17" Tires: People's experiences..

[gavs]

Hi all,

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of some 17" wheels from the states. They are sans-tires so now I am on the hunt for some rubber to marry with them!

Tire size I am after is 205/45 R17.

Main factors for my process of elimination are: Price (unfortunately), sidewall stiffness and lateral grip.

Thanks all for your input in advance,
Gav

[Gravey]

I'm pretty happy with Toyo Proxes4, but mine are 225

Very grippy in wet and dry and seem quite predictable too

[Manaz]

That tyre size doesn't sound right for a Mk4 - 225/45R17 is the stock size on any of the Mk4s that came with 17" wheels. The Polos with 17" wheels came with 215/45R17 IIRC.

If you can fit them under the guards, 235/45R17 is a much cheaper size than 225/45R17, because they're standard fitment to cars like the XR6 Falcon (and thus there's a bigger market for them).

I'm currently running Pirelli P6000s in 225/45R17. Likely to change them to Kumho KU31s when they wear out, and putting Kumho KU36s on my track wheels when I get them. Another good tyre is the Bridgestone Adrenalin.

I chose 17s instead of 18s because of the better ride comfort.

[Gravey]

That tyre size doesn't sound right for a Mk4 - 225/45R17 is the stock size on any of the Mk4s that came with 17" wheels. The Polos with 17" wheels came with 215/45R17 IIRC.

If you can fit them under the guards, 235/45R17 is a much cheaper size than 225/45R17, because they're standard fitment to cars like the XR6 Falcon (and thus there's a bigger market for them).

I'm currently running Pirelli P6000s in 225/45R17. Likely to change them to Kumho KU31s when they wear out, and putting Kumho KU36s on my track wheels when I get them. Another good tyre is the Bridgestone Adrenalin.

I chose 17s instead of 18s because of the better ride comfort.

interesting point about the sizing Manaz - is this strictly legal? I remember once ordering some tyres that were the wrong width (I screwed up despite writing it down correctly lol) they said they wouldnt have fitted them even if they fit on the rims as it wouldnt be compliant?

My tyre guy said he liked the Proxes4 a bit better than the KU31's as they were very similair in performance but lasted a bit longer. I'm keen to try the KU31's out next time though, even though I am loving the Proxes4.

[Edit] sorry to hijack, but is the difference in ride comfort from 17's to 18s really that noticeable Manaz?

[gavs]

Hmmm, interesting point Manaz....

I ordered the wheels through ECS tuning and they are genuine 7 spoke Audi TT wheels, they said they are 17" x 6" wheels which I thought sounded very odd, I have been looking on the internet today for the exact design and found a listing of Audi wheels and it says that this design is actually 16"x7"!!

If so, I'm not going to be happy because I only bought them due to being advertised as a 17" wheel!!

Could I get 215/45 R17's on them?

[Mrk_Mickey]

Hmmm, interesting point Manaz....

I ordered the wheels through ECS tuning and they are genuine 7 spoke Audi TT wheels, they said they are 17" x 6" wheels which I thought sounded very odd, I have been looking on the internet today for the exact design and found a listing of Audi wheels and it says that this design is actually 16"x7"!!

If so, I'm not going to be happy because I only bought them due to being advertised as a 17" wheel!!

Could I get 215/45 R17's on them?

I've not seen one set of wheels in the world that are 6 inches wide if they're 17 inches in diameter. I think they're either 17x7 or 16x7 man!!

Kumho KU31's are alright, they're nice and cheap but I'm not sure how they are when in the wet or for lifespan.

[Pullstarter]

KU31 is fine in the wet, although I got 4mo which makes a big difference I guess. I had Falken 459 on the VR and they were fantastic, although they might be a bit out of your price range.

Value for money and performance I think you'd be pretty happy with the KU31 Kumhos.

[TazzyVR6]

I've got Goodyear Eagle F1 225/45 R17 on my mk4. Great in the dry but don't grip so well in the wet IMO.