18" or 19"

[Top Cat]

I think this is an example of the wheels looking better in bigger  fitments. The 19 are 8.5 and I think the et is 48. I wont be going to low as it is driven daily but I want it to look right.

Hi Ollie first off what car do have (sorry if i have missed it) 19 8.5j offset 48 gives you about 15.5 mil further poke than stock.
If you want to go as low as the R 32 above then you will get a fair bit of rubbing going round bends fast. Which is why i asked what car you have. You would be ok in most circumstances, just when pushing on you will get some rubbage.
If you just want to give it the occasional blast then i would go for 225 tyres on the 8.5. this will give you a few mil more extra clearance. This however is the limit in my opinion, 215's would make the handling poor and i have seen them pulled off the rim when driving fast.

I personally would go for 18in wheels. The tyres are a lot cheaper and if you get the ride height correct they will still look just as good. 

[ollie288]

I think this is an example of the wheels looking better in bigger  fitments. The 19 are 8.5 and I think the et is 48. I wont be going to low as it is driven daily but I want it to look right.

Hi Ollie first off what car do have (sorry if i have missed it) 19 8.5j offset 48 gives you about 15.5 mil further poke than stock.
If you want to go as low as the R 32 above then you will get a fair bit of rubbing going round bends fast. Which is why i asked what car you have. You would be ok in most circumstances, just when pushing on you will get some rubbage.
If you just want to give it the occasional blast then i would go for 225 tyres on the 8.5. this will give you a few mil more extra clearance. This however is the limit in my opinion, 215's would make the handling poor and i have seen them pulled off the rim when driving fast.

I personally would go for 18in wheels. The tyres are a lot cheaper and if you get the ride height correct they will still look just as good. 

Hi TC,

I have a 1.6 FSI (due to insurance and my age!  )
The R32 was taken from edition 38 and the owner says he doesn't experience rubbing! He obviously can drive alot harder than me!
That is the tyre I am thinking. A 225/35/19.
Now I am surprised you have said 18"! You have 19" wheels dont you. Do you find them harsh or much different to your stock 18"?
I have been searching for a mk5 on the 18" version of this wheel but have not had any luck! I wanted to compare the looks!
I think they look the bees knees in 19s but havent really seen the 18s!
The specs for the 18s are: 7.5 and et 54.

Cheers

[Top Cat]

When i went from the 18in monza with michelin exalto's, to 19in works with michelin PS2's they ride comfort hardly changed and the road noise was less, but the wheels were lighter and as i say the tyres were better.
To be honest with your car your not likely to be driving to fast round bends so i wouldnt worry about rubbing to much with the 19 in spec.
But if you are going to do a proper job on the ride height then 18's will look just as good. Check out a couple of Jonny's set ups. he has always got it looking great on 18's. 

With the 18in spec you could go seriously low and not rub, but to get the full great stance you will need some spacers with that offset in my opinion. 

[ollie288]

When i went from the 18in monza with michelin exalto's, to 19in works with michelin PS2's they ride comfort hardly changed and the road noise was less, but the wheels were lighter and as i say the tyres were better.
To be honest with your car your not likely to be driving to fast round bends so i wouldnt worry about rubbing to much with the 19 in spec.
But if you are going to do a proper job on the ride height then 18's will look just as good. Check out a couple of Jonny's set ups. he has always got it looking great on 18's. 

With the 18in spec you could go seriously low and not rub, but to get the full great stance you will need some spacers with that offset in my opinion. 

I do occasionally like to drive my car properly (when conditions are correct and safe not all the time when driving to tescos like alot of idiots my age! ). There is a great road near me with great twisties! Obviously I may not be able to go as hard as a GTI or R32. The current tyres I have on there are midline ones £75 for two (trade price). I put them on to bridge the gap for my new wheels as the originals were getting low on tread.  These are very poor and I dont have alot of confidence with them.  They always feel as if they are about to let go. I dont know wether it is because they are a 65 side wall and they flex or wether they are just crap tyres! I am hoping to remove this with my new wheels and tyres.
I am going to get Fk sliverline coilovers so the ride height will be dealt with!
I am starting to see what you mean. Alot of people who have 19s say they cannot get properly low. I know about the spacers what would you recommend?
Cheers TC
 

[ollie288]

Also what size tyre would you recommend for the 18" 7.5 et 54?
Cheers

[Top Cat]

There is no difference with how low you can between a 18 and 19in wheel. the only difference is the size of the tyres side wall, obviously to keep your speedo reading correctly you have to have a smaller side wall on the 19in.
If the wheels were the same width and offset then its purely down to tyre choice.
Quality 19 tyres at 8.5 are really expensive. 

