Just seen the new GTI on the road for the first time!!

[davoaj]

Or just go completely old skool and get some steelies 

[VWKev]

You ordered the 18's yet Rolfe ?

[Rolfe]

Agreed!  Do it Rolfe!   

Not. A. Chance.

I'm actually deeply curious as to the reason for the price ticket on these things.  After all, by taking the 18s, you're not having the 17s.  Are the 18s really worth over £400 more than the 17s?  What the bleep is actually going on here?

It's not the size of the 18s I find attractive.  I appreciate that you geeks like the slightly bigger wheels but to me, I can't even see the difference.  And if the extra inch radius makes the ride a little less smooth, then no way.

What I like is the shadow trim.  If the shadow trim was available in 17s, for a reasonable upgrade price (it's only paint, dammit!), I'd probably have it.  But paying £400 extra for a slightly cooler look (only noticeable when the car is stationary) with the downside of slightly degrading ride comfort, no thanks.

Rolfe.

[davoaj]

I don't think it's a bad deal at all for £400 more. But I can totally see where you're coming from in keeping the 17's and the ride and handling are likely to be marginally worse on the 18's.

As for justifying the premium, obviously got the extra materials used in creating the bigger rim, the cost of the bigger tyres and then the finish to the the alloys which isn't just a bit of paint on the inner sections, remember that the face of the alloys is diamond cut which I am guessing is more costly than simply spraying the alloy silver as per the 17's.

[matchboy]

an extra inch makes all the difference rolfe!!!   

i suppose its down to personal preference, say, like leather.  i personally would have paid an extra grand to get the 18's but they are first on my list of extras!

[Rolfe]

I don't think it's a bad deal at all for £400 more. But I can totally see where you're coming from in keeping the 17's and the ride and handling are likely to be marginally worse on the 18's.

As for justifying the premium, obviously got the extra materials used in creating the bigger rim, the cost of the bigger tyres and then the finish to the the alloys which isn't just a bit of paint on the inner sections, remember that the face of the alloys is diamond cut which I am guessing is more costly than simply spraying the alloy silver as per the 17's.

It's down to what you're prepared to pay, and I think the evidence from this forum suggests that VW can get the premium they're asking.  Just not from me!

Yes, I can see the slightly bigger rim costs a little more, and the tyres (they're smaller in profile but they're wider, is that right?) slightly more also.  But £400+?  I only read that the shadow trims were painted on.  They don't look that different to me, for the price.  I suppose if all the geeks who will pay the price don't need  the marketing spiel to understand the subtle but oh-so-expensive differences, then fine.  But from what I read, and what I saw of the visible difference, I expected the 18s to be maybe about £50 more, until I saw the price ticket.

Rolfe.

[adw555]

So I have 17's on my current mk 5 and I've always thought they looked well (this is my ad)..

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VOLKSWAGEN+GOLF/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-91-240-4294966835-4294966886/advert.action?R=200929338256632&distance=1&postcode=BT41+4QF&channel=CARS&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=GOLF&min_pr=10000&max_pr=11000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=

My mk 6 arrives on monday and I've only gone for the 18s as the 17s didnt look as well IMO....something about the car looking bigger than than the mk 5...they just looked a little lost on it...

[davoaj]

I think sometimes when people are looking at the bigger picture they lose sight of the real value of money, hence VW know they'll easily get away with £400 extra for the shadows.

If you actually get the two wheels along side each other though, as with the monza and monza 2 alloys from the mkv, the differnece is really apparent. Whilst the overall shape is the same, the finish is completely different.

Either way I'm sure you'll be happy with yours.

[neilgcal]

So I have 17's on my current mk 5 and I've always thought they looked well (this is my ad)..

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VOLKSWAGEN+GOLF/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-91-240-4294966835-4294966886/advert.action?R=200929338256632&distance=1&postcode=BT41+4QF&channel=CARS&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=GOLF&min_pr=10000&max_pr=11000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=

My mk 6 arrives on monday and I've only gone for the 18s as the 17s didnt look as well IMO....something about the car looking bigger than than the mk 5...they just looked a little lost on it...

Lovely MK5! im questioning why i ever bought the GT TDI when i got my MKV and not a GTI, anyway not long to go till the MKVI GTI arrives!!!

[mds69]

I think sometimes when people are looking at the bigger picture they lose sight of the real value of money, hence VW know they'll easily get away with £400 extra for the shadows.

Very good point - get the 18s, add ACC as insurance for the ride being too harsh - £1100 on top of an already high RRP and you've stealth bought Audi!

Have ordered a GTD (yes, I know!).  Ride with the 18s on test drive (no ACC) was great (think GTD is slightly softer than GTi anyway though).  Problem on the GTD side though is that neither set of Alloys as good as GTi/Scirocco choices...