MK6 Wheel / Rim / Tyre Thread

[SAINIside]

Good point about the ride height... totally didn't consider that!

Cheers for the info guys.... man this business of choosing wheels is getting tougher. Thinking i got 2 options..

Go 18's on current tyre (225/40R1 and lower a bit
Go 19's on 235/35R19 and lower a bit.

Damn.. i was really hoping for a decent solution where i won't have to lower! Mainly because I know once I start on these mods I won't be able to stop... !!

[Dutch77]

Good point about the ride height... totally didn't consider that!

Cheers for the info guys.... man this business of choosing wheels is getting tougher. Thinking i got 2 options..

Go 18's on current tyre (225/40R1 and lower a bit
Go 19's on 235/35R19 and lower a bit.

Damn.. i was really hoping for a decent solution where i won't have to lower! Mainly because I know once I start on these mods I won't be able to stop... !!

The biggest advantage on the 18s is the tyre saving (and either just flog off your Detroits or retain them) and the fact you'll get away on stock height looks wise. You'll also get a slightly better ride and performance as well. And by retaining your existing tyres you can hopefully have a better wheel budget and go original over rep.

I really think once you head to 19s you'll definitely want to be lowering.

PM me if you decide to stick to 18s and like the OZs.

[mfl]

The biggest advantage on the 18s is the tyre saving (and either just flog off your Detroits or retain them) and the fact you'll get away on stock height looks wise. .

I went from 17s to 18s and didn't lower the car, as the car doesn't appear too high. I spent the last 2+ years deciding whether or not to sell the Denvers, but my partner made the comment that maybe I was better off keeping the Denvers and then when I sold the car, I could put the original wheels back on and sell the 18s separately.

[Diesel_vert]

The way I see it, the sole reason for fitting 19" wheels on a Golf GTI is for aesthetic purposes (18" wheels have a better ride and handling compromise), so you'd have to consider lowering it just on principle, which may or may not create rubbing issues depending on how aggressive the setup is.

18s are the best option if you don't want to lower the car, but it's all-in if you go with the 19s.

[SAINIside]

Yes those are the correct specs for the stock Detroits.

The VMRs in that size should be ok, just check it on the offset calculators to see what variance there is.

Per your previous post I can vouch on the OZ ST LMs, albeit I stuck to 18s on mine - you can see some pics here on the sale link: FS: 2010 Mk6 GTI 5 door DSG Red

The 19s will definitely not close the arch gap on stock suspension - it will exaggerate the gap instead. I'm running VWR springs in those pics.

Hey Dutch77... how was your experience with the VWR springs. Did you ever run them with the stock destroits or just the new OZ wheels. What was the size/offset of the wheels (assuming 18x8?). Any issues with the ride quality of the springs?

Trying to decide if I should go VW Driver Gear (DG) or the VWR Springs... I really just want the car to have a better lower look, not slammed. If the handling is improved then thats a bonus. I just want to ensure that there won't be any rubbing, noise issues!

[Dutch77]

Hey Dutch77... how was your experience with the VWR springs. Did you ever run them with the stock destroits or just the new OZ wheels. What was the size/offset of the wheels (assuming 18x8?). Any issues with the ride quality of the springs?

Trying to decide if I should go VW Driver Gear (DG) or the VWR Springs... I really just want the car to have a better lower look, not slammed. If the handling is improved then thats a bonus. I just want to ensure that there won't be any rubbing, noise issues!

I was pleased with the result - it's definitely firmer than stock, so don't buy into the advertising blurb about being the same - however I expected that and I don't think it's too bad for what I wanted my GTI to be. I believe the DG is a bit friendlier, but to be honest I don't see the drop as sufficient enough to warrant the cost. However White James will disagree and has written a huge amount on them - a few quotes here, but I think the bulk is on the USA golfmk6 forums.

I had the springs on prior to chucking on the OZ wheels. The OZs are 18x8 ET48, whereas the Detroits are 18x7.5 ET50. This gives you -3mm less inner clearance which is negligible, and 9mm more on the outside - the OZs sit nice and flush with the body (legal) and look just right. Given almost the same wheels and I used the same tyres there was no on road difference between the two.

You may experience some rub on the front right under HARD cornering in the hills, left corners with the camber angled down to the inside of the corner - the fender screw mod will fix that. On normal driving you won't experience any rub at all on the above specs.

I preferred the look of the 18s (and the cost savings) as I was after more of a 'race' look, rather than a 'street' look.. which also led me to the OZs, and didn't want the slight compromise on ride/handling that 19s can attract. I still have these for sale if 18s suit you.

In summary - based on what you're looking for - the VWRs will fit your bill nicely. There are some cheaper options that will give a drop like H&R etc, but I've read mixed reviews on the ride compromises. It's still cheaper than a good set of coilovers, which were definitely overkill for my needs at the time.

[SAINIside]

thanks for the detail Dutch...

My VW dealer gave me a good price on the DG springs.. installed, even they mentioned that many people are disappointed with the lack of drop, which is what concerns me. You're right, not worth it. I've read all of WhiteJames posts.. great stuff!

VWRs on 18inch wheels I think is the way to go... getting closer to making my decision!

Now deciding on gloss black wheels or not! Not sold on the OZ LMs.... yet!

BTW... you've helped me come to this conclusion! Cheers.

[Dutch77]

thanks for the detail Dutch...

My VW dealer gave me a good price on the DG springs.. installed, even they mentioned that many people are disappointed with the lack of drop, which is what concerns me. You're right, not worth it. I've read all of WhiteJames posts.. great stuff!

VWRs on 18inch wheels I think is the way to go... getting closer to making my decision!

Now deciding on gloss black wheels or not! Not sold on the OZ LMs.... yet!

BTW... you've helped me come to this conclusion! Cheers.

No problems.. you sound exactly like me six months ago, so I know exactly what you're going through.

I prefer the matt finish, but some people have had some issues with them, it's on another thread here. Ended up re-doing them in gloss. On a white car both will suit.

Keep in mind the lower offset and extra width on the VMR wheels if you still go that way really pushes the wheel out a fair way - you'll probably be ok at stock height (although get the stilts/offroader look) but may get rub issues when dropped, so you may need to do extra work to avoid this. It's the main reason (besides going for a top notch brand) that I went the way I did - if the VMRs had come in the style I wanted at x8 wide and an offset closer to 50 I might have still got them.

[Martin]

I'm looking at a set of VMR v710 in Matt Black, 19", 8 x ET45, running 235/35 R19 size tyres No idea if they will fit without issue on a stock setup though?!!

I have the opinion that cool wheel patterns are most stunning in 19"
The same pattern in 18" fails to make the same impression
However, 19" wheels are a good bit heavier for sure (not good)
(You would want to avoid axle tramp etc)

8" wide and 45mm offset works well for sure - that's what I'm using
Don't go any lower on the offset, you will get steering feedback and bump steer (ugly)

Avoid pot holes with that 35 profile tyre (sidewall height is smaller than 225/40/18 )

[spfh84]

Hi guys,

I have a mate who has a golf r with 18's, he's looking at getting some black 19" replica talledega's from Tempe tyres. 2 questions...anyone know if there will be a problem with rubbing at full lock, I'm almost certain they reduce the throw of the steering rack on OEM cars with 19's and has anyone had any experience with Tempe tyres and their replica wheels? Thanks all!