The Official Mk7 Wheel Thread

[Matt P]

I'd rethink putting 18/19's on a 90tsi. When i put the Seattle 17's on my wifes 77tsi the fuel consumption went up considerably.

[giveway]

Besides your wife driving it harder, if find it hard to believe that just changing the rim size would make a difference to fuel economy unless the overall tyre circumference was different or where they heavier wheels?

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[Dutch77]

The principle is bigger wheels equals more weight overall. Unless you can spend big on lightweight wheels then upsizing can be detrimental.

Car and Driver in the USA did a useful test of this across 15 inch to 19 inch sizes conveniently in a 2010 Golf: Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver

Which is why I've been happy to stick with 18s, and understand why some people aren't wrapt with VWs decision to make 19s standard on GTI PP and R.

[Matt P]

I take the car to work regularly and i used to dip into the high 4l/100kms on occasion (about twice a week - mostly traffic related). I have never cracked 5 in peak hour since i changed the wheels.

I'd suggest it has made about a 10% difference which the review above seems to agree with although i note it isn't a 77tsi - more likely a 118 based on the 0-100 times - IMO the lower powered the car the more difference i think it could make adding weight and friction (greater road contact patch etc.. (ever wondered why road racing cyclists use super thin tyres - same reason).

If i hadnt spent $800 on new RE002's for the rims recently i would have put the stockies back on i think. Also the reason my "other" wheels i have purchased for my Mk7 are also 18's (omanyt's if anyone is wondering - will load a pic if/when i fit them)

Sorry for the side-track but perhaps the fuel consumption implications of upsizing etc.. are of relevance.

[Billecartz]

Thanks for posting that up, any other shots?

Also, what are the specs on the rims? Genuine or reps? I'm guessing genuine given the Audi caps.

Straight lines are working on that design, has an OEM feel.

I now have the VW caps on and it will be lowered on H&R's in the next few weeks, I will post some more pics when done.

[Billecartz]

My wheels are 19's and find no real difference in the ride quality.

I have OEM 20's on my 981 Boxster and they are no problem either, once you get to these larger sizes it is more about suspension compliance rather than wheel diameter.

[Kesh]

I actually didn't think about implications such as fuel consumption at first! I could go for light weight wheels and such, but they're quite expensive and for a car like mine, I think it really defeats the purpose. My number one concern was ride comfort, and I was aware that by increasing the wheel diameter, you generally are increasing the stiffness of the ride.

Conveniently as I was parking today at Chadstone, I was next to that sky blue colour mk7 with the 17" and I think they look top notch actually. The tyre wall to alloy ratio looks quite good haha. I think the Dijon's are the way to go for me, perhaps a slight increase in fuel consumption, but I can certainly live with it given I'll have a much nicer golf overall!

I think it's the best compromise, I'd like to enjoy the car for what it was made for!

To be honest, the reason the golf caught my eye was because of the picture in front of the brochure. The Limestone Grey one with Dijon's! Absolutely loved it, hoping to replicate that look - xenons haha! (maybe lowering and a vinyl gloss black roof!)



EDIT:



Love it

[salrom]

No one seems to have up loaded the GTI performance 19" Santiago wheels (0.5b) I think the look great. I tried to add aphoto but it wouldnt work.

[Diesel_vert]

Sorry for the side-track but perhaps the fuel consumption implications of upsizing etc.. are of relevance.

Rims and tyres are inextricably linked with one another in the real world, so I would say the choice of wheels (and tyres) and its consequences are very much relevant for this thread.

To expand on your point on fuel consumption:

A tyre's rolling resistance is affected by its design, construction, size and compound (amongst other factors). For instance, a Michelin Energy Saver tyre of dimensions 195/65 R15 would provide less rolling resistance than a Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyre of dimensions 225/45 R17.

The rim width and tyre width can affect a vehicle's drag coefficient. An increase in width (for instance, from a 195/65 R15 tyre on a 6.0J rim, to a 225/45 R17 tyre on a 7.5J rim) would make the vehicle less aerodynamically efficient and thus require more energy (fuel) to overcome air resistance, especially on the motorway or highway. I refer you to the new BMW i3 on Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 tyres with dimensions 155/70 R19 or 175/55 R20.

Larger diameter wheel assemblies, assuming a decrease in section height (sidewall profile) and keeping within the rolling circumference tolerance, usually results in a higher vehicle ride height, due to how a low(er) profile tyre is constructed. Again, a higher ride height usually increases a vehicle's drag coefficient and leads to increased fuel consumption, especially on the motorway or highway.

Static radius of various tyre dimensions (with the resultant increase in ride height in brackets):
195/65 R15 = 289 mm
205/55 R16 = 291 mm (+2 mm)
225/45 R17 = 295 mm (+6 mm)
225/40 R18 = 299 mm (+10 mm)
225/35 R19 = 303 mm (+14 mm)

The combined mass of the wheel assembly (rim and tyre) will determine how much energy (fuel) is needed to rotate it and stands to reason that a heavier mass requires more energy to accelerate. It is also harder to control, as the suspension must in turn work harder to deal with the increase in unsprung mass, so ride and handling would suffer, at least on an objective level. It is not likely every driver would be nuanced enough to notice the difference.

The tyre inflation pressure is another factor to take into consideration. A high inflation pressure would reduce rolling resistance (up to a point), but also reduce the tyre's ability to generate traction (not necessarily from a reduction in contact patch area, but rather, from a reduction in contact patch pressure) unless countered by an increase in vehicle load (mass). This is why Volkswagen, as do other manufacturers, specify different inflation pressures for normal and full loads (amongst other reasons, such as load capacity, safety, etc.).

Having said all that, none of the above will matter for some people, while others may think differently. It remains for the user to determine which aspects they are willing to compromise in order to achieve the desired outcome (handling, aesthetics, comfort, whatever) for a given cost.

[Dutch77]

No one seems to have up loaded the GTI performance 19" Santiago wheels (0.5b) I think the look great. I tried to add aphoto but it wouldnt work.

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is a pic of GTI wheels here: The Official Mk7 Wheel Thread

I need to add in the R picture comparison still for completeness.

Rims and tyres are inextricably linked with one another in the real world, so I would say the choice of wheels (and tyres) and its consequences are very much relevant for this thread.

A really good summary, and read - thanks for that. I agree it is relevant for this thread - while I have posted up plenty of high end wheels and 'stanced' shots, I fully intend(ed) for this thread to be for all Mk7s and not just the top end cars.

Happy for ALL Mk7 cars with altered wheels to be added to this thread, especially if the car is your own.