Changing 17s to 18s

[Lewo]

So as the ps4s need replacing soon I've decided to get some new wheels at same time and going for 18s.

I do like the original monzas  so thinking about getting some of those and refurbing them at a well regarded place not far away. Trouble is buying & refurb iis around 600 notes........

I've just had a look on Wheelbase as a starter (any other sites for wheels shout out please!) and there are new sets for around £500+ The trouble is the different sizes confuses me....
I have had a quick read of the wheel guide on here just now but if peeps could advise it would help loads as I'm going to look at some monzas tomorrow so time limited to research 

At the moment the car is on standard suspension, I might at some point lower it a tad but only slightly if so.
I see that monza rims are 7.5 and ET is 51 but some of the new wheels are either 8 or 8.5 and ETs very from 42-45 from what I've seen so far.

So would any of those conbinations work with as the car is at the mo and if lowered slightly??

Appreciate any advice on this cheers 

[ROH ECHT]

If only ever planning to lower it slightly, you have plenty of room for over 8" and less than +45 ET. If you do hard cornering and that makes it rub, you can reduce roll with ARB's.
I am on 18x8 45 ET with 225/40-18 tires, and lowered to vertical measurement of 23-7/8" from ground to highest point of the arches. My tires do not rub on metal but I had to push the front liner screw up and out of the way.



Cannot take any more poke being this low, but can go lower with 18x8 +45 ET and current tires;

[colesey]

Dialling in more camber via either adjustable balljoints or top mounts will also tuck in the tyre and give a bit more clearance.

[Lewo]

Those wheels look huge 
What do you guestimate the drop is in inches/mm ROH?

[ROH ECHT]

Those wheels look huge 
What do you guestimate the drop is in inches/mm ROH?

Mine, early 2007, was quite high when new. I think it measured 27-1/4" from ground to highest point of the arch when new IIRC. I think the MK5's here were dropped to around 26-1/2" soon after I got mine. So, I can only say the drop is at least 2-1/2" or 60+mm. Mine has H&R SuperSport front springs and H&R Street Performance SS coil-over springs and adjusters in back..on Bilstein B8's. I have H&R ARB's front and back to keep it flat.

This was when it was likely a 50mm drop with Eibach Sportlines;

[pudding]

If the car is heavily laden or driven hard regularly, 8s and 8.5s will rub the arches, 100%.  Don't believe anyone who says otherwise.  I've had arch rubbing with the stock 18" 7.5J ET51 wheels when heavily laden and/or driven hard.

Always expect the unexpected with modifications.

On a more positive note, 18s improve the steering and cornering feel quite a bit over 17s 

[Lewo]

Cheers Pudding as ever. Maybe I'll stick with the standard monza 18s then... 

[Lewo]

Next decision is what colour silver to get them refurbed in....... Black car.

[ROH ECHT]

If the car is heavily laden or driven hard regularly, 8s and 8.5s will rub the arches, 100%.  Don't believe anyone who says otherwise. 

Pudding says I am lying.  I thought he knew me better.
My 18x8-45ET with 225/40-18 do not rub. But, perhaps I haven't driven extremely hard on a very poor road. It did initially in the rear on one side when the new wheels and ride height were done. I only noticed when I was doing some quick cornering on a rough road once. But I discovered the rear cross-member frame was 1/8" off center(I have no idea how it happened, as I am the only owner the car ever had). Measurement was 1/4" more to on one side than the other was, so moving it over 1/8" centered it. Its alignment is always kept within oem specs and always aligned at my VW Dealer shop.

[LC5F]

Too many variables in this topic for people to get up tight -
Same reported size of tyre differs brand to brand
Wheels vary too - width is bead to bead - it doesn't take into account the lip style, the same offset could be wider overall
Wear in suspension - shocks/bushes, goosed top mounts, sagging springs, all capable of putting wheels in the wrong place

If you are going big and low, there is too much to pin down, it comes down to trial and error and a lot of patience - something Roh Etch seems to have achieved and works for him - but this working combination doesn't automatically mean the same result will happen on a different car using different bands of wheel /tyre, or even suit how the owner uses their car, that is even before you take into account the state of the suspension.

[ROH ECHT]

As long as we both have been on here...I am pretty sure Pudding knows I am not upset. 

[GTI DAZ]

i like this site,

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=40&diameter=18&wheelwidth=7.5&offset=53&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=17&wheel_width=7-5&offset2=53

you can put in the current wheel fitment and the new of and tells you all the differences

[Lewo]

Good site that 

[Gti_jay]

Good site lots of stuff