations', it will not perform as well and as said above, could cause problems with insurance in the case of a claim as the car could be deemed 'unroadworthy'.
Tyre sizes and legal rim width data can be found at: www.alloywheels.com-tyrecalc.asp
The wheels of over 7" are intended for wide racing tyres which are not road legal, but are ideal for the track.

[Ivor Badger]

can you not get tires that fit 7 x 10 wheels properly?? i swear i have seen mini's with these wheels and they looked fine to me... and what about the performance?? how do 7 x 10 wheels compare to 6 x 10 wheels?? which ones would you recommend?

Yes Dunlop 160/490x10s, Hoosier also do an equivalent tyre.

As for 165/70s, there would be no advantage in stretching the tyre other than some rather nasty handling characteristics. by the way, I have tried it out of curiousity.

Longman also reckoned 7.5" against 6" wide wheels cost around 200 rpm off the top speed at Thruxton.

[Puddings]

You will not get improved performance by 'stretching' a tyre to fit a rim wider than it was designed for. In fact, in addition to probably being in breach of 'Constructions & Use regulations', it will not perform as well and as said above, could cause problems with insurance in the case of a claim as the car could be deemed 'unroadworthy'.
Tyre sizes and legal rim width data can be found at: www.alloywheels.com-tyrecalc.asp
The wheels of over 7" are intended for wide racing tyres which are not road legal, but are ideal for the track.

climb down off you high horse i used then for 4 years with no problem both road and track, my insurance company were told all the mods on my car and never said a word

[E.L.M.O]

You will not get improved performance by 'stretching' a tyre to fit a rim wider than it was designed for. In fact, in addition to probably being in breach of 'Constructions & Use regulations', it will not perform as well and as said above, could cause problems with insurance in the case of a claim as the car could be deemed 'unroadworthy'.
Tyre sizes and legal rim width data can be found at: www.alloywheels.com-tyrecalc.asp
The wheels of over 7" are intended for wide racing tyres which are not road legal, but are ideal for the track.

climb down off you high horse i used then for 4 years with no problem both road and track, my insurance company were told all the mods on my car and never said a word

I agree its up to the person to do it if they wish.

If It was something that I thought WAS actually dangerous, I would be saying dont do it. (After all, I dont want you crashing onto me at a show!) But, there hasn't been any reported cases of this being an issue, and It looks like a case of the manufactures jut playing it safe. No, I dont know more than the manufacture before some smart arse makes that remark, but I do go buy numbers. And the number of people that actually have crashed because of this are slim to absolutely none.

However, even though you told the insurance company I wouldnt use that as an excuse. I doubt it would win you anything if you did have an issue. Its not up to the insurance company to point it out to you, its up to you to ensure your car is roadworthy. Its the same with the MOT. Most MOT places will still pass it, even though it is teqnically illegal. Its not up to them to pick up on certain stuff, but up to you to make sure your car is safe for the road.

I will be running 10x7 this year. Its my choice as it is everyone's to do so if they wish.

[GreaseMonkey]

10x7s are a little teeny wincy incy teeny weeny bit heavy on the steering, nothing you notice much though, but you do feel a difference between 6" and 7".

[Cooperman]

You will not get improved performance by 'stretching' a tyre to fit a rim wider than it was designed for. In fact, in addition to probably being in breach of 'Constructions & Use regulations', it will not perform as well and as said above, could cause problems with insurance in the case of a claim as the car could be deemed 'unroadworthy'.
Tyre sizes and legal rim width data can be found at: www.alloywheels.com-tyrecalc.asp
The wheels of over 7" are intended for wide racing tyres which are not road legal, but are ideal for the track.

climb down off you high horse i used then for 4 years with no problem both road and track, my insurance company were told all the mods on my car and never said a word

Not a case of 'high horse'. The question was asked and the correct answer given.
You will, when you have a bit more knowledge of how this site is supposed to work, realise that it is dangerous, not to say stupid, to advocate doing things to cars which will then cause them to be illegal or dangerous. If you want to do that your car, for whatever reason, that's your business, but don't encourage other people to follow your example when that means a breach of construction and use regs.and possible problems with the police.

[Cater_Racer]

Cooperman is right, just informing your insurer does not make it safe or legal. I'd not risk it you'll ruin the handling and create strains on the suspension and bearings it wasn't designed to take.