MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Meallbhan on June 23, 2012, 12:19:41 am

Title: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Meallbhan on June 23, 2012, 12:19:41 am

I'm thinking about getting some new wheels for the car but have heard a lot about the 17" rim being better than an 18"on the golf.

My last car handled better with 18's due to less tyre wall and I didn't really notice a huge difference in ride quality.  So, which is better for the Golf?

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on June 23, 2012, 05:37:53 am

I've just done 10 months in my old Shadow blue with 18's (which had 80K on it when I bought it) and yesterday I bought my new one with 17's, (again with 80  odd K on it) and, whilst I need more time to make a proper judgement, I have to say the whole driving experience so far is so much better on 17's.

The car in general feels in far better health for having been on 17's it's whole life. There are no rattles or creaks whatsover, whereas my old car had a few of  these. The handling seems excellent, and the ride is in a different league to the old car. It feels very comfortable at high speed, really well composed, and I felt far more confident. It's a lot smoother, yet still grips really well, and the communication and feel is brilliant, but then it was on 18's as well TBH. I was going to sell these on straight away, but I've been so impressed I'm tempted to keep them for a bit, at least until I've driven the car on 18's for a bit.

But.........

It does look like a Dinky toy! I'm not sure I can live with the looks. The arches look quite empty, and it's crying out for 18's. It's a very difficult decision. The sensible choice would be to keep them and maximise the driving feel, but I'm generally not  very sensible!

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: JackG on June 23, 2012, 05:59:41 am

18's for me, lowered a little looks spot on  :happy2:

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: RedRobin on June 23, 2012, 07:31:37 am

.
I've had both 17's and 18's and prefer the greater feedback from the 18's. I found the ride difference insignificant and far less than I expected but I always prefer a firmer ride. Tyres for 17's will be cheaper.

The Monza 17's do not suffer from the dreaded white worm like the Monza 18's do.

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: sub39h on June 23, 2012, 09:48:15 am

18s for me are the best compromise between looks, performance and comfort

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Frenzy on June 23, 2012, 02:30:59 pm

18s all the way for me, just looks better.

When test driving GTIs I couldn't tell the difference in the ride between 18s & 17s and my arse is far from padded  :signLOL:

I guess theoretically the 17s will have less rolling resistance and less unsprung weight but I don't think this matters in practice on a daily basis :happy2:

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Aweful_Truth on June 25, 2012, 12:57:08 am

im a rebel and currently run 19's... some say this is wrong but i love the look  :evilgrin: jus saying...  :wink:

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: WHOZBOSS on June 25, 2012, 02:20:00 am

18s

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: WHOZBOSS on June 25, 2012, 02:23:08 am

With 18s you get the looks and handling

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Sach_UK on June 25, 2012, 02:38:13 pm

18s for me!

Title: Re: 17's or 18's?
Post by: Kalpsn2000 on June 25, 2012, 03:12:45 pm

Not actually been in a GTI with 17's so not sure about the difference in ride quality or handling but the 18's look so much better IMO :happy2: