selwynf Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 hi, i'm a newbie... I'm flogging my Focus RS to get myself a GTi five door (bit more practicality). one thing i simply CAN NOT get my head round is whether to go for the 17s or the 18s. I can't get a test drive (i'm in Gibraltar) and don't know what they do to ride quality. They're both going to be better than the RS, I know that, but i haven't got a clue. Please help. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 only ever driven on 18's ride is acceptable imho. 17's will ride better but come on just look at the pics of cars with the two sizes on and tell me what looks better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 ps is the RS in Gib? if so how much to post it to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] one thing i simply CAN NOT get my head round is whether to go for the 17s or the 18s [/ QUOTE ] Don't even think about it, for £445, the 18"s make the GTI and are an absolute work of art up close (forged and polished alluminium) Food for thought... The 18" monzas cost over £2500 to fit afterwards so they're a bargain to say the least IMO. PS: I can't think of a more frustrating place to to own a GTI than Gib!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] hi, i'm a newbie... I'm flogging my Focus RS to get myself a GTi five door (bit more practicality). one thing i simply CAN NOT get my head round is whether to go for the 17s or the 18s. I can't get a test drive (i'm in Gibraltar) and don't know what they do to ride quality. They're both going to be better than the RS, I know that, but i haven't got a clue. Please help. thanks [/ QUOTE ] Can't you pop over to Malaga or Marbella for a test? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankit Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 On looks alone 18's every time, they are so much better looking and add volume to the gti's stance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalex Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I decided to go for 17s for greater ride quality and less road noise (however small). Also, repairing the 17s will be much easier, although hopefully I won't have to! 18s do look the business, but I'm not convinced they fit with the subtle GTI image though. If you have a budget, I'd personally recommend putting the money elsewhere. How about the Xenons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 18s was the only real 'must have' option for me. Definitely set the car off as they're so unique and the finish is lovely. Bit worried about reports of them corroding and such like, but so far it seems people are managing to have them replaced without too much bother. Plus for what they cost it almost seems worth the risk - a couple of years down the line a set of 17's will be on Ebay for not a lot of money I reckon if the worst was to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSheds Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 The 17s have a better ride & are easy to clean. Kerb damage repairs on the 18s will I suspect be more expensive. Visually the 18s on the GTI are OTT IMO but at least VW give us all the option to choose what we personally like. If I'm reading your post correctly are you not test driving the car at all before ordering ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Why would the 18's be any harder to clean than the 17s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selwynf Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Hi again, thanks for the replies. I went to the dealer closest to me in Spain but he told me that none of the dealers in Andalucia would have a car registered for test driving, normal Golf maybe; GTi, never. I'll ring up Malaga see what they say... Gib's perfect place to have GTi mate... Car's parked in its garage all week long (250cc scooter motorised transport of choice) and then, on the weekends, off to Spain and some truly unbelievable roads... Given how harsh the ride is on the RS, i'm sure i'll be greatly relieved with the Golf, even on the 18s. I'm going for them, and Xenon. Standard interior, no sat nav (i hear its not too good) Stealer mentioned something about there now being an option for iPod installation. He wasn't too sure. What does he mean? i'd be interested in that for sure. What's the golf like to reverse. Its Gib, so my parking in tight spots is simply masterful but i wonder whether i'd benefit from having the parking sensors... thanks for all your input people... its going to hurt to sell the RS but its time to move on, and i'm moving on to something pretty incredible too (RS is only one here, that special!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selwynf Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Chrispy you around here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSheds Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Why would the 18's be any harder to clean than the 17s? [/ QUOTE ] I said the 17s are easy to clean not that they are easier than the 18s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selwynf Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The 17s have a better ride & are easy to clean. Kerb damage repairs on the 18s will I suspect be more expensive. Visually the 18s on the GTI are OTT IMO but at least VW give us all the option to choose what we personally like. If I'm reading your post correctly are you not test driving the car at all before ordering ?? [/ QUOTE ] that's what its looking like. I bought the RS without a test drive too actually... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Parking sensors are brilliant. But I wouldn't get too overprotective of you car mate... you drive amongst the spanish! DVD SatNav is great also IMO. Even guides me to street numbers on roads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 People feel quite strongly either way. Ride difference is not very noticeable but the 18s are more expensive to refurb. They look good on colours like Steel Grey, Candy White, and the Blacks but not on Tornado Red imo. Better to spend the money on Xenons or towards a suspension mod (Koni FSD) for those Southern Spanish roads, unless you can afford it all fully loaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSheds Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I'm sure you'll love the car anyway.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'm sure you'll love the car anyway.. [/ QUOTE ] That's the thing about the GTI, whatever spec you order you'll still get that sweet handling and awesome suspension (or so I'm told ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] People feel quite strongly either way. Ride difference is not very noticeable but the 18s are more expensive to refurb. They look good on colours like Steel Grey, Candy White, and the Blacks but not on Tornado Red imo. Better to spend the money on Xenons or towards a suspension mod (Koni FSD) for those Southern Spanish roads, unless you can afford it all fully loaded. [/ QUOTE ] Have you got 17ins or 18ins red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mainy Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] People feel quite strongly either way. Ride difference is not very noticeable but the 18s are more expensive to refurb. They look good on colours like Steel Grey, Candy White, and the Blacks but not on Tornado Red imo. Better to spend the money on Xenons or towards a suspension mod (Koni FSD) for those Southern Spanish roads, unless you can afford it all fully loaded. [/ QUOTE ] Red you forgot to mention that he could also use the money to upgrade to a Milltek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Red has 17" rims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 cant help feeling that 18's suit tornado red a zillion times better than 17's. We are all different. ps the best colour i have ever seen 18's on was white. You have to be brave though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mainy Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I'd agree Billy Had I bought my GTI new then I'd have ticked the candy white box Silver is definately the fastest colour but white is the coolest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSGTi Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I really don't think the 18's wheel looks that great. It sort of looks like a cheese slicer blade in a food processor. I'm sticking with the US 17", which look like a lace pattern and that means pain in the arse to clean. I'm already looking for proper sport aftermarket wheels. I found a set that shaves at least 10-14lbs. per wheel of unsprung weight. So, if looks are important go with what you like to look like. If performance is a consideration, then go with some other style and look for something lighter in weight. Even the difference in OEM 17" and 18" can be appreciable. The 17 may be 2-3lbs lighter and the tires can be 2-5 or more lbs. lighter. That has it's own benefits especially when you can spend the cash on better rubber. Now you've got better ride, better stick, and lighter unsprung weight for accelerating, braking, and cornering. If you like the look of the optional 18" wheel, then it is a great deal considering the better tires. I just find it more cosmetic than dynamic in terms of driving. To each his own. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I really don't think the 18's wheel looks that great. It sort of looks like a cheese slicer blade in a food processor. Are we talking about the same wheels????????????? I'm sticking with the US 17", which look like a lace pattern and that means pain in the arse to clean. I'm already looking for proper sport aftermarket wheels. I found a set that shaves at least 10-14lbs. per wheel of unsprung weight. So, if looks are important go with what you like to look like. If performance is a consideration, then go with some other style and look for something lighter in weight. Even the difference in OEM 17" and 18" can be appreciable. The 17 may be 2-3lbs lighter and the tires can be 2-5 or more lbs. lighter. That has it's own benefits especially when you can spend the cash on better rubber. Now you've got better ride, better stick, and lighter unsprung weight for accelerating, braking, and cornering. If you like the look of the optional 18" wheel, then it is a great deal considering the better tires. I just find it more cosmetic than dynamic in terms of driving. To each his own. TT [/ QUOTE ] Are we talking about the same wheels??????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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