Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Corey_R]

All you need is a Stg 1 tune and it'll be perfect. [disclaimer for the pedants amongst us : nothing is ever perfect - it is just a figure of speech]

lol @ the disclaimer

[shakespeare]

I'v been intrigued about this 19" wheel discussion (as this is what I've ordered), so whilst I was at the dealer last week looking over the R I noticed the R's fitted with 19" wheels have a plastic protector on the forward section of the front guard and also on the rear guard! I could not see any screws and things but the protector is not on the 18" variety! Interesting I thought

You can just make it out in this pic

[Corey_R]

Are they guard protectors or "wing extensions" so that there are no questions about ADR compliance in relation to wheel protrusion?

The 18" wheels on the MKV GTI required "wing extensions" too, because they were wider than the standard wheels (which were 7.5" wide).

[G-rig]

If I was getting an R i think i'd get the 18" wheels for the silver headlights, look pretty classy with the blue (black looks good too but a bit cheap). Not sure if that protector looks that good, and takes up a couple of mm where it may not scrub anyway. I'm sure you could take it off, but at least it's better than the MK5 GTI's with still guards rolled out the wrong way if you chose the 18" Karthoums. Not really a fan of the R wheels either.

Anyone know what offset the 19" wheels are (and 18" for that matter; are they the same as the MK5 ET50 or 51?)

[triode12]

Are they guard protectors or "wing extensions" so that there are no questions about ADR compliance in relation to wheel protrusion?

The 18" wheels on the MKV GTI required "wing extensions" too, because they were wider than the standard wheels (which were 7.5" wide).

Interesting...the Pirelli has 18" wheels but don't come with the wing extensions.

[Corey_R]

Interesting...the Pirelli has 18" wheels but don't come with the wing extensions.

The Pirelli's rims were 18" x 7.5" - therefore they didn't require the wing extensions.

The optional 18" wheels on the regular MKV GTI, which were hardly EVER optioned, were the Karthoums, as G-rig mentioned. These were 18" x 8" and required the wing extensions.

It should also be noted that the 18" Talladega wheels on the R are also 7.5" wide. It's only when you move to the 19" Talladega that the width increases to 8" and these additional pieces that shakespeare has pictured appear. Remember (I'm sure you know, but others might not realise) that moving from 17 to 18 to 19" wheels should result in the same rolling circumference and therefore not affect ride height or cause things like rubbing. It's the changes in width and offset that cause rubbing.

[triode12]

The Pirelli's rims were 18" x 7.5" - therefore they didn't require the wing extensions.

The optional 18" wheels on the regular MKV GTI, which were hardly EVER optioned, were the Karthoums, as G-rig mentioned. These were 18" x 8" and required the wing extensions.

It should also be noted that the 18" Talladega wheels on the R are also 7.5" wide. It's only when you move to the 19" Talladega that the width increases to 8" and these additional pieces that shakespeare has pictured appear. Remember (I'm sure you know, but others might not realise) that moving from 17 to 18 to 19" wheels should result in the same rolling circumference and therefore not affect ride height or cause things like rubbing. It's the changes in width and offset that cause rubbing.

Actually I didn't - thanks for the info.

[shakespeare]

Are they guard protectors or "wing extensions" so that there are no questions about ADR compliance in relation to wheel protrusion?

The 18" wheels on the MKV GTI required "wing extensions" too, because they were wider than the standard wheels (which were 7.5" wide).

Hmm not sure! Both? What I did notice is that they "wing extension/protectors are only placed on the join where the front/rear bar meets the body, and as coreying has mentioned the 19" are 235's on 8" wide rims which mean wider, would be interesting to see if the offset is different to the 18" and what if any track differences there are between the two.

If I was getting an R i think i'd get the 18" wheels for the silver headlights, look pretty classy with the blue (black looks good too but a bit cheap). Not sure if that protector looks that good, and takes up a couple of mm where it may not scrub anyway. I'm sure you could take it off, but at least it's better than the MK5 GTI's with still guards rolled out the wrong way if you chose the 18" Karthoums. Not really a fan of the R wheels either.

Anyone know what offset the 19" wheels are (and 18" for that matter; are they the same as the MK5 ET50 or 51?)

I got the 19" as I like the black surrounds and the look of the 19's too

[Corey_R]

I got the 19" as I like the black surrounds and the look of the 19's too

You need to update your sig to put a picture there of one of the R's with the black surrounds then!

[shakespeare]

You need to update your sig to put a picture there of one of the R's with the black surrounds then!

Yes I do, I'll jump on plane to Germany now and see If I can get an early pic of my R :p

Now that would be cool, wonder if VWA can arrange this for buyers who have placed orders, been a while since I've been to Europe!

[G-rig]

I got the 19" as I like the black surrounds and the look of the 19's too

Bit of a hard choice.. but nice of VW to give us wheels/headlight colour options.

[Corey_R]

Yes I do, I'll jump on plane to Germany now and see If I can get an early pic of my R :p

There are lots of pictures of the cars with the black headlight surrounds though. Basically any car after the initial press-release photos will have them. Like the show car at the Frankfurt Motor Show....




Edit... but yeah, I'd love to fly to Germany and follow my car through the production line. That'd be awesome

[shakespeare]

You need to update your sig to put a picture there of one of the R's with the black surrounds then!

Done loads of pics here (apologies for OT)

Volkswagen Golf R (2010) with pictures and wallpapers

[G-rig]

I don't mind either black or silver.. Silver looks more expensive and shows off the bi-xenons for what they are, black is a bit more hidden, looks a bit cheaper but more aggressive.

[Glennb]

The wing extensions are required for any 8" wide rims on the golfs (7.5" is standard) for ADR compliance at time of sale.
Once you have bought the car, there is only a couple of screws holding them on so they don't need to stay on there.