17" Tires: People's experiences..

[Jarred]

fitment shouldn't be an issue at all! you're talking about 225 and 205's, I think you'll find 205's is a 'standard' (of many sizes) size for a 7" wheel. I've got 185 on a 7" wheel and had no troubles getting them fitted.

My point, 'non-compliance' of tyre fitment/would only be due to incorrect load rating.

Having said that. if you're not worried about 'stretch' or the appearance of the wheel/tyre combo, generally the bigger the better cause you'll have more grip. if you want sidewall stiffness, having a 'stretched' tyre will help improve sidewall stiffness. allthough a 45 profile isn't too large (and hence not much 'ballooning' so it shouldn't be too much difference between a 225/45 and a 205/45.

hth

[Manaz]

IIRC, the 17" wheels on the Bora Sport were 17x7.5, with a 225/45R17 tyre as stock.

I'm kinda surprised that the 7 spoke TT wheels are 17x7, I always thought they were 17x7.5, just like the Bora Sports (and the 6-spoke S3s).

215/45R17 would be perfect on a 7" wide rim (I believe that's what goes on Polos with 17" wheels).

Check out Option 1 Garage (www.option1garage.com.au) for prices on Kumho tyres, they've been running some pretty sweet pricing on the KU36s for a while now, and can also get the KU31s cheap.

But confirm (by measuring) the size of your wheels when they arrive before going any further - just to be safe.

[No457 Snowy]

Just keep in mind that if the rims are 17" diameter you will want to run a 225/45 R17 tyre. If you change from that you will be also changing speedo accuracy/drive ratio as spec'd from VW.

The ECSTA KU31 tyres are an excellent tyre in the dry and wet and also wear well. Actually they are probably the best bang-for-buck performance oriented tyre out there, while still keeping decent tyres on your car that won't compromise your safety.

Cheers,

Snowy

[gavs]

Hmmm, interesting point Manaz, I thought the TT wheels were 17x7.5" too, but I have been assured by ECS Tuning that these are 17x7" wheels..... I still have fears that they're only the 16x7" wheels, I guess I'll see when they get here, I wonder what the return policy would be for their false advertising......

Snowy, if I can get the 235/45 R17's on then hopefully my speedo will be more accurate, currently 100kph on my GPS shows approx 106 on the speedo, 110 on the speedo is 105.5kph on the GPS so if I can close that magin I'd be happy plus have a bigger rubber footprint

[gavs]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience running Kumho KU36's? Definately more a dry weather tyre compared th the KU31's but with limited reading on the net, still have ok wet weather grip.... I generally don't fang in the wet, trees and stuff come from different angles in the wet

[Manaz]

KU36s are almost a semi-slick - they won't last very long on public roads. I'm planning on getting them for my track tyres, and I'm sure I'll be happy with them for that - as you noted, they're probably not the best wet weather tyre.

[gavs]

Well, after a weekend of torrential rain here in Melbournwe (we had our whole november average rainfall in 24hrs!!) the KU36's might not be such a good choice!

I was driving down the Eastern freeway heading into town on Saturday night, doing 70Kph and the damn Golf aquaplanned!!! Lucky I was in the right lane and had the emergency lane to slide into but damn my ring-piece clenched up tighter than a fish's!!! Doesn't help that the crappy tyres on there are practically bald also but I think the KU31's might be the safer option

[gavs]

Ok, wheels have arrived from ECS Tuning which is good along with new tie rod ends and ball joints

Now I don't know if we measure wheels differently here or what but I measured the wheels I got and the are damn 6" wide!!!!!!! Believe me when I say I am a little miffed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo, what tyres will go on? I will be popping into the tyrepower on the way home to talk to someone there...

On a side note, the wheels are 7" wide from edge to edge...

[gavs]

Ok, so I popped in and "said hello, to my tyrepower pro!" and found out that he actually gets quite a bit of business from work!! Anyway, he quoted me $220 each, fitted and balanced for the KU31s in a 225/45 R17 size and $175 fitted and balanced for the 235/45 R17 which he guaranteed will fit the wheels I have.

So basically what i'm wondering is if anybody knows of a tyre dealer in Melbourne that they deal with / own / work for that could do me a better price for the Kumho KU31 in the 235/45 R17 size....

Cheers,
Gav

[noone]

Ok, not apples for apples, but my 205/40/17's were $110 balanced and fitted in Sydney. This place is cheap, but I'd be thinking $130 is possible...