Replacement wheel question.

[shogun2]

I've been wanting to get a firmer ride on the Comfortline since new. It currently has the Michelins on 15" rims (standard fare). What difference would, say, the GTI wheels (17"), or the Sportline wheels (16") make to the ride and handling if everything else is stock?
The other reason for asking is the other half drove on a flat tyre and wrecked the side wall in one of the Michelins. They are all about due for replacement, so there is no better time

[MultiplexMan]

My ex had a FSI Sportline and it was just that little bit more comfortable than my GTI on R17.

I drive through Galston Gorge regularly on my R&R and found the R17-Conti CS2 offered very similar characteristics to the R16-Bridgestone RE001.
IMO there was more difference in the suspension set-up rather than the wheel/tyre combination.

Oh and the RE001 were HEAPS quieter. She was running CCS2 originally and boy do they get loud when they start to wear.

I'd save my money and go with R16 but hey, you can pick up "new" GTI wheels with tyres very cheap...

[shogun2]

Thanks for the comments MM.
I've put a bid in on a set of 17's, but we will see what happens. I would like to continue down the road and do the suspension at some stage, so maybe the 17's offer more scope.

[blutopless2]

you should notice a difference in ride comfort and handling as the lower profile tyre is not as forgiving over bumps etc as a higher profile that you would have on the 15's. we went from a 16" wheel to an 18" on our beetle and you can definitely feel more bumps and road surface changes etc with the low profile tyre... just depends on what you want. change the wheel/tyre combo before lowering/stiffening the suspension etc so you can tell what difference the wheels/tyres make.

[Cupra]

pm tdiesel, he started with jetta rims on his comfortline then had it lowered & has just put 18's on. I'm looking at 18's or mine once it comes off lease.

Phil

[shogun2]

I've bought a set of 17's, so we will now see how it rides

[rickra177]

I've recently upgraded my 200 model Mk4 GLE with some very nice Momo Tuner 17's (thank you Ebay), with Yokohama C Drives (thanks again Ebay) 225/45/17.

They sharpen up the steering and suspension very nicely, while retaining a reasonable ride.

I think these are very good compromise between standard and 18's, which are starting to get a bit pricey for keeping good tyres on.