Author Topic: 18” to 19” - car feels slower  (Read 7422 times)

Offline Burger81

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18” to 19” - car feels slower
« on: 16 March 2018, 19:01 »
Just fitted 19’s on my GTI after swapping the 18” Austin’s.
Car feels noticeably slower, physics say it should, but unless most of it’s in my mind it really feels different!

Car is running stage 1 Revo, and I swear engine noise seems quieter too, not as grunty as before.

Anyone else experienced this weirdness?

Offline Guzzle

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #1 on: 16 March 2018, 19:24 »
What size tyres? If you've increased the circumference of the tyres that would go some way to explain it. Also what wheels? If they're heavier that won't help either.

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Offline Burger81

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #2 on: 16 March 2018, 19:35 »
Tyres are now 235/35. So wider by a cm a tyre. Alloys are 10kgs a rim so lighter than the Austin.
Car has also been lowered too.

Offline Guzzle

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #3 on: 16 March 2018, 19:50 »
This is from the VW price list:-

"Choosing larger alloy wheels than standard, as an option, may result in increased fuel consumption as well as higher CO2  emissions and subsequently increased Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) band, and BIK rates paid by company car drivers may increase. This is due to the fact that larger wheels have both more aerodynamic drag and more mechanical drag, resulting in increased rolling resistance and increased wind resistance. As a result, the VED band that the vehicle falls into may increase from its original VED band when fitted with standard size wheels. In some instances, the recommended ‘On the road’ retail price paid for the vehicle may increase as a result of the increased VED rate."


 :sad:
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Offline Burger81

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #4 on: 16 March 2018, 21:11 »
Funny you say that because that’s why my car came with the 18’s because the 19’s couldn’t go with on a car with the sunroof as the sunroof and the 19’s together were both affecting the aero and drag.

Just the 19’s without the sunroof or just the sunroof and 18’s were ok though.

Offline mkviken

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #5 on: 16 March 2018, 21:25 »
I wouldn’t think aero would be any different due to the wheels. I bet the weight of the sunroof adds up though.

There was a 5 door edition 40 demo locally with sunroof, DSG and that had Pretoria’s and cup 2 tyres unless they put the wheels on themselves.
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Offline Burger81

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #6 on: 16 March 2018, 21:36 »
The salesman told me that’s why golfs with sunroofs don’t come with the 19’s unless specced specifically.


Still I can’t believe how much slower my car feels with bigger wheels and wider tyres.

Offline mkviken

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #7 on: 16 March 2018, 22:08 »
Strange cos I took my pret’s off and fitted Audi TT 17’m wheels with same width tyres and overall diameter is the same and if anything it feels slightly  slower with the 17s cos they’re way heavier.
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Offline ajmoir36

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #8 on: 16 March 2018, 22:25 »
I remember putting my 14" steel wheels back on my Astra from its 17" Kahn RSR wheels and its transformed into a rocketship.
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
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Offline Wide

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Re: 18” to 19” - car feels slower
« Reply #9 on: 17 March 2018, 07:58 »
Yes you only have 19" for the looks! ;). And if you av realy bigg brakes ..

i have only 17" on my semi slicks for track use!  :grin: Fast, cheap and ugly!!.. :grin: :grin:
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