Wheels choice denver vs detroit

[mfl]

Back of the line.....

yep add me to the queue ..............

[Beaker]

Hey guys, rather then start a new thread on basicaly the same subject I thought I'd add to this one.

I'm new here, about to order a new GTI and I'm also undecided on the wheels.

Firstly I don't like the look of either the 17s or 18s (with the Detroits marginaly better), but an aftermarket wheel isn't an option (lease). Also the cost of rubber puts me off the 18s slightly. I go through a set of rubber every year and the 18s will easily add $500 to that bill every year.

But more importantly - handling and ride is far more important to me then 'look'.


I assume most here would have seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pouc2DczPI&feature=related

I notice, that even though I understand that in Europe the 18' Detroits are standard, the vehicle doing all the real work is fitted with the 17' Denver.

Why? Anyone know?

If the GTI is a better performance car with the 17's on it - my descision is made!

[Nath]

From memory Maverick has discussed this somewhere in here that the 17s are better for performance on the track etc and I think the concensus around is that even with ACC the 17s give a marginally better ride comfort.

How about you get the 18s, and I'll trade you my 17s..... lol

Seriously though if you arent after the look then stick with the 17s and save the $1200 or put it towards something else.

[Corey_R]

I notice, that even though I understand that in Europe the 18' Detroits are standard, the vehicle doing all the real work is fitted with the 17' Denver.

That's not correct, 17" wheels are standard on the GTI in Europe too. In Germany the 18" Detroit's are a 600 Euro option, and in the UK they're a 450 pound option.

[iBoost]

If ride quality is your main priority, then the 17 inch wheel is always going to ride better, regardless of whether you option ACC or not. Might as well save the $1200 if you don't really like the Detroits. That being said, I've had 18s on my last two cars and never found the ride particularly hard or jarring. This is a personal preference though, and one person's opinion on ride quality might be very different from another.

Even if the car is leased, couldn't you buy some after market wheels that you like, then sell them when the lease is up and put on the brand new Denvers again?

[Corey_R]

Even if the car is leased, couldn't you buy some after market wheels that you like, then sell them when the lease is up and put on the brand new Denvers again?

Yeah - I've known people to do this on their leases. I'd still check your lease clauses etc, but I'd be surprised if they prohibited it as long as the wheels complied with any laws/regulations etc.

[Beaker]

There is no reason I couldn't buy a set of wheels and fit them afterward but they can't be claimed in the lease (shoot me I'm tight when it comes to my lease cars).

I do really like this type of wheel tho




Its a shame that VW won't offer a range of wheels from their entire family like the likes of Volvo and Saab do




It makes the descision hard I have to say when there is no clear 'better' option.

[iBoost]

You could always try and option on the VW Motorsport wheels, I hear they are big $$$ though.

[Beaker]

You could always try and option on the VW Motorsport wheels, I hear they are big $$$ though.

Yeah $1K a corner apparently - and I don't like them either - if I was going to spend that sort of cash I'd get some nice Compomotive or OZracing rims.

Something like this



Would be sweet, not to mention it'd cut the unsprung weight in half so it wouldn't exactly hurt the handling either.


but now I'm dreaming - I'd never get it past my wife

[Escell]

I agree VW should offer the full range of wheels for each model.

I contacted my dealer about 17 inch options as I find the denvers moderately ugly and he said there was only one - onyx. It's reasonable but there are so many other choices by VW out there that I'm disappointed at the lack of choice.

I went with 17s based on feedback from a pro car racing mate of mine who really advised I get them if ride quality was a priority.