As i said you have the coils so i would go 18in wheels with hubcentric spacers, you might need 15 mil though to fill the arches, and a few people think this is a bit naughty. But i dont know anything about spacers to be honest.
 And you normally only get people posting up saying beware of spacers look what has happened. 

Also what size tyre would you recommend for the 18" 7.5 et 54?
Cheers

i think but i am not sure, 215's 40 should be ok with 7.5. 225 will definitely fit fine but for the looks you would maybe want a tight fit within the safety limits of course. 

[ollie288]

The cost of the tyres will not be too much of a problem as I can get a discount.
Thanks TC you have gave me something to think about!
I do like the slightly stretched look nothing major! A 215 should give me that and still be safe?
Thanks again top cat! 

[Top Cat]

The cost of the tyres will not be too much of a problem as I can get a discount.
Thanks TC you have gave me something to think about!
I do like the slightly stretched look nothing major! A 215 should give me that and still be safe?
Thanks again top cat! 

No worries.  just take your time researching all options. Its not as straight forward as people think, get wheels and slam it. 

There is a lot of factors to consider when lowering the suspension. trust me i learn t the hard way. 
Tony Danza, Jonny C and Gazbut S3 have plenty of experience in correct set up, PM them your ideas and for sure they will help. 

[ollie288]

How do you mean? Do you mean things like getting it fully tracked after lowering and stuff like?
I will defiantly run it by someone before going ahead!
Cheers! 

[Top Cat]

How do you mean? Do you mean things like getting it fully tracked after lowering and stuff like?
I will defiantly run it by someone before going ahead!
Cheers! 

I meant. find a picture of how you want your stance first, then let this decision dictate whether you can go for the 18's or 19's then choose the correct tyre to achieve the height and look you want.
Weigh up all problems, Can i get on my drive with ride height, will it rub when driving fast, can i put up with a harsh ride all the time. All the usual stuff that most people deal with once they have the problem, rather than before it arrives.   

[ollie288]

How do you mean? Do you mean things like getting it fully tracked after lowering and stuff like?
I will defiantly run it by someone before going ahead!
Cheers! 

I meant. find a picture of how you want your stance first, then let this decision dictate whether you can go for the 18's or 19's then choose the correct tyre to achieve the height and look you want.
Weigh up all problems, Can i get on my drive with ride height, will it rub when driving fast, can i put up with a harsh ride all the time. All the usual stuff that most people deal with once they have the problem, rather than before it arrives.   

Ahhh I get you now! You mean be sensible and research before jumping in with two feet and suffering afterwards! Wise words. I have been researching a fair bit but you read one thing and then two mins later you read another which totally contradicts the first thing you read!
I better get on it! 
Cheers mate 

[mortygttdi]

Ollie you've seen my car before so ill show you again

I have 18" alloys and had 215/35/18 with FK highsport silverlines,  im no stance expert so really will leave the science to someone else.





This is as far has I dare go without scrapping the subframe every ware but it never rubbed even with a full load it was 4 wheel alligned but the tyres where not the best,  next year ill be going for the toyo proxes again or maybe eagle f1's??

Darren

[ollie288]

Cheers Darren, yep I want to go to a similar height as yours! 
Michal of VW votex has just emailed me ill PM you what he said! 

[ollie288]

Just bought the 18"! 
They have 235/40 tyres on them. Any idea who would want these? A company or person or anything?
 

[mortygttdi]

get them off and on the classifieds some of the lads who do track days will have them from you.

Darren