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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: gti turbo on 15 May 2005, 11:21

Title: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: gti turbo on 15 May 2005, 11:21

is there still a big gap if I fit 17" alloys to my mk4 golf, or should I spend the extra and go for 18". anyone got any advice on the subject, cheers

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: monkeyalan on 15 May 2005, 11:28

it shouldn't make much difference  as the diameter will be pretty much the same. about 12mm bigger with 18's. about the difference between new and worn tyres.

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: GazB on 15 May 2005, 20:03

I got 18's and there is still a big gap :angry:

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: W36 EJO on 17 May 2005, 22:30

Won't make much difference to be honest as the depth of the tyre also changes. My 18's next to my standard 16's are not bigger in overall height (about 10mm at most bigger). You just get more alloy wheel with 18's.

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: PaulMK4GTI on 18 May 2005, 13:25

Agreed, i've got 18's on mine and the gap's still substantial. Not too bad on the front but the rear arches are hooj!

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: Nickyb on 20 May 2005, 14:36

Ive got a mate of mine who's got a Mk4 gti turbo with 20s on it!
Straight on, no problem.
Had 19s before and lowered still clearance, 20s are a must- look amazing! :cool:

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: richy on 23 May 2005, 13:08

The gap will be the same whatever size wheels you choose to within a few mm, as the profile needs to be reduced as you increase the rim size (otherwise your speedo will be out).  To reduce the gap, you'll need to lower it.

Do the sums, and you'll see that all of these common Golf tyre profiles are almost exactly the same total radius:
195/65/15
205/55/16
225/45/17
225/40/18

x/y/z where
x=tyre width in mm,
y=profile as % of width,
z=rim diameter in inches.

Title: Re: 17 s/ or 18 s alloys.
Post by: MrJoseph.com on 23 May 2005, 15:16

I just lowered my Mk4 on 8'18 rs6 rims
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/1.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/2.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/3.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/4.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/5.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/6.jpg)
(http://www.mrjoseph.com/mk4golf/7.jpg)