18 inch on passat 2009

[saint70]

I have factory 235/97/17 tyre...i was planning change it to 18 inch but after reading some posts i have doubt...
Ride is very quit and fine for now
Btw, using michellin pilot sport 3...
i was told if i put 18 inch tyre ride will be harsh....
So, sugestions, ideas....

[passat123]

I got a B7 Passat running 235/35R19. Noticed no difference in driving normally, turning was a but more stable and bumps on the road were the same. It only felt harsh on speed humps.
Could be unnoticeable due to being quality CSC5 tyres. I'm assuming cheaper tyres would have a different result due to the lack in construction of the walls and print.

Once I lowered it, the car felt more stable all over, bumps are less forgiving


Note: your tyre size is incorrect. The load rating is probably 97 and profile maybe 45?

[dylan8]

factory size would have been 235/45/17
jumping to a 235/40/18 will hardly make a difference. I imagine your passat came with a 18" option from factory anyway

[saint70]

That correct. 235/45/17 load 97. My bad

[saint70]

Yes...two things i wonder: fuel economi and confort.

[dylan8]

Yes...two things i wonder: fuel economi and confort.

fuel economy will be more to do with brand/model of tyre, weight of wheel.
get a nice light wheel combined with the reduced tyre weight from profile drop (235/45/17 to 235/40/1, should actually improve economy. rolling diameter only increases ever so slightly, doubt it will make any measureable difference

[saint70]

I always use michellin pilot sport 3...very quit and nice tyre...

[snerlo]

The R36's came standard with 235/40 R18 so they definitely are applicable to your passat. You wont really find any difference in fuel economy as others have said, and the ride quality will be negligible and will have more to do with what tyre pressure you run in each of the tyres.

[CaseySP]

As Dylan8 noted the B7 Sports Pack came with 235/40 R18 tyres.

[saint70]

Decided to keep 17 inch...thank you everyone