Going from 16" to 18" wheels - ride height or other issues?

[brad]

My Octavia came with 18 inch wheels,pictures in my intro thread. Looks good but I think that I'd prefer 17s for a bit less road noise.

That would be more a result of tread pattern than wheel diameter.

[brad]

Thanks for the replies.

Just wondering - is the suspension on the RS the same as on the TSI? Since this wheel/tyre size is stock on the RS, it should be the same height as mine with 18" wheels if there are no other differences.

RS has heavier springs with matched dampers. Ride height is ~15-20mm less

[roshea]

RS has heavier springs with matched dampers. Ride height is ~15-20mm less

Different springs and dampers - OK, thanks.

[brad]

If yours is a 90tsi then it probably has the 50mm front strut legs rather than the 55mm. A few of the guys on here have done the coversion from 50>55mm with replacement hubs.

The vRS springs should work OK with your existing dampers but I recall one of the guys fitted vRS springs to his 1.9tdi & it made no difference in ride height because the 1.9tdi was a lighter engine, so that's something to keep in mind.

If it was me, I'd do the wheels (they'll look fine) & then keep an eye out on the various AU based vw/audi forums for a cheap set of quality coilovers - except most of them will be 55mm so you might want to look for hubs as well.

Also, if it was me, I'd only go to 17" with a 235/45r17 because that does look good with std springs & quality tyres are as cheap as chips.

If you want to experiment with either size their are always heaps of bargains 2nd hand - that's what I do. Now on my 4th set of wheels

[cbay]

Also, if it was me, I'd only go to 17" with a 235/45r17 because that does look good with std springs & quality tyres are as cheap as chips.

This is exactly what I've been considering. Is a 235/45 tyre as opposed to 225/45 legal though?

[brad]

This is exactly what I've been considering. Is a 235/45 tyre as opposed to 225/45 legal though?

AFAIK as long as the speed & load ratings are >=. The width & height are both within (NSW) regs. I ran 235/45r17 on 17x8 ET35 from about 45k to 55k on OEM Elegance springs & they were great. The ET was a bit aggressive IMO & I would have preferred ET40-ET45 but the tyre size was great.

OEM 205/55r16 = ~632mm diameter
OEM 225/45r17 = ~634mm
OEM 225/40r18 = ~637mm
235/45r17 = ~643mm
225/55r16 = ~654mm -had these from 55k to 125k on 16x7.5 ET45 with Eibach lowered springs. Speedo was 4kmh (still safe) under & no rubbing.
225/50r17 = ~657mm - currently fitted on 17x7.5 ET42(?). Speedo is 100=100 (too close for comfort). Slightest rub on the front RHS inner guard liner if you hit a bump mid- LH corner. Great on the rear - not so great on the front. I think they'd be fine with OEM springs.

There used to be a big difference in price between 225/45r17 & 235/45 but it's only about $15 now