Tyre load rating, can someone please have a look?

[brad]

Under 40 and over 60 was much worse because the compromise was too great.

So, 45/50 was about the best compromise according to him.

I read something like that about 20 years back. At the time it was "You don't need less than a 60 series".
IIRC the lowest profile we were selling at the time was a 50 series (205/50x15 for Camiras ????) and people thought the sidewall was "dangerously small".

I think the sweet spot is not just the sidewall ratio but the measured height as well - about 2" of sidewall height is ideal IMO.
195/60x15 on my Liberty didn't work, too much sidewall flex & they needed 40psi+ to get them to work. 205/50x16 on the same car with 36psi were much better.
205/45x16 on my Golf were too short in the sidewall IMO and needed 40psi to prevent impact fractures to the sidewall and rim (eg: 225/45x16 would have been better).
205/55x16 on the Skoda are a fraction wobbly for cornering but brilliant if you drive a lot of secondary, rural roads. They need 34-38psi to make them "right".

I'd really like to give a 225/50x16 a try (but I think the 6.5" rim is too narrow) or a 225/45x17 on a 7.5" rim

[Brownie]

I've just ordered some 19" wheels and Tyres. The size and brand I was recommended was Mitchelin 255/35/19 with a 96 loadrating. This tyre has a 2.5% increase in diameter but is fine on the R36. Some people won't go this size due to whatever reasons but I believe the 19's will look good. Hope you find what you're looking for!

[Benem]

any pics of the wheels?

[Brownie]

All going to plan they will be on the car this Friday. I'll keep you posted!

[GHW]

All going to plan they will be on the car this Friday. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks mate, yep, found 265/30/19 97Y in a Dunlop, It actually drops the rolling diameter by 6mm and keeps everything well within Qld guidelines for legality (+15mm or -26mm) and covers VW's requirements for load rating.

[Benem]

All going to plan they will be on the car this Friday. I'll keep you posted!

looking forward to it

[gead]

spotted this CW wagon at the airport...very handsome 19's michelin 255/35/19 96y.....looked to be lowered as well....

Is it anyone on here? It looked fantastic

[Lance B]

spotted this CW wagon at the airport...very handsome 19's michelin 255/35/19 96y.....looked to be lowered as well....

Is it anyone on here? It looked fantastic

Image doesn't show up.

[gead]

fixed

[apom]

nice rims... what brand are they?

[Rocket36]

nice rims but they'd look better with a silver lip where rim meets rubber.

[G-rig]

18 inch rims on the R36 are definitely big enough!

Just like 17" are definitely big enough on the GTI.

You wouldn't want any less profile tyres than the stock 18's come with, unless you want to compromise handling.

Lower profile = worse handling

Lower profile = worse ride (but may be some truth to going to low profile but this usually includes a wider tyre anyway).

Unless all you want to go for is the looks associated with a bigger rim of course

,

Which a lot of people do.

If you don't like them or don't like the look, then don't buy the car to start with.

What a dumb ar$e suggestion, who buys any car knowing that they'll never want to upgrade or change the wheels.

A mate of mine track races his R32 Golf and he removes his 18's and puts on 17's as they handle better.

Cost of tyres may have something to do with it. I doubt a smaller footprint and higher profile tyre would improve handling much.

Thanks mate, yep, found 265/30/19 97Y in a Dunlop, It actually drops the rolling diameter by 6mm and keeps everything well within Qld guidelines for legality (+15mm or -26mm) and covers VW's requirements for load rating.

Good to hear you found some tyres (heard today a shop sold you some illegal ones). Bob Jane were pretty quick to tell me some Federal 595RS weren't compliant as far as load ratings, but then again they aren't the cheapest shop.

[Lance B]

J.

Originally Posted by Lance B
A mate of mine track races his R32 Golf and he removes his 18's and puts on 17's as they handle better.

Cost of tyres may have something to do with it. I doubt a smaller footprint and higher profile tyre would improve handling much.

Well, actually it does, and my mate has the times to prove it and the track guys recommend it and cost has absolutely nothing to do with it.

[G-rig]

You may be right - don't the V8 supercars run 15" wheels?

On a normal road car I don't think it makes too much difference and an R36 isn't the lightest track car (either is the R32).

[KWICKS]

Unsprung and roatational mass is less on a 17" tyre/wheel combo.