Looking to upgrade to 17" wheels

[Jamar]

Hi all,

Just bought my wife a Bluemotion and now that it's in the garage, I've taken quite a fancy to it. I wasn't planning on making any changes at all but now everytime I walk past it, I can't stand looking at the 15" wheels on it. With the bodykit and all, it just doesn't look right!

I know the Bluemotion is all about economy etc. but I think 17's with low rolling resistance 225/45/17 tyres like the Bridgetone Ecopia PZ-X shouldn't affect the fuel economy too much.

So I've got my eye out for some Seattle wheels but would be open to other VW 17" wheel styles. Would appreciate any leads if you have one..

Oh, and I bought some fogs off ebay, the front bumper is crying out for fog lights!

[brad]

weight & width will both affect economy. What's the point in buying a bluemotion if you make changes that will adversely affect economy.

PS: wife's car - what does she think? The only mods my wife is interested in involve unique bodywork changes caused by sideswiping poles in shopping centres.

[Jamar]

I did think of that but a Bluemotion with 17" wheels will still be a hell of a lot more economical than any other golf on 17's due to the gearing, stop/start, electric aircon etc.

So you get a car that looks good that uses less fuel

[kaanage]

Maybe. I reduced my fuel consumption by just over 5% on average from changing my Polo TDi down from 195 to 175 section tyres.

If you do make the change, can you try to do some accurate mileage checks (odometer vs fuel put in, not MFD) before the change so that you can report on the effect? I agree with brad on the likely outcome.

[Jamar]

Will do kaanage

[brad]

Well, i guess you should aim for a narrow 17" rim (6.5"-7") that weighs a max of 8kg & 205/50x17 tyres (light ones).

I know that if i add 1kg to my tyre/wheel package it costs me 0.5L/100km & it slows the acceleration down.

How many km do you drive each week? Maybe any change in consumption won't matter

[Jamar]

My wife probably does 150 - 200 urban k's a week. Long trips etc.are done in my car.

[Jamar]

Well, i guess you should aim for a narrow 17" rim (6.5"-7") that weighs a max of 8kg & 205/50x17 tyres (light ones).

Are there any factory rims that fit into this category? If I do this, I want it to look factory, not modified.

[brad]

Are there any factory rims that fit into this category? If I do this, I want it to look factory, not modified.

nope

With the mileage your wife does, fuel consumption isn't really an issue. $30 a week?

[Jamar]

Well she just got the car recently so haven't been through a tank of diesel to calculate it properly yet but based on the $1.50 per litre, let's say 5L/100km (factory claims 4.7L/100km urban) it should use less than $15 a week in diesel. Even if that turns out to 5.5L/100km, that would be around $15 a week.