Wider or Lighter? Offset?

[Cygnus]

Hi all,

So I'm thinking about getting 17" wheels for the Polo GTI. It's on stock suspension at the moment, but I plan to put in a set of KW V1's.

Now, I know there are a range of options in terms of width and offset. As far as I can gather from the threads here, anything 7 -8 inches wide will fit. If I go down the 7 inches path, I can have the offset between 35-45mm, but if I go 8 inches wide, I can only get wheels with offset of 35mm? Can I get some confirmation from people who have fitted 7, 7.5 and 8 inches wheels with various offsets on the Polo? If I were to get a 7 inch wide wheel, what offset between 35 and 45 should I be aiming for and why?

My second question is, what width should I go for and what are the pro's and con's of each? I'm guessing narrower is actually better as it's got less rolling resistance so it should be more economical and also accelerate faster, as well as being lighter.

Is there any really good reason for going wider aside from maybe better braking performance and looking good? Maybe I'll go for the middle of the road option of 7.5.

Cheers.

[kaanage]

Wider will also improve cornering grip but reduce comfort and increase noise

[noone]

For the Polo, I've found the following works for good stance:
- 7.5" 32 offset
- 8" 38 offset

The offset should chain by half the change in width.

This is for a dropped Pog, would probably sit a tad wide for normal height. As you are looking at the same coils, assuming you will have it as low as it can be without scrubbing, numbers should work for you.

Wider Tyres mean more contact area, this can be better or worse for different aspects.

Wide does not always mean heavier, my rims are 8" and only 16pounds (less than thinner VAG OEM options for our Gen comparable cars).

Interesting topic, you will be more driven by what is available / affordable / attractive than getting everything else spot on to your preferences.

[Cygnus]

Wide does not always mean heavier

That is true, but if I was to go for the same model wheels, just in different width, the narrower one would be lighter.

There are options like
7" 35mm offset
7" 38mm offset
7.5" 35mm offset
7.5" 38mm offset
8" 35mm offset
The OEM is 6.5" 43mm (16") or 7" 38mm (17" Exors)

I guess they all fit .. but just curious if anyone has any thoughts about the affects of the offsets on handling. I mean, having a different distance between the wheels surely affects the way the car drives?

[Mr_Bob]

Wider "track" (distance from the centres of the tyre thread) should help to reduce body roll, and improve loading in corners (i believe this is achieved by a change in roll centre)
This will make steering heavier, and give you more feedback

I also believe excessive track can put strain on the hubs/wheel bearings, and of course there are potential issues rubbing on your guards.

Other influences can be turn-in response, under/oversteer change, and stability.
(these effects can be exaggerated if the front/rear track are not changed in the same way... e.g. staggered setup)

From memory RTA has a restriction on +1" to track width, possibly for the above reasons.

[noone]

Thanks Bob

Cygnus, the wheel options you have shown are good, I have not seen that sort of variety in wheels before (maybe as my price range was povo).

Can you show us what you are looking at?

[Cygnus]

Sure. They're not all the same wheels, but some wheels have more than one option. I was looking the range from Team Dynamics and also some OZ and Enkei from Tirerack. I'm pretty povo too, but the exchange rate has improved the range a lot (compared to a few years ago).

Team Dyanmics
and
Tirerack list

[team_v]

The answer to any wheel questions should always be Enkei RPF1's