GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Burger81 on 19 April 2017, 20:21
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I'm going to get some new rims for my GTI. Currently got the 18" austins which don't fill the arches for me.
Weird question I'm asking is will a 19inch rim with a low profile tyre be much bigger than an 18" with the standard tyre?
Obviously it's 1 inch bigger but the profile of tyre on the 18 looks bigger than what you'd get on a 19 (might just be my imagination or stupidity though).
Reason I ask is I can't lower my car as my current insurer doesn't cover it (never come across this before!) so I didn't want to get a set of 19's and have a car sitting really high for a year. If it sits about the same as the 18's I might go for it....
Thoughts? I've not seen a GTI on the santiagos up close to have a nose out to compare.
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As long as you buy the correct size tyres there is very little difference in the overall circumference. 18 inch wheels use a 225/40/18 whereas the correct tyres for an OEM 19 inch wheel will be 225/35/19.
A larger wheel though will give a harder ride and your wheels will be more prone to damage/kerbing. Tyres for 19 inch wheels are also more expensive.
Non-standard wheels will also be classified as a modification by most insurers, meaning higher premiums.
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I'm actually used to a harder ride on my previous cars. I find the gti a bit soft!
I just don't want I arch gap and the car looking like it's on stilts. But I suppose as the gti comes with 19s too, it can't look too high.
I didn't think about the rims being classed as a mod, knowing my luck they won't insure me on that too.
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I wouldn't bother, the Austins are brilliant wheels :smiley:
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I didn't think about the rims being classed as a mod, knowing my luck they won't insure me on that too.
Money Supermarket article on modifications, including the likely 'typical' impact on your premium;
https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/articles/car-modifications-car-insurance-prices/
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I'm going to get some new rims for my GTI. Currently got the 18" austins which don't fill the arches for me.
Weird question I'm asking is will a 19inch rim with a low profile tyre be much bigger than an 18" with the standard tyre?
Obviously it's 1 inch bigger but the profile of tyre on the 18 looks bigger than what you'd get on a 19 (might just be my imagination or stupidity though).
Reason I ask is I can't lower my car as my current insurer doesn't cover it (never come across this before!) so I didn't want to get a set of 19's and have a car sitting really high for a year. If it sits about the same as the 18's I might go for it....
Thoughts? I've not seen a GTI on the santiagos up close to have a nose out to compare.
The 19" and 18" wheels will have the same circumference give or take a few millimetres.
The 19" wheels just take a lower profile tyre to keep the gearing identical.
It's the offset that will make the wheels sit better in the arches.
You will need either 8" wide wheels with approx 40mm ET or 8.5" wide wheels with around 45mm ET.
This will bring the shoulders of the tyres pretty flush with the wheel arches and visually improve the looks quite a bit (obviously wheel choice is a very personal matter).
A much cheaper option will be to run wheel spacers and longer bolts on your Austin wheels.
12 to 15mm front and 15 to 20mm rear (12 & 16 works well)
The next dilemma is whether your insurer will allow spacers if they don't allow lowering.
Most insurers don't bat an eyelid at alloy wheel upgrades but spacers might be a no no.
How much would it be just to end your insurance policy early and find another more sympathetic insurer?
Spacers will cost you between £100 and £160 give or take a few quid and alloy wheels and tyres will set you back £1000 upwards. 19" tyres aren't cheap.
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Thanks for the info chaps. Very helpful.
If my insurance doesn't allow wheels or spacers then I'll just sit it out until it runs out, not worth paying to jump out early.
I actually jumped from elephant (hope it's ok to name names) when I had a focus RS and that was lowered with spacers (which hardly moved my cost) to axa for the golf as it was cheaper to insure as standard with them.
Weird huh?
I had Michelin Pilot super sports on the FRS and they weren't cheap but they are the best tyre for the money for all year round performance by far so my wallet knows what's coming it's way :grin: