Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?

[Ess_Three]

I found that 18s gave steering kickback on roads i drive.

I wonder how much of this is down to wheel/tyre weight?
I notice no adverse differences going from 18s to 19s, with lightweight 19" wheels....certainly no additional kickback over what I'd expect on the likes of a GTI anyway.

[Ess_Three]

On my motor Snoops sport mode improves the handling by far, just trying to get my point over about 17's to 18's and handling diffirance mate with Acc of course

Does it improve handling in reality? As in faster corner speeds, more grip etc?
I doubt it since the tyre widths are the same.

Or does it improve feel, and your perception of handling?
At the end of the day, a car that feels better planted, moren stable and 'better handling' will be griven faster...it's the confidence factor....if no suspension differences exist, then the difference is mostly down to feel/perception.

If really pushed to extremes, ultimate grip must be very similar, with a more progressive break-away given by the 17s...but the 18s will likely feel more planed right up to the point the grip runs out.

 

[Snoopy]

As said above even if it does increase cornering speeds you would be talking only ~5mph imo from fine adjusting  suspension in my youth. Its the feel/confidence that changes so much.

To the original poster, It sounds like you want to upgrade wheels later on.
The monza Shadows (18" wheel option) can sell for decent money so my recomendation would be go for the 18" wheels and then sell them later, you will have no problem selling them.
The suspension height and settings, camber/caster/toe etc im sure are the same for either wheels anyway.

[david25]

Thanks for all the responses.

I would personally prefer 17" but all the second hand GTI's I am looking at have 18"...

So, I'd still like to know so that I can swop wheels without worring about the car looking too low/high or paying for yet another suspension alignment (on the UK's moon like roads).

PS this would also help reduce the cost of winters tyres because my tyre shop will store summer tyres, thus I dont need a another set of winter rims.

[Ess_Three]

As said above even if it does increase cornering speeds you would be talking only ~5mph imo fine adjusting  suspension in my youth. Its the feel/confidence that changes so much.

Certainly, for most people, the feel is what defines 'better handling'...very few are able to deconstruct the information coming back into bump/rebound settings...and even less go down the road of taking tyre temperatures to sort out pressures and camber!

I don't fully follow regarding suspension changes though:
Are you suggesting ant suspension changed applied at the factory for 17" vs 18" wheels would be worth 5 MPH cornering speed at best?
That ACC could be worth 5 MPH cornering speed at best?
Or that any suspension upgrades will only be worth 5 MPH cornering speed at best?

[david25]

To the original poster, It sounds like you want to upgrade wheels later on.
The monza Shadows (18" wheel option) can sell for decent money so my recomendation would be go for the 18" wheels and then sell them later, you will have no problem selling them.
The suspension height and settings, camber/caster/toe etc im sure are the same for either wheels anyway.

Yes, I may want to downgrade to 17" (looks are not important to me).

Are we sure the suspension height and settings, camber/caster/toe are the same for either wheels???

[Ess_Three]

Thanks for all the responses.

So, I'd still like to know so that I can swop wheels without worring about the car looking too low/high or paying for yet another suspension alignment (on the UK's moon like roads).

Yes, you can swap, no problems.
But it may look higher - more of a perceived arch gap with the smaller sidewall of the 18" tyre...so look more 'odd'.
You certainly won't need to re-align.

PS this would also help reduce the cost of winters tyres because my tyre shop will store summer tyres, thus I dont need a another set of winter rims.

What's the plan...18" in summer and 17" in winter?
If so, very sensible...and a perfect proposal.

[Ess_Three]

Are we sure the suspension height and settings, camber/caster/toe are the same for either wheels???

Pretty sure...
The dealer will swap wheels if you push them hard enough...and they sure as hell don't re-align.

[am1w]

I originally drove a GTi MK6 with ACC on 17" wheels. It had a superb ride in 'normal' mode and the handling was excellent. In 'comfort' mode it had that magic carpet ride. Did not try 'sport' mode.

I ordered my car with 18" wheels primarily for their superb looks and there is no doubt in my mind that it cannot replicate that original test drive which made me choose the Golf GTi.

Looks do sell sometimes at the expense of ride and handling!

[Snoopy]

Thanks for all the responses.

I would personally prefer 17" but all the second hand GTI's I am looking at have 18"...

So, I'd still like to know so that I can swop wheels without worring about the car looking too low/high or paying for yet another suspension alignment (on the UK's moon like roads).

PS this would also help reduce the cost of winters tyres because my tyre shop will store summer tyres, thus I dont need a another set of winter rims.

Many people including dealers have swopped from the 17s from a factory order to the 18s for customers. I have never seen or heard anyone needing suspension settings changed.

On the mk5's there was an issue with a wheel arch screw been rubbed under extreme braking (emergency stops)when going from 17" monza wheels to the 18" monzaII wheels which is why the discussion back then started about there was a bumpstop change between the setting at the factory. I have not heard this about the mk6 at all yet.

Your wanting to go the other way 18s to 17s so there will be no problem at all.