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1997 850 GLT - Columba Tire Size

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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1997volvo850
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Joined: 18 February 2010
Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
Location: New York
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1997 850 GLT - Columba Tire Size

Post by 1997volvo850 »

I have Columba rims on my 1997 Volvo 850 GLT. I need to replace all four tires.

The current tire size is 205 55 R16. I believe this is the current standard for the Columba rim.

I have two brand new 205 50 R16 tires from a previous vehicle. I've done a lot of searching and it
seems the Columba rims were originally equipped with 205 50 R16 but due to bent rims the tire
was changed to 205 55 R 16.

It appears I should be able to mount these tires. I'm just wondering if it's a bad idea. Any experience?
If the 50's will work but not idea I'm wondering about the size of the other two tire I would need
to purchase. My calculations indicate the difference between the 50 and 55 is less than an inch in height.

Any help is appreciated.
Last edited by 1997volvo850 on 10 Mar 2014, 05:20, edited 1 time in total.

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I had a set of 205/50/16 tires on my Columba rims for a couple of years. With the short sidewall profile cornering is great but you can feel every pebble on the road. I hit some stuff pretty hard and didn't bend one but I was always afraid that I would. When it came time to buy new tires I went ahead and bought the 205/55/16s.

BTW the rims are named Columba, not Columbia. Volvo names their wheels after galaxies.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

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