Tires, rims

[RedArrow]

A little off topic, I know, but please share your opinion/experience ASAP.

I found a nice set of Volvo `Hydra` rims with new winter tires mounted on them. BUT,
I am hesitating on buying because I am not exactly sure how/IF they fit on the car.

1986 740 Wagon, currently on 185/65 R15 (front) and 195/65 R15 (rear),
Draco rims ( 6.0 width) with Firestones.

The wheels I`m about to buy:
Volvo HYDRA 16inch diameter rims (6.5 width)
with four 205/55 R16 tires on them.

Also, extra four 225/55 R16 tires available from same owner.
Do you think they can be a great fit without any problems? How about those 225`s? Will they fit? At least on rear wheels without any trouble?
(My previous 760s had 205 in rear with no issues but, as I recall it, only 195 in front... so I never had a chance to see if the 205 or the 225 would fit at all. )
Other (dis)advantages you imagine? like mpg decrease, speedo misbehaving, etc?
Does the rim width difference of .5 really matter at all?

``To buy or not to buy``, this is the question. Thanks for your help. In the meantime I`m reading TB for info.

[v8volvo]

Those 205/55 16's should fit no problem. The Hydras were stock on later 7/9 turbo cars which have no mechanical differences. They will bolt right on.

The 225/55 16's might be a little wider and/or taller than you want, could lead to fit issues and definitely will affect gearing and speedometer reading.

Difference in the width of the rim itself is no problem, within the reasonable range, as long as you put tires on them that have the same overall circumference, and aren't so wide that they rub in the fenders. I think people have gotten away with a lot more than 225. But if you're using a tire that is taller in addition to being wider, might run into trouble.

[RedArrow]

Thanks for the info! If the 205/55 r16 tires fit without rubbing or speedo issues (on the 16 Hydras) then I`m happy. The 225s are additional tires i would get from him. I might try them on rear wheels.
In the meantime I`ll have a chance to recondition the Dracos I have, although the two front ones are shot I guess, with an egg shape outer ring (not by me) Two Summer tires are worn to hell so I did not want to get 4 brand new tires in size 15 on rims that are not perfect at all.
If I buy new tires they probably better being wider than 185, 195 and should go on the 16s to help the tank look more aggressive.

[745 TurboGreasel]

the 225s will probably be on the wide side, and give mushy handling on a 6.5" rim.

[ngoma]

Winter tires? Are you planning to drive in the snow? Skinny tires are the ticket.

[RedArrow]

Originally Posted by ngoma

Are you planning to drive in the snow? Skinny tires are the ticket.

Yes, you are totally right. Winter needs the skinnier ones. The 225 wide 16 inch tires were Summer tires, very worn, so I did not buy them.

I just got the 205/55 r16 tires on the four Hydras I bought for $200 total (+ I scavenged a chrome TD grille.) The local tire shop checked them out today (balance, rotation, new stems). Next time I will get someone sand them down and I`ll repaint all four. I wish I had more time!

I want new lights too. They look bad, are cracked, faded and water/dirt gets in them.
http://www.autolightsbulbs.com/1983-...FcuZ4AodXG8ARQ

[RedArrow]

I bought them cheap with nice 205/55r16 tires on them but the guy could not find (? ) two hubcaps. I was happy to find out later that I can use the hubcaps from the 15inch Draco wheels I just replaced.
When I bought the Hydras, I noticed something that looked like a Turbodiesel chrome Volvo grille on his shelf, laying upside down. I grabbed it to see if I was wrong... I told him that if I can keep that for the two missing hubcaps then I`m totally fine.
The guy told me he had a 760GLE TD before and that`s some memory left behind.
I asked him `what happened to it?` He replied `It is a sad story`... I asked: `Why, did the belt broke?!?` He said: `No, the car was great for a long time but suddenly `never` started easily and was getting worse so finally I took it to the junkyard. Sold it by the weight.`
I was horrified... what a shame! Another one ended there for some stupid reason! I wish I knew him before it happened but it was years ago.
Well, long story short, I got the Hydras and a grille, I put them on today. The new 16 wheels are fantastic, they fit nicely, although not much clearance there. It`s such a big difference! (185 to 205; and 15 to 16). The new 16 wheels with 55 tires are almost the same exact size in diameter (same height) as the older 15 ones with 65-s. I test drove it and I don`t see any speedo issues yet.
I wanted to see a `new front` too, so I put the chrome grille on and I like it better now so it stays on for now.

[R.Mojica]

Sad story :/ car looks good.

[matchless]

I'm driving a pair of Volvo galaxy rims with 225/55r16 on my 245 and have had them on both a 745 and a 945 never had problems with them fitting