Interesting article on the effects of different wheel sizes

[GTIEagles]

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 

[th3_f15t]

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.

[GTIEagles]

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 

[th3_f15t]

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.

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.

[doylebros]

Well that's me educated no looking for 19" wheels then.

[dansmith180]

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.

[Andy]

If we a took advice out of magazines then we wouldn't modify them

[th3_f15t]

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.

[Andy]

  not many on here stock then

[rich83]

Id say that 17" is optimal on the MK5. My car ran sooooooooooo good on monza 17s. Shame they dont fit over my brakes.   

[dansmith180]

Id say that 17" is optimal on the MK5. My car ran sooooooooooo good on monza 17s. Shame they dont fit over my brakes.   

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

[rich83]

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

[dansmith180]

How long ago was that taken?

[rich83]

August 2013

[dansmith180]

Its changed a fair bit since then, what was better about the 17's? I guess you're on 18's now?