Help with Tyre Size Options GTI Denver Rims 5x112 17x7.5J H2 ET51

[Bushranger]

NB:
DECIDED ON 235-45-17 : BUT WHICH TYRES?

I had this posted in tthe Mk5 section, perhaps that was the wrong place. In short I'm unsure of the following tyre sizes for a 2L Tdi Mk5

225/45/17 or 225/50/17 or 235/45/17?

Hey all. I have a 2L Tdi Mk5. Currently has 16x7 Contour & 225-50-16 and gives protection from gutter-rash. I get a 10% error on my speedo so 110kph speedo = 100km/h actual etc.

I now have 17 inch rims to replace the 16 so I need tyres. The sizes seen above in bold and I would appreciate any expertise, experience and opinion with the 225-50-17 & 235-45-17. Vehicle is regular driving in town and country rough roads. No racing of any kind. Comfort, handling and safety are important.

1. 225-45-17
: - more bumps on country roads, no rim protection from gutter scrubbing, speedo error, higher final drive ratio
: + lower profile handling

2. 225-50-17
: - higher profile, no rim protection from gutter scrubbing
: + speedo more accurate, lower final drive ratio

3. 235-45-17
: - unsure..possibly width, heavier weight
: + rim protected from gutter-rash, popular size tyre (commode/falcon) size = cheaper for same quality. accurate speedo, lower final drive ratio

Will 235 fit regarding legal (QLD) and car's fenders/mudguards?

I'm stuck between option 2 and 3. 2 as less weight, 3 has rim protection & cheaper tyres as more popular size.

Thanks, Bushy.

PS: Secondary to size is brand & model. Tyre choice so far (for 225 & 235) is Dunlop SP Sport 9000, Federal 595 SS as a start as no Goodyear F1 Eagle GSD3 seem available anymore. I'm open to suggestions there too for a safe wet & dry tyre.

I appreciate any advice etc. 225/45/17 or 225/50/17 or 235/45/17?
Thanks!

[dylan8]

225/45 or 235/45
225/45 i believe would have be fitted to the car if it came with 17s
but 235 would be a good option if your worried about gutter rash, and the 235/45 would give you slightly more side wall height compared to 225/40.
Dont go 225/50 though... To big for a mkv imo

[Corey_R]

From what I can see from tyre size calculators and tyre manufacturers, 235 widths are not recommended on 7.5" rims. The max they recommend are 225.

[Bushranger]

From what I can see from tyre size calculators and tyre manufacturers, 235 widths are not recommended on 7.5" rims. The max they recommend are 225.

that's very interesting...it appears they'd be a safe and proper fit? could you share your reference as I'm really interested in this as leaning towards 235 as 225 tyre is exactly in line with 7.5"rim. cheers

[Corey_R]

Sure - there are numerous sources... just look around google, tire calculators, rim calculators, tire manufacturers even....
Rim / Wheel Width <-- 235/40 & 235/45 not suitable.
Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing You'll need to put in a 235 size. Says 235/40 not ok but 235/45 ok.
Eagle F1 Asymmetric | Goodyear Tires Says 235/40 not ok but 235/45 ok.

Actually - looking at this and realising you're talking 17" wheels and therefore 235/45 rather than 235/40, most references are saying it's ok!

Don't mind me

[Bushranger]

Thanks Corey..haha, not at all. Looking at them seems to reinforce the contradictions my online research is throwing up of a 235 fitting on a 7.5 rim. Looking at how the 225-50-16 on 7" rims it's easy to envisage 235 on 7.5 would work. Not mentioning if it will fit a 51offset Denver for a Mk5...not sure if they will fit inside guards...i suspect so...but dont know.

There must be members that have been down this road and is using either "1, 2, or 3" of the above options? As evidenced, I'm leaning towards option "3" and "2" for higher rolling diameter.

I appreciate the input and welcome more. Cheers!

