17"s on mk2

[Spyda]

Im thinking about fitting a set if 17 x 7.5 on to my mk2 gti.
The tires are 40mm profile, will they fit?

I know MK2GTI has 17's but i cant remember his tire profile.

What needs to be done to fit them and do i need lower profile tires?

[GermanwithaVdub]

Im thinking about fitting a set if 17 x 7.5 on to my mk2 gti.
The tires are 40mm profile, will they fit?

I know MK2GTI has 17's but i cant remember his tire profile.

What needs to be done to fit them and do i need lower profile tires?

what do you mean 40mm profile? the profile rating on tyres is not a measurement in units, its simply a proportion of how wide the tyres are. ie: the sidewall (profile) will be much bigger on tyre size 275/40/17 than it will on 205/40/17.

that being said, personally if i fitted 205 wide tyres (which im guessing you are), i wouldn't want to go lower than 40 profile.

but then again if i was you, i wouldnt be fitting anything bigger than 16's on an mk2 anyway

[16v80]

Hi

When I bought my mk2 it had 17's on it with 205/40/17 tyres,
In my opinon they ruined the car(looks & handling),

It now has 14" steel rims, it stops/turns and drives far better with the smaller rims.
As Germanwithadub said 16" are the biggest I would be fitting to a mk2 with 195/45/16 tyres or if you want to pay the extra 195/40/16

Ian

[Spyda]

thanks guys, anymore input?

[evorobin]

Yeah 35 profile if you can. I run 205/40/16 so the size you described (17's)would make the rolling circumference bigger than std.

Speedometer reading 3.6% too slow to be exact.

4.8% difference from my tyres...

205/35/17 = 0.4% smaller than stock

[GermanwithaVdub]

aaaaand if you try to take a corner you'll be running on the rim

[rayray086]

aaaaand if you try to take a corner you'll be running on the rim

Not quite the same, but you get the picture

But yeah, try and stick with the stock rolling diameter so your speedo doesn't change too much. Muck around with this tyre size calculator and find what size tyres you can use, and what manufacturer makes them. Keep in mind though that it's an American site so some tyres may not be available down under.

[Spyda]

aaaaand if you try to take a corner you'll be running on the rim

What do you mean?


So handling will be sacrificed, but how badly? Will I have to role the arches? Any other rubbing issues?

[evorobin]

Rubbing depends on the offset of the wheels. MK2's can handle 205's unless slammed. Ride will be a bit bumpy on 35 profile but no way are you going to get sidewall roll like someone just described

[GermanwithaVdub]

What do you mean?


So handling will be sacrificed, but how badly? Will I have to role the arches? Any other rubbing issues?

are you after show or go?

if i was you id be fitting 205/40/16 on 9" wide rims. in face i will be doing that very soon gives a nice stretch to keep the sidewall rigid but not ridiculously low profile and the size of the wheel suits the car... plus it looks fat