Suspension differences between 17" and 18" wheels?

[Ess_Three]

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%.

I think that's being slightly unfair...it's entirely possible to achieve 10-15 MPH gains in corner speed, or 20% (speed depandant)...but as cars get better, and chassis more sorted from the factory, the relative gains get less.

Lots of factors to consider...and aiming for outright corner speed is always going to cost you elsewhere (braking stability, traction out of corners, wet weather ability etc)

[david25]

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!

Yep, I understand 18" will be more saleable, but the 17" are just more practical for my daily drive and conditions.

[am1w]

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!

Yep, I understand 18" will be more saleable, but the 17" are just more practical for my daily drive and conditions.

I presume you live in the UK and not in deepest Africa!
18" are fine in this country.

[R32UK]

Ok just to clarify...

Mine was delivered with 17" wheels which I then swapped to 18". No difference in ride what so ever.

17" are faster than 18" only due to the differences in unsprung weight.

Have driven a mk5 with 19" wheels and found the ride better/more planted than with 18".


Alot of the effects people experience is due to the change in weight of the wheels... not the size.

[MAW73]

18's are a must imo asthetically....

Can I suggest buying the car with the 18's and then picking up a set of 17's off ebay or somewhere for the winter if you feel the need ( your find loads of genuine cheap sets of these on ebay mainly because people are selling them on to buy 18's ) 

[am1w]

18's are a must imo asthetically....
Can I suggest buying the car with the 18's and then picking up a set of 17's of ebay or somewhere for the winter if you feel the need ( your find loads of genuine cheap sets of these on ebay mainly because people are selling them on to buy 18's ) 

Best advice.
Now go and buy the car David ASAP before you change your mind and end up with a Skoda!

To put it very basically as this might do the trick!
17" wheels = big dick and small balls = wrong
18" wheels = big dick with big balls  = perfectly right
19" wheels = no comment

 

[david25]

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!

Yep, I understand 18" will be more saleable, but the 17" are just more practical for my daily drive and conditions.

I presume you live in the UK and not in deepest Africa!
18" are fine in this country.

Yep, I'm in the UK. Although half the roads on my work commute are B-roads that have a moonscape appearance.

They are also not gritted in winter, hence my change over to winter tyres.

[david25]

18's are a must imo asthetically....
Can I suggest buying the car with the 18's and then picking up a set of 17's of ebay or somewhere for the winter if you feel the need ( your find loads of genuine cheap sets of these on ebay mainly because people are selling them on to buy 18's ) 

Best advice.
Now go and buy the car David ASAP before you change your mind and end up with a Skoda!

To put it very basically as this might do the trick!
17" wheels = big dick and small balls = wrong
18" wheels = big dick with big balls  = perfectly right
19" wheels = no comment

 

OK, the buy another set of wheels is a good option. Plus we seem to have to conclusion about no changes in the the suspension setup between the two sizes.

[R32UK]

18's are a must imo asthetically....
Can I suggest buying the car with the 18's and then picking up a set of 17's of ebay or somewhere for the winter if you feel the need ( your find loads of genuine cheap sets of these on ebay mainly because people are selling them on to buy 18's ) 

Best advice.
Now go and buy the car David ASAP before you change your mind and end up with a Skoda!

To put it very basically as this might do the trick!
17" wheels = big dick and small balls = wrong
18" wheels = big dick with big balls  = perfectly right
19" wheels = no comment

 

OK, the buy another set of wheels is a good option. Plus we seem to have to conclusion about no changes in the the suspension setup between the two sizes.

yep

I will also gladly swap you my 17" wheels for your new 18" monza II's 

[GolfTi]

18" look better.

17" are more comfortable (think about it - they must be), cheaper (to buy and to replace tyres) and faster. Also less problems with kerbing and white worm

It depends what you want.