Leppy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 This has probably been discussed before, but I'm new..so take it easy! Is there much difference between 17 inch and 18 inch wheels? Obviously they look better but will the 18's make for a harder ride or is there little difference?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martininwillerby Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Only fool would order a new GTI with 17" wheels...... At £445 they make the car look even better..... As for the ride.....I noticed no change to the demo I drove martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mainy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Hi Leppy I suppose it depends on your driving style, with 17s offering a slight improvement in comfort over the 18s. Personally I've got the 18s and am happy with the balance of comfort / performance that they give Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswall Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Only fool would order a new GTI with 17" wheels...... At £445 they make the car look even better..... As for the ride.....I noticed no change to the demo I drove martin [/ QUOTE ] Talk about a provocative comment Yep I noticed no difference in ride quality either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Only fool would order a new GTI with 17" wheels...... martin [/ QUOTE ] ....So, I'm a fool am I Martin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleybrooke Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 That depends Red. If after deep thought and consideration you decided that you would save the money and have the reversing beep instead then you are truly a wise a man. Oh and have you painted your nipples yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 18's all the way. 17's just don't look big enough (by comparison). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Has to be 18's mate... Look great, even when dirty.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Only fool would order a new GTI with 17" wheels...... At £445 they make the car look even better..... As for the ride.....I noticed no change to the demo I drove martin [/ QUOTE ] I tell you what come back in 6-10 years time with your 18s that you have not had reconditioned and lets see the condition there in compared to the 17s 18s may look better and imo not give much differerce in ride quality but i bet the durability will not be very good as its not with this type of finish to alloys. Especially if we have a few bad winters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippytwo Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Buy the 18s and apply plenty of AutoGlym alloy wheel seal on delivery and after every wash. Absolutely the way to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanon_1980 Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 depends if your in ireland or uk im in ireland and the 17's here are very harsh on our roads so god only knows what the 18's would be like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Buy the 18s and apply plenty of AutoGlym alloy wheel seal on delivery and after every wash. Absolutely the way to go... [/ QUOTE ] and beware of any and every kerb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martininwillerby Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I may of been a bit harsh in my previous comment.....SORRY what I ment to say was.....People have regretted not ordering the 18's when first placing their order with the stealer.... Just like me regretting to order the high line computer.... which I must admit IS the best £45 spent....... That's why people MUST be told about this web site..... If I'd of known what I know now I would be a happier man... Not that I'm not a happy man with a GTI....IT'S BRILL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 The 18s do look great, very especially on the Steel Grey GTI because they look as if they are coded to match. They even looked great on Jay's absolutely filthy Steel Grey car yesterday. But I personally prefer the look of the 17s on my 5dr Red car. My thinking when ordering was that if I was ever going to upgrade the wheels I'd go for BBS 19s and so why spend extra at the beginning. Anyway, I'd mod the suspension (Bilstein plus Eibach anti-roll bars) before the wheels. The GTI is a good chassis and stable platform without needing 18s. Also I took notice of Snoopy's advice a while ago as he is obviously experienced in such matters. Barry, smart automatic suspension by Bilstein or Koni would help your ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Thanks for explaining Martin I don't regret my 17s but sometimes wish I had ordered the Highline. But, like you and everyone else, the GTI is too good to have any regrets imo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Id be a "fool" and order 17's because :- 1.The ride is a little better 2.They are £450 Cheaper 3.The tyres will cost several hundred pounds less over 80,000 miles (Assuming average 20k/tyre = 16 tyres X £25 more expensive = £400) 4.They are less likely to get damaged by that pothole that you cant see hiding underneath a puddle. Ouch, a replacement alloy must be circa £200. If that makes me a fool, then so be it : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I believe an 18 inch alloy costs a lot more than £200. I am happy to be corrected if this is not so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 No Idea. A 9.5j 18 for a 530i costs £330 from a $tealer, I just assumed these would be somewhat cheaper. Makes the case for 17's more compelling IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotw Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I seem to remember that an 18" is something scary like £400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbaron Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Go for the 17's, and put the £450 you save towards the xenons - a far better use of your money than the 18's IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I may of been a bit harsh in my previous comment.....SORRY [/ QUOTE ] Reading my reply i sound a bit hostile i did not meen it to come across like that either so Sorry from me to, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] But I personally prefer the look of the 17s on my 5dr Red car. [/ QUOTE ] Its funny you say this to me the 17s do look good on the really light colours. I think they work best on the red and especially the white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSheds Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I went for 17's. ( five door ) The 18's do have presence but IMO too much. Try them both, I found for me , the ride on 18's less compliant with the 40 series tyres. Everyone to their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Some bias may be here given I have both the red car and 17's but I don't really see anything wrong with the 17's- especially on the five door. We don't have the 18's or the 3 door options but the photos I've seen on TSN of various 3 door colours/wheel combinations leads me to think that the 3 looks better with the 18's. I think they help balance up the higher waist line of the 3 door, making it look a little less tail heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I think the majority of people (ie non TSN'ers) would have difficulty telling the difference unless the cars were parked side by side, as the styling is very similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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