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Author Topic: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes  (Read 2386 times)

Offline GTIEagles

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Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« on: January 20, 2015, 11:28:31 am »
This was tested on a MK6 Golf

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/effects-of-upsized-wheels-and-tires-tested

Seems like 17" or 18" are the ideal size, I'll be sticking with my 17s then  :wink:
« Last Edit: January 20, 2015, 11:54:23 am by cnut »

Offline th3_f15t

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2015, 12:02:42 pm »
Hmm, so running 17" wheels has little impact on handling or braking but increases ride comfort. I might downgrade to 17" for daily use and keep some 18" for track days (where comfort isn't a priority). Good fine, that article. :happy2:

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Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2015, 12:08:27 pm »
Pretty much but mentioned that the 17" tyres they were given were V rated unlike the 18s that were W rated. They seem to think if the 17s were W rated they could match the grip of the 18s  :smiley:

Offline th3_f15t

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2015, 12:16:45 pm »
For my own use, I'd happily run 17" permanently as on the road I don't push it so the difference in performance (regardless of speed rating) is negligible. Even when I start taking it to the track I'll hardly push it to the car's limit as I'll hold that last 10% back to preserve my daily driver. :smiley:

I won't argue that larger wheels are better for performance, that's a fact. But for my own personal uses, I have no NEED for 18" alloys (I got mine at a bargain price so couldn't say no!) but if I were to buy new wheels now I'd probably opt for 17" to save a fair amount of cash.

Same reason I'm going for the NQSBBK over the TTRS calipers. Yes the TTRS brakes are better performing but I just don't need that level of performance.

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Offline doylebros

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2015, 05:39:33 pm »
Well that's me educated no looking for 19" wheels then. :happy2:

dansmith180

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2015, 09:05:32 pm »
I think the difference is minimal really if your only making a 1" or even 2" change. I've had 18" and 19" wheels now and apart from the cost of tyres I haven't really noticed any difference and that's with the same tyres (eagle F1's) on both sizes.

I keep thinking about changing down to 18" lightweight such as OZ ultraleggera or Team Dynamics 1.2 but I like the way my 19's look too much, also I weighed them the other day and they're only 21.5kg fronts and 23.5kg rears which isn't as much as I was expecting.

Offline Andy

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2015, 09:48:13 pm »
If we a took advice out of magazines then we wouldn't modify them

Offline th3_f15t

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2015, 09:52:34 pm »
If we a took advice out of magazines then we wouldn't modify them

If we spend all our time on forums we'd never drive them stock. :wink:

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Offline Andy

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2015, 09:59:54 pm »
 :signLOL: not many on here stock then

Offline rich83

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2015, 10:02:03 pm »
Id say that 17" is optimal on the MK5. My car ran sooooooooooo good on monza 17s. Shame they dont fit over my brakes.   :sad1:

dansmith180

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2015, 10:05:36 pm »
Id say that 17" is optimal on the MK5. My car ran sooooooooooo good on monza 17s. Shame they dont fit over my brakes.   :sad1:

I think 17's are too small though, they don't look right on the MK5 for me.

Offline rich83

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2015, 10:11:25 pm »


I loved the look of them! And so easy to clean  :love:

dansmith180

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2015, 10:12:32 pm »
How long ago was that taken?

Offline rich83

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2015, 10:13:47 pm »
August 2013

dansmith180

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Re: Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2015, 10:17:16 pm »
Its changed a fair bit since then, what was better about the 17's? I guess you're on 18's now?