Lowering a GTD

[Teutonic_Tamer]

for what its worth when i put my 19" wheels on my R they did effect the handling, fuel consumption, and ride. Handling was worse. fuel consumtion was worse. Ride quality was better

But were the differences between the 18s and the 19s identical (sorry, that sentance is shyte grammar, :embarassed: but you get the jist).  Were the tyres an identical make, tread pattern, load index, tread rubber compound, appropriate tyre pressures - etc? 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

If the car has gives good feedback you should notice these things.

As for the Auto Bild test, I guess if what T_T has pointed out is true then it's a pretty shoddy test and I'm disappointed.

It is quite stupid to use a Porsche actually since T_T is right they do have their own tyre standards. What's more baffling though is using rear tyres that are wider than normal.

Sadly, that is usually what happens when you let 'journalists' carry out these kinds of tests.   Similar flaws occured in the Evo tyre test a couple of years ago - and peeps just clung to the 'headline' figure, yet completely failed to see the blatant bias, which would have seriously affected the results of the test.

I'm sure if you got professional vehicle dynamics engineers to carry out the test in a more professional manner - then their findings would be much more valuble.  But 'magazines' need to sell from the shelves of newsagents, and generally, just like in all forms of journalism, if you can somehow 'sensationalise' an issue - you will usually get bigger sales.

At least it provokes a good discussion.

[R32UK]

for what its worth when i put my 19" wheels on my R they did effect the handling, fuel consumption, and ride. Handling was worse. fuel consumtion was worse. Ride quality was better

But were the differences between the 18s and the 19s identical (sorry, that sentance is shyte grammar, :embarassed: but you get the jist).  Were the tyres an identical make, tread pattern, load index, tread rubber compound, appropriate tyre pressures - etc? 

Both were running on Goodyear Eagle F1 assyms. Same tyre pressure also. But what was noticable is that the 19" bbs rims are somewhat heavier than the 18" omanyt's.

[countrytrucker]

I didn't know I was going to start this up when I asked the question!

In my defense (or is that defence?) I will be putting 19s on no matter what.

I think the visual benefits vastly outway any downsides the bigger wheels may bring (be it less fuel consumption, more road noise, bumpier ride).

I don't think it is a bad idea to put 19s on because the car looks so good with them. (Did VW not offer 19s as an option on the MK5 R32?)

[R32UK]

Did VW not offer 19s as an option on the MK5 R32?

No. they just gave it 18" as std