215/60 R 15 tires on a '97 850?

[nikolajs]

Hello

Found some good used snow tires, wondering if I can make them work…

Anyone know if:

1) 215/60 R 15s will fit on a 1997 850 Wagon NA. The car currently has 195/60 R 15s.
2) Will wheels from a 2002 Chevy Malibu (5 bolt) fit the 850?
3) If the tires are ok but the rims no, will the 215s fit on the same rims as the 195s?

Thanks!

[bmdubya1198]

215s might be a little big for the 15x6.5s. I'd wait to see if anyone else is running that setup, but I have 195s on my wheels and they fit nicely. So I would assume 215s would be a bit big.
The wheels from the Malibu might work, but I doubt it. Look up the bolt patterns for the Malibu and the V70. The hub also has to be right on these Volvo wheels. I don't know if they're hub centric like BMW, but they have to have room for the guide pin on the hub.
Check out this thread: viewtopic.php?t=26765

[scot850]

You need to look at the height of the tire sidewall. If I recall the 60/65/70 is the %age of the width of the tire. I know you can't run a 195/65/15 tire from a V70XC on a regular V70 as the tire will foul on the spring seat, so you need to run a 195/60/15 to clear.

So assuming the 60 is 60% of the tire width that would make the sidewall = 60% of 195 = 117mm

For the tires you are asking about that sidewall would be - 60% of 215 = 129mm

If I am correct I very sure this would foul on the spring seat.

In 16" tires Volvo used a 205/55/16 and I know from experience that could rub on the inner fender on a 850 we had.

Check with a tire supplier but I'm sure these won't fit.

Volvos have a lug bolt pitch of 108 x 5, not sure what the Malibu has. You also need to check the diameter of the center hub bore.

Neil.

[erikv11]

To simplify size comparisons, I like to use an online calculator like https://tiresize.com/comparison/.

The 215/60/15 is an inch taller (4%) and about 3/4 inch wider than a stock 195/60/15, and probably won't work without rubbing the fender liners. I think they will physically mount up fine if you get them on Volvo wheels, but likely rub on turns. I have seen people post about using 215/55/16 which is almost exactly the same size as 215/60/15. But you still may want to hold out to hear from someone who has actually tried them because that's your most useful info.

A 195/65/15 should fit just fine, it is almost exactly the same height and much narrower as compared to another popular option, the 205/55/16.

[Clemens]

I had 205/55/R15 or 205/60/R15 on my R (lowered suspension) as winter tires and they worked without any rubning (but the R has the steering angle reduction plates). I didn't really like the way the 205s sat on the rims, i think 215s on the stock rims would not be ideal because of serious ballooning.

[misha]

...I know you can't run a 195/65/15 tire from a V70XC on a regular V70 as the tire will foul on the spring seat, so you need to run a 195/60/15 to clear...

195/65/15 will fit just fine on all of these cars.
Also ....mine '97 came from the factory with 205/50/16 and currently it runs on 205/55/16.
Volvo's stock profile dimension changed from 205/50/16/to 205/55/16.
It's true that they lightly rub on the inside on full lock but ONLY due to worn steering stop on the control arms.

[Clemens]

205 on the 16 inch rims is no prob. But the stock steel wheels in 15 inch are too narrow for 205s, leave alone 215

[bmdubya1198]

The 16s come stock with 205s, and they fit fine. Like I said before, I'd stick with 195 on the 15s. 205 will be too wide.

[skloon]

The rims won't fit and 215 is too wide for the car I tried some off an s60 and they fouled the strut tunes in front

[misha]

The 16s come stock with 205s, and they fit fine. Like I said before, I'd stick with 195 on the 15s. 205 will be too wide.

Max width recommended for 6.5J rim is 215.Perfect fit is 205.
Max width recommended for 6J rim is 205.Perfect fit is 195.

Volvo also recommends 205/60/15 tires on stock 15" rims(alloy or steel ones...they are both 6J wide).