Thinking about putting on some larger wheels on the car, but want to keep the Volvo look. I have been contemplating between the Titans that came on the T-5R, and just the stock turbo wheel that came with the T5 model. Any reasons why to stay away from larger rims, and anyone know where to find inexpensive (not from a Volvo dealer) yet very reliable wheels? Thanks for any help.

Dave
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S70 GLT, ECU, various other mods.

Check out the wheel gallery on swedespeed.com. The standard '98-'00 T5 wheel is called Perfo. The Columba wheel came on the older 850 T5 models. They look similar but there is a difference between them. I think my personal favorite is the Comet that came on the '98 R. Other nice ones are Satellite, Volans, and Titan. I would only consider stock Volvo wheels. The dealerships run specials every now and then for wheels. Ebaymotors has Volvo wheels pretty regularly. Also look at aaarims. Tires.com sells knock-off Perfos also.

I have the 17" Volans in anthracite (I would have just called them gunmetal) on my T5, and I really like the way they look. They do ride a bit rougher, but there are always trade-offs. Also, there is a bit of rubbing at full lock with 215/45/17 tires. I was able to get them for dirt cheap, and was able to get some sticky summer tires on them, so I'm happy.

Bad picture follows. Stock T5 "turbine" wheels are back on for now (cold, wet weather around here).

Bottom line = if you like the looks, go for it.
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'99 S70 T5M, '83 245 DL

With the stock Volvo 17s, you won't have any rubbing problems. As previously stated, though, the ride will be stiffer. Also, I've blown two tires and badly bent one rim on potholes within the past 2.5 years. One was a 225/40/18, going about 40mph, hit the pothole, destroyed the tire and really screwed the rim. The other was a 215/40/17, popped the sidewall of a brand new Eagle F1, but thankfully left the rim intact. The 18s did rub, with my lowered suspension, but at stock height, the 17s will be fine. And it will definitely look better...if you want I can email you pics of my car with both the 17s and 18s, to give you an idea...

Did you nix the 18's then?? Did they rub when at full turning lock or when you had a full load in the car?? I'm thinking about 18's, but not sure about the rubbing issue with IPD springs.

I've heard of adding wheel spacers to help solve the rubbing when at full turning lock.

-Ananda

here's a pic of the 18s...lowered about 1.5 inches. looks nice, rubbing drove me nuts...

The 18s rubbed well before full lock. It was getting embarassing making three-point turns trying to do a U on a 4 lane road. They would also rub on occassion with a full load in the car, under heavy braking or big dips in the road etc...To top it all off of course, was the sheer expense of keeping the wheels shod with fresh rubber, which, in the 18" price range, can be ridiculously expensive, well over 1,000 for a set of new rubber...

I think that changing your wheels can be a great way to enhance the looks of the car, stand out from the crowd and make it your own.

I don't thank that less than 3/5 th's of a MPH @ 60MPH is going to cause any problems or stress. If done properly, a 'plus' one sizing shouldn't pose any rubbing problems either.

By reducing your sidewall size (ratio), it will typically become stiffer. Along with a wider contact patch, I'm betting that you will notice a difference in handling, cornering and general ride. It will ride stiffer, and you'll feel the bumps a little more, but you will notice a difference in highway or city driving.

I did it mainly for looks though, if you were thinking of doing it performance wise, get some springs or sway bars.

www.tirerack.com
www.tires.com

Both sites have a simulator of what their wheels will look like on your car. Check it out, it makes the process a little easier.

-Ananda
17" Comets 215/45 17 Yoko Guardex winters at the moment

Why would you want to do this? Your speedometer will be off, and perhaps there will be some tire rub at times in the wheel wells, it will cost a lot of money, and handling improvements will be marginal at legal speeds, if noticeable at all. Of course, it may look nice (or at least different from the common Volvo herd), but ask yourself, "IS IT REALLY WORTH IT"? Keep it stock, put your money in something more useful, and live a less stressful life.

aaarims.com has some rebuilt for sale. if u r concerned with ride and possible easier pothold damage...then stay away from 17". 16" will do just fine. the 17" u need to maintain a pressure of about 36 psi if u want to have enough tire protection...even then, a big enough pothole will render u a flat. on the other hand, 17" will provide better handling, and looks as well. up to u. here's a list of what's what from volvo

there is a left and a right on the 850 turbo columba 16" rims...in case u'r wondering