Paddy_Driver Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Hello All, Have really enjoyed this forum last while, first time posting though... I am in Ireland and on verge of ordering DSG 5dr, Blue Graphite, 18", Leather, Xenon's. Myself and my wife have test driven 3 times and stealer was even good enough to give us an 18" Manual for 36 hours. Big decision is re 18" or 17"s - my wife is due our first baby in April next and we don't want a real bone jerker. We thought the 18" on a manual GTI was fine except that I was driving it mostly during test drive and I drive a Volvo automatic and was not smoothest on manual gears as result - she has since driven DSG again but on 17"s and was very happy cause DSG is just so smooth... The impression I get is that those that got 17" wish they had got 18" and those that got 18" just luv em! Anyone out there got 18" and a baby in the car (Or pregnant wife) and what do ye think? Guess we can have a big debate about 17" Vs 18" anyway. I accept already that 18" cost more tyre wire, wear more and get kerbed more... but guess thats life and my new GTI won't stay new forever. Thanks for any advice. Looking forward to February already... Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Hi Paddy - welcome to TSN! Yes and yes! Mrs UBM is expecting in APril. I have 18's on my A4 S-Line Avant and it is fine - she does not complain. She has 16's on her GTI (mk 4) and needless to say its fine. I don't think you'll notice too much difference in one inch ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted October 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Thanks UBM, My sentiments too... but not wanting to lower tone of this great forum, it may that extra inch that has us buying her a new car now Regards Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Thanks UBM, My sentiments too... but not wanting to lower tone of this great forum, it may that extra inch that has us buying her a new car now Regards Paddy [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Paddy, Welcome to TSN mate, 18's will be fine I think, I did a test drive on 17's but cant really remember it to comment on the difference but I dont think you will have a problem on the 18's at all, I have kids (one is 2) and they dont complain. As for the extra cost of tyres, I dont think there is a huge difference. Personally I would go for the 18's every time as I think they look a lot better, but that is not to say the 17's look crap because they dont if that makes sense. Judging from what you have said I think you have pretty much decided already anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanon_1980 Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 hi paddy I live in Cork myself and have 17's on my gti. The roads around here are certainlt not the best and the ride on the 17' is harsh enough, not to mind the 18's. having said that my next purchase will definitely have 18's, but then I dont have a baby on the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotw Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Welcome, 18s look great but I went for 17s to be sure, with bad Scotish roads I figured I may regret the 18s. And no, I don't wish I'd ordered the 18s ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 My wee one is 11 weeks old and has been riding ouround in the R32, which is equiped with Bilstiens / H&R, plus 18" rims..... it puts her to sleep in an instant! Peacefull traveling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiey Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 The ride is excellent. I'm surrounded by cobbles (with speedhumps go figure) so every morning I have the Belgian pavé test. Much better than my old Subaru Impreza Turbo on 16s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 Impreza? I got hammered by a big blue one coming home on Saturday from Audi International. Not the best feeling to end the drive on! Young guy tailgated me in fairly heavy traffic and I couldn't accelerate away from him so I politely let him past rather than get carried away. He had loads more power than me....Loud and noisy though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotw Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 "Loud and Noisy", yeah and you can add ugly, cheap interior, high running costs and ugly to that list too. I kinda love Scoobys but you pay for that performance in a few ways...but for pure price/performance they are hard to beat. Did I mention they're ugly too ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiey Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 The also feel oddly dated compared to the Golf. The damping can leave a little to be desired (yet the ride is firm) and I find it much easier to drive the golf fast. It feels more confidence inspiring the handling could be a little inconsistent which always planted a seed of doubt at the back of my mind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 I'd have no worries taking on a Scooby (in the dry of course) . I always used to be level pegging with them in my 3.2 Quattro, obviously the Quattro and huge torque helped a lot, but the GTI didn't feel hardly any slower than my Audi, in fact the DSG felt a little quicker. Give me a set of nice dry twisties, a DSG box and a tank of Optimax and i'd have a crack at a scooby anytime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Que egg on face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino128 Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I don't think you'll notice too much difference in one inch ! [/ QUOTE ] Size isn't everything UBM - at least it works!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken1 Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Paddy , I have 18"'s and an 8 month old daughter. She sits in the front at the moment and it is no bother at all. I find the 18"s nice and smooth and I'm also in Ireland . She will be moving to the rear seat soon . My only niggling doubt was that maybe I should have got a 5 door for the baby. Anyway I think the 17"s look crap and don't do the car any justice at all, they look a bit lost under the wheel arches ! Good choice of colour if I do say so myself!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 I have 17's on my GTi. When I see a black one with 18's I think I wish I had got 18's. However, people have mentioned they are expensive to get refurbished if you kerb them. I also could find better things to spend the extra money on. The 17's don't look bad, just not as good as the 18's, each to there own! With a baby on the way I would have thought the extra cash would come in handy. After all you can always replace them, saw some lovely 19's at the Audi international! (Red Robin has posted a picture on another thread.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Resale will be better with the 18's IMO, they will be more sought after. Can't see 1" making that much difference to the ride (famous last words from my wife!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Ken, in my opinion the 3 door is easier for getting small kids in and out of their seats. I had a 5 door Mark 5 Golf before the GTI and find the 3 door much easier and in my opinion it looks much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 ....And what about the times when Mummy needs to ride alongside the wee one in the back cos they need to be together. They soon grow larger too! 5dr best and Breast Is Best!! Robin, experienced daddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted October 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Hi Ken, Thanks for your local reply, much appreciated. You nearly have the exact spec I am going for. how did you get the phat noise in IRL? Is the climatronic worth having? Think I am going for that too. Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted October 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Thanks All, 18"s it is then. Gonna mail stealer tonight and see what price he is coming up with. Contrary to what I have read re UK - there is a good discount to be got shopping around in Ireland. Considering the base for DSG 5dr is €37.5k! - with extras added on you can get approx €2.5k off My final spec is gonna be DSG 5dr, 18", Blue Graphite, Leather, Dual Zone Climatronic, Arm Rest, Electric Folding Mirrors, Xenons & maybe Multi Function steering wheel - note we have to pay for those extras that some countries get standard and we still pay more too... Guess you just gotta have one! Roll on February... Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotw Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Paddy, don't forget the highline computer ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faidilah Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 Funny... same happened to me on the way home last night.... overtook a few eegits in toyota camry's or such like on sport setting then next second had a black Impreza vitually in my back seat.... obviously had unwittingly thrown down a gantlet... did consider goin for it but traffic was heavy and suspect it might have ended in tears... mine... he shot off onto a slip road in disgust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted October 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 Hi Scott, Do not think we have that option in Ireland - just the (As quoted from volkswagen.ie) "On-board Multi-function Computer" Can get certain things programmed by stealer, such as auto locking on take off etc so that should cover me. Anyone out there that can give details on what Highline gives over standard multi function computer supplied with the GTI? Thanks Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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