215 or 225 on 19x.8.5 et45?

[loosecannon]

Ok guys, need some quick advice...
Just purchased some 19x8.5 et 45 for my 08 gti on coilovers, what are you experiences... 215's or 225's?
please post replies no matter how many times this has been asked... I have researched this and many other sites, now I'm confused... That's why Im asking for past experiences...
Cheers Adam

[dylan8]

the argument for the mk5s is normally 225/35 or 235/35.
215/35s do fit nicely over a 8.5 (and legally by most brands) but the load rating is a little light on where as the 225/35 is only JUST under whats legally required.
so of the two I would say 225/35

[Just_quietly]

I would go 225. But I have 225 on 8" et45. No rubbing even with spirited driving. None at all. The car is lowered 40mm front 45mm rear. (mkv GTI)

Apologies: didn't read you were on 19's. Definitely 215. I know for a fact 225 will rub on 19" 225 et 45. With a combo of 8.5" 19's you are asking for trouble. Sorry.

[Diesel_vert]

2008 Golf V GTI
Gross front axle weight: 1060 kg
Gross rear axle weight: 930 kg

Please verify - axle weight figures should be found on a plate or sticker on the car itself.


235/35 R19 91Y XL
- 615 kg per tyre, 1230 kg per axle
- Most likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index meets roadworthy requirements

235/35 R19 87Y
- 545 kg per tyre, 1090 kg per axle
- Most likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements

225/35 R19 88Y XL
- 560 kg per tyre, 1120 kg per axle
- More likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements

225/35 R19 84Y
- 500 kg per tyre, 1000 kg per axle
- More likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements
- CAUTION! Load capacity insufficient - safety risk!

215/35 R19 85Y XL
- 515 kg per tyre, 1030 kg per axle
- Least likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements
- CAUTION! Load capacity insufficient - safety risk!


Ball is in your court...

[Just_quietly]

Diesel vert. That is quite some valuable info there. Tremedously appreciated.
In reading thread after thread in 3 golf forums for the past 6 years, (minus fender or guard work) anything with 19" 8.5, et what ever, attached to the MKV always ends with disappointment. Period.

[loosecannon]

Thanks for the info guy's, but does anyone care to comment who has experience with 19's? Should I machine the rim to ET48 and go with 235? Help!!!
Cheers Adam

[loosecannon]

2008 Golf V GTI
Gross front axle weight: 1060 kg
Gross rear axle weight: 930 kg

Please verify - axle weight figures should be found on a plate or sticker on the car itself.


235/35 R19 91Y XL
- 615 kg per tyre, 1230 kg per axle
- Most likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index meets roadworthy requirements

235/35 R19 87Y
- 545 kg per tyre, 1090 kg per axle
- Most likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements

225/35 R19 88Y XL
- 560 kg per tyre, 1120 kg per axle
- More likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements

225/35 R19 84Y
- 500 kg per tyre, 1000 kg per axle
- More likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements
- CAUTION! Load capacity insufficient - safety risk!

215/35 R19 85Y XL
- 515 kg per tyre, 1030 kg per axle
- Least likely to rub, can be fitted on 8.5" wheels, load index does not meet roadworthy requirements
- CAUTION! Load capacity insufficient - safety risk!


Ball is in your court...

Thanks Diesel_vert for this info but the top 3 meet the load capacity, so why aren't all of them roadworthy? Sorry new to this...

[Diesel_vert]

Note that it isn't strictly illegal to fit whatever tyre you want - so long as you never drive the vehicle on public roads.

The issue of roadworthiness only comes into play when you do want to drive it public roads - when the safety of, not just yourself, but other road users needs to be taken into account.

Thanks Diesel_vert for this info but the top 3 meet the load capacity, so why aren't all of them roadworthy? Sorry new to this...

It can be partly due to the wording on the tyre placard, if present (i.e. "tyres fitted to this vehicle shall have a load index not less than 91" or something like that) and/or partly due to the vehicle manufacturer not having evaluated and approved a specific size.

You may also not be aware that a tyre's load capacity is directly proportional to its inflation pressure. A tyre inflated at, say, 2.0 bar (29 psi) will have a reduced load capacity than if it were inflated at 2.5 bar (36 psi). It is easy to overload a tyre purely due to insufficient inflation pressure (never mind the effects of increased wear, rolling resistance, and so on...), so vehicle manufacturers might also take this into account when selecting a tyre.

It may also possible that choosing a tyre size that only just meets the gross axle weights might prove to be a poorly performing size (in terms of ride, handling, wear, noise, and god knows what else). i suspect that this is something the engineers would evaluate as well during the design phase.


For all we know, a 225/35 R19 88Y XL tyre may hold up satisfactorily in terms of being able to support the car and forces it's subjected to - but we don't know that, and neither do the authorities. So faced with the absence of further information, they won't or can't deem them roadworthy.

I only highlight the issue of gross axle weights for the reason that, if one goes ahead and fits a tyre with a reduced load index, one should at least stay above those figures, as a sort of absolute minimum in terms of safety margins.