Opinion on choosing a wheel set (tyre & rim) for handling upgrade

**ATYPIC** · 15-12-2012, 11:44 AM

ET46 is correct.

If you can persuade yourself into getting 18s, I am selling these shortly.

Rays Gram Lights 57 Optimise 18x7.5 5x100 and professionally drilled from M12 to M14. Very light wheels. Comes with Rays spigot rings 65mm-57.1mm.

**Bagachin** · 15-12-2012, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Hail22

These are my 17x7.5 Talladega Reps from the UK.

Personally prefer the 17's compared to 18's.

Can you let me know the offset of the rim? Does it scrap when car is under heavy load? Also, how does it drive comparing to the stock 17x7? If possible, please provide both positive and negative points. Thanks!

**Bagachin** · 15-12-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by ATYPIC

ET46 is correct.

If you can persuade yourself into getting 18s, I am selling these shortly.

Rays Gram Lights 57 Optimise 18x7.5 5x100 and professionally drilled from M12 to M14. Very light wheels. Comes with Rays spigot rings 65mm-57.1mm.

Man, they look good. i am always a sucker of JDM wheels and this is very close to what i had in mind, i would take it in a heart beat if it's 17"...

However, can you provide some feedback driving on 18" on Polo? In terms of the appearance, I might not lower the car anytime soon, so i think the car might "look like" it sits a bit high with the 18" too...

Also, what do you mean by the wheel is professionally drilled from M12 to M14? Do you mean the hole on the rims were enlarged to fit M14 stud (assumed M14 is the stock size)?

**Hail22** · 15-12-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bagachin

Can you let me know the offset of the rim? Does it scrap when car is under heavy load? Also, how does it drive comparing to the stock 17x7? If possible, please provide both positive and negative points. Thanks!

45, no scrubbing, I take apex's including the recently removed apex/ripple strip kerbs at the Telstra 500 track with ease/no scrubbing.

Cons: the rim is sitting flush with the tyre wall which means I lose the kerb protection that tyres provide (once you touch ever so slightly she will scratch!).

So total is 17 x7.5 ET 45

**Bagachin** · 15-12-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hail22

45, no scrubbing, I take apex's including the recently removed apex/ripple strip kerbs at the Telstra 500 track with ease/no scrubbing.

Cons: the rim is sitting flush with the tyre wall which means I lose the kerb protection that tyres provide (once you touch ever so slightly she will scratch!).

So total is 17 x7.5 ET 45

Thanks for the info Hail22, is there any noticeable improvement over the 17x7? I remember back them when i had another car and fitted a wider rim, I can feel the breaking is stronger and more stable. Cornering seems to be improved at a good marginal rate too.

Is it the same case? Also what size of tyre you are using? is it still 215x40x17?

**Hail22** · 15-12-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Bagachin

Thanks for the info Hail22, is there any noticeable improvement over the 17x7? I remember back them when i had another car and fitted a wider rim, I can feel the breaking is stronger and more stable. Cornering seems to be improved at a good marginal rate too.

Is it the same case? Also what size of tyre you are using? is it still 215x40x17?

I found a small improvement in the change, and yes I'm still running the 215x40x17 rubber...hence why the wheel is sitting flush now...hence now tyre protection for the kerbs

**sanke1** · 15-12-2012, 07:10 PM

Your fuel consumption will slightly increase by increasing wheel size.

**ATYPIC** · 15-12-2012, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Bagachin

However, can you provide some feedback driving on 18" on Polo? In terms of the appearance, I might not lower the car anytime soon, so i think the car might "look like" it sits a bit high with the 18" too...

Also, what do you mean by the wheel is professionally drilled from M12 to M14? Do you mean the hole on the rims were enlarged to fit M14 stud (assumed M14 is the stock size)?

The overall diameter of the 225/35R18 series tyre on an 18inch rim is only 11mm more the stock 17inch tyres. In essence, this means the car is only sitting 5-6mm higher than stock. I do not subscribe to the personal view of many that 18s look too big on the Polo.

I've driven my car relatively hard on some very challenging stretches of bitchumen and it handles extremely well. Yes you will always experience less comfort when going to a larger wheel with less rubber in the sidewall, but for me it was something I could live with and now that I have just replaced the stock suspension with coilovers, the comfort has actually improved.

Regarding the drilling, yes the holes were enlarged as VW lug bolts are M14, and most Jap spec wheels are M12. I could have purchased adaptors but chose not to.