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Author Topic: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels  (Read 2568 times)

Offline baileypl

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Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« on: 16 November 2006, 19:36 »
Just took delivery today of steel grey gti 3 door on 17 inch wheels.  Drive is terrific and looks fabulous but noticed it does not like lateral rumble strips or any lateral ridges in road which cause considerable vibration and uncomfortable thumping through the body/seat.  This was not apparent on UK dealer test drive car.  I was wondering if delivery blocks may have been left in suspension as car came via Holland dealer who did the pdi, transporter delivery thru Hull port to internet broker for collection.  The blocks may have been left on for tranportation purposes?  How can I check if they are present and how would DIY removal be possible.  Any thoughts out there or alternative suggestions for poor quality ride.
Thanks in anticipation
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Nov 2006 GTI 3 door, steel grey, cruise,armrest,17 inch

Offline wantmygti

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #1 on: 16 November 2006, 19:41 »
I'd get it to a dealer for a check out under warranty.
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2017 GTi Clubsport arrived June 2017
2007 Shadow Blue GTi, sold on after 10 years ownership

Offline The Doc

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #2 on: 16 November 2006, 20:06 »
It would look like this...

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Offline lowdown

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #3 on: 16 November 2006, 21:52 »
I found the ride on my 17"ers quite harsh during the first few hundred miles(from brand new), but soon it smoothed out considerably. 

Be interesting to see what the garage finds!!

I've done 8k now, and the ride/handling is brilliant, especially the way it copes with the s**t roads where I live.
 :smiley:
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Offline Paul-GTI

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #4 on: 17 November 2006, 01:17 »
On 18s its all good. Firm, without being crashy. Certiny no thumping or crashing.

Put the steering to full lock, and have a look at the suspension strut. If there is anythng in the spring(s) go to your dealer, tell them bout it being safty hazard and  ask fopr free service due to them not doing the PDI and putting you in danger.
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Offline aahgolf

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #5 on: 17 November 2006, 08:24 »
The ride on my GTI (17" wheels) is the only bad feature of the car, which is brilliant otherwise. It's especially bad on concrete motorway sections where the lateral ribbing makes the car lurch, as described. And on poor roads (most of them!) it feels hard and bouncy, with no give.

I read an letter in  Volkswagen Driver (Dec 2006, page 52) whilst at the dealer yesterday, where a GTI owner talks about not being able to stand the harsh ride and upgraded shocks to Koni FSD. These apparently preserve or even improve the handling, and at the same time make the ride very comfortable. I'm seriously thinking of doing the same...
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Steel Grey 05 GTI, 3 door, manual, MFD2, 6-CD, sunroof, parking sensors, winter pack/heated seats, lux pack 2, folding mirrors, Koni FSD

Offline 2007GTI

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #6 on: 17 November 2006, 12:12 »
I have exactly the same on my car with 17s, its only done 1700 miles.  there is a certain section of the M25 (between Junction 11/12) where its really noticeable.  I just though it was normal as I've not a had a car with sports suspension before.  :rolleyes:
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2014 Mk7 GTI DSG 5dr in Carbon Grey, 18s, leather

Gone but not forgotten '07 Mk5 GTI DSG (2006 to 2014)

Offline baileypl

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #7 on: 17 November 2006, 17:06 »
Thanks for all your informative replies.  Paulgti I took your advice and looked.  Thought I noticed some rubber at spring top so went to dealer.  He looked and said all was normal.  Glad to hear others have same thoughts on ride quality.  I will persevere and hope the springs/dampers will settle as per lowdown.  If still unbearable I will look further at Koni FSD technology replacements when std shocker are worn. Thanks for tip aahgolf.  I had konis fitted to saab 900 turbo by abbott racing which transformed handling of what was a crashy car over bumps.
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Nov 2006 GTI 3 door, steel grey, cruise,armrest,17 inch

Offline Paul-GTI

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Re: Ride quality on 17 inch wheels
« Reply #8 on: 17 November 2006, 22:34 »
Glad to see you went to the dealer, if anyone esle suspect that a VW assebly worker had a "ford" moment and want to check, this is what a Focus with suspension packers looks like...

http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8477&hl=

Yours might not be orange, but will look something similar.
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