16, 17 or 18" Rim? - Performance vs Ride

[Geezer]

I need a set of new tyres (Golf GTIPD150) and am thinking about changing wheels at the same time as I think the 16's (205/55/16) are abit on the small side.

Can anybody advise which size rim will provide the best performance vs ride etc.

Thanks.

[topher]

If you're going bigger you might aswell go to 18's, since they run on 40 profile tyres anyway (thanks to the monstrous mk4 arches) they're not ultra-low and the ride doesnt suffer too bad.

[richy]

I went for 17s, but I've heard that the ride on 18s isn't too bad.?

You need to remember that the bigger the alloys, the heavier they will be ... reducing acceleration, and increasing gyroscopic effects.? (However, any adverse handling effects should be balanced out by the smaller tyre-wall - less deflection on corners.)?

[S11EPS]

Go and take a look at Frsoticles PD150 in his gallery, or his sig pic.

That will tell you all you need to know.