Mk7.5 GTI - Wheels and Tyres Advice

[Rudedog]

Can I ask if they said what type of tyres were on the alloys?  I guess if they are stock items then the tyres could be several years old, probably about £500 of tyre included.   Wonder if they would offer the alloys on their own?   

[willni]

That's a good point by Rudedog, tyres are recommended to be changed every 5/6 years regardless of fitted or not.

If staying under £1k Reps and premium tyres would be my choice, rather than genuine alloys with cheaper tyres.

I also saw these by Japan Racing, which are getting a good name for quality. Just don't buy tyres from Wheelbase as you generally pay over the odds.

https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/japan-racing/jr37-8-18/gloss-black/18-inch/volkswagen/golf-gti/mk7?year=2019

[gfmr89]

Hi everyone, thank you for the responses and apologies for the delayed reply! Our baby boy decided to make his arrival and needless to say that we're over the moon with him! He's keeping us on our toes and this is the first time I've had a chance to look into the wheels and tyres again.

Some great advice, thank you!

I reached out to my local VW dealer's parts department (not the most helpful and didn't seem to know they could supply OEM wheels and tyres aftersales) and after a painful 10-15 mins of what I guess was them trying to find the 18" Prets on the system, quoted me £485 per wheel/tyre which is more than I can spend. I've reached out to another dealer further away but I suspect their prices will be the same.

I think it's a decision between the CM reps which are tempting for the price alone, MAK Wolfs or the VW rotary wheels (which are really nice, but not sure I can get buy-in from the wife on the cost!).

It’s always worth asking for discount if buying accessories from a VW dealership - especially if you’re spending a fairly sizeable sum of your ‘hard earned’ on a quite expensive item like a set of new alloys. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, and the VW dealership I use has always given me 10% discount off accessories when I’ve asked.

I’ve not bought anything from them post-Covid so things may be different now, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Good point - I'l try that with the other VW dealer local(ish) to me if I can get a hold of their parts department.

Can I ask if they said what type of tyres were on the alloys?  I guess if they are stock items then the tyres could be several years old, probably about £500 of tyre included.   Wonder if they would offer the alloys on their own?   

They come with Premium Contact 6 tyres however they didn't have any wheels in stock and couldn't say when they would next come in.

That's a good point by Rudedog, tyres are recommended to be changed every 5/6 years regardless of fitted or not.

If staying under £1k Reps and premium tyres would be my choice, rather than genuine alloys with cheaper tyres.

I also saw these by Japan Racing, which are getting a good name for quality. Just don't buy tyres from Wheelbase as you generally pay over the odds.

https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/japan-racing/jr37-8-18/gloss-black/18-inch/volkswagen/golf-gti/mk7?year=2019

Those Japan Racing alloys look very nice! I know someone via a local VW group who has them on his Mk7 and they suit it quite well.

But overall, reps and premium tyres are looking like the most likely option at this point. However, I wonder if it would be possible to fit new 18 tyres to my stock alloys and then fit them to the VW rotary alloys at a later date so as to spread the costs if the tyre profile/size is the same?

[DSGboy]

MPS4 on 18s and 4S on 19s are a formidable package. Equalled and bettered in some ares, but as a real world option still damn decent.  5 now we’ll regarded but the S hides.

[mcmaddy]

MPS4 on 18s and 4S on 19s are a formidable package. Equalled and bettered in some ares, but as a real world option still damn decent.  5 now we’ll regarded but the S hides.

conti sport contact 7 and Asy 6 are both better than the PS4. PS4 just doesn't give a sporty feel and is too soft in the sidewall.

[davo245]

19" Brescia's and pilot sport 4S I had on mine best looking wheels you can fit on a 7.5 gti pilot sport 4S transform the car perfect combination.

[willni]

19" Brescia's and pilot sport 4S I had on mine best looking wheels you can fit on a 7.5 gti pilot sport 4S transform the car perfect combination.

I'd say BBS CI-R personally, I put my Brescias back on and took them off a week later because thought they looked awful in comparison. I do miss the Pilot Sport 4S though, it's a great tyre, the Pilot Sport 5 just aren't the same, think I'll try the Contact Sport 7's after the PS5's or hopefully the Pilot Sport S5 when it comes out.

[Exonian]

I do miss the Pilot Sport 4S though, it's a great tyre, the Pilot Sport 5 just aren't the same, think I'll try the Contact Sport 7's after the PS5's or hopefully the Pilot Sport S5 when it comes out.

Interesting thoughts on the PS5 Will, dare I ask in what way you find them inferior to the PS4S for general road use?
Many of the online comparison reviews are done on race tracks under lab test conditions so much better to hear real world opinions from actual owners who paid money.



A colleague of mine has had two sets of Goodyear Assy’s crack in the tread block area after only a year or two so buyer beware there - keep an eye on them, one was bad enough for an MOT fail.

[willni]

I do miss the Pilot Sport 4S though, it's a great tyre, the Pilot Sport 5 just aren't the same, think I'll try the Contact Sport 7's after the PS5's or hopefully the Pilot Sport S5 when it comes out.

Interesting thoughts on the PS5 Will, dare I ask in what way you find them inferior to the PS4S for general road use?
Many of the online comparison reviews are done on race tracks under lab test conditions so much better to hear real world opinions from actual owners who paid money.

I wouldn't say the PS5 is an inferior tyre more just targeted at a different market segment.

The PS5 is more everyday oriented whilst being an ultra high performance tyre (UHP), much like the GTI it does everyday flawlessly, but with the option to do UHP things. I do notice there is less grip currently versus the PS4S, and actually have seen the traction light come on, which is a first for me in my car.

Whilst the PS4S is an ultra ultra high performance tyre (UUHP) so it's first thought it performance, grip and driving dynamics with everyday comfort being a second thought. So it does ride a little firmer, to give the better driving dynamics which I personally prefer.

I've never struggled for traction with the PS4S except with my old set on 2.8mm and in 4 degree weather (ideally PS4S should be used in 12+ degree weather for max grip).

I would liken the difference as CrossClimates to PS5 is the same as PS5 to PS4S, all great tyres but all for different purposes.

[Exonian]

Thanks Will

Funny you should mention CrossClimates, even though there’s been no snow down my neck of the woods for five years plus I’m considering a set of CC’s this winter. The PS4S aren’t great in standing water at times and we do get an awful lot of rain where I live.