Though my wish to write a 4 year 28k experience log for my Tata Indica Xeta GLS 1.2 is still pending for me (
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post2761559) but this thread tempted me to at least share the lovely gift I gave to my first love who definitely deserved some pampering after 5 years of flawless affection she has showered over me.
It need to be noted that I just didn’t get the new alloys for my love, but replaced 5 year old tyres (with tubes) to tubeless one, and upsized the whole package from 165/65 R13 to 175/65 R14. I must admit that I realized upsizing is not that simple so I ended up spending enough time on Team-BHP reading experts opinion as well as googled other articles on the subject.
Eventually, only because the alloy design that I loved (and purchased as well) most was not available within the range that would have made my mind happy due to warnings on Car tyre upsizing calculators, I went ahead with my heard. Before taking this decision, I ensured that I spend enough time with dealer and get a clarity on any risk, and I also told him that if I see a problem with the new package (new tubeless tyre scrapping against the car body and spoiling the rubber, or any other car stability issue at around 100-120 km, when odo may show me lower reading than the real one due to higher new circumference). He was so confident that he told me “Sir, be assured, we don’t want to put our customer’s life at risk and I will replace the whole thing without charging anything if you find any troubles”. Guy has the shop in neighborhood so I was much relieved, and moreover, I do used to visit him for wheel alignment and wheel balancing, which they always did perfectly, so trust factor was already there.
Here is the warning message from online upsizing calculator which told me in red that upsizing difference for circumference is recommended if less than 2% whereas mine was coming out to be 1711.22 mm vs. 1831.86 mm, which in percentage term was 7.05 %.
Knowing well that this car is not a Ferrari and that I am never going to touch 150- 200 km/hour in this car on Indian road, I was not that bothered. After all, neither Indian roads, nor Indian cars are ever made with high speed dynamics and adrenaline/NOx boosters in mind. Correct me if I am wrong (some roads like Mumbai Pune Xpressway or Agra Expressway may be exception here). But honestly speaking, I will not recommend others to break such rules unless they understand the implications and T&C’s involved.
So that is the background, but boy, the first look at the car after installing the 4 new alloys with new upsized tyres and I was just shocked to see the “Before” and “After” effect due to this pampering I did for my first love. Note that I call this beauty my first love because I actually owned it else I have driven cars abroad for years but they all were rentals.
As I mentioned, dealer was well known to me, he suggested that I get the brake calipers and drum painted to make the whole thing more appealing. Boys at his workshop asked me “Which color sir??” and God, I again got a new decision to be made. Note that I spent enough mental energy to finalize an upsizing going against what the theories were suggesting. Just to let you know, I wanted to change the tyres to tubeless one almost one year back but same dealer told me to use them more for some 8-9 months and then change the tyres as well as get new alloys. He didn't actually try to make money but gave me a genuine advice at that time so this one was another honest advice from him which I listened well.
You can see in the photo the color I chose for the brake calipers at front and drums in the rear. Major reason for that was to have them gel well with the car color and the lining on the alloys (See the alloys.... they got a finishing border line in the color of the car, it came as it is from OEM).
Fellow BHPians who are planning to have new alloys, I strongly recommend to consider painting the brake calipers and drums to give that sporty touch to the new look you might be getting for your sweety. Alloy wheels will definitely improve the look of any car, but you can take this a step further by painting the brake calipers or drums behind the wheel itself for sure.
Overall, no problem or concern with the upsized package so far. Honestly speaking, Indica Xeta being a heavy car in front, it used to spoil the rims a lot, especially the front one. This is a common problem you can read from various forums here, and mine were severely damaged as I travel a lot to my home town in Himachal. I have now got a new beauty in my life but the first love is still there with me, at my home in home town. After all, you don’t really sell your love, right. Comfort and handling has improved a lot due to upsizing, I can claim that based on my experience. Jumps and pot-holes feel smoother and don’t make that big impact comparatively due to new package and I must say that I am very happy with my investment.
When you look at the photos, remember, car was 5 year and 2 months “On road” at that time in June 2013. There were other guys at the workshop getting their wheels aligned/balanced that day and they were watching the whole process. When the job was done, all of them actually came and told me that they just loved the new look and were watching all the things that were going on (I swear, when you paint those drums and calliper, and you fit the new alloy, you don't know about the outcome unless the job is done 100%. If it is a mistake, there is no going back so easily, at least for the painting job. So be careful before choosing a funky color). Those positive remarks just made my day that day, and I still keep getting compliments for the alloy and the color combination on the drums/callipers from people I don't really know…..
![LOL](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/LOL.png)