[Corey_R]

Previously on my MKV GTI I had Oettinger's Type RE 18"x8.5" ET50 Rims. It ran 235/40R18 tyres. I didn't have any scraping when turning, even when maximum lock, however, if I hit a bad bump and the nose dived, then I'd scrape that stupid nut in the guards on the front wheel arches (the same nut which is removed in the MK6 Golf R when 19" rims with 235 tyres are optioned.

But I don't have any experience with 235's on 17's.

[Bushranger]

225/45 or 235/45
225/45 i believe would have be fitted to the car if it came with 17s
but 235 would be a good option if your worried about gutter rash, and the 235/45 would give you slightly more side wall height compared to 225/40.
Dont go 225/50 though... To big for a mkv imo

Thanks Dylan. Going from 195-65-15 to 225-50-16 profile was excellent despite lower rolling diameter. This makes me consider the 225-50-17.

It appears from yourself and Corey that 235-45-17 'may' be suitable & safe on rim and in guards. Slightly lower rolling diameter than 225-50-17, but higher than 225-45-17 (my least preferred of the three sizes).

I'd like to hear more regarding 225-50-17 & 235-45-17 please

[dylan8]

Thanks Dylan. Going from 195-65-15 to 225-50-16 profile was excellent despite lower rolling diameter. This makes me consider the 225-50-17.

It appears from yourself and Corey that 235-45-17 'may' be suitable & safe on rim and in guards. Slightly lower rolling diameter than 225-50-17, but higher than 225-45-17 (my least preferred of the three sizes).

I'd like to hear more regarding 225-50-17 & 235-45-17 please

195/65/15 to 225/50/17 is a 23mm height difference. fair jump (i didnt even increase that much when running 19s, I only went 6mm)
195/65/15 to 235/45/17 is only 9mm height difference. much more suited to the cars factory size

if your worried about the 235 vs 225 width wise, remember its only 10mm, which works out only 5mm wider each side.
If you have a 225/50/17, it has such a big side wall it may actually bulge and sag outwards more then the 5mm on the 235/45 anyway, so if you were going to have rubbing problems, youd be in the same situation.
So in my mind, if you were going to have rubbing/tyres-hanging-outside-the-guard-problems, id say they would be worse in the 225/50/17 compared to the 235/45, but thats just my thinking.

The 235/45 should be perfectly safe on the 7.5, I believe there is a few guys running 235/45 on there 7.5s on here. If the tyre manufacturer says its ok then im sure its fine..
Different brand tyres of the same brand have different properties, some have bigger rim protectors then others if that helps. Same as some are softer to drive on and quieter then others.

Plus the above, i think the 235/45 will look much better on your golf then a 225/50/17, your obviously upgrading to 17s for a reason (looks i guess), so if it was me i wouldnt be ruining the look of the wheels with tyres that may look like marshmallows

[Bushranger]

Cheers. I've gone 195-65-15 to 225-50-16, next is 235-45-17.

I learned the maximum OEM rolling diameter can be increased is 15mm. 225-50-17 is illegal in QLD.
Chose 235-45-17 instead of 225-45-17 because;

1. price per tyre
2. protection against gutter-rash
3. greater rolling diameter and higher profile for bad Aussie roads

To all those that helped along the way (with size) whilst I was also researching. A big thanks!

Tyres need to be suitable for touring, quiet on course bitumen roads, handle well on loose, sticky, wet, dry surfaces and wear well. I don't need a racer-type tyre.

So fare looking at;
Bridgestone Adrenalines RE001 (or2) or Turanza
Pirelli
Dunlop SP 9000
Dunlop Sport 3000A - read here possibly illegal due to load
Continentals
Goodyear
Federal 595 - but maybenot as seem to be mainly for drifting
Michelins
Kumo

I haven't seen much on forums from Golf 5 2L Tdi owners that have done this so I'm open to any suggestions (including prices for your choice) for city and country performance on loose/sticky/dry/wet roads. not a racer. looking at ebay (as a guide), unsure if locals have decent prices that aren't high RRP cheers!