Mk 8 GTI - new owner questions

[DSGboy]

I immediately noticed the increased turning circle when I changed from mk6 GTI to new R with 19” Pretoria alloys. The first time I reversed off our drive.
Seems to be a common problem. Often grumbled about on the VWROC Golf R forum.

[fredgroves]

I thought the turning circle issue was more R itself related and not wheel size? Maybe something to do with the diff?

[Exonian]

Yes, the turning circle on mk7 R’s was canal barge like.
I went from a mk7 GTI PP to a 2015 R (both came from the factory with 18’s but subsequently swapped to 19’s) and immediately noticed the reduction in manoeuvrability. The R was followed by a few more FWD Golf 7’s and eventually a mk8 Clubsport at the arse end of 2020. The mk8 didn’t seem to have the same turning circle as the mk7 FWD cars but I wondered whether it was my imagination as the mk8 Clubby steering seemed improved in other aspects.

[alland]

Very interesting. I've done some trawling through the internet and this turning circle issue does get a load of discussion time on other forums, especially in the USA. According to the dimensions info in the VW Mk8 brochure, the turning circle for all models is 10.9 metres; there is no mention of type or size of wheels fitted, or suspension specs.
However, a person in the US was adamant the wheel size DOES make a difference; he has a Mk8 Golf GTI and runs it in winter with 225/45R17 wheels/tyres. In summer he changes to a 235/35R19 set up (same as myself) and immediately notices a marked difference in the turning circle (larger).
I cannot get my head around this; if all racks are the same "stroke", i.e same lateral movement of the rack lock-lock, then the wheel(s) angle must be the same, irrespective of the wheel diameter since the pivot point is the wheel centre line. The only way to change the turning circle would be a physical restriction of some kind, either externally or within the rack itself. But surely nobody fitting aftermarket larger wheels would go to that bother?

[alland]

Here's another twist to the turning circle question: I recently looked at my vehicle details in the VW Connect app. In that section it lists the "selected vehicle equipment" and one of those items was "Progressive Steering for 19" Wheels". I've never seen this listed as an option or standard equipment in any VW brochure before, so what is this? If it is real, is this why the turning circle seems large? Or is it just VW speak for some that doesn't actually exist?

[fredgroves]

Here's another twist to the turning circle question: I recently looked at my vehicle details in the VW Connect app. In that section it lists the "selected vehicle equipment" and one of those items was "Progressive Steering for 19" Wheels". I've never seen this listed as an option or standard equipment in any VW brochure before, so what is this? If it is real, is this why the turning circle seems large? Or is it just VW speak for some that doesn't actually exist?

Yes its possible that a car built with 19's has a reduced steering range to 18's (presumably to prevent it striking the wheel arches)

The only way to know for sure is if someone with a factory 18'er fitted 19's and noticed the same...

[Exonian]

A stab in the dark but I’m going to say it’s possibly more likely to be an electronic adjustment to counter the fractionally bigger (circumference) wheels and 1cm wider tyres and a few millimetres offset difference.
As fredgroves says, most likely to stop any potential fouling under conditions such as full suspension compression with steering on full lock.

I ran 8x19’s on my Clubsport which came with factory 18’s and it was absolutely fine. No noticeable drawbacks.

[Carlosfandango]

My GTI had 18’s from factory, I swapped them out for 19’s, i haven’t notice any ill effects or difference in turning circle, in fact I’m pretty sure it has the same turning circle as my old Mk7 with factory 19’s, as I have to put on full lock to leave the driveway, and it just misses the gate post just like 7 did.