Anyone here use this size for their 850? How does it look? How does it ride? Performance? Comfort? Thanks all.

At my mechanics suggestion I put the 195/65/R15 Michelen MX 1's on my 850 a couple years ago and I'm about due for some new rubber.

With the change in tire size from the oem specs (195/60/15)I found the following two issues.

1. Speedometer is incorrect by about 5-8 mph and has cost me a couple tickets when I thought I was under the 9 mph "saftey zone."

2- Tire rubs when I make sharp turns each day when I turn into my driveway.

I also found this article at volvospeed (albeit different rim size) which seems to discourage the practice as the cost to benefit ratio is just not enought to justify the headaches (and in my case cost)that can come along with it.


http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/2055516.htm


Anybody seem to think it different?


Robert Koonts
NC, USA

Mike- as a reader of a variety of Auto-mags(i.e CARS, European Car, Sport Compact Car, AutoExpress, MT, etc.) you get a broad view of how to upgrade you car. Point is, depending on what size rim(15x?) you plan to use, it will dictate how wide a tire you can run. Also, since each manufacturer is a little different, some 215/60/15 may or may-not rub. I doubt it will rub because, I suspect you're using an OEM 15" wheel, and they are mostly 15x6". Also, car designers make some allowance for upgrading in wheels/tires; so an orig. 195/65 should be able to move to a 205/60 or 215/60. On the down side, thou, is you can't return tires after they've been mounted(at least not in my area). good luck, BD

Or even 215-55-15, I plan on mounting them on BBS RX 15 x 7 rims. I take it you've tried them. Can you recommend any tire brands? Do you know of any that rub? Thanks, again. --et

Can't comment on the ride/performance/etc, but I'm pretty sure they'll rub.

Compared to 205/50/16, my 205/55/16 is 3.35% larger in circumference, and I get rubbing on full turns. 215/60/15 is even larger (4.51% compared to 205/50/16), and wider as well, so I have no doubt they'll rub.

Mike- how can u compare 15" vs. 16" tires when u have no idea of the width of the rim or the offset? Furthermore, I've never heard of rubbing on 15" wheels. I believe it's mostly with the various 16 tires that we use and the small confines in the wheel arch. Plus, how often are you making a full lock turn???
Now, goin back to my 15" rim days, I would say the ride should be fairly comfy. the performance would depend on what tires you get. I used to have Pirelli P600M&S and they were fantastic. I would recommend them!! Mich. MXV4 are also good but was too $$$ for me(you get == benefits from Dunlops, Pirelli, etc.) good luck!

Maybe I was hasty in assuming same rim offset for 15" vs. 16" rims, but I'm not sure why rim width matters. Rim width affects how wide tires can be, not how wide the tires 'will' be after mounting, no?

Anyhow, if it the same offset, I'll bet that you get rubbing with that much increase in size.

I don't make full turns often. I made a few in a parking lot on purpose to see if I get rubbing with 205/55/16, and it does. I just avoid full turns.

Yes, many cars allow for upgrade, but that's not guaranteed or to be assumed. 850t that comes with stock 205/50/16 may get rubbing with 205/55/16, depending on what tires you have. Mine came with 205/55/16 (bought used, assuming it was stock for '96t, but not sure), and guess what, no upgrade unless I change the rim.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/size.htm

As an odd coincidence I was looking for tires in that size today. I have 4 old Dunlop D40M2s in that size that I'm going to replace with Yokohamas shortly, only they're not on the Volvo.

That was the standard Porsche 944 tire size from about 1983 to 1989. It's almost obsolete, only a few manufacturers still make a performance tire in that size.

I'd guess that they might be a smidge too wide for the Volvo wheelwells.

-Punxsutawney Phil

No, actually, plenty manufacturers still make 'em. Check out tirerack.com.

My only fear is that it might rub against the wheel wells as you have pointed out.

Thx,
Ed.

That's where I was looking! The total number is 8.

2 of the tires in that size are Hoosier racing slicks and 3 in that size are snow tires! Dunlop and Yokohama used to have a slew of performance tires in that size, now Yokohama has one, and Dunlop has none. I'm excluding the Pirelli because of past experience and the Michelin because of price. That leaves the Yoko. Decisions made easy. Too easy.

-Punxsutawney Phil