Ride with 18"wheels hard - how to soften ride a little?

[brad]

you still haven't said what brand/model tyre....... Wouldn't be Bridgestone RE50A would it?

I'd get the foreman to double check for spacers as well. Probably have to jack the car up.

[AdamD]

But anyways, my GTI with the standard 17" Denvers and Bridgestone Potenza RE050s is riding fine.

There is a fair difference between 17s and 18s with respect to ride quality, on a non-ACC car at least. I went from 17s to 18s and, whilst the car still rides very well given its handling focus, you notice sharp bumps, potholes and ruts much more on the thinner rubber.

To the OP: if it really does bother you, and you're unable to live with it after a month, consider a set of 17s (such as the stock Denvers). Take a run over some corrugated surfaces in a car so fitted and see whether that'd be liveable.

[Corey_R]

Yeah... and you can have the Denvers painted to look like Detroits...

[MikeB]

car has Dunlop 225/40 ZR18s.

AdamD, one of my options is to get 17s (same as car I test drove). Of course, I don't know whether I just didn't notice it then or whether it is the 17"- 18". This was the reason for the original question - of how much the lower profile compared to springs / shocks contributed to the ride. I like the look of the 18s a lot, so would prefer to adjust springs /shocks, but will wait until what VW say.

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

[ozvino]

Take a close look at the denvers v detroits. The difference is significant, your tyre wall on detroits is very slender and I believe that's what is giving you the firm ride assuming tyre pressure, other items are checked.

I drove both when I was buying mine. I was warned by the dealer about the harsh ride on the detroits; I looked at acc but it was the dealer who reminded me I was buying a GTI, if I didn't want a firm, taught handling car I should look at something else...

Dave

[REXman]

I need to know what cars you have driven, and a scale for them comfort wise 1-10.

Then rate the GTI and what you want the most from modifying it.

Like some have mentioned, the GTI is the sports model and has great handling.

The only cars that gives that floaty "what bump!" feel, is going to be your non sports based golf models. And I'm glad cause I think 99.9% (sorry your not) of GTI buyers buy it for the fun factor.

Maybe a good ol commodore or falcon plus maybe a few others. 4WDs etc..?

For a sports hatch it's perfect compared to other cars I have owned. Even on the 19s it's pretty supple compared to most sporty cars.

I suggest getting 17 or even 16s if your hating the 18s. Maybe adjustable suspension instead? But then your killing the car IMO.

[nat225]

get a set of Cleveland VW wheels from the Comfortline models, put on 205 55 16 tyres. problems reduced :p

some ppl in the US put these on for their winter tyres.

IMO the GTI ride is very compliant for a performance car. I would have thought my old R.I.P. 2006 Accord Euro was more harsh in terms of ride with 225 45 17 (running 36 psi though).

[nat225]

Lesson 1: less rubber, less cushion..
Lesson 2: more rubber, numb feeling..
Lesson 3: no rubber, great feeling! :p

[AdamD]

AdamD, one of my options is to get 17s (same as car I test drove). Of course, I don't know whether I just didn't notice it then or whether it is the 17"- 18". This was the reason for the original question - of how much the lower profile compared to springs / shocks contributed to the ride. I like the look of the 18s a lot, so would prefer to adjust springs /shocks, but will wait until what VW say.

So you have an Adidas, which means it's not running Detroit rims, but the special Adidas-style rim (not that this has any bearing on the ride quality).

On a flat smooth surface, or even over mild undulations you won't notice a difference between 17s and 18s. You also won't notice a lot of difference in terms of grip, directional stability, or road noise - your tyre choice notwithstanding. The 17s and 18s have the same width (225), although the 18s do have a larger rolling diameter. Small bumps and a generally jiggly ride won't be cured by changing wheels. But 18s in general terms do have a significantly less sharp bump compliance over big bumps, so if that's what's bothering you, a wheel change could fix it.

Take a trip down to your dealership and ask to take a GTI on 17s, without ACC (unless yours is so equipped) for a 30 minute drive, and hunt out the types of surface you normally drive on. Have a mate drive your GTI, and when you find some problematic surfaces, jump from one car to another and compare the two.

Changing springs and/or dampers is a fairly major exercise in terms of its potential to ruin the handling and compromise the overall package, if you choose something that's not suited to the GTI. I personally would be looking down the new wheel path first.

[Corey_R]

The 17s and 18s have the same width (225), although the 18s do have a larger rolling diameter.

They do... but it's inconsequential due to the lower profile of the 18's. You're talking 1993mm vs 2002mm - 9mm only, or 0.45%
That equates to the 17" wheel rotating 501.76 times per km, and the 18" wheel rotating 499.5 times - inconsequential

[gareth_oau]

Lesson 3: no rubber, great feeling! :p

and a great fireworks display

[dave_r]

and a great fireworks display

what a woman!

[Johnbu]

18s, look great, unfortunately unless you drive on smooth roads, the 17s will be much more comfortable. Over time it will mean less rattles on your car also.

While the larger wheels look sportier, the 17s will be faster around a track. In the real world it will be even faster as you don't have to slow down as much as the road gets worst.

Other than the profile of tyres, a heavier wheel will also crash into bumps harder than a lighter wheel.

Not always a good idea to get the largest wheels that can be optioned/fit.

[pologti18t]

You may find the ride improves as you put kms on it.

Otherwise... have a looks at some luxo barges and see what tyres they use. You could change your Dunlops (stiff sidewall) for another brand in the same size and get an improvement in ride.

For instance... the ride on mu 2006 Polo GTI was acceptable on the original Continentals. On the replacement Michelin Precedas the ride is noticeably firmer.

[brad]

car has Dunlop 225/40 ZR18s.

AdamD, one of my options is to get 17s (same as car I test drove). Of course, I don't know whether I just didn't notice it then or whether it is the 17"- 18". This was the reason for the original question - of how much the lower profile compared to springs / shocks contributed to the ride. I like the look of the 18s a lot, so would prefer to adjust springs /shocks, but will wait until what VW say.

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

If it was me I'd look at the following....

1. try lowering tyre pressures down to 36F/34R. You can't go much lower than that because of the short sidewall.
2. switch to a tyre with a more compliant sidewall such as the Bridgestone RE001 Adrenaline. This will be at the expense of some steering responsiveness at turn-in.
3. change shock aborbers to something like a Koni FSD
4. switch to 17" rims with 45 series tyres