ATTN WHEEL WHORES!!! Need assistance!

**stephen8512** · 28-05-2011, 09:17 PM

Hey guys

So I've been doing my research and learning about offsets widths etc and I just wanted to get your views on something.

I have a Golf R and I'm currently looking at 19" wheels, but width i'm still at a loss.

I dont know if I should go 19x8.5 all round, or go with something like, say, 19x8.5 front and 19x9.5 rear

And another thing is i'm looking at offsets. same offset all round or different offsets for front and rear?

So I need your help....I'm just wanting ot know,

WHAT ARE THE PROS/CONS OF SAME WIDTH ALL AROUND?

WHAT ARE THE PROS/CONS OF DIFFERENT WIDTHS FOR FRONT AND REAR?

WHAT ARE THE PROS/CONS OF SAME OFFSET ALL AROUND?

WHAT ARE THE PROS/CONS OF DIFFERENT OFFSETS FOR FRONTS AND REAR?

Thanks in advance guys!

**Corey_R** · 28-05-2011, 09:29 PM

Well... if you were going to have 9.5's at the back, you'd then need different offsets unless you were going to start modifying the body...

**kaanage** · 28-05-2011, 09:43 PM

Since the heavy nose weight causes understeer on turn in (even with a Haldex) you should be putting the wider rims on the front, not the rear. Then a Haldex needn't be so biased to the rear to get neutral handling for other cornering phases.

But that's for performance. It would probably look a bit odd so no go for pose (which is what 19" wheels are about, anyway).

**Mr_Bob** · 28-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Different widths front/rear will mean you have to be very careful with profiles and widths to get the same rolling diameter
Variation here can put strain on the centre diff.
No benefits to fatter rears except for looks

If front/rear track is changed (by width or offsets) then in can affect turn in.
From memory wider rear improves turn in, but might affect stability.
Narrower rear tends to reduce turn in and generate understeer.
1 inch may not be a noticeable change though

**LWR** · 29-05-2011, 08:41 AM

I'm about to fit 8.5x19ET50 AZEV's on my R all round.I can see no purpose in having 9.5's on the back.Even if they do fit,more grip will only exacerbate any understeer problem.Also,what would you do for a tyre? It would be a big stretch for a 235/35.

Go for 8.5x19's all round with the same offset.You should have no clearance or legality troubles either and you can swap them around front to rear.

**gareth_oau** · 29-05-2011, 05:55 PM

I had different offsets on my recently sold FPV GT-P, needed because the front brembos were 6 pot.

One issue that many arent aware of, is you cant rotate your wheels/tyres like you might normally. everytime I wanted to rotate the tyres, I had to take it into a dealer and get the tyres only rotated on the rims, no biggie, but takes longer and costs a bit more each time

**LWR** · 29-05-2011, 06:07 PM

Crazy.They should have put a bigger one on the back to avoid the confusion.Isn't it ET36 on the front and 28.5 on the back or something like that?
I bet there's some stuff ups!

**gareth_oau** · 29-05-2011, 10:55 PM

true LWR, I've had new tyres fitted and and gone to pick up the car and noted theyd put them round the wrong way and had to wait while they change them. I suspect a lot of owners and tyre fitters arent even aware of the difference

**LWR** · 30-05-2011, 05:55 AM

A new GTP was on my short list to replace the Clubsport.We've had a terrific trot out of our 'Family Truckster' Territory Turbo for almost five years.
I was planning to slip a 9.5 or 10 on the back to control the oversteer and apparent lack of grip.

The R came up and I'm glad!