Going from 16" to 18" wheels - ride height or other issues?

[roshea]

Hi all. I'm considering changing over the wheels on my Octavia, mainly for looks. If I put bigger wheels on it, I don't want it to look like a monster truck, but I'd prefer not to have to spend the money on lowering at this stage if I can avoid it.

Stock wheels / tyres are 205/55 R16 and I'm considering 225/40 R18, as per the RS. Online calculators tell me that this change will increase ride height by 2.65 mm, with the wheel and tyre combination being ~5 mm taller. Am I going to notice this difference? Are there any other issues to consider here?

BTW, looking at black RS4 style wheels on the white Octavia wagon. Crappy photoshop:

[Antiplastix]

Considering a new tyre has a minimum of 8mm of tread ,the difference between a new and bald tyre is 16mm. I wouldn t be worried about 5mm.

[LR Lorenz]

I just upgraded my golf mk7 wheels from a 16 to 18, the wheel gap is quite big now, no avoiding it. You'd need to at least lowering using aftermarket springs which is what I'm planning to do. It's the cheapest option of reducing wheel gap but your stock struts life span will be slightly reduced and it will void any warranty associates with suspension.

However, on a comforting note, using H&R sport or Eibach pro kit springs will lower it and won't be too harsh on your stock struts. These springs are incredibly well made and are among the highest quality on the market so there shouldn't be any issues resulting from installing these springs.

In the end it will come down to how much you're willing to risk but as long as you use the highest quality products and so some proper research nothing should go wrong.


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[occy]

My Octavia came with 18 inch wheels,pictures in my intro thread. Looks good but I think that I'd prefer 17s for a bit less road noise.

[roshea]

Thanks for the replies.

Just wondering - is the suspension on the RS the same as on the TSI? Since this wheel/tyre size is stock on the RS, it should be the same height as mine with 18" wheels if there are no other differences.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Thanks for the replies.

Just wondering - is the suspension on the RS the same as on the TSI? Since this wheel/tyre size is stock on the RS, it should be the same height as mine with 18" wheels if there are no other differences.

It's not the same.
Different springs & shocks.

The stock Octavia RS is 15mm lower than a stock Octavia.

I've got my stock rs springs sitting in my garage if ur interested. Had them replaced with eibachs

[roshea]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, dArK5HaD0w. Will have to decide how to proceed.

[dArK5HaD0w]

[spud75]

I just upgraded my golf mk7 wheels from a 16 to 18, the wheel gap is quite big now, no avoiding it. You'd need to at least lowering using aftermarket springs which is what I'm planning to do. It's the cheapest option of reducing wheel gap but your stock struts life span will be slightly reduced and it will void any warranty associates with suspension.

However, on a comforting note, using H&R sport or Eibach pro kit springs will lower it and won't be too harsh on your stock struts. These springs are incredibly well made and are among the highest quality on the market so there shouldn't be any issues resulting from installing these springs.

In the end it will come down to how much you're willing to risk but as long as you use the highest quality products and so some proper research nothing should go wrong.


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I dont understand how the wheel gap can be any different if you chose an appropriate tyre size? From 16 to 18 and you had 205/55 16 and then 225/40 18 then your 18" rim/tyre combo should be ~3mm bigger in radius, or 3mm less gap between wheel arch and tyre.
Perception that the gap is bigger maybe due to less tyre sidewall around the rim. More sidewall gives the impression the gap is smaller due to more black from the tyre.

This is of course also slightly dependant on rim width.

I am about to move from 205/55 16's on my A3, but will only go to 225/45 17's to keep some of the ride quality without stuffing with suspension. Less wheel options as most are 18's but thats the way it is.

[brad]

I just upgraded my golf mk7 wheels from a 16 to 18, the wheel gap is quite big now, no avoiding it.

If you maintained the same diameter the gap doesn't change, does it?

Aesthetically, the change in the metal to rubber ratio might be unappealling but the gap has barely changed (no more than the difference between a new & worn out tyre)

[brad]

My Octavia came with 18 inch wheels,pictures in my intro thread. Looks good but I think that I'd prefer 17s for a bit less road noise.

That would be more a result of tread pattern than wheel diameter.

[brad]

Thanks for the replies.

Just wondering - is the suspension on the RS the same as on the TSI? Since this wheel/tyre size is stock on the RS, it should be the same height as mine with 18" wheels if there are no other differences.

RS has heavier springs with matched dampers. Ride height is ~15-20mm less

[roshea]

RS has heavier springs with matched dampers. Ride height is ~15-20mm less

Different springs and dampers - OK, thanks.

[brad]

If yours is a 90tsi then it probably has the 50mm front strut legs rather than the 55mm. A few of the guys on here have done the coversion from 50>55mm with replacement hubs.

The vRS springs should work OK with your existing dampers but I recall one of the guys fitted vRS springs to his 1.9tdi & it made no difference in ride height because the 1.9tdi was a lighter engine, so that's something to keep in mind.

If it was me, I'd do the wheels (they'll look fine) & then keep an eye out on the various AU based vw/audi forums for a cheap set of quality coilovers - except most of them will be 55mm so you might want to look for hubs as well.

Also, if it was me, I'd only go to 17" with a 235/45r17 because that does look good with std springs & quality tyres are as cheap as chips.

If you want to experiment with either size their are always heaps of bargains 2nd hand - that's what I do. Now on my 4th set of wheels

[cbay]

Also, if it was me, I'd only go to 17" with a 235/45r17 because that does look good with std springs & quality tyres are as cheap as chips.

This is exactly what I've been considering. Is a 235/45 tyre as opposed to 225/45 legal though?