Author Topic: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?  (Read 26523 times)

Offline david25

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #20 on: 04 September 2010, 16:29 »
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.

That sounds interesting, has anyone actually managed this?

I'd expect the dealer to say:

1. take it or leave it
2. we can't do that sir, we sell cars not wheels
3. yes, that will be £2000
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline Snoopy

  • Moderator
  • Serious forum addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 7,761
  • Geoff.
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #21 on: 04 September 2010, 16:29 »
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:
What i was trying to say (im hopless at explaining myself in text sorry for confusing you) is that ruffly speaking basic suspension tuning on road cars like these from experience of playing on circuits and test tracks at manufacturers in my youth equated to a max speed increase in cornering speed of less than 10%.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline david25

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #22 on: 04 September 2010, 16:32 »
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.

Quote
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.

I don't care about looking odd, I run a Mark 6 (GT160) with 17" at the moment and think it looks good.

The plan is:
  • Buy GTI
  • Get some genuine 17" on it
  • For summer/winter running use the same wheels are my tyre shop will store the other set of tyres
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline Snoopy

  • Moderator
  • Serious forum addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 7,761
  • Geoff.
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #23 on: 04 September 2010, 16:32 »
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.

That sounds interesting, has anyone actually managed this?

I'd expect the dealer to say:

1. take it or leave it
2. we can't do that sir, we sell cars not wheels
3. yes, that will be £2000

On a brand new one yes i have seen it a couple of times.
Theres a lad on here with a black one i nearly bought from stock and he got the dealer to fit the 18" wheels on it as part of his deal. (It had the 17s on it)

But my advice would be get the one with the 18s on and if you don't want them sell them. (will be asy to sell them)
Theres loads of the monza 17" alloys for sale out there but not many 18" ones.
Especially as alot of the mk5 boys want 18s and so are selling there 17s to 'upgrade'.
« Last Edit: 04 September 2010, 16:36 by Snoopy »
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline david25

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #24 on: 04 September 2010, 16:39 »


[/quote]
On a brand new one yes i have seen it a couple of times.
Theres a lad on here with a black one i nearly bought from stock and he got the dealer to fit the 18" wheels on it as part of his deal. (It had the 17s on it)

But my advice would be get the one with the 18s on and if you don't want them sell them. (will be asy to sell them)
Theres loads of the monza 17" alloys for sale out there but not many 18" ones.
Especially as alot of the mk5 boys want 18s and so are selling there 17s to 'upgrade'.
[/quote]

Many thanks, time to contact the dealer again.
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline Snoopy

  • Moderator
  • Serious forum addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 7,761
  • Geoff.
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #25 on: 04 September 2010, 16:41 »
Is it a used one or a new car from stock your after?
As it maybe worth asking your dealer to search VWs stock as there maybe some with 17" wheels around.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline am1w

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,544
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #26 on: 04 September 2010, 16:49 »
Just realised that Penguin has 17" Monzas. I wonder if he has ACC?
Be a good person to ask.
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline Snoopy

  • Moderator
  • Serious forum addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 7,761
  • Geoff.
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #27 on: 04 September 2010, 16:55 »
Just realised that Penguin has 17" Monzas. I wonder if he has ACC?
Be a good person to ask.
Its amazing how its hard to tell with black wheels isn't it  :lipsrsealed:
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline david25

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #28 on: 04 September 2010, 16:57 »
Is it a used one or a new car from stock your after?
As it maybe worth asking your dealer to search VWs stock as there maybe some with 17" wheels around.

Its a used one, all the cars with my spec (or close to) have 18" damn it!
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline am1w

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,544
Re: Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?
« Reply #29 on: 04 September 2010, 17:07 »
Is it a used one or a new car from stock your after?
As it maybe worth asking your dealer to search VWs stock as there maybe some with 17" wheels around.
Its a used one, all the cars with my spec (or close to) have 18" damn it!

David, buy one with 18". The car is more saleable then. Just make sure you have ACC with them. Sorted! :smiley:

Oh, Rolfe has 17"+ACC me thinks. :smiley:
PM her and offer her a mallard! :evil:
« Last Edit: 04 September 2010, 17:11 by am1w »
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP