Ride ! Don’t just expect to slap them great big 17’s on without a shit load of work, especially on the smaller non-Gti models. All sorts of things like spring rates are different and they’ll catch like a git. With the 106, the trick is to make sure that you use a thinner wheel than usual, go for a 6” max width on the lower models, with a 7” on the Xsi/Gti models. On the smaller models, you have to watch out as well ‘cause you’ll only have three studs instead of the usual Pug 4 stud pattern. Still, there’s plenty of wheels out there so don’t worry. With the Xsi and Gti models, you don’t have to worry about the above so much. They’ll usually drop 60mm no problem, but 30mm will offer the best ride/looks/practicality. The standard shocks ain’t too bad, so you should just be able to get away with lowering springs. If you want to be sure though, some polyurethane bushes, thicker anti-roll bars and adjustable shocks will sort you right out! For the higher models in the range, you can usually do a 7x16” wheel with 195/45 (205/40 maximum) rubber. Don’t go for wider rubber as once again, you’ll be chafing you arches. If you do go for 17’s prepare yourself for a lot of arch work. Also, in my humble opinion, they look way too big on the 106. 16’s look perfectly balanced.

Important, the rims need to have the correct Pug offset, this is 15-18mm offset for the 106. Ecosse do sell a hubsentric adapter to convert 35mm offset Ford rims, so this opens up a lot more wheel designs.

If you’ve got 15” rims or larger, then you can go for Ecosses big disc conversion. These are monster 285mm front discs which are similar to 306Gti versions, along with some matching callipers. Don’t forget, if you’ve got a lower range 106, these will all happily take the rear disc assembly from the 106Gti.