Tyres/wheels - heres one for the experts!!

[antpal]

Can anyone help me on this one??  Here's my story first.....
I change my Golf every year (ordered my new one today).  When i re-import it to the UK (cos i live abroad) to sell, it has to have a minimum of 4000 miles on.
I've had my current golf since december and it currently has 1196 miles on it - this is because 'i am a skier'

Here's the deal - in Germany local law states that between oct and march (or when ave temp is less than 7 degrees) cars should be fitted with winter tyres.  This year i chose not to do this and just garage my golf for 4 months as i spend 3 months over winter away in austria/france/switzerland (using a german car with winter tyres). 
However, due to the lack of milage on this years car, im taking the next one on my travels over the winter.

What tyre size is going to work on the Gti???  The norm is to drop 2 inches when switching to winter tyres.  However VW have simply said 'stick with 17's or 18's - not much use to me when the tyres are €208 each!!!

So, will something like 16" alloys (225/45/16 tyres) work???  I know 16 inchers will look gay - but will they work - will the car slide around everywhere through not being able to distribute power correctly??   

thanks guys!

[HarryR]

Hi.

The VW dealer here sells a complete set of 4 winter tyres (good make) and 4 alloys-nice looking 5/6 spoke ones (standard golf ones i think), balanced and fitted for 600 Euro.

They fit the GTI and are 16 inch. Someone near me had them on her GTI all winter and never had any problems with fit or the car handling differently. The tyres were 195's, which will be fine and offer more than enough grip (unless your going via a track or something!). Only just got my GTI so i didnt need them.

Nevermind what the dealer says. Just get yourself a set of 16's with winter tyres and enjoy your skiing!.

And no they didnt look gay, they looked ok.

[antpal]

cheers Harry,

I checked on line at reifen.com and they recommended 16's too.

Where did your friend get theirs done??

[Matt555]

I'd drop the size as well, my buddy bought a full set of 16's for his CTR when he went ski-ing, they worked a treat..........  But the road noise was awful!

[HarryR]

Hi.

Doubt you want to get yours from the same dealer - might be a bit of a drive!.

Give your local VW dealer a call and tell them you want a set of 16's for a golf. Most dealers have some kind of deal on a full set of winter tyres with alloys, especially if your in mainland europe.