Lower Profile Tyres - Better handling?

[bobbieboy69er]

As the handling of my ride is crap.. understeer being the main issue.

im think if i get lower profile tyres is this going to help atall?  Im currently running 205/55/16 which are the correct ones for the Monty 2's.  Apart from my speedo being out by a couple of mph's is this going to have any negative affect and also will it help with handling? 

[rockmonkey69]

Ride feels firmer with lower profile than the 55 but too low a profile and it can struggle for traction with regards to bumpy roads. At any rate, the profile of your tyre is not the reason why there's a lot of understeer. Wider tyres would be more important than thinner tyres if your struggling for traction, also the tyre your using makes a massive difference, not sure what tyres your using but try a quality tyre like Michelin pilot sport 3 etc.

A good set of coilovers like Kw variant 2/3 or bilstein b16 pss9, front and rear antiroll bar and front and rear strut braces and a aftermarket LSD would help.

[bobbieboy69er]

Ride feels firmer with lower profile than the 55 but too low a profile and it can struggle for traction with regards to bumpy roads. At any rate, the profile of your tyre is not the reason why there's a lot of understeer. Wider tyres would be more important than thinner tyres if your struggling for traction, also the tyre your using makes a massive difference, not sure what tyres your using but try a quality tyre like Michelin pilot sport 3 etc.

A good set of coilovers like Kw variant 2/3 or bilstein b16 pss9, front and rear antiroll bar and front and rear strut braces and a aftermarket LSD would help.

all at a cost ay....  Im on P6000 atm but there a bit pants tbh, me old mans got to michelin ps3's that im putin on at the weekend as u mention it, so thats a start, ive got a front strut brace, lowered 30mm and poly bushes, no coilovers tho.

Is it possible to put wider tyres on monty 2's?

[Ben Lessani]

Good tyres + tracking will see you right.

My 235/35/18s pale in comparison to my ~185/65/15s. Even though there is masses of profile on my 15s, the tyres are just SO much better - and overall grip is improved by about a factor of 2.

[rockmonkey69]

You can put slightly wider tyres on, it sticks out a bit. Your handling and suspension is basically standard so it will be more prone to understeer. Try the above coilovers and a front and rear antiroll bar kit - they make more difference than the strut brace.

As above, the tyres will help traction a lot. Also your speedo won't be out at all if you make sure the rolling radius of the wheels are the same as standard, but if not then just make sure the rolling radius is within ~1% difference

[bobbieboy69er]

ill see how much of a difference the new tyres make then go from there.  im on a spending ban from the wifey atm so can only get away with justifying some new rubber 

[golfyste]

the things that will make the biggest difference are coilovers, tyres and a rear arb

rear arbs are know to help prevent the mk4's tendency to understeer quite well.

[Dalo Harkin]

I always found P6000 tyres rubbish, good in the dry, but absolutely shockin in the wet! and this is England lol

[bobbieboy69er]

I always found P6000 tyres rubbish, good in the dry, but absolutely shockin in the wet! and this is England lol

Agree!!  however.... the missus has got some on her 1.6hdi 307 and altho its difficult to drive it the same as a 220BHP golf, it handles pretty well!  think its more to do with the golf just having a playful front end

[Dalo Harkin]

Mine were on a tuned escort and they were that bad I lost count of the amout of times I had ritted my teeth while skiddin in the wet toward a car thinking this is going to be bad, luckily didnt crash once but had LOTS of near misses