4 motion what are your views

[greymad]

My observation on my 2005 4Motion is that the 17" 55 profile in Michelin Pilot Premacy and Hankook RA23 are whisper quiet and comfortable.
The later one is good for more than 40,000km, though the 16" tyres are more durable.

Drop around sometime and give me a chance to experience your idea of "whisper quiet and comfortable".
Ride comfort is what I'm after above all else. And yes, I am an old fart...

[Sunny43.5]

Yes, close to trouser soiling, but more to the point, "interest" comes from the reaction of drivers of the other vehicles - the odd finger gesture, fist shouting, etc. I had hoped that the twin turbo would have been a bit quicker to spool up, but not so.

Single Turbo is not any different I believe it is a DSG problem as engine revs are crucial to the preselection of the next gear , when approaching a roundabout you tend to be braking or coasting so the DSG selects a gear higher than you expect then when you enter the roundabout you put your foot down but the mongrel is still in too high a gear and takes a moment to think HEY he wants a lower gear lets change now , by then you are in deadmans land . Same for decending down hills it will hold the gear and rev it's tits off until you blip the throttle .

[Tig-uan]

Greymad:

It is not an opinion, it is fact.
You give me an example of a 16" tyre for T5 that is rated W, Y or even V? There is none, because they are all load carrying orientated.
Whereas in 17", there is a range of premium tyres, I recently installed Dunlop Sport RT 235/55r17 103Y , which would be several level above in handling, comfort and quietness when compared to the best 16" tyre you could find suitable for T5.

[Transporter]

Drop around sometime and give me a chance to experience your idea of "whisper quiet and comfortable".
Ride comfort is what I'm after above all else. And yes, I am an old fart...

Are you sure your lift kit is not affecting the noises in yours?
Mine is almost stock standard, with only hd shocks and raised springs at the back and it's very comfortable and quiet.

In about 3weeks I should have my new van and if you like you can come around I'll give you a ride on these 17" Hankooks.

[Tig-uan]

P.s simple measurement gives a 17 in wheel on a VW 5.5 inches of sidewall which has far less ability to flex/ absorb bumps than the 6inches of sidewall a 16 inch wheel has, given they BOTH need the same minimum load rating. Also a LT. will be better for any off-road work than a highway car tyre.

You need to take into account what type of tyre is doing the absorbing: 5.5 inches of a premium car-derived tyre will absorb bumps better than 6 inches of LT-derived tyre. Also, note than 17" tyres are on wider rims to ensure that the total air capacity of 17" is matching 16".

[Murphenzo]

For something with genuine off-road ability, yet still comfortable and quiet with good on road manners, I really can't fault my setup (lifted 4-motion on larger all-terrains). See: Lift kit for T5 4 Motion - supplier?
and
Offroad rims and tyres

It has just as much, if not more ground clearance than a stock amarok/navara/hilux/etc and will go most of the places they will. I have no hesitation taking it on the beach or up rocky tracks. If you really want to be sure, tick the box for the locking rear diff. There's honestly little appreciable difference in ride comfort or handling over the stock setup and the pirelli scorpion ATRs are even quieter than the 17" road tires that came on it.