Wider alloys for better braking

[eddy931]

Im trying to get some wider alloys for my 05 sig as im not massively impressed with the braking abilities. Currently the car has the standard elegance 17" alloys with 215/50/17 tyres. Whats the widest size you can put on these without it affecting turning etc. I was thinking maybe something with a 245 tyre but will that fit?

Cheers,

Ed

[6009tristanb]

225/45/17 is what evryone seems to upgrade to. i might be wrong but i dont think you can go wider on these rims.
ive upgraded to this size but also ive put 20mm spacers on so it has increased the track of the car this made it handle a little better but its more for looks made the wheels fill the arches better.
if you want to improve the braking upgrade to gsi brakes their bigger than standard.

[John LE]

I think the OP is looking to change his alloys tbh

Yes a 245 tyre will fit assuming that the alloy is of the correct width for the tyre hth

[chewy71]

if it's the braking ability you require,.. have you considered fitting the VXR brakes rather than wider wheels?

[hothatch]

MTEC drilled and groove brake disc. Still use the same calipers. And upgrade the brake pads to better ones.

[eddy931]

Thanks John, I was thinking about changing the alloys to wider ones and had my eye on the insignia vxr ones but cant find ones to fit the PCD. Yes I have thought about changing to the VXR brakes but iv heard theyre about as much as a new set of wheels and boots to fit. My biggest issues are when im towing a boat with a car full of kit, if theres any form of water on the road there just isnt enough rubber on the ground to stop the car.

[chewy71]

narrower tyres are far better in water than wider ones. If that's your concern I'd look at fitting a softer compound tyre (Khumo Ecsta - fabulous in wet but wears down by 15k miles) and as hothatch states, and uprate to MTEC brakes.

I don't think fitting wider wheels and tyres will rectify your concerns, in fact I think it will worsen the problem

[Sebastian]

u can get set of 314mm front calipers for about 130-140£ ish and vx trade brand new pads and discs for 64£ quid and to be honest fitting wider alloys or tyres to improve braking abilites is something I havent heard of till now

[Derek Mc]

Wider alloys will offer better cornering abilities (marginal I know but they will do) in a bone dry state will give an equally short stopping distance to normal width as you are looking at a surface area increase of about 50mm wide by 110mm long for the two front wheels that exert the most braking effort.

The best method to improve braking and shorten stopping distances, would be move from 285mm front discs to 314mm ones the larger surface area of the disc and friction pad will dramatically improve, while still fitting under the original rims.

[cont1204]

Do you have decent tyres on at the moment? Your brakes will only be as good as your grip with the road. You can fit 235/45/17 on a SRi rim because it's 7 inches wide - not sure about the elegance ones. Stick decent rubber on first.