Is there any advantage in having 19" wheels?

[p3eps]

"no, no, no!" not in the snow anyway.  my bloody gti with 19 inch only wheel spins in the foot deep soft snow.  its all down to the large wheels and low profile tyres.  any other day 19's would be fantastic -shame its urinating snow everyday of everyday...........
yet when i drove the tt it would be fine. 

Too tru, theres a reason the most popular car in the alps is an ancient fiat panda on skinny tyres

Thats all very well - but we normally unlucky if we get around 20 days of snow a year!  OK, we've maybe had a few more in the last 12 months - but is it worth basing your car on something as rare as that?  I'm getting 19s... if the snow becomes a regular thing I'll get a set of balloon wheels from a 1.4TSI and fit them for the snowy weather!

[Rolfe]

If the Atlantic Conveyor stops due to climate change, we'll all be needing caterpillar tracks.

Rolfe.

[DL golf]

Since this is a topic on wheels. I might as well post here rather than starting a new topic. I am looking for a 9"X18" alloy wheel / 245X40X18 tyres on it. Not many alloy wheel makers have this size for the Golf. For 18", is usually 8"X18". OZ Racing has 8"X18" only. Std 18" on the R is a 8"X18. I would go for a wider wheel rather than a bigger one.
I think 18" will just be fine for the "R". Look wise of cause the 19" is the way to go. Definitely there would be some compromise on the ride on the 19" as it is only on 35 series. 

[Snoopy]

On the subject of 18s or 19s if you think of it logically theres pros and cons.
On a billiard table smooth road/race track then the 19s may make a slight difference if the suspension is tunned for them because you have less sidewall give and also slightly wider tyres.
But the 18s have other advantages in the real world. As the road surface is never perfect and the contact area has to mold itself to the ground if it cannot do this as it does not have enough height then your going to loose some grip. We don't have perfect roads that are clear of stones, pothoels etc. Also unsprung weight the 19s will be heavier than the 18s so steering feel and agility may suffer. The suspension will have to work harder with the 19.
These are small differences and its down to the complete package of suspension, wheels and tyres imo.

[mac7]

I am looking for a 9"X18" alloy wheel / 245X40X18 tyres on it.

A 245/40R18 has too large a diameter - you'd be better off with a 235/40R18 or 255/35R18.

[percymon]

On the subject of 18s or 19s if you think of it logically theres pros and cons.
On a billiard table smooth road/race track then the 19s may make a slight difference if the suspension is tunned for them because you have less sidewall give and also slightly wider tyres.
But the 18s have other advantages in the real world. As the road surface is never perfect and the contact area has to mold itself to the ground if it cannot do this as it does not have enough height then your going to loose some grip. We don't have perfect roads that are clear of stones, pothoels etc. Also unsprung weight the 19s will be heavier than the 18s so steering feel and agility may suffer. The suspension will have to work harder with the 19.
These are small differences and its down to the complete package of suspension, wheels and tyres imo.

The only technical reasons to fit bigger diameter rims is to allow bigger brakes, and lower profile tyres for sharper steering response on turn-in. VW don't increase the brake size when you opt for 19s, and 99% of drivers will never notice the steering response change.  Aestheticsis the only other reason.

As already said the 19s will be heavier and therefore unsprung mass and suspension control will be worse than on 18s, assuming the R has been tuned on the 18" standard offering.

[DL golf]

Hi mac 7,
Whichever a 235/40 or 255/35 as long as is 18". Thing is hard to find a reputable wheel in 8.5" or 9" wide wheel in 18". Most common size is 8"X18." OZ Racing has an ultra light wheel Alleggerita at just over 7kg for a 8X17." Regular 8X17" is about 12kg.
IMHO, go for a 8.5" or 9" wide wheels with 235/40 or 255/35X18. Order car with ACC & throw in a set of lowered spring from H&R or KW. They should have a set of these springs soon for the "R." H&R has a set of lowered spring for the TTRS & is compatible with its "magnetic ride," Audi's version of ACC. Lowered by about 25mm. I would use 19" on a TTRS as it suits the car better. 18" is standard fitment on the TTRS just like the "R" but uses a slightly wider tyres.

[evo1986]

Our golf r dsg 5 door arrived today at Cheltenham VW with 19's on it getting pdi'd tomorrow back in work on wednesday so will let peeps know about drive and handling

[p3eps]

Our golf r dsg 5 door arrived today at Cheltenham VW with 19's on it getting pdi'd tomorrow back in work on wednesday so will let peeps know about drive and handling

Did you get silver or black wheels!?

[evo1986]

They are silver wheels..........