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-   -   Ford Figo / Aspire : Tyre & Wheel Upgrade Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-alloy-wheel-section/168614-ford-figo-aspire-tyre-wheel-upgrade-thread-2.html)

Please refer to the below post which contains the communication from Ford India

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post3815009

yes i have seen this, but if i get a writing from the dealer, then it should be fine and

To be or not to be.

I will be taking delivery of my Figo tomorrow, and the first thing on my bucket list was an upgrade of the tires. But this countless contradiction between what the dealers are specifying as against what has been categorically mentioned by Ford, have been in a conundrum ever since.

I think I can easily forego the 15" upgrade for two reasons. I don't want to mess up with the Ford disclaimers, and secondly, somehow I feel smaller alloys with relatively fatter tyres give a more comfortable ride than bigger tires with narrower aspect.

Having said that, I have read innumerable members upgrading to 185/65 R14 on their Figos and have been happier doing it. Another option is to go for 195/60 R14. Can any of the kind souls of existing members help me out in selecting one over the other?

Congratulations on the Figo, you're one of the first ones on the forum to be getting theirs. The most important question, however, is: which engine? :) The diesel begs for better quality rubber, and maybe even wider tyres. On the other hand, given the lazy 1.2 Ti-VCT, you can look at better rubber in the same size.
An excellent point - its not only more comfortable, its also easier on the suspension. Both your reasons for skipping the 15" are very sensible ones from the head.

Goes back to your choice of engine, as well as driving style. If the engine is the 1.2 Ti-VCT petrol, then you may go up to 185 width. Anything more and you'll see yourself losing performance. If the 1.5 TDCi diesel, and you have a faster driving style, then you can go for either the 185 or 195.

In all cases, please do remember that the quality and grippiness of the rubber is more important than the width of the tyre. So even if you do decide to stick with pure stock sizes, you have the option of changing to better quality rubber which will in itself enhance grip. For example, I did a stock size tire replacement on my EcoSport, and found a distinct increase in grip and dramatic drop in noise (from MRF to Michelin P3ST).

Thanks for the heads-up buddy. In fact I went for neither, it's the 1.5 DCT. I thanked the SA who delivered the car, got out of the showroom and straight into the tyre shop. Fiddled around with the idea of 195/60 Yoko S-drive, but the tires kind of jut out of the fenders. I didn't like that. Add to that, the S-drives are apparently quite loud. So with a sunken heart, landed up with Michelin XM2 on 185/65.:thumbs up

Firstly, congratulations on the DCT. As one who's very keenly eyeing the DCT myself, I'm happy to see an active participant on the forum. Congratulations again, and I am - like many others, I'm sure - waiting for your initial impressions and ownership report.

Thanks for that valuable feedback on the appearance of the 195 - any chance you've got some pictures of that? That's very useful to know, particularly for those who want to upsize but don't want a 'look at me' sort of appearance.

The Michelin XM2 is a great tire, so why the sinking heart? Yes, its received some bad press for soft sidewalls, but its not as bad as its made out to be, particularly if you take reasonable precautions, and aren't very unlucky.

First and foremost, thanks for the wishes. It was a leap of faith, and booked it the day it opened to general audience. Was told today at delivery that I was apparently lucky and new booking attracting a 3 month waiting on Figo. Not sure how true that is though.

Coming to the tires, I had my heart set on the S-drive. The treads are quite sporty and it does give you an impression of a capable high speed tire. Sorry, but I didn't get any pictures. But to put it in perspective, the original 175 is quite flush and 185 is just about right for the fender. The 195 will be at least half to an inch out. Goes with my Scorpio, not so much on the hatchback.

The trick is to try the tires on the back wheels, the fenders there aren't as flared as the one on the front these days.

I have just booked the all new FIGO 1.5D and looking at an rim upgrade to 15"ers.

For tyres i have zeroed down on 2 sizes;

1) 195/55 R15 - Will work the best as its available in global markets.

2) 195/60 R15 - What about this option ? Need that extra cushion for Indian roads, but will it fit without brushing / scrubbing in the wheel well under load ?

Congratulations on the Figo, the little diesel bombshell :)

195 mm wide tires make a ton of sense for the power of the diesel. Coming to the profile, I'd personally go for the 55 profile given its a known/official size, even though Ford India don't offer it here.

If you see the below comparison of stock vs. the 2 sizes you're considering:

• Notice how the overall diameter of the tyre+wheel increases significantly over stock for the 195/60 R15 (22.96" stock vs. 24.2"), as opposed to the preferred upsize of 195/55 R15 (23.44")
• The variance in diameter for 195/60R15 is a significant 5%, well beyond the recommended 2-3% range.
• While we cannot say if either of these points will cause scrubbing by itself, its something you'd want to check if you mount the wheels, by turning the steering lock-to-lock when on the ground.
• 15" rims + tyres with this profile will increase the unsprung weight of your car.
• If the comfort/cushioning for Indian roads is what you prioritize over appearance, then best to stay on 14" rims. If its appearance, then go for 195/55 R15, and experiment with tire pressures to get good comfort and performance.

Source: http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...0R15/195-55R15

Dear karan561, congrats on the new car. Eagerly waiting for your experience on upgrading to 15"ers. Would love to know how the upsize is gonna change the handling and ride. The stock ones give way at cornering hard, but the ride is one of the best.
The Rationalist.

Hey,

Thanks for your comments,i already had referred 1010 on this but don't you think that we also do have to consider that the car's suspension is tuned for Indian conditions so will not be as low as the EU spec, so doesn't that mean it may accommodate 195/60 R15 ?

Also i can't stick with that 14" setup, because i have picked the TREND specifically saving money for tyre/rim upgrade :D

Sure, the car is booked and will be shipped out from Ford on 15th this month, I'm expecting the delivery around 20-22nd this month, rims will be changed the next day itself :thumbs up

Fair point - but that's something best checked with the car and wheel itself. You can ask the tire guy to put one of each size on each side of the front, and then turn the steering lock-to-lock to see if there's a difference.
:D
Pics of the rims you select, please.

Last night before sleeping suddenly another tyre size option popped up in my mind i.e. 205/55 R15.

What do you think ?

You're going all guns blazing on prominent looking tires. :)

205/55 R15 comes out between 195/55 R15 (preferable and recommended) and 195/60 R15 (not recommended since its a larger diameter). Again, given the 205 mm width, you'll have to fit the tyre and check for fouling with a lock-to-lock turn). Again, unsprung weight will be quite high, so it can increase load on the suspension.

Check out mobike008's thread about his Aspire, and see the pictures he's posted. He's running 185/65R14 tires. 205 width tires will be 2 cm wider than his, and will most probably project out from the body.

Gave this a thought again, though the 205's will look really good & swole on the car but it may decrease the pick up (BTW, hope everyone should know by now this is the fastest diesel hatch back < 20L in India, 0-100 < 9.72 secs).

So yes might stick to 195/55 R15 only :thumbs up