16inch to 18inch

cheechm

cheechm

cheechm

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Joined
16 Jan 2008
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2,350
Thinking about changing my alloys, and the ones I want are 2 inches larger. Now, I've done some research, so was just wondering if I've got all the main points:

1) Poorer MPG
2) Harsher ride
3) More expensive tyres

And also a few questions:

a) Would I need to get less wide tyres?
b) I'm sure there was a website that calculates speedo differences?
c) Anything else I should consider?

FWIW the car is a Golf MK6.

Cheers
 
Im sure 18 is an OEM size for the mk6. Just copy the vw size

Also consider having to lower the car as larger wheels tend to exaggerate a cars skyscraper ride height
 
As long as you select the correct tyre sizes to match as closely as possible then

1) MPG will probably be no different, maybe a little worse due to wider tyres
2) Ride will be harsher due to less tyre wall
3) Tyres will be more expensive, yes

a) The tyres will more than likely be wider, at a guess you'd go from 205/55R16 to 225/40R18
b) There are loads, just google 'tyre size calculator'
c) make sure whatever you're buying are the correct bolt spacing, centre bore etc. this is normally taken care of if buying from a large scale retailer who ask what car
 
I think you have most things covered. My Golf GTI has 18s (225/40) and I run a set of 16s for track use (195/55). You do get a noticeable difference in MPG, of around 3-4, due to the width difference. The ride is a bit harder as you would expect but not too bad.

Agree about lowering if it is on standard suspension (i.e. not sport).
 
Kenai said:
a) The tyres will more than likely be wider, at a guess you'd go from 205/55R16 to 225/40R18
b) There are loads, just google 'tyre size calculator'
c) make sure whatever you're buying are the correct bolt spacing, centre bore etc. this is normally taken care of if buying from a large scale retailer who ask what car
Click to expand...

Wonderful. Thanks for the answers. I know that at the moment I'm on:

Code: 
6.5J x 16 [alloys]
205/55 R16 91V [tyres]

Duke said:
Agree about lowering if it is on standard suspension (i.e. not sport).
Click to expand...

I'll have a look at getting the car lowered as well then. Probably still want a slight visible gap between the wheel and the body (a bit like the GTi's ride height). Any recommendations?
 
Eibach Pro-kit or Sportline tend to get decent feedback for a simple, relatively cheap mild lowering solution.

That tyre size is exactly as expected, you'd be fine jumping to 225/40R18 on some 7.5Jx18 or 8Jx18 alloys.

The only thing I had forgot to mention is along with bolt patterns etc. you want to check the offset too. Again, buying from a big retailer like Rimstyle for example, this will pretty much be sorted for you (same if you're sticking with standard VW wheels for the most part).
 
It will need lowering, and it will give a harsher ride.
I presume you don't have the trick suspentsion? Makes it much more comfortable!
 
I've got a mk6 GT with the 18" Vancouver alloys and sometimes I think they're too big for the car. I think the right 17" alloys would look far better on a non-GTI mk6 than any GTI style 18" wheels.
 